Gubei water town review for non locals
There are not many reviews for foreigners and I hope this helps.
Location
Getting there: we took a Didi ride from Beijing airport which was about 1.5 hours. Had to alight at the car park area outside the water town. There was a shuttle to send you to the visitor and hotel registration center. The luggage could be forwarded to your hotel from the car park area but you will need a local number to do so. After registration, we then had to take another shuttle to the hotel which was located quite a distance inside the water town. The Simatai Great Wall entrance and visitor center to buy tickets was just a 5 min stroll away.
Alternatives
There was the main water town hotel near the car park area and many smaller home stays and inns.
Amenities
Heated indoor pool, gym, chess rooms (which were locked), on site restaurant, a number of beautiful seating areas
Hot spring (onsen) which is free for guests to book on wechat mini program. It is located about 5min walk from the hotel. There is a convoluted indoor walkway or a shorter but outdoors walk.
There are restaurants in the town as well and street food. However, a number were not functioning as it was the tail end of winter.
Rooms
Very beautifully designed. You have to see to believe. Nespresso machine, dual sinks, daily fresh fruits and water. The tap water is safe to drink as the resort by the way.
Package
We had a winter package which came with breakfast, hot springs access and one set meal.
The meals were very good - both the breakfast and dinner which we had.
Simatai wall
There is a night time access. Cannot climb up but have to take the cable car both ways. You will see station 5/6 only. Main thing is to view the beautiful wall lighted up.
There is also a daytime access. You can choose to walk up to station 2 (about 30min) or to take the cable car up and down.
The daytime access allows you to walk from station 2-10. There were some challenging sections but it was totally worth it.
Overall this was a great hotel to stay at to see the wall.