Beijing has a vast range of temporary accommodation options. There’s no shortage of hotels, hotel apartments, guesthouses and motels to choose from if you need somewhere to rest your head while waiting to move into more permanent living quarters. It’s advisable to spend some time in Beijing before committing to a lease. Neighborhoods vary a great deal, and where you decide to live will inevitably dictate your lifestyle. Explore a few residential areas before you decide where to settle down.
Beijing has many excellent options, as major global brands are well represented. Most seem to be catering to the business traveller in terms of service and price. Their luxurious hotels offer spacious rooms, broadband Internet access, pools and recreation centres, 24-hour concierge services and club lounges. You can generally trust five-star ratings to match international standards, however check out your hotel on independent websites such as Tripadvisor or Expedia before forking over hundreds of dollars for an opulent night’s sleep.
Bamboo Garden Hotel 北京竹园宾馆24 Xiaoshiqiao Hutong Jiugulou Dajie, Xicheng District
北京市西城区旧鼓楼大街小石桥胡同24号
(5852 0088, www.bbgh.com.cn)
This popular hotel was once the private residence of an imperial minister. It is on a traditional hutong near Beijing’s Drum Tower, making it a perfect base for exploring Beijing’s cultural attractions from. Rooms are decorated with faux Ming and Qing Dynasty furniture.
1 Dongchangan Jie, Dongcheng District
中国北京市东长安街1号
(8518 1234, www.beijing.grand.hyatt.com)
The massive Grand Hyatt is only 15 minutes by car from Tiananmen Square, next to the gigantic Oriental Plaza Mall.
70 Yanyue Hutong, Dongcheng District
东城区演乐胡同70号
(6512 8020, www.hotelcotecourbj.com)
A true boutique hotel, Hotel Coté Cour’s 14 suites are adorned with Chinese silk, boast polished brick floors and are equipped with flat screen TVs and free Wi-Fi.
5 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街5号
(6500 2233, www.hoteljianguo.com)
Catering to business travellers, the Jianguo is designed to offer a slice of greenery in the heart of the business district – as well as a large swimming pool and health club.
8 Jinyu Hutong Wangfujing, Dongcheng District
东城区王府井金鱼胡同8号
(8516 2888, www.beijing-peninsula.com)
As a member of the Peninsula Group, this exclusive hotel exudes wealth and exclusivity. The suites are spacious and fully equipped, with TVs in the bathrooms.
9 Dongsiliutiao, Dongcheng District
东城区东四六条9号
(8403 5308, www.redcapitalclub.com.cn)
This courtyard guesthouse is full of character and promises a memorable stay. Filled with rafters and old Communist memorabilia, the suite rooms evoke old Beijing charm.
1 Jinchengfang Dongjie, Xicheng District
西城区 金城坊东街1号
(6601 6666, www.ritzcarlton.com)
Located in the city’s new Financial Street, the Ritz-Carlton is convenient for business travellers, who will appreciate its chic decor and extensively equipped rooms.
21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门大街21号
(6460 6688, www.stregis.com)
The St. Regis is a very classy hotel that boasts a grand marble lobby and personal butler service. The hotel also offers a hot spring spa, a bowling alley and a putting green on the roof.
6 Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区工体北路6号
(8523 5522, www.choicehotels.com)
The Comfort Inn is an excellent budget option, located in the heart of the embassy district and within striking distance of the premier central cultural attractions.
1 Caiyuanjie, Xuanwu District
宣武区菜园街1号
(8397 0088, www.holidayinn.com)
This Holiday Inn is a very central and comfortable option, located in the heart of Beijing’s tourist area. It’s a stone’s throw from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, as well as the subway.
B9 Financial Street, Xidan
西单金融大街乙9号
(6606 8866, www.starwoodhotels.com)
The Westin Beijing offers the sanctuary you are looking for in the heart of China. The Westin’s signature heavy beds and rainforest showers are on offer.
This is a good option if you plan to take your time finding suitable housing to rent or buy, as it’s difficult to negotiate a short-term lease in Beijing. Lease agents are encouraged by landlords to sign minimum one-year leases. Expat-oriented short-term apartments are either specialized apartment blocks or form part of a hotel. They normally come fully furnished with kitchens and access to extensive facilities. They are available daily, weekly, monthly and even yearly. The longer the stay in a hotel apartment, the better the rate. For longer-term stays, they’re more comfortable and better value than hotels.
The Apartments on Financial Street 北京金融街公寓1 Jinchengfang Jie, Xicheng District
北京西城区金城坊街1号
(6402 9001)
The Apartments on Financial Street are adjacent to Central View Park, with an area of 30,000 square metres, allowing you to forget you are in the middle of the city. The apartments are also located close to the Central Business District and Xidan Shopping Area.
23 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District
北京朝阳区建国路20号
(8557 8888, www.marriott.co.uk)
The Sandalwood Marriott Executive Apartments are situated within Beijing’s Central Business District. Each apartment has been individually designed by world-renowned interior design consultant Karen Wang.
1-2 Dongzhimen Nanjie, Dongcheng District, Beijing
北京东城区东直门南街1-2号
(8405 3888, www.the-ascott.com)
Ascott Raffles City Beijing is ideally located, as it is close to major tourist and leisure spots like Lama Temple, Houhai, Beihai Park and Sanlitun. The designer fittings, furnishings and state of the art amenities complement the overall aesthetics. Each residence offers a multitude of conveniences including a separate living and dining area, a fully-equipped kitchen, Bose DVD Home Entertainment System and broadband Internet access.
21 Jianguomenwai Dajie
建国门外大街21号
(6460 6688, exclusives.stregis.com)
The St. Regis Residence Beijing is in the First Diplomatic Area, just a few minutes away from Tiananmen Square. It is known for its fantastic clubhouse, which features a swimming pool, gym, library and cigar room.
55 North East 3rd Ring Road, Chaoyang District
北京市朝阳区东直门外斜街8号
(5995 2888, www.oakwood.com)
Oakwood is the largest global provider of corporate housing, temporary housing and serviced apartments. They have many apartments thoughout the world. Oakwood Residence Beijing bridges the downtown area of Jianguomenwai with the embassy and business districts around the Lufthansa commercial area.
46 Liangmaqiao Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区亮马桥路46号
(8451 8888, www.somerset.com)
Somerset Grand Fortune Garden is located within Chaoyang District, the biggest commercial, business and embassy district of Beijing. Nestled within this prime district, a seamless blend of comfort and luxury awaits you.
2 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国门外大街2号
(8567 1234, beijing.park.hyatt.com)
Park Hyatt Beijing combines gracious service with contemporary accommodation to create a warm, welcoming personal residence which brings true luxury to the capital.
108B Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District
朝阳区建国路108号乙
(6567 8100, www.the-ascott.com)
A welcome alternative to a hotel in Beijing, the serviced apartments are located within the Central Business District and retail centres, making this an ideal option for corporate housing, project assignment or interim stay The rich cultural history of Beijing can be experienced and explored while indulging in the luxurious services and elegant private apartments.
15 Haidian Zhongjie, Haidian District
海淀区海淀中街15号
(5873 0088, www.somerset.com)
Somerset Zhongguancun is a luxurious residence that will provide you with a blend of history and modernity in timeless fashion. Part of Beijing’s Olympic Village, the Zhongguancun area has emerged as a world-class business precinct integrating the latest leisure, shopping, entertainment, technology, education and financial business facilities in the north of Beijing.
