Fodor's Expert Review Jianguo Hotel Beijing

One of Beijing's first modern hotels, Jianguo was built in 1982 as an exact replica of the Palo Alto Holiday Inn, with direct dialing from rooms and other innovations (for the time). Diplomats, journalists, and business executives aplenty took advantage, and it’s still going strong today thanks to friendly service and close proximity to the conference facilities of the more expensive China World Hotel a block away. Nearly half the guest rooms have balconies (although most overlook a noisy road) and it's too bad that the gym and pool lack a modern touch, but the courtyard gardens in the back are a nice addition.