Andrei Aksentov
February 13, 2024
Can’t say it was pleasant at all. This hotel welcomed us with a grim looking socialism-style building, non-english speaking staff and a very-very-very messy room, which in fact was still messy even after we asked staff to clean up one more time.
To be precise, floor wasn’t vacuumed or washed at all, table was very dusty and sticky for some reason, towel handles in the bathroom haven’t been clean since Mao times I guess, covered in some yellow fat or rust.
Should I even say anything about windows or windowsill? I was uncomfortable touching them, while trying to open and get some fresh air, all days we were there. Although, about me *trying* to open them: it really is hard to open old chinese wooden windows.
Aside from our messy room, well, it was still bad in almost every aspect. Very, no, VERY dirty hallway with some spots here and there. View of the old parking lot, and some god forgotten silo tower. Quite unpleasant neighborhood.
But still, even after all I said above, it has it’s pros.
First, it was very warm in our room, which is a matter of u**ost importance if you travelling around China in winter. Probably it was the warmest room we’ve been in China: that’s why I constantly wanted to open those goddamned old chinese wooden windows.
Second, despite unpleasant neighborhood it has quite a central location with CGTN Tower and other skyscrapers nearby. Travelling to the city center on a subway was super convenient. It rarely took us more than 15-20 minutes.
Third. Despite all of it’s ugliness and messiness, there was no cockroaches, no ants, no anything. Which is surprisingly good, given it’s location and it’s cost.
Fourth. Yes, cost. You probably already noticed it yourself, it’s quite cheap, even if you compare it to some newer hotels on the outskirts of town.
Overall, would I recommend it? Well, yeah, if you have a tight budget, you coming to Beijing in winter and you want to live near downtown, close by to historic centre. If you got the money or prefer cleanliness over location — it’s definetely not your choice