Beijing Railway Station Hotel: Unbeatable Luxury & Convenience!
Beijing Railway Station Hotel: Unbeatable Luxury & Convenience? Buckle Up, Buttercup! (A Messy Review)
Okay, so I just got back from Beijing, and let me tell you, navigating that city is a whole thing. But the one thing that made it bearable, nay, enjoyable, was the Beijing Railway Station Hotel. They claim "Unbeatable Luxury & Convenience." Let's dissect that, shall we? Consider this less a review and more a chaotic brain dump after a week of dumplings and dubious decisions.
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- Meta Description: A brutally honest review of the Beijing Railway Station Hotel, covering everything from accessibility and cleanliness to dining and "relaxing" (more on that later). Get the real scoop on this supposed luxury haven. Expect messy observations, quirky anecdotes, and maybe a few swears.
Accessibility: Let's Start with the Important Stuff
Alright, I'm not using a wheelchair myself, so I can't give a totally definitive take. But, they REALLY pushed the accessibility card, and I'm glad to see it.
- Wheelchair accessible?: Yes. Supposedly. The website bleats about it, and from what I saw, there was elevator access everywhere and ramps where needed. The lobby seemed wide open. From what I could tell.
- Facilities for disabled guests?: They say they have them (and I saw some accessible rooms—more on that later). Again, I couldn't personally confirm this, but they certainly seem to be trying.
- Elevator: Got 'em. Thank God. Beijing is HUGE, and I was thankful for that.
Overall, I'd give it a tentative thumbs up on accessibility based on what I saw. Now, if someone actually uses a wheelchair, please chime in!
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID-Conscious Nightmare
This is where I get a little OCD. Okay, a lot OCD. Thanks, COVID. Their claim of "unbeatable" cleanliness… well, it was good, but not flawless.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check. Heard them using them. Smell was alright.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Yep, saw that happening. Good.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: They say they do. Hard to verify, but the room felt clean.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Mostly. The breakfast buffet had some wrapped stuff, but some items were a bit… exposed. (More on the buffet later… it's a saga.)
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed to know their stuff. Asked them about something and they were on it.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. It was like living in a Purell commercial.
- Masks: People were wearing them, and the staff definitely was, even with the relaxed rules.
One BIG asterisk here: I requested room sanitization opt-out, and they actually acted on it. Big win. Overall: Good, but not perfect. I'd have liked a bit more rigorous scrutiny.
Rooms: My Mini-Castle (With a Few Hiccups)
Okay, so the rooms. They were pretty darn great. Seriously.
- Non-smoking rooms: Absolutely. Thank God.
- Air conditioning: Worked beautifully. Beijing gets hot and humid.
- Free Wi-Fi: Excellent, fast, consistent. Yay to free Wi-Fi!
- Bed: Super comfy. Slept like a log. Had an "extra long bed", which, as a tall person, I appreciated!
- Bathroom: Amazing. Huge shower, great toiletries, a bathrobe! And a HAIR DRYER that actually works!
- Soundproofing: Spot on. Didn't hear anything from the hallway.
- The view: My room looked out over some stuff and a little courtyard. I wouldn't use the term "stunning," but it was fine.
The "Hiccups":
- The "Complimentary Tea/Coffee": Small instant sachets of coffee that wasn't that good. I'd bring my own next time.
- Safety deposit box: Small. Fit a passport and a few valuables.
- The Alarm Clock: It was there, but I never used it (thankfully).
Overall: Best rooms ever, I loved it!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast Buffet Battleground
This is where things got… interesting. The hotel claims they have a varied and exceptional culinary experience. I'll give my two cents.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Okay, first things first… the buffet. It was HUGE. Absolutely massive. A sea of options: Western and Asian breakfast fare, pastries, noodles, everything!
- Asian breakfast: The noodle station, was the real deal. Freshly cooked noodles, delicious broth, and all the fixings. 2 thumbs up.
- Western breakfast: Not bad! Scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages and the like.
- The "Sanitation": I mentioned it before, but there’s always an element of risk. You have to pick and choose what to eat and to trust the people working there.
- Coffee/tea: They had coffee, and tea, but it wasn't the best.
- Happy hour: Sadly, I missed this.
