YIHAI BUSINESS HOTEL

Strategic location in the heart of Beijing, near by Beijing Niujie Mosque, dozens of restaurants just around the area, spacious room, free self-service laundry.

I was invited to a local university and found the location attractive, especially as it required me to walk the shortest distance during heavy pollution. The hotel looks and feels as if it badly needs refurbishing. The room I had comprised of two sections, a sleeping area and a living room. Very spacious and reasonably designed (limited storage area though). The room was serviced every day but was not properly cleaned daily. Breakfast was OK. The massage area has been redone and is fine. Do not miss a masseur identified as number "01" who gives quite an amazing Chinese massage.

Smoke: we had our company meeting in this hotel. The meeting room floor was very cold, with only some meeting rooms being heated. Even though it's a non-smoking floor, the local Chinese can't be bothered to smoke outside. They smoke in the corridors and the toilets. Our meeting room was permeated with the stench of smoke & urine. Same problem on my non-smoking hotel floor. The local people walk around smoking, dropping their ashes on the carpet. No English: the staff at the reception have no, or only a very basic knowledge of English. A bit worn out. I pulled the shaving mirror closer, and it fell out of th wall.