Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sleeping
Běijīng's once dire hotel scene now offers something for every-
one. Hostels are plentiful and offer excellent value for budget
and midrange travellers, while there are plenty of five-star lux-
ury towers that pull out all the stops. In between is Běijīng's
unique collection of courtyard hotels, which allow you to soak
up the irresistible charms of the city's historic hútòng (alleys).
Hostels
Many hostels are in historic buildings down Běijīng's
hútòng,
with comfortable rooms and
staff tuned into foreign travellers' needs who usually speak good English. Many hostels
have a homely feel, with DVD rooms, PlayStations, internet access, wi-fi, international
breakfasts and other meals, libraries, laundry rooms, bicycle hire and information boards.
Courtyard Hotels
For history, try Běijīng's courtyard hotels
(sìhéyuàn bīnguǎn)
, which allow you to uncover
the city's
hútòng
ambience and courtyard residences. The downside are smallish rooms and
a frugal range of amenities: don't expect a pool, views over town or disabled access. Court-
yard hotels do, however, come with an atmosphere that is uniquely Běijīng and a charm
that other hotels cannot imitate. Courtyard hotels are available for all budgets.
Luxury Hotels
Běijīng has a growing crowd of four- and five-star hotels. The best offer standards equival-
ent to five-star international hotels, and most big players - Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, St Regis
- are here. However, some Chinese-managed hotels can be a star lower when measured
against international standards.
