Xijiao

Nice hotel in Beijing. Goof spread of breakfast big sized rooms, convenient, nice acess. Enjoyed the short stay

I was checked in by my host in building 5 and taken to room 407 in building 9. The lift needed the room key to operate. Building 9 had a bar on the 1st floor, but no alcohol as I later found out when I tried to order a beer! Not that sort of bar. The room was comfortable and a reasonable size for Beijing. First impressions were that it was a little tired and in need of refurbishment. There were stains on the carpet and water damage to some of the furniture, including white stains on wood where the steam from the kettle had attacked it. The bed was very comfortable and the sleep quality, in general, was good with little noise from adjacent rooms or above. The desk was very useful with good lighting. Fresh fruit was provided daily but I declined this apart from the first day. The bathroom was a reasonable size with a small washbasin inside and a larger washbasin outside, around a corner. Water was always hot and plentiful. Toiletries were provided from large bottles rather than small bottles. As is usual for Beijing hotels, toothbrushes/toothpaste and shaving kit were provided at reception or in a small cupboard on the 1st floor of building 9. Coffee and tea leaves were provided and replenished daily. Four bottles of water were also provided. There was also a small fridge. The room had a safe but no iron/ironing board which would have been useful. Wifi was reliable and fast enough for my needs. Building 8, nearby, holds a large swimming pool and an ATM. I had breakfasts in Building 5, which were buffet with mostly Chinese food but also some western food. The choice was good and was tasty. Buffets are also available at lunchtime and in the evening. Breakfast is usually busy quite quickly. Evening buffets were variable, depending on what conferences are being held at the hotel, in Building 1. I did not have time while I was there for any sightseeing by myself but I believe there is a nearby subway station which makes it easy to travel widely throughout Beijing. There are also universities nearby and many shops and restaurants. All-in-all, it was a pleasant stay, the room cleaning staff were always friendly and cheerful. I would be happy to stay there again.

It is a good hotel, the rooms clean, spacious, well-conditioned. Laundry service included if you wash your clothes yourself. Quiet rooms. Smoking is prohibited but guests still smoke, which generates a cigarette smell in the hallways. Buffet food is varied, but with more variety at breakfast than lunch. It's harder for a Westerner to get used to it. There is heated pool service, but its operating hours are limited, it becomes incompatible with work activities. The convention rooms are well aired, very comfortable, but the bathrooms are not for tourists, only for Chinese. Of the bathrooms, 80% is for Chinese and only a minority (1 bathroom) is for Westerners.