- Restaurants, Bars, and Snacks: There's a lot of choice, although I was only there long enough to try the breakfast buffet.
Overall: The breakfast buffet was overwhelming, but mostly good. I mean, for the price I was paying for the hotel, I would have been fine with just the Noodle guy.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: Spa Day That Didn't Happen
Okay, this is where I'm calling B.S. on the "Unbeatable Luxury" claims, at least for me. The spa…
- Spa: Yes, they have a spa. Supposedly. I tried to book an appointment. Tried.
- Massage: This was what I wanted. But the availability was weird.
- Sauna, Steamroom, Pool with view All mentioned. But I didn't have time.
Overall: I didn't manage to experience the spa even though I was dying for it, so maybe I can't really say anything about it.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Concierge: Very helpful! They helped me with everything, and are the reason for my "Good" rating.
- Room service: 24-hour! Yes!
- Laundry service: Convenient and quick.
- Currency exchange: Available, with decent rates.
- Business facilities: They had everything.
- Car park: Free, on-site. Big win!
Overall: The services were solid, making the stay much smoother.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy (Mostly)
- Airport transfer: Yes.
- Taxi service: Easy to hail a cab.
- Car park: Awesome.
Overall: Convenient and easy to get around.
For the Kids: Not My Arena, But…
- Family/child friendly: Seemed to be. I saw families.
- Babysitting service: Available, according to the website.
Overall: Didn't investigate this much, but seemed family-friendly.
Final Verdict: Worth It? Maybe, With Caveats
The Beijing Railway Station Hotel delivers on convenience and a lot of the luxury promised. The rooms are great, it's generally clean, and the staff are helpful (especially the concierge).
BUT:
- The breakfast buffet is overwhelming (not necessarily a bad thing, but be prepared)
- The spa situation was a major letdown for me.
- The whole "unbeatable" thing is a bit of a stretch.
However, if you're looking for a comfortable, well-located hotel in Beijing with solid amenities, I'd say, go for it. Just don't expect perfection. Expect a good time. And bring your own good coffee.
Tangshan's BEST Hotel Near University Road: GreenTree Inn Exhibition Center!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're talking Beijing, the belly of the beast, and Hanting Hotel Beijing Railway Station… my temporary home of questionable cleanliness and surprisingly decent Wi-Fi. Let's dive headfirst into this glorious, chaotic mess:
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Wall… or Lack Thereof (So Far)
Morning (7:00 AM): Alarm blares. I curse the jet lag and the tiny, hard bed. Breakfast situation? Questionable. The hotel's "complimentary" breakfast is less breakfast, more a sad selection of congealed noodles and mystery meats. I bravely choose… toast. (I'm already regretting this decision.) Coffee is a gamble. Proceed with caution, stomach.
Morning (9:00 AM): First impressions of Beijing: smog. Lots and lots of smog. The view from the tiny hotel window is more "gray blob" than "picturesque cityscape." Feeling simultaneously excited and slightly terrified. This is going to be one hell of a trip.
Morning (10:00 AM): Attempt to conquer the Great Wall. Emphasis on "attempt." I hailed a cab (the drivers here are… characters). Got scammed into a "private car" because I can't speak Mandarin worth a damn. The drive there was a blur of honking horns, a city that felt like it was constantly in traffic, and a desperate need for a bathroom break.
Midday (12:00 PM): We arrived at Mutianyu Great Wall.. well, the gate to Mutianyu. The "private car" guy, after he had collected his payment (an extortionate amount), informs me that tickets are sold out! What a waste of time. I am livid. I may or may not have threatened to review his "taxi" on every single travel site known to humanity while doing my best to look like a calm (but very annoyed) western tourist.
- Rant Break: Seriously, Beijing, are you trying to scare tourists away? This is day ONE, and I'm already experiencing a level of travel chaos that’s usually reserved for the final episode of a disaster movie. Sigh… I could really use a beer right about now.
Afternoon (1:00 PM): Back to hotel. I think I will stay in for the rest of the day. Just relax.
(3:00 PM) : Attempted to wash my clothes in the tiny bathroom sink. The water pressure is a joke, but I had to get things done. After a struggle, I got the washing done and hung the clothes in the window, I could already see my clothes becoming dusty. Oh great.
