equitraveler

Hi All,
I will be returning to Beijing from Xi'an by air and am wondering if anyone can recommend a hotel near the Beijing airport. My flight out the next morning is early so I would prefer to be close.

Thanks!

PeterN_H

I'm not sure what the situation is with Terminal 3, but Terminal 2 has rooms at basement level in the terminal costing ¥300-¥320 overnight. For rooms with ensuite you want the south end of the terminal, telephone 6459 8943. These were fresh but windowless when I saw them, and the high traffic may not be doing them much good. Functional but not luxurious.

Otherwise there are a number of hotels a short distance from the terminal offering free shuttle buses, but there's a tendency to overcharge, and none of them are particularly attractive. The Airport Garden and the Sino-Swiss never get decent reviews. The Capital Airport Hotel was being refurbished when I last saw it. The Beijing Air Tianchu Business Hotel is a basic three-star just near the original terminal building. They'll send a bus for you if you call: 6454 4488.

There's a hotel booking desk at the airport that will thrust various things at you, but you're much better to deal with the hotels directly yourself.

The one to look for will be the Langham Place at Terminal 3 if it's open by the time you get there:

http://beijingairport.langhamplacehotels.com/

Otherwise, if you're willing to go 20 mins by cab, the Rosedale on the way into town

http://www.rosedalebj.com

or, 20 mins to northwest, you could have great fun staying in this masterpiece of kitsch, the Laffitte Chateau Hotel [sic], which simply has to be seen to be believed:

http://www.bjlaffitte-hotel.com.cn

Peter N-H

equitraveler

Thanks Peter, this is really useful information!

Deb

Christyne

I am very familiar with Beijing and can honestly tell you that the hotels closest to the airport are limited and sub-par. However, there is a brand new Crowne Plaza about 4 km from the airport that has just recently opened this year I believe.
Crowne Plaza Hotel
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BEIJING
FUQIAN 1 STREET TIANZHU SHUNYI DISTRICT
BEIJING, 101312 CHINA
Hotel Front Desk: 86-10-58108888 | Hotel Fax: 86-10-58101188
Book Online or Call
1 877 2 CROWNE (877 227 6963)
www.crowneplaza.com
Although I have not been inside to check it out, it is new and looks great from the outside. There are also lots of western and asian restaurants less than a 5 minute taxi away since this is located very close the local expat community. I would guess that the local restaurants even deliver if you can get a take away menu.

I would second Peter's suggestion of the Rosedale or Lido Holiday Inn which is about 20 minutes away if you don't mind a little commute in the morning.

Enjoy you stay in Beijing!

PeterN_H

Have to admit I wouldn't recommend the Holiday Inn Lido, and the Crowne Plaza, which I'd overlooked would certainly be a much better choice.

The Langham, I've just been told by their PR people, won't open until Spring 2009.

Peter N-H

equitraveler

Hi All,
Just returned from Beijing (and Xi'an). Fabulous trip! I stayed the last night at the new Crowne Plaza by the airport and it is really nice. All the amenities you would expect from a hotel of this class. Free shuttle to the airport, on the hour, or a 20 minute taxi ride for 25 cny. I chose the latter and the bellman made sure the driver knew exactly which terminal to take me to- essential as taxi drivers seldom speak english. Earlier in the trip I stayed at the Crowne Plaza by the BICC - also very nice. It is across the highway from the bird's nest, though the air pollution was so heavy by the last day that you could barely see it. When transferring out to the airport location the BICC Crowne Plaza bellman gave the taxi driver a mapquest map to the hotel and called ahead to let them know I was on my way. I was greeted by 3 employees and offered tea while i checked in. This kind of service definitely takes the stress out of travel!