5-Star Hotels in Beijing

When people talk about the Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing, they often label it as a 'luxury hotel in the hutongs,' a 'hidden gem along the central axis,' or a 'masterpiece of the Qianmen regeneration project.' But if we set aside these external definitions and focus purely on the stay experience, the deepest impression it left on me can be summed up in two words: sheer comfort. This comfort doesn't stem from any single specific amenity, but rather from an overall feeling. Tucked away deep within Beijing's Qianmen hutongs, stepping through the gate from the bustling streets into the courtyard felt like entering a different dimension of time. Grey bricks, dark tiles, courtyard walls, and tree shadows – all elements were distinctly Beijing, yet without any forced emphasis on being 'Beijing.' The design didn't just stop at symbolism; instead, it re-organized the hutong courtyard lifestyle, truly allowing guests to live in a modern Beijing courtyard home. Beijing in the summer is particularly suited to this place. The afternoon sun dappled through the leaves onto the courtyard, with doves perched quietly on the branches. Sitting in the courtyard, watching the clouds drift slowly between the eaves and grey walls, you suddenly understand why old Beijingers always said, 'There must be a tree in the courtyard.' The tree not only provides shade but also marks the passage of time. The wind changes, the light changes, and the tree shadows change. Many mention its 'hidden location in the hutongs,' but what's truly worth experiencing isn't just the hidden aspect, but rather that elusive relationship with Beijing's urban culture. Outside the walls are the hustle and bustle of Qianmen, while inside, the unique sense of scale characteristic of courtyard living is preserved. Looking up, you see the sky; looking down, you see tree roots and青砖 (qingzhuan - traditional grey bricks); occasionally, birdsong can be heard. These seemingly ordinary details become precious in today's city. The service also left an excellent impression. It wasn't an overly enthusiastic kind of service, but rather a sincere and well-measured attentiveness. Help was always there when needed, yet they maintained an appropriate distance when not. Many high-end hotels can achieve professionalism, but it's not easy to make guests feel genuine care, and this place truly has that ability. Near check-out, I had a chat with the duty manager, Chloe. What began as a simple conversation unexpectedly became a memorable part of this stay. She meticulously detailed the design philosophy and spatial characteristics of the hotel's 42 rooms, patiently explaining everything from the layouts of different courtyards to the subtle differences between rooms. One could feel her genuine understanding and passion for this hotel, which in turn gave me a more complete appreciation for this hidden hutong gem. My special thanks also go to Chloe for her insights and hospitality. Upon leaving, I felt that the most precious aspect of this hotel wasn't its luxury, but rather how it has preserved the ambiance of courtyard living in a rapidly changing city like Beijing. Shade from trees, grey walls, summer clouds, birdsong. These seemingly ordinary things collectively form a part of my memory of summer in Beijing. If staying at a hotel is about experiencing a space, then the Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing is more about experiencing a Beijing way of life. It may not be for everyone, but for those willing to slow down and embrace the city, beauty can be found everywhere here.

The moment I walked into the hotel, I was so disappointed. There was an insurance company holding an event, and the lobby was chaotic and noisy. The insurance staff were even blocking the elevator buttons. My first impression was terrible. When I got into the elevator, on my way up to the 11th floor, a hotel employee pushed a cart full of things in. They realized they'd made a mistake, thinking the elevator was going down, but instead of leaving, they started cursing at a robot trying to enter, even using foul language, completely disregarding the guests. Entering the room, my heart sank even further. The cabinets and everything were dilapidated, and the overall feel of the room was old and rundown. I immediately called Trip.com to see if I could change my two-night booking to one night, as I absolutely had to move out the next day. The breakfast the next day was also very poor; from the service to the food selection, it was just indescribable. Even the coffee was undrinkable.

This hotel offers a very comfortable stay. The room facilities are well-maintained, the breakfast is delicious, the bar serves amazing drinks, and the location is superb. More importantly, the service is exceptionally good. The hotel staff are very attentive to guests' requests and feedback, and you can tell they work hard to provide a comfortable, pleasant, and satisfying stay. Stena, Osgood, Lina, Yulia, Mavis, and housekeeping staff Fen Fen are all warm, friendly, and professional.

