But when they retired, replaced by Mr. Hu and Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, the atmosphere changed.
As the prize ceremony approached - this year broadcast live on national television and attended by both the president and prime minister - the atmosphere around the infinity pool grew slightly tense.
Labour MP for Rotherham Sarah Champion told the BBC that the atmosphere at prime minister's questions was "very, very testosterone-fuelled".
Set in an unfinished building with sturdy wooden benches lining the walls, and hard hats passed out as party favors to attendees, the atmosphere is primed impeccably for Wanda Nylon's progressive SS16 collection.
Start with the atmosphere in the prime minister's office.
You rather hope, for the sake of the atmosphere in the prime minister's holiday home, that the Radio 2 transmitter doesn't reach Suffolk.
Mr. Allawi's buoyant mood contrasted sharply with the atmosphere in the prime minister's camp on Friday evening, where Mr. Maliki angrily vowed to challenge the vote as fraudulent.
Many of the nitrogen oxides are extremely volatile; they are prime sources of pollution in the atmosphere.
The Swedish prime minister recently said: "A male atmosphere creates more risk and a greater risk of corruption".
It may not look as appealing as the other restaurants in this prime people-watching spot, but the atmosphere is buzzy, the tapas excellent and prices low.
