Greentree Inn Beijing Guangmingqiao Express Apartment Hotel

“Fascinating hotel experience”

The hotel was a maze of corridors with friendly staff and always lots of life. Very little or no English is spoken, but this was a plus for practicing my Chinese. Rooms are reasonable size, beds very firm and bathroom clean. Great value. Local area is fascinating, with great food at local street ... more

The hotel was a maze of corridors with friendly staff and always lots of life. Very little or no English is spoken, but this was a plus for practicing my Chinese. Rooms are reasonable size, beds very firm and bathroom clean. Great value. Local area is fascinating, with great food at local street stalls and restaurants right around the corner. Make sure you try the steamed buns and red rice porridge for breakfast at these stalls. Quick bus ride to Jinsong Station, or a 20 minute walk which is worth doing to see the lively Jinsong area. Make sure you cross the road to Loongtan Park, it's a beautiful setting with willows and plum blossom surrounding lakes. It's not in the tourist brochures but it is a hive of activity- dancing, tai chi, singing, badminton, haki-sak and more! I was on my own, but it would make a great hotel for family trips.

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“Far from home”

This hotel isn't too bad, if you can put up with the following potential shortcomings: 1) Even after switching on the water heater for the shower, it takes forever for the water to heat up. And even then the water isn't very hot. Plus water pressure is low. 2) The shower drain is prone to getti... more

This hotel isn't too bad, if you can put up with the following potential shortcomings: 1) Even after switching on the water heater for the shower, it takes forever for the water to heat up. And even then the water isn't very hot. Plus water pressure is low. 2) The shower drain is prone to getting clogged so be careful of overflowing water. 3) The mini-bar reeks of garlic and whatnot. 4) The hotel is very close to a bus station but far from the nearest train station, so if you're not familiar with bus routes in Beijing nor want to familiarize yourself with them this place is not for you. The hotel has a strict policy that guests must check out by 12 PM, but you can still store your luggage in a storeroom and come back and retrieve it later at no cost. To get to this hotel from the airport take the train to any station on Line 10, and from there travel to Panjiayuan (潘家园). From Panjiayuan there is a bus station nearby that serves bus number 34; take that to Zhongliuyiyuan (肿瘤医院). It was around RMB350 per night for a room with a king-sized bed and a super-single bed. I was pleased to find the pillow and bed comfortable. They do provide the basic amenities like soap and shampoo, toothbrushes, towels, combs and a hairdryer. The TV works and so does the wifi. There are restaurants nearby, in case you're feeling hungry. In fact just next door is a halal restaurant serving pretty fresh seafood at an affordable price, open for lunch and dinner. If you don't need to use the mini-bar, can live with poorer-than-usual showering conditions, and have no problems traveling by bus, you might want to consider staying here. But even then it might be best to try looking around for a cheaper hotel.

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