Any recommendations for a quaint hotel in Beijing between $70 - $90 a night. Don't want to stay in a large western hotel. I posted this question earlier but cannot find it anylonger. We would like something that would include bed and breakfast and centrally located. Thank you,

www.redcapitalclub.com

Down a great little hutong, restored qing dynasty courtyard...very unique but not sure of the price.

Hello. I was in Beijing last October, we stayed at a fantastic courtyard B&B, called Haoyuan guest house. It's in a fantastic location, 2 blocks from Wangfujing Dajie, the main boulevard. We had a suite,breakfast was included and the price was $70/night. The staff were very helpful, and spoke english. The B&B is located on an old hutong, I spend hours exploring them on a bike rented at the B&B. I felt staying where we did really made our Beijing experience much more authentic. We booked a ride to the Jingshaling-Simitai Wall section through the office, and were picked up right there. It was wonderful. While in Beijing, be sure to explore the back lakes area, we really enjoyed it.
This B&B is listed in Fodors beijing guide, but it says credit cards aren't accepted. They do, in fact, accept credit cards.
We loved Beijing!!

WE are very tempted to stay here. Did you have any problem with the taxi driver finding this place in the evening? We are arriving in Beijing @ 8 p.m. and wonder if we will have a problem finding it so late in the evening. Do you know if the hotel will send a driver? I will check with them. I'm torn between this sort of place and the Novotel XinGiao

Wanda, I don't know this place, but the best approach is to show your cabbie the name and address of your destinations written in Chinese characters.

I was very impressed by Beijing's cabbies, and you're highly unlikely to strike a problem from there on. If you have a problem at the airport, the guy who runs the cab lines is sure to be able to help out.

If you get the hotel to send a car, 120 yuan (US$15) is more than a fair price. We paid Y85 ($10-11) when we arrived at about 1:00 am. In the reverse direction we flagged down a cab in the street and paid Y60 (US$7-8). Western travellers often get skinned in China because they have no idea of local prices. Then, to make matters worse, they assume that they have to tip people.