International Bamboo And Rattan Tower

“A Touch Shabby”

My Chinese hosts chose this state-run hotel and conference venue for me. It is called the International Bamboo and Rattan Tower after the name of the inter-governmental organization, the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), which is hosted by the Chinese Government. There are few ... more

My Chinese hosts chose this state-run hotel and conference venue for me. It is called the International Bamboo and Rattan Tower after the name of the inter-governmental organization, the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), which is hosted by the Chinese Government. There are few such organizations entrusted to China, so the state does tend to throw money at it, for quite what purpose is a bit of a mystery. If you want a little smile on your face, go to the display of petrified wood outside at the road entrance and look at the English caption - the place is called the International Baboon and Rattan Tower. Needless to say, no primates were visible. I stayed three nights, participating in an international conference, and having all my meals in the hotel. The building is outside the central area and is rather difficult to find. But quite nearby is the New World Department Store where you can pick up beers cheaply in the supermarket basement. On arrival at the hotel, you are faced by a starkly bare lobby. There is a bar but I never saw anybody brave enough to ask for a drink, even if a barman were available. The receptionist was efficient: I was given a choice of floor and I chose the top floor of rooms to get some sort of view. I had my electronic room key quickly. One of the three lifts was out of order for most of the time I stayed. The corridors to the rooms are dimly lit and feel forbidding, even gloomy. The room itself is reasonably well appointed with a kettle and tea-making facilities, a mini-bar, hairdryer and TV with 60 stations (but none of the international news networks). As others have noted, the beds are hard but I found mine comfortable enough. There is good supply of hot water, and amenities such as comb, toothbrush and little plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner, bath gel and body lotion. However, the décor is rather shabby and really does need sprucing up. The room staff are efficient but unsmiling, as are the dining room staff. I did not get a feeling of pride and ownership; but rather obedience and subservience. The main dining room is on the 3rd floor. Breakfast was buffet style but with freshly-cooked plain omelette. Lunch was also buffet and they quickly ran out of all the popular dishes. But I liked the plentiful supply of noodles and melon. The dinner I was offered was again buffet, a little better than lunch, but pretty much thrown together. The raw materials such as lamb chops were obviously very good, but the eating experience was spoilt by sloppy presentation and cooking. The hotel can do quite an impressive banquet as I experienced on the first night. It helped to have a vice-minister with me - an option only rarely available! I have no idea how much my Chinese hosts had to pay for me - possibly a good deal. But there are plenty of much better places to stay in Beijing, where staff have a smile and take some pride in their work. However, if that doesn't bother you, this is a reasonable place to stay - and from my 15th Floor room I could see some distance over the traffic smog of Beijing.

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