Beijing West Station's BEST Hotel? You WON'T Believe This!
Beijing West Station's BEST Hotel? You WON'T Believe This! (A Mostly Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up, because I just survived… experienced Beijing West Station's "BEST Hotel," and let me tell you, it's less "best" and more "that's a hotel, alright." Before I lose it completely, let's break this down, shall we?
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(The Emotional Rollercoaster Begins…)
First off, getting to the hotel? That experience alone could be a whole other review. Beijing West Station is… a station. Large, chaotic, and teeming with more people than I've seen in a small city. Finding the BEST Hotel felt like a scavenger hunt, but hey, that's adventure, right? (Narrator voice: It wasn't.)
Accessibility: (Let's Talk About It, Because, Yeah…)
Alright, here's where things got interesting. The website promised accessibility, and to their credit, I saw some ramps and an elevator. But navigating the hotel felt… piecemeal. The lobby entrance seemed accessible, but the front desk, bless their hearts, were a bit lost when asked about wheelchair accessibility to the restaurant. They pointed, they gestured, and eventually, I figured it out myself. Bonus points for effort, but overall impression? Needs improvement. (Rating: 3/5 - for trying!)
On-Site Accessibility (Restaurants/Lounges):
This is where it got a bit messy. The main restaurant (more on that later) did have ramps, and a slight clearing around the tables. But the space was crammed with tables and people vying for space like gladiators. It felt more like an obstacle course than a pleasant dining experience. Let's just say I was thankful I wasn’t juggling a tray of food and using a wheelchair at the same time. The bar? Forget about it. Narrow hallways and a lack of clear routes meant it was more of a 'hope you brought a friend to help!" situation.
Internet Access (Oh, the Glorious Internet!)
Free Wi-Fi? Yes! In all rooms! Praise the digital gods! (Though the speed varied wildly, sometimes I felt like I was still using dial-up. Remember that? Shudders.) Internet [LAN]? Yep, if you're into that old-school vibe. The internet services themselves were reliable, but, the wifi cut out in the middle of my extremely important 'scroll through cat videos' session. Devastating!
Things to Do (Spoiler Alert: Not Much, Unless You Love Sweat!)
- Fitness Center: Okay, so the fitness center… it was there. Filled with equipment, but I wouldn't be surprised if I saw a tumbleweed roll by. The gym felt deserted. Maybe someone had been there. The equipment looked functional, not exactly state-of-the-art, and more like a place where forgotten dreams go to die. (I'm being dramatic, of course.)
- Spa/Sauna/Pool (Spoiler Alert 2: View, Not Really): The pool with a view? Well… it technically had a view, of another building. It was an outdoor pool, and a sauna was there too! The pool was a bit chilly, and the sauna… I bravely tested the waters and was able to endure the heat. The spa looked nice, though I didn't partake. After the "adventure" of finding the place, I was done with the spa.
Cleanliness and Safety (The Anti-Viral Apocalypse!)
This is where the BEST Hotel… did pretty well. There were hand sanitizer stations everywhere, and staff seemed to take hygiene seriously. Rooms sanitized between stays? Seemed like it! (Though honestly, I didn't exactly run around checking for dust bunnies.) Daily disinfection in common areas? Yep. They were taking this seriously, which put my mind at ease, especially in these post-pandemic times. Hygiene certification? Who knows? They kept things clean!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Food, Glorious Food, With a Side of… Confusion)
- Restaurants ( Plural?): Okay, the "restaurants." There was one, and the menu… was ambitious, a glorious mishmash of Asian and International Cuisine. The Asian cuisine? A bit bland, I'm sad to say. The Western cuisine? Better, but still a little… off. I tried the Caesar salad, and it was there, but not in any way amazing. The soup was edible but not amazing. The coffee shop? Fine. But the coffee was the best thing.
- Room Service: 24-hour room service? Yes! Which was a lifesaver after battling the station.
- Breakfast: The breakfast [buffet] was included with my room, which was appreciated. But it felt a bit like organized chaos, with people jostling for space around the buffet table. International cuisine for breakfast? Not really. Asian breakfast? Perhaps. Western breakfast? Sort of, but don't expect a five-star experience.
Services and Conveniences (Some Wins, Some… Not So Much)
- Air Conditioning (Public Area): Yes, thankfully. Beijing heat is a real thing.
- Business Facilities: They had all that jazz - meetings, seminars, even a Xerox/fax in the business center.
- Car Park [Free of Charge]: Score! That was a nice perk.
- Concierge: Helpful, but with a slight language barrier.
- Dry cleaning and Laundry service: A lifesaver, because, ew, I'd been traveling for days.