Evening (7:00 PM): I decided to take a stroll. I am going to find some Chinese cuisine near my hotel instead of eating the mystery meat the next day.
Day 2: Forbidden City and Food Coma… and More Regret
- Morning (8:00 AM): Against my better judgment, I try the hotel breakfast again. This time, I go for the… the "sausage." It looks suspiciously like a pink… thing. Don't think about it, just eat it. You're in China!
- Morning (9:00 AM): Forbidden City. Holy moly. This place is massive. And beautiful. I wandered around, marveling at the architecture, the colors, and the sheer scale of it all. I attempted to be respectful, knowing very little about the history or culture.
- (11:00 AM) : At the Forbidden City! It was really great! However, I kept seeing people taking pictures of me. This is the part where I realized I looked like a tourist. I kept going, but I do not know how I feel about that.
- Midday (12:00 PM): Food coma central. I stumbled upon a tiny dumpling shop. I ordered everything! I ate so much food I was pretty sure I needed a crane to lift me out of my seat. Delicious.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Attempted to explore more of the hutongs (alleyways) which are near the Forbidden City… but my stomach was screaming. I waddled back to the hotel, vowing to NEVER eat that many dumplings again. (Spoiler alert: I will.)
- Evening (6:00 PM): After resting and watching some Chinese television, I decided to go out again in the night. I went for a street food adventure, not sure of what I was eating. It was a lot of fun. I did not get food poisoning, and I took a picture of all the food I ate. Great.
Day 3: Temple of Heaven & The Hutong Catastrophe
- Morning (9:00 AM): Okay, the Great Wall attempt was a bust, but I won't be defeated! Temple of Heaven this time! I hired a proper taxi this time, making sure to show the driver the exact location on my phone.
- (10:00 AM): The Temple of Heaven is grand. I took so many photos. I started to feel like a professional photographer.
- (12:00 PM): I needed to see more! So I went off on my own to explore some Hutongs. However, it was not what I have planned. I got lost. I mean really lost. I wandered down tiny alleyways, the scent of questionable street food permeating the air.
- (2:00 PM) : I am still lost! I have asked random people for help, all I got was a polite smile and a head shake. I felt so isolated. I realized I didn't know the language, which made things so much harder.
- (4:00 PM): FINALLY, I found the hotel! I was so happy at this point. Even though the service was bad, at least now I have a place to sleep for the night.
Day 4: Departure (Thank Heavens)
- Morning (8:00 AM): Another breakfast! I skip the mystery meats and just have toast.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Checked out of the Hanting Hotel.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Headed to the airport.
Final Thoughts:
Beijing, you’re a whirlwind. You’re beautiful and chaotic. You're frustrating and exhilarating. This trip has been a glorious mess of tourist traps, delicious dumplings, and moments where I seriously considered calling it quits. I’m exhausted, hungry, and slightly in love with this crazy city. I'll definitely be back… someday, after I've recovered and learned some Mandarin. Now, off to the next adventure (and hopefully, a less precarious bathroom situation).
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Beijing Railway Station Hotel: The Truth, The Whole Truth, and *Almost* Nothing But the Truth (Maybe)
Is this really THE hotel *right next to* Beijing Railway Station? Like, seriously?
Okay, picture this: You step off a train, your legs are jelly from the journey (and maybe the questionable train snacks), and all you want is a bed. The answer? YES. It's basically *attached* to the railway station. I swear, I got off a train once, and after the usual jostling for space and the frantic search for my luggage (a *major* anxiety trigger, BTW), I literally SAW the hotel lobby. No epic treks through parking lots, no sweating in the Beijing humidity, just... immediate, glorious air conditioning and potentially, a warm shower. Bliss. It's so close, it's almost cheating. Honestly, it's one of the main reasons I book there every time. Convenience is king, baby!
Luxury? Really? Isn't it just… a hotel by a train station?
