The Great Wall Sheraton and other Beijing, China Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

The Great Wall Sheraton
See official website. For a discount rate, search online reservation service, or become a 'Starwood' member.

Unique Qualities: The first, if not one of the few, first western luxury hotel built in 1980s in Beijing since 1949.

As its name, part of its wall mimics the Great Wall of China.

Later

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: 86-10-6590.5566
Address: 2 Wang Fujing Avenue, 100006 Beijing
Directions: 10 North Dong San Huan Road, Chaoyang District
Beijing, 100026, China

On third ring road/beltway. Still considered in the city 'core, though not centrally located but next door to a f
Website: http://www.starwood.com/sheraton/search/hotel_detail.html?city=beijing&stateProvince=&country=CN&postalCode=&streetAddress1=&hotelLocationType=&pOI=&a

See its website for room type and search online reservation service for discount rates.

We booked a superior room (according to the photos on hotel's own website, it seems that a duluxe room has 2 full size bed instead while the superior, a king-size) with RMB 548 for late August (rates increases gradually in September).

The reservation was made via www.elong.com (all in Chinese). For those of you who do not read Chinese, www.ctrip.com with an English version page, offers the same rates.

When we checked in, they were out of the type, so we were upgraded to the Executive Floor ('Royal Executive'? Isn't everything in Beijing called 'royal' if not 'imperial'?). The room was large, and comfortable, with a street view. When it is not too hazy, one can also see the Forbidden City to its west. However, it is kind of worn, the carpet has stains (travelers and/or staff do not take good care of the property). The bathroom is of a fair size.

The breakfast and dinner buffet were okay, about average. Later we found out, it actually provides more varieties than few other hotels we stayed. One morning, we had to walk a bit from other hotel (i.e., Wangfujing Grand Hotel) to Prime for breakfast. We were once too tired to dine out so we tried its Italian dinner once, the food was so-so, we were the only customers there.

The staff of the Prime is definitely better trained than their peer at the Wangfujing Grand, though still not sufficient. Comparing to the staff at the St.Regis/Shanghai, both 5-star hotels, the standard is much different. If one rates St.Regis as 5-star, Prime could be only maximumly 4- - regardless its 'luxury' classification.

This is apparently a 'tourist' hotel. We ran into many German tourist groups there.

Unique Qualities: One of Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts (SHR) First-Class hotel.

Its location.

Was told it has the largest standard room size among all Beijing hotels. We will see later.

The Chinese name means 'Overseas Chinese Mansion', one could tell that originally, before all the western hotels built, this was a main place where overseas Chinese stay when they go to China for a visit. Now this may have been changed.

I would not mind returning to this hotel at all, being at its location. To many, the location means its closeness to Wangfujing pedestrian street, one of the major shopping areas in Beijing. To me, location means close to friends' places.

Another location convenience. If you do not have much luggage, the Airport shuttle is right accross the street for you to take. It is RMB 16 (was told) one-way instead of a taxi of around RMB 100+RMB 10 toll (the toll is just reduced from RMB 15).

More details later.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 86-10-6513.6666
Address: 2 Wangfujing Avenue, Beijing
Directions: Conveniently at the N of the Wangfujing street, thus a perfect place. Many ways to get there from anywhere else. However, traffic conditions could be a problem.
Website: http://www.srs-worldhotels.com/peoples_republic_of_china/beijing/hotel_pekreg.html

The Westin Pacific Beijing

Unique Qualities: A newly opened (July, 2001) 5-star luxury hotel.

Claimed to have the 'best hardware/facility in Beijing', best service, and provides 'Luxury Royal French' deco in spacious guest rooms/suites.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive

Directions: At the third beltway and Hang Tian Bridge. Close to the new financial district.
Other Contact: Later

Self-claimed 4-start hotel, but the service quality, especially staff training and management is far from a 3-star hotel we have stayed.

More later

Unique Qualities: If you get a room facing west, you will see the old Hutong, traditional residential areas below (soon will be demolished), and a bit far, the Forbidden City.

More later.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: later
Address: 57 Wangfujing Street, Beijing
Directions: South of Wangfujing and Wusi Dajie intersection, 200 m from the Prime hotel.

I have never stayed there, but it is one of the few such type which I am interested.

Details in its website.

Unique Qualities: Located in a traditional residential neighborhood.

A traditional Chinese courtyard garden setting. Rooms furnished with traditional furniture.

Luxury in mind setting, peaceful, serene atmosphere, but not luxury in terms of facilities.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 86-10-64032229
Address: 24, Xiaoshiqiao, Jiugulou Street, West City District
Website: http://www.bbgh.com.cn/

Lu Song Yuan Hotel

The following website is NOT the best booking place that you should go but its travelers' review gives you some idea about the hotel:

http://www.asiahotels.com/hotelinfo/Lu_Song_Yuan_Hotel/

Lu should be pronounced as lyew. Lu means companion, song = pine tree.

Unique Qualities: Another small hotel with traditional quadrangle courtyard hotel with rooms furnished in traditional Chinese style.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 86-10-64040436
Address: NO.22, Banchang Lane, Kuanjie Beijing, China

I have not stayed there yet, but will.

My friends who stayed there call it a 'great experience'.

See details in the hotel's official website.

My friends tried two types of rooms.

Unique Qualities: Classical Chinese courtyard setting with a rich history.

Best located among all this type. Walking distance to Wangfujing shopping center. If fit, walking distance to the Forbidden City, Tian An Men Square and few other major tourist sites.

Easty to access, take Airport Shuttle and alight at Ya Bao Lu stop, then either take a taxi or 20 minute walk.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 86-10-6512.5557
Address: 53 Shi Jia Hutong, Deng Shi Kou, Dong Cheng District
Directions: From East Chang An Ave, turn north onto Dong Dan St, then right (east) to Shi Jia Hutong.
Website: http://www.haoyuanhotel.com/
Other Contact: haoyuanbinguan@sohu.com