I've stayed at Ascott many times, and it's consistently excellent in all aspects. The rooms are incredibly spacious, and the amenities like the fridge and washing machine are all fully equipped. The environment is also very quiet; you barely hear any noise. It's super convenient for dining and drinks, with plenty of restaurants nearby. There's also Xiao Taihou Park close by, and it's not far from the subway station – about a 10-minute scooter ride.

True to the Kempinski style, the hotel is well-equipped. The staff at the playground were very attentive and kind, and the children absolutely loved it, insisting on giving it a five-star rating. The front desk staff were incredibly helpful during check-in, and when they learned that my child needed a nap on the day of their competition, they kindly extended our check-out time. The hotel's surroundings are excellent, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing getaway. We will definitely stay here again on our next visit.

Checking in was a breeze, thanks to Kelly from the front desk. She warmly introduced me to the hand-purifying ritual and the evening essential oils, striking a perfect balance of being enthusiastic and professional. Her polite and professional demeanor made me feel right at home. Every staff member I encountered exemplified the professionalism and high standards one expects from a Waldorf Astoria. The breakfast was lavish with a wide variety of choices, offering both à la carte and buffet options. Unfortunately, my stay was too short this time, so I didn't get to experience the spa. I'll definitely choose this hotel again on my next trip to Beijing.

Ugh, what can I say? The hotel's location is actually quite central; getting anywhere takes about the same amount of time, and it's very convenient to access the subway loop line. Shopping and dining options nearby are also plentiful. The family room I booked is suitable for a family of three or four. The hotel's service definitely deserves full marks 💯. They respond to every request and always try their best to resolve issues quickly. However, there were quite a few issues, so to sum it up, it's like 'Lian Po is old' (a Chinese idiom meaning 'still capable, but past one's prime'): 1. The hallway has a very Chinese aesthetic, great for photos. 2. There were dust mites on the bed. My child's ears and legs were bitten. Also, the light in the room's entryway couldn't be turned off properly, among other things. Afterwards, the hotel changed the bedding, fixed the light, and even sent some complimentary fruit and small gifts (a children's toiletry bag). 3. The showerhead in the bathroom was positioned too low, perfect for my 1.3-meter tall daughter, but adults had to crouch. On the other hand, the water pressure was excellent.

The resort environment was very comfortable, and the kids absolutely loved participating in all the activities, having a great time. The atmosphere at night was quite lively too. Vera provided excellent service, and overall, I was very satisfied – a full five-star recommendation! What I loved most was that all the activities were included. Whether for adults or kids, indoors or outdoors, there were rackets provided by the hotel for basketball, table tennis, billiards, football, archery, and golf. The water park was quite large; the depth was perfect for children to swim, though a bit shallow for adults. Plus, all the craft activities, performances, flying trapeze, and aerobics were really fun! Dinner was the most abundant meal, with various international cuisines. The sashimi, BBQ, and salads were all delicious. The dessert bar was the most amazing part – truly five-star standard! My daughter even said the roasted lamb chops were incredibly tasty. 😋 We stayed in the Shaun the Sheep room, which was decorated so cutely. My child said she wants to come back again next time! The most comfortable aspect, actually, was the beautiful environment of the Songshan scenic area. It's a natural oxygen bar, bringing you close to nature; you can see and smell the natural aroma. There were also about a dozen adorable little cats! 😍 We plan to try out Club Meds in other cities and countries next time!

I stayed at this hotel for three days last week for a business trip to Inner Mongolia. I'm back today and plan to stay for another week, as I prefer familiar places and don't like switching hotels. I booked a king room, but since there was no showerhead (I have a wound and can't use a shower), I asked the front desk to switch rooms. Instead of an upgrade, they downgraded me to a twin room. I even told them that I saw plenty of rooms available online, so why couldn't they upgrade me? I will never choose this hotel again. As for the dining, I thought it was good, and the restaurant staff were nice. However, the room's cleanliness wasn't great; the bath towel and floor mat were placed together, and the room wasn't cleaned thoroughly. The swimming pool was pretty good, though.

Upon checking in, Miss Zoe at the front desk was incredibly enthusiastic. When I asked about upgrading my room type, she immediately and proactively helped me check and change it, quickly finding me a room with a better view. She was patient and polite throughout our conversation, very efficient, and took the initiative to explain the hotel facilities. Her attention to detail showed thoughtful service, and she was serious and responsible in addressing guest needs. She's an excellent front desk staff member! 👍