Xiyuan Hotel

“Elegantly appointed Chinese hotel with an interesting history...”

I was staying here for an international conference that was being held on the premises. The public spaces are very nicely appointed, and the staff is very helpful, if somewhat English challenged overall. The hotel room itself (a Business Room on a middle floor) was suitably spacious, with a great… more

I was staying here for an international conference that was being held on the premises. The public spaces are very nicely appointed, and the staff is very helpful, if somewhat English challenged overall. The hotel room itself (a Business Room on a middle floor) was suitably spacious, with a great view of the surroundings (Xiyuan is pretty much the tallest building around). The bed was VERY firm, which I've encountered in other Chinese hotels, and the climate control was a bit flaky, in part due to the weather (going from a warm early Oct to a substantailly cooler later Oct., and the building HVAC was trying valiantly to adjust). They had the requisite water boiler and tea makings in the room, so I was able to stay kinda hydrated (Beijing was very dry!). Only bit of weirdness to my mind was among the hotel restaurants. There is a "Muslim" restaurant on the first floor that serves food only very infrequently, a lobby tea space which doesn't appear to serve food (though on occasion I saw people with noshing stuff, they claimed they couldn't do that for me), a "Chinese" restaurant which I ate in with my Chinese colleagues, but they were loathe to seat me in on my own, referring me instead to their 26th floor rotating restaurant, which mostly did buffet-style food. I never did get sorted out where i should be eating there, but as it was I wasn't there long enough for it to be a big concern. The location, near the Beijing Zoo, is not super-close to downtown (~15 min cab ride to Tianamen Square and the Forbidden City), but is convenient to the subway, so one can get around. All in all a decent place to stay, which I'd probably have enjoyed more if I could have been a bit less jetlagged while there.

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“Executive floor worth the difference”

I chose to pay a wee bit more for the Executive floor and I heard some of the regular rooms left something to be desires. My room was fine and the included breakfast was good. There is also a 5-7 included. Good service from staff at the hotel.

“Colossal old-fashioned Chinese hotel in fine location”

I’ve stayed several times in this hotel during 1,5 years, due to business partner. Okay hotel, thus old-fashioned, renewed perhaps every now and then. Chinese style, trying to provide some western influences and some English language by staff. One of most irritating issues in the hotel is the smoki… more

I’ve stayed several times in this hotel during 1,5 years, due to business partner. Okay hotel, thus old-fashioned, renewed perhaps every now and then. Chinese style, trying to provide some western influences and some English language by staff. One of most irritating issues in the hotel is the smoking; I still cannot undestand when smoking is prohibited people are still smoking at floors and non-smoking rooms?! Smell floats allover. A few retaurants, especially ”sky bar” at top floor (27th) with really nice view. Same restaurant serve both breakfast and pretty great buffet dinner with decent price. Otherwise I think the hotel services are overpriced. Don’t bet much on gym, hence it’s very small room with poor equipment, something can be done. There’s also a small swimming pool which doesn’t look very attractive. Eating elsewhere: actually, right outside of the hotel (opposite of wide road) there are several great and non-expensice authentic restaurants which I really can recommend. Also, Central Mall is located at walking distance (at least my distance). At least the hotel room prices aren’t too bad. Go for it and give a try.

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