Alright, "luxury" can be subjective, right? Look, it's not the Four Seasons, okay? Don't go expecting a diamond-encrusted toilet seat (though, wouldn't that be SOMETHING?). But the rooms? They're…decent. Clean, for sure. The beds are comfy enough after a 12-hour train ride. And the staff… they try. Honestly, sometimes the English is a little patchy, which leads to some… interesting conversations. Like the time I tried to order room service, and ended up with a plate of what I *think* was spicy pickled cabbage. It was… an experience. Not luxurious, but memorable and, strangely, I didn't hate it. The location makes up for a lot, okay? Plus, they DO have a decent buffet breakfast (that's a MUST-HAVE, people!).
What are the rooms like? Give me the REAL deal!
Okay, okay, settling in on the room situation. Think… functional. Don't expect cutting-edge design. Think… a slightly older, but well-maintained, hotel. Sometimes, the decor screams "90s," which has its own charm (or, potentially, a slight existential crisis, depending on your mood). The views? Depends. Mostly, you'll see… well, you'll see Beijing. Buildings. Possibly trains. Sometimes, the air pollution means you won't see much of anything (hey, it's Beijing!). The showers? Usually hot, which is a major win in my book. The wifi can be a bit hit-or-miss (prepare to fight with it, because that's just life, isn't it?). But, hey, a place to sleep, somewhere clean, and close proximity to a train that gets you somewhere amazing? That's the dream, right?
Is the location really as convenient as everyone says? What about the noise?
Convenience? UNMATCHED. Seriously. You can practically roll out of bed and onto the train. The biggest hurdle is actually getting your suitcase to the elevator. It saves HOURS. Imagine: no lengthy taxi rides, no struggling with public transport at 6 am, just... freedom. Now, the noise. Okay, let's be honest. You're next to a TRAIN STATION. There's noise. Trains whistle. People yell. There are announcements in Mandarin that sound REALLY urgent, even if they're just telling you where to find the bathroom. But the hotel, thankfully, has pretty good soundproofing (or I've just become desensitized to the constant rumble). Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper. Or embrace the ambient sounds of travel, like me. It adds to the… authentic experience. Honestly, I find the train noise kind of… soothing, now. Don't judge me.
What's the food situation? Are there restaurants? Good ones?
Oh, the food! Okay, the hotel itself has a restaurant. The buffet breakfast I mentioned? Essential for fueling your day of explorations. It usually includes the usual suspects: eggs, noodles, some mysterious (but probably delicious) regional dishes, and mountains of fruit. The quality is… consistent. Not Michelin-star level, but perfectly fine. There is also an a la carte menu, but I've usually been too exhausted to even consider it. Outside the hotel? You're in Beijing! Heaven! There's a smorgasbord of options nearby. From tiny, hole-in-the-wall dumpling shops (those should be on your list, seriously) to flashier restaurants. The area around the station is a real mix, a true Beijing experience. Just be prepared for some visual and olfactory stimulation. It is a city, after all.
Okay, but what about the *service*? I'm demanding!
Alright, the service. Ah, yes. The thing that can make or break a hotel experience. The staff? Generally friendly. Helpful, even. But, honestly, the language barrier can be… a challenge. My first time there, I tried to explain (with frantic hand gestures) that my hairdryer wasn't working. The poor woman ended up bringing me a *completely different plug thing* (it didn't work, obviously). It was hilarious in retrospect. The important thing is, they try. They *really* try. And I appreciate that. Just… be patient. Bring a translation app on your phone. And maybe, just maybe, brush up on your Mandarin "thank you" (xie xie) and "excuse me" (qing wen). Trust me, it goes a long way.
Is it a good value for money? Are there any hidden costs?
Value for money? I'd say yes, *generally*. Compared to some other hotels in Beijing, it's pretty reasonable, especially considering the location. It is not the cheapest Hotel in China, but compare to some other big hotels like the Shangri-la, it is. Look out for those pesky "hidden costs" though. Mini-bar? Overpriced. Laundry service? Probably expensive. Always double-check the fine print. And don't be afraid to barter with the taxi drivers outside the hotel (it's a sport, basically). Seriously, shop around a little when you arrive. And make sure you factor in the amazing convenience into your overall budget.
Any tips for making the most of my stay? Like, *golden* nuggets?
Okay, *golden* nuggets. Listen up. First, download a translation app *before* you go. You WILL need it. It's a lifesaver. Second, bring a universal adapter! Duh. Third, learn a few basic MandarinCoastal Inns