- Elevator: Essential.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Well, they tried. (See above.)
- Security [24-hour]: Felt safe.
- Wi-Fi for special events: Don't know, didn't throw a party.
For the Kids (Bring Your Own Entertainment)
- Family/child friendly: Yes, but I didn't notice any specific kids facilities.
- Babysitting service: Don't know. But I'm guessing that is available. (Important Note: I didn't have kids with me, so this is based on observation, not experience.)
Available in All Rooms (AKA What My Room Looked Like)
Ah, my room. It was… a room.
- Air Conditioning: Yep, and MUCH appreciated.
- Blackout Curtains: Essential for jet lag recovery
- Coffee/Tea Maker: Yes! A lifesaver, especially when there's a language barrier.
- Free Bottled Water: Always welcome!
- Hair Dryer: Check.
- Internet Access – Wireless: Check.
- Mini Bar: Yes!
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- Private bathroom: Of course, very important.
- Shower: Perfectly normal.
- Slippers: Nice touch.
- Soundproofing: Needed, given the proximity to the station!
- Wake-up service: Yes.
The One Moment I'll Never Forget (The Bathroom Phone Adventure)
Okay, buckle up. The bathroom phone. Yes, a phone in the bathroom. I don't know why. But the phone rang at THE LEAST convenient moment. I figured, surely it can't be for me, just let it ring. Of course, I answered. "Hello?" (I heard the hotel on the other end). They wanted to be sure the room was clean. The sheer absurdity of the entire situation, the awkwardness, the mortification, it was all too much.
Getting Around (The Escape Plan)
- Airport transfer: Available, which I didn't use. But I'm guessing.
- Taxi service: Yep.
- Car park [free of charge]: Score!
(Final Verdict: The BEST Hotel… Maybe Not?)
Look, the BEST Hotel near Beijing West Station isn't bad. It's just… a hotel. It's functional, does the job, and, thankfully, has a working air conditioner. The accessibility is a work in progress, the food is… inconsistent, and the bathroom phone is a mystery. But if you need a place to crash after a long train ride, it'll do. Just don't expect the best experience of your life. If you're looking for a solid, clean place to sleep, then it may be just fine.
**Overall Rating: 3/5 stars. (Mostly because of the working air conditioner and the free Wi-
Uncover Mui Ne's Hidden Gem: Your Dream Boutique Hotel Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because you're about to get a REAL look at a trip booked at the Hanting Hotel Beijing West Railway Station North Square Center. And let me tell you, it's gonna be a rollercoaster. Prepare for the glorious mess.
The Hanting Hotel Hustle: My Beijing Blunder - A Diary of Glorious Chaos
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Wall of "Wait, Where IS My Luggage?"
Morning: Landed in Beijing. The airport? Absolute bedlam. A symphony of stressed-out travelers, crying babies, and the persistent feeling I was standing in the wrong line (I probably was). Found the transportation to the hotel, which was a small victory until I realized my luggage had decided to go on a solo adventure. Cue internal panic and a frantic call to lost luggage. (At least the free airport wifi was a plus.)
Afternoon: Finally made it to the Hanting. Okay, let's be real - it's a budget hotel. But hey, the AC works, and the bed looks like it might be clean. Checking in was a bit of a comedy show. The receptionist, bless her heart, spoke a mix of Mandarin and determined English. We successfully communicated through a series of gestures, pointing, and frantic typing on the translator app. The room? Small. But it's mine.
Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant, which was an amazing sensory assault. The food was incredible, with flavors I'd never experienced before, and I promptly ordered way too much. My stomach is rumbling so much I probably should buy something to eat right now. Post-dinner, a delightful walk around the area. People were everywhere! I took a lot of photos with a lot of people!
Midnight: Still missing my luggage! I think I'll go to sleep now and try to figure out how to get my luggage tomorrow.
Day 2: The Forbidden City Fiasco and Noodles of Regret
Morning: Okay, I survived the night. Now, the Forbidden City. I spent at least a good hour trying to find the entrance (turns out I was walking in the wrong direction entirely), but finally made it inside. The sheer scale of the place is mind-boggling. I was awestruck, and I took a thousand pictures. Walking around the massive palace made me realize that it really existed, rather than being a photo in a magazine.
Afternoon: Lunch. I decided to be adventurous and try the "local" noodles. Huge mistake. I ordered something the picture showed and the taste was very unique. After a few bites, I was regretting my decision. So, I ended up throwing it in the trash.
Evening: I had a delightful time the entire day, but right now is the time to buy medicine, because my tummy is aching. I'm going to sleep.
Day 3: The Temple of Heaven and a Taxi Tribulation
Morning: Temple of Heaven. Beautiful. Peaceful. Thought-provoking. I wandered the grounds, watching people practice tai chi. Felt this bizarre sense of tranquility. It was one of the best days I ever had.
Afternoon: Taxi nightmare. I attempted to hail a taxi to go shopping, but after a 20-minute negotiation with the driver (mostly involving charades), I was dropped off at a location that was definitely not the shopping district. I walked as far as I could before I decided to go back to the hotel room.
Evening: Reclaimed my luggage! I'm so happy! I can't believe it! Went shopping and bought everything I wanted. I also bought a lot of medicines because I still had some stomach problems. I slept happily!
Day 4: The Great Wall (Finally!) and Beijing's Beauty
Morning: The Great Wall! The journey was early, but the view? Unbelievable. I walked. I climbed. My legs screamed in protest. I took a million more photos. The feeling of standing there, on something built centuries ago, was truly something special.
Afternoon: Back to the hotel, finally. I'm so exhausted! I've been walking the entire day! I'm going to eat and rest.
Evening: Last dinner in Beijing. I found an amazing dumpling place, and the dumplings were a delicious celebration of everything I love about China. It was the perfect way to end my trip.
Day 5: Goodbye, Beijing, and the Lingering "What-Ifs"
Morning: Packing. Remembering all the amazing memories I made. Checking out of the Hanting.
Afternoon: Airport again! This time, I had no problems! I boarded the plane and I was so happy to go back to my daily routine.
Final Thoughts:
Beijing was a whirlwind. It was overwhelming, frustrating, and absolutely incredible. The Hanting Hotel was a base camp, a place to recharge, and a reminder that even in the midst of chaos, there's always a place to rest. Would I change anything? Not a thing. Well, maybe I would have packed more stomach medicine. But hey, that's what makes a trip memorable, right? It's not about perfection; it's about the messy, beautiful, completely human experience. And Beijing, you definitely delivered.
Aiken's BEST Hotel? IHG's Hidden Gem Awaits!
Beijing West Station's BEST Hotel? You WON'T Believe This! (My Honest Rant & Rave)
So, what *is* this "BEST Hotel" everyone's talking about at Beijing West Station? Is it actually… good? Because I’m skeptical, already.
Location, location, location, right? How *good* is the location, actually? Because train stations are often… a vibe.
But then again… it's *at* Beijing West Station. Which means… noise. Constant announcements, the shuffling of feet, the general hum of humanity. It's not exactly a tranquil retreat, let's be honest. My first night? I barely slept. I think the freight trains passing by the windows were practically vibrating my bones.
The Rooms: What's the deal? Are they…clean? I'm a clean freak, or at least, I *pretend* to be.
The decor is… let's call it “functional.” Beige is a very generous description. You're not going to find any Instagram-worthy design choices here. Think more utilitarian than luxurious. The beds are… okay. Not the kind that you sink into, you know? More like, “get the job done” beds. But after a long train ride, they feel like heaven. (Maybe I'm easily pleased, after all.)
The bathrooms? They're clean *enough*. The water pressure is usually decent. And the most important thing, the hot water *works*. ALWAYS, always works. That's a win in my book.
Let's talk food! Is there *anything* edible nearby? My stomach's already protesting.
BUT! Do NOT despair. This is where the chaos of the train station itself comes to play. There are food stalls galore outside the hotel. Be brave! Be adventurous! I found some amazing Jianbing (crepes) from a little street cart one morning that made me rethink my entire life. Seriously, it was that good. Also, plenty of the fast food chains are within walking distance.
The Staff: Are they helpful? Do they speak English? Because my Mandarin is… non-existent.
One time, I tried to order room service (because, exhaustion). The phone conversation was a hilarious mix of broken English, frantic pointing, and the eventual delivery of… who knows what? It was a mystery meat dish, but honestly, after the day I'd had, I'd eat anything. It’s part of the BEST Hotel experience. The unpredictable, the slightly chaotic. It’s what makes it… memorable.
Okay, so the BEST Hotel… is it *actually* the best? Would you recommend it?
BUT! Would I stay there again? Probably. Because, let’s be honest. The convenience is hard to beat. The location is pure gold. And, you know what? There's a certain charm to its imperfections. It's not pretentious. It's not trying to be something it's not. It’s an honest, functional hotel in a very busy train station. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
It’s a mixed bag, a bit of a gamble, but ultimately, it's a part of the whole Beijing West Station experience. Just go in with realistic expectations, a sense of humor, and a willingness to embrace the chaos. And maybe bring your own pillow. Just in case.
Any Pro Tips I should Know?
