Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Skilfully decorated with oriental chic (though oddly it doesn't have the Chinese name you'd
expect), it's a place to consider if style and character are more important to you than lavish
facilities. There's no restaurant, but a free breakfast is served in the lounge. If you are coming
by taxi, note that some drivers won't go down the alley, so you'll have to walk for 5min after
being dr
opped
off - best to call the hotel before you arrive and they'll arrange a taxi to pick
you up.
￥
1068
Crowne Plaza
国际艺苑皇冠饭店
, guójì yìyuàn huángguān fàndiàn 48 Wangfujing Dajie
010 65133388,
crowneplaza.com
; Dengshikou subway (line 5);
map
.
Well-established
five-star chain hotel with arty pretensions (there's an on-site gallery) an
d a han
dy location for
the shops and sights. The best of a number of pricey hotels in the area.
￥
1280
Double Happiness Courtyard Hotel
阅微庄四合院宾馆
, yuèwēizhuāng sìhéyuàn bīnguǎn
37 Dongsi Sitiao 010 64007762,
hotel37.com
;
Dongsi subway (lines 5 & 6);
map
.
A
courtyard hotel boasting larger rooms than most, with wooden floors and the usual tradition-
al Chinese carved and lacquered decor. The courtyards are attractive, with red lanterns and
plenty of foliage that provides the perfect environment for their weekly performances of tra-
ditional music. It's central, but 200m down a narrow alley that m
ost tax
is won't drive down
- still, the subway station is only a couple of minutes' walk away.
￥
550
Grand Hotel Beijing
北京贵宾楼饭店
, běijīng guìbīnlóu fàndiàn 35 Dongchang'an Jie
010 65137788,
grandhotelbeijing.com
; Wangfujing subway (line 1);
map
.
A central, if
ageing, five-star palace with splendid views over the Forbidden City. Rooms feature period
rosewood furniture, and there's plenty of elegant calligraphy around; facilities include a
pool
and gym. Service standards are high, making this a better bet than the
Beijing
next door.
￥
950
HiltonWangfujing
王府井希尔顿酒店
, wángfǔjǐng xī'érdùn jiǔdiàn 8 Wangfujing Dong
Dajie 010 58128888,
hilton.com.cn/BJSWFHI
; Dengshikou subway (line 5);
map
.
Newly refitted, luxurious and upscale, the
Hilton
is a safe international choice and there are
some good discounts available. It's near the shopping district of Wangfujing, and some de-
cent restaurants, and you can see the Forbidden City from the upper floors. Good on detail -
there'
s judic
ious use of incense, rooms have iPod docks, and there's an impressive gym and
pool.
￥
2200
reputation, one up to the standard of its sister establishment in Hong Kong. It's well located,
within walking distance of the Forbidden City, and rooms are decked out in pleasin
g earth
tones. Nice touches include a nonsmoking floor, and fresh fruit left in the room daily.
￥
1800
SANLITUN
