Nice, but somewhat overpriced. Close walking distance to shopping and the now-famous Beijing "bird's nest" stadium.

After been shown to our room apparently a smoking room, we asked to change to a non smoking but where told that there was no available. Housekeeping came and sprayed some lemon parfym and removed ash trays...

After a rest we planned to go out for dinner. While making us ready in the bathroom the toilet was fuddling. Before leaving the hotel we asked housekeeping to cleaning of our room. NOTHING was done. And no apologize to the inconvenience.

Don't go here if you do not like smoke. The lobby, the bar and the hallways smelled.

Something is wrong if this hotel is classified as a five star hotel

Located in a north central business sector outside the 4th ring road, the hotel is away from most of the tourist sights in Beijing (we stayed here because my father was attending a conference in the adjacent Crown Plaza while we vacationed). Four of us (my wife and I and my parents) requested two rooms with king beds. We had the confirmation in writing from 4 months prior to our arrival. When we arrived, they told us we had 4 rooms with single beds. They eventually found one king room for my folks and placed us in a room with two singles (which were bigger than twin beds). My mother was quite upset and asked to seethe manager – they were unable to arrange it. I was very surprised that a 5-Star hotel would not try to accommodate a business guest – it is typically my experience that they’ll just upgrade you to a suite or give a discount when a room is delayed or not available – not this place. Not even an apology or meeting with the manager.

The lobby was big and impressive. In contrast, the rooms were small and cramped. Tiny bathroom. Shower barely worked. Halls were sad and needed redecoration. Rooms were cleaned relatively well.

Room came with a breakfast buffet. It was average – a mix of western and eastern foods. Not bad, but nothing special.

Customer service was shameful in comparison to customer service at businesses throughout China – including tiny family run hotels in some of the Chinese villages. It was hard to find a staff member over 25 and requesting a manager was like asking to see the emperor. Aside from the initial problem at check-in, there were no real problems, just nothing outstanding. Checkout was smooth. Helpful with arranging taxis. Subway is relatively close. A crowed subway gets you downtown much faster than the taxis given the awful traffic (and I’m from LA). You can find much better in Beijing for a much better price – I was lazy and let my father picked this one. Overall in China, the three sights for which we researched using Trip Advisor were outstanding, the other 3 (picked by conferences or convenience to airports) including this one were mediocre at best.

I was booked into this hotel by the local organisers of the conference I attended at the Beijing International Conference Centre which is a 10 minute walk from the hotel.

The overall impression is of a well run hotel with attention to detail and frindly staff eager to help. I hired a taxi from the airport (fare by the meter 70 RMB); the driver did not speak a word of English, but when I arrived, the concierge (who spoke adequate English) received me and sorted out the fare with the driver for me. Throughout my stay the concierges were friendly and helpful although some of them had very basic English knowledge.

The Reception staff was efficient and friendly with adequate English.

Although some staff had little English knowledge, most had an adequate if basic knoledge of English and were friendly and helpful.

The room was clean and comfortable and 5-star standard. Only two deficiencies. They provided coffee (&creamer) and green tea; no black tea in the room. When I asked for black tea bags I was asked to pay for it. So I bought a packet at the (North Star) shopping centre just across the road. They provide two small bottles (200ml) of spring water daily; you pay for anything extra.

Breakfast (Aegean Restaurant) was very good.

I had dinner once at the Chinese restaurant on level 2. Food and service were good; except for one disconcerting experience. I saw a young waitress standing in the middle of the restaurant very deliberately picking her nose. The latter behaviour is commonly seen in public there but not one I expected in a 5-star restaurant.

I would highly recommend this hotel. Although the listed rate is high they gave me a lower rate which I believe is not hard to negotiate.