Beijing Travel Accommodation Tips

Area options

Distances in Beijing are vast, so if you don't want to spend half your visit sat in the back of a succession of taxis, be careful when choosing your hotel. Unless business requires you to be elsewhere, then aim to stay as close to the Forbidden City as possible. In a choice of east side versus west, favor the former, for its better restaurants and shopping.

Hotel standards

For international standards of comfort and service, stick to five-star hotels managed by familiar Western chains, or the Singapore- and Hong Kong-based luxury companies.

Something different

There are a lot of courtyard hotels in Beijing. These are conversions of traditional siheyuan (courtyard houses) in old hutong (alley) areas of the city. These vary in price and degree of comforts from budget to expensive luxury options.

Payment

Outside of the major international hotels you may find that only Chinese versions of well known credit cards are accepted, so make a point of asking when you check in. In more modest hotels always be prepared to settle your bill in renminbi. Also, be aware that it is normal for most Chinese-run hotels to ask for payment of your room in advance.

Seasonal demand

The busiest travel periods are during the week-long national holidays that occur around May 1 and October 1, and during the Chinese New Year. If you are planning to be in China at any of these times then you should make any hotel (and domestic travel) reservations well in advance.

Traveling with kids

Most hotels allow under-12s to stay with their parents free of charge. Most will also add an extra bed for an older child for a nominal (and negotiable) fee.

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