jscootdc

I'm looking for a nice hotel near the Beijing Exhibition Centre. It looks like the financial area is somewhat close. Westin or Intercontinental look good...thoughts on those or others within close proximity? I still want to have access to the tourist sites during my stay there as well.

Thanks!

PeterN_H

Staffing far superior at Intercontinental (more languages, more foreign faces, better informed, better trained overall), but atmosphere and design definitely colder and say 'business hotel'. Strange atrium over fitness centre surrounded by balconies leading to rooms, curiously hung with no art and without colour. Oddly institutional as a result.

Westin warmer, fitness and health oriented (up to a point--you can phone ahead for a herbal bath to be run in your room, tea-scents pumped into lobby to help you relax [if you believe in this sort of thing], jogging map provided, etc.). If it's anticipated that time will be spent in room (why?) this is a more comfortable, warmer, place.

You should also consider the new tower at the Shangri-La. It's a little further from a metro stop, but in all other ways the superior property.

Peter N-H

jscootdc

Thanks Peter. Do you know how close they are to the Beijing Exhibition Centre?

PeterN_H

maps.google.com

jscootdc

Peter,

Which Shangri-La propery are you speaking of? Also how far from the Forbidden City is the Westin and Intercontintal? I'm having a difficult time understanding how long it will take me in a taxi to get to the tourist sites.

Many thanks.

PeterN_H

Shangri-La manages several properties but there is only one Shangri-La in Beijing, directly west of the exhibition centre (and, coincidentally, from where this is written). Ten minutes by cab in modest traffic. 20 mins walk or less from National Library metro station, one stop east to Beijing Zoo.

I wouldn't take a taxi to the Forbidden City through day-long coagulated traffic when the Intercontinental and Westin are both in walking distance of a metro station, either on a line directly to the FC, or one stop to change to that line? Walk south to Fucheng Men and then it's two stops only east to Tian'an Men West, right outside the FC entrance. For most of the day you'd be looking at 20 mins or so by cab, sometimes more.

Peter N-H

Supercattonk

Hi Peter N-H

We are staying at the Shangri-La Beijing in March 2010 & was interested to see your reference the 20 min or less walk to the National Library MTR Station. Looking at the Hotel location on Google Earth I was hoping there might be an pedestrian under pass or overpass, there does appear to be an overpass but I can't get a clear picture to confirm, is there one?? Having got to the other side can you cut/walk through the Zizhuyuan Park to the Station??

Cheers & thanks for the wealth of info on Beijing

Laurie.T

PeterN_H

Yes, there is an overpass, and yes you can walk through the park. 20 mins according to one staff member. There's also an insect, bird, fish, and flower market temporarily relocated to an underground location directly across the footbridge if you feel like picking up a bit of traditional culture on the way.

Peter N-H