Cts Grand Metropark Beijing

A very surprising and economic hotel, very large and attractive with a grand lobby and spacious rooms. In addition, the Sales Manager, Vanessa, was very helpful, arranging with me even before I arrived to receive my much needed Tibet Permit that was presented to me upon checking in. My main complaint and typical of Asia, few hotel employees spoke English and those who did spoke it poorly. With many Western travelers, even Asian ones, there is reliance upon English as the international travel language. Another complaint, the staff did not understand that if a mobile phone is on Airplane Mode, they should never turn it off, especially not telling the guest, while attempting to help them connect to the hotel's wifi. Several insisted wifi did not work with Airplane Mode, though it is precisely to be used that way when not desiring the phone to be subject to huge data charges. In one instance, while in my room dealing with my TV as well, my attention was not on my phone when the bellman gave me my phone with wifi. I later called a friend in USA, something wifi calling permits for free, only to see later, the hotel man had turned off Airplane Mode, causing me a charge for the call! Later, another tried to turn it off again! Finally, I went to Xi'an for 2 days, leaving my luggage. When I returned at 3pm, the reception clerk said my room wouldn't be ready until 8pm. Really? She insisted, I raised my voice, asked for Vanessa and amazingly the room was available. Very poor form.

Even tho the floor that I was staying on was under renovation, the smoke from (obviously) the working crew was unacceptable. Room was good sized, features were good, the included buffet breakfast was more than ample. The location was not fabulous, there are a few smallish local restaurants nearby, also a McDonalds within easy walking distance if you required an American fix. All in all, satisfied with hotel.

I just returned from a concert tour of China with my choir. The hotel was booked by the tour company. I stayed 4 nights at the Grand Metropark and found it to be very comfortable. The room was spacious and well lit equipped with a safe, fridge and tea kettle. The bathroom was clean and modern with good water pressure. The breakfast buffet offered lots of delicious dishes to please both eastern and western palates. Now for the other facilities. There is nowhere in this huge hotel to get a drink in the evening. (The nightclub is apparently permanently closed). We were told we could get a drink in the breakfast area, but that was only tea and coffee. The road outside is very busy and you cannot walk safely to another hotel. The health club has a weight/cardio room and an indoor pool. It appears they sell gym memberships to locals as the place was packed. Note: if you want to swim you need to bring a bathing cap (men and women). Also, bizarrely, there are no swimming towels available! I suggest you wear the hotel toweling robe to the pool and use that to dry off otherwise you will not have a towel to use in the bathroom. They really need to make towels available for the hotel guests as it was most uncomfortable dripping in the elevator and across the lobby to my room!