Forbidden City Hotel

If you want to be close to the Forbidden city, this small hotel is almost next door, within easy walking distance, and not too far from good eating places. When described as being in Hutong, its up a quiet alley, with the hotel a converted old house, which retains much of the traditional layout. Breakfast is served in the covered courtyard. If you want a slick modern hotel this won't suit you. The layout is idiosyncratic, with some risk of noise from other rooms if you are unlucky. The mattress is traditionally hard. We loved the bath. If you are familiar with the typical Chinese breakfast you may welcome their attempt at a western style breakfast. We found that the staff tried to be helpful, and for us mostly succeeded. A welcome antidote to faceless corporate or grandiose hotels, and an enjoyable stay.

I’ve read reviews that said it was charming. It could do with a good clean. The bathroom was quite grubby. There are marks on the floor that should be cleaned off. The bathroom shower is so high up and the entire bathroom needs upgrading. It’s very dated and can still be charming but updated. There are no tea making facilities in the bedroom but cups for hot drinks. The mattresses are especially thin and the bed is an extremely hard wooden bed of traditional style. No reason why it couldn’t have a proper mattress on it. I had to put another duvet under me to get more comfort. The breakfast was average. Eggs flipped and one piece of bacon. When they say it’s European breakfast you expect that. The toast was only cooked on one side. In a nut shell the only thing it was good for it’s so close to the Eastern Forbidden City gate. The area itself is very charming and this place has so much potential I’d want to improve it.

The Royal Palace is a rare place that few westerners stay at and that is a shame. Housed in a 1000 year old hutong, it has only 6 rooms and has been modernized. Its about a 5 minute walk to the east gate of the Forbidden City with another 10 to the entrance (Meridian Gate). At night, all the main streets and around the F orbidden City are empty..makes for a relaxing stroll late night or early morning. Have the address written in chinese, you will have no problem with taxi's finding it