Beijing Hotel recommendation please

[Lobbylin]

Hi

 

We will be in Beijing pre-cruise for 1 night in March 09. We don't have much time - arriving 10am day 1, embarking at Tianjin day 2 for 6pm sailing.

 

I am planning on booking something all inclusive with a local tour company to include

- airport pick-up and same day afternoon tour

- overnight hotel

- day 2 early morning Beijing City tour to arrive a the port around 2pm. ( I know it's a good 2hr transfer from Beijing to Tianjin...)

 

Where should I stay in Beijing? I am leaning towards hotels near Wangfujing/Tiannenmen Square, or am I there for such a short time that it doesn't matter? Am happy to eat in the hotel, but would like some good Chinese food. Is there any good sights worth strolling out for in the evening or best to stay in the hotel?

 

Thanks:)

[wripro]

Try the Peninsula. I stayed there a couple of years ago and loved it. It's very conveniently located too.

[Aussie One]

Hi

 

We will be in Beijing pre-cruise for 1 night in March 09. We don't have much time - arriving 10am day 1, embarking at Tianjin day 2 for 6pm sailing.

 

I am planning on booking something all inclusive with a local tour company to include

- airport pick-up and same day afternoon tour

- overnight hotel

- day 2 early morning Beijing City tour to arrive a the port around 2pm. ( I know it's a good 2hr transfer from Beijing to Tianjin...)

 

Where should I stay in Beijing? I am leaning towards hotels near Wangfujing/Tiannenmen Square, or am I there for such a short time that it doesn't matter? Am happy to eat in the hotel, but would like some good Chinese food. Is there any good sights worth strolling out for in the evening or best to stay in the hotel?

 

Thanks:)

You have very little time. get the tours that include lunch or dinner this will solve the problem of eating out.they seat you at a round table with other tourist with a dizzy lizzy its filled with food and spins around with about 10 selections its great.you will not have eneogh time for the great wall. i think with the short time you have hotel location does not matter. check this company out. i did a five day tour with this company. very reliable. CITS Chinese International Travel Service remember very little english is spoken it will improve with time. taxi drivers do not speak english. if you leave the hotel take a card.the girls and guys in the markets are fluent in english.they bargain hard.go 25% of the figure and be prepared to walk away enjoy china.

[Lobbylin]

You have very little time. get the tours that include lunch or dinner this will solve the problem of eating out.they seat you at a round table with other tourist with a dizzy lizzy its filled with food and spins around with about 10 selections its great..

 

Grumphy, tours including dinner sound good - can you remember the names of any places? I have read of acrobat dinners!?

 

Thanks to all....:)

[Lobbylin]

Try the Peninsula. I stayed there a couple of years ago and loved it. It's very conveniently located too.

 

DH loves the sound of the Peninsula( I wouldn't fork out for the Peninsula in Hong Kong, but I might be able to run to it in Beijing!;) ) ....I didn't realise there was one in Beijing.

 

Thanks:)

[Aussie One]

Grumphy, tours including dinner sound good - can you remember the names of any places? I have read of acrobat dinners!?

 

Thanks to all....:)

The restauants where for tourist busses there was maybe 20 tables and for tour companys our tour took up three tables.every thing is in chinese.eg what is number 33 on a bus in chinese.check out Days hotel i stayed here just after Days took over.you have got no chance of finding a restaraunt on your own. if you did how would you order? if you want to go to the main street in Beijing.get your hotel bus boy to tell taxi driver to take you to Beijing Hotel its 200yds from main street. to get back to your hotel. go back to Beijing hotel and get bus boy to do same.i keep saying nobody speaks english.i loved every bit of China. London has one ring road Beijing has five ring roads it took $85 billion dollars to build new airport in five years. the Brits took five years to do the paper work for terminal five.Don,t try and do to much concentrate on small trips enjoy

p.s what time of year will you be there. ???

[Lobbylin]

Grumphy, thanks, will be there March 09

[stanandsue]

I agree with the previous respondent, the Peninsula Palace Hotel is a great choice, and their concierge is very capable of arranging your private tours.

