"After comparing several hotels in the same price range, I chose Zǐlóng Gardens. I'd also looked at their usual rates, and it seemed a bit pricier then, but booking it in advance for a holiday trip was definitely a steal.
**Stay:** For the same price, other places offer rooms under 30 square meters, but Zǐlóng Gardens gives you 50 square meters. It's nestled in a hutong, offering a quiet escape in the midst of the bustling city. It's actually the former residence of Prince Taò, who was an advisor to the People's Liberation Army's equestrian administration. We opted for the family room, which even had a small balcony with a view. The room had a great wet/dry separation in the bathroom, so washing up wasn't cramped at all.
**Food:** The mini-fridge was stocked with complimentary drinks (mineral water, Coke, Sprite, beer), and they'd replenish it anytime. Although the restaurant isn't huge, the food is incredibly fresh, with different dishes every day. I initially thought breakfast wasn't included, but it turned out to be free! From 11 AM to 11 PM, they offer afternoon tea with chef-prepared dishes like wontons and Zhajiangmian, all completely free of charge. You can even take fruit back to your room. The 'Sìyuè Hétún' restaurant on the first floor also had good prices and flavors; no reservations needed for their fugu or roast duck.
**Getting Around:** It's very close to Nanluoguxiang, the National Art Museum of China, Wangfujing, and Longfu Temple. The subway station is about a 10-minute walk, but I mostly used taxis, which made getting around super convenient.
**Service:** The hotel staff's service was impeccable. Finally, although check-out was officially at 12 PM, they were fine with us leaving at 2 PM, and even gave us a farewell gift.
Overall, it was a truly satisfying stay. Our 5-day, 4-night trip during Chinese New Year was a fantastic family experience and definitely enhanced our vacation."