Grand Hyatt Beijing
🔶I thought I'd be smooth sailing by traveling to Beijing just before the National Day holiday rush. Little did I know everyone else had the same idea😊, resulting in tight availability or low inventory at every hotel I booked. Suite upgrade certificates weren't even accepted. The Grand Hyatt was fully booked even earlier✨. The bamboo forest in the lobby was bustling not only with business travelers, but also with athletes participating in the China Open💫. I had to adjust my expectations and take whatever room was available. Fortunately, there was a small surprise: two limited-edition room key cards commemorating the partnership between the China Open and the Grand Hyatt.
🔶I was upgraded to a Grand Club King on a high floor. The room was spacious, bright, elegant, and simple. The bed conveniently faced the TV✨, so no neck craning required. The bathroom's location was a bit unusual, though; it took a few trips to get used to it. The highlight of the room⭐️ was the unobstructed floor-to-ceiling window. As the curtains slowly opened, the Wangjing SOHO, framed by lush greenery, appeared like a miniature landscape.
🔶At night, the view became even more spectacular, with shimmering lights, making me feel like I was amidst the scenery of the Li River. The hardest-working part of the room must be the electric curtain switch😊. I kept pressing it just to relive the initial moment of awe.
The three-story Grand Club is open from morning till night✨. Breakfast is provided for Globalists and guests who have purchased Grand Club access. During the day, only tea, snacks, and soft drinks are available🍹☕️. Happy Hour starts at 5:30 pm, offering a small buffet spread!
🔶The next day, breakfast was served under the soaring eaves and dense bamboo forest, evoking a sense of seclusion. The selection was abundant😍, with Chinese, Western, Japanese, Korean, Indian, and Western options – a true global feast. The salad bar was particularly impressive, with a variety of choices. The plum vinaigrette was the best I've had recently✌. The pan-fried dumplings, pork buns, and minced meat pies looked better than they tasted. After stuffing myself, I peeked at what the tennis players were having for breakfast. It seemed like their main strategy was to eat nothing at all.
🔶The fitness center and swimming pool are located on the basement level and are quite large. However, the pool area was dimly lit, resembling a dingy bar booth with an unsettling blue glow. Even standing on the deck, the shadows were eerie. Getting into the water felt like a salamander sinking into a dark river. I later asked the staff and learned that this was the intended design. They mentioned that the pool only gets some natural light on sunny afternoons.
🔶I'd also like to thank Laura at the front desk and Mia at the Grand Club for their professional and considerate service😊, which added a touch of warmth to my stay.
🔶Overall, the experience was excellent. Even after multiple visits, there are always new surprises. My personal preference for this hotel rivals that of the Grand Hyatt Shanghai.