[Aussie One]

Grumphy, thanks, will be there March 09

March could be cold check out weather. i don,t know your home country ? I leave the land of Oz this thursday. via Singapore to land tour Europe 16 days. then I join celbrity cruise Med.12 days 3 extra days barcelona.fly to phuket thailand 7 days. in all 7 weeks away then home to Oz.I note you are cruising Oz and N/Zealand.Try to stay in Sydney 3 days

its rated next to Rio as the most picturest in the world. for hotels go into the Qantas home page to check hotels if you like book through them.

Darling Harbour is the place depends on bugget.i know Asia very well but very green about Europe.the last cruise i took was in 1961 southampton to Oz 7 weeks. I will look for your posts on my return. thank you to all the guys in cruise critics for there imputs to the Forums. Enjoy Grumphy

[Lobbylin]

March could be cold check out weather. i don,t know your home country ? I leave the land of Oz this thursday. via Singapore to land tour Europe 16 days. then I join celbrity cruise Med.12 days 3 extra days barcelona.fly to phuket thailand 7 days. in all 7 weeks away then home to Oz.I note you are cruising Oz and N/Zealand.Try to stay in Sydney 3 days

its rated next to Rio as the most picturest in the world. for hotels go into the Qantas home page to check hotels if you like book through them.

Darling Harbour is the place depends on bugget.i know Asia very well but very green about Europe.the last cruise i took was in 1961 southampton to Oz 7 weeks. I will look for your posts on my return. thank you to all the guys in cruise critics for there imputs to the Forums. Enjoy Grumphy

 

Grumphy,

 

Your post made me smile:) We did Auz/NZ in Dec 07 - had a FAB time!!! Would emigrate there tomorrow if we fulfilled the visa requirements! Loved Sydney/Blue Mountains!!! and hope to be in Rio on Nov 09 so your comment on Rio being as picturesque hits that spot for us.;)

 

We are from the UK, Southampton is 1hr away from where we live..... not sure I could survive 7 week at sea to Aus.

 

Yes, I know it will be "cool" in Beijing in March, but part of our cruise covers Japan/S Koreal/Shanghai/Hong Kong so we know it will "warm up" after Beijing. Hoping to see the Spring cherry blossom in Japan....

 

Small world, I will be in Barcelona on 7th June on a short 5 night Med cruise. Hope you have a GREAT trip. The Med ports each have their own uniqueness, that I love.

 

Singapore is one our all time favourite places - always stay at the Grand Plaza Park Royal Hotel, a short walk from Clarke Quay....

 

I am sure you have have a great time!:) Let me know how you got on in the Med on your return.

[Lobbylin]

I agree with the previous respondent, the Peninsula Palace Hotel is a great choice, and their concierge is very capable of arranging your private tours.

 

Stanandsue, yes we will get a quote for the Peninsula;)

 

I see you were on Silverseas Sing to HK - we did that Nov 07. One of our BEST cruises. Would like to return to Vietnam before it becomes too commercialised.

[Aussie One]

Grumphy,

 

Your post made me smile:) We did Auz/NZ in Dec 07 - had a FAB time!!! Would emigrate there tomorrow if we fulfilled the visa requirements! Loved Sydney/Blue Mountains!!! and hope to be in Rio on Nov 09 so your comment on Rio being as picturesque hits that spot for us.;)

 

We are from the UK, Southampton is 1hr away from where we live..... not sure I could survive 7 week at sea to Aus.

 

Yes, I know it will be "cool" in Beijing in March, but part of our cruise covers Japan/S Koreal/Shanghai/Hong Kong so we know it will "warm up" after Beijing. Hoping to see the Spring cherry blossom in Japan....

 

Small world, I will be in Barcelona on 7th June on a short 5 night Med cruise. Hope you have a GREAT trip. The Med ports each have their own uniqueness, that I love.

 

Singapore is one our all time favourite places - always stay at the Grand Plaza Park Royal Hotel, a short walk from Clarke Quay....

 

I am sure you have have a great time!:) Let me know how you got on in the Med on your return.

I leave for singapore in five hours and will be staying at the plaza. i will be in s/pore eight days in all it breaks up long haul flights.I lived in Poole as a young fellow and worked on the Lizzy and Mary when they where in dry dock.i came to Oz as a migrant the cruise cost ten pound. i am what you would call a ten pound pom. i live in Perth the best beaches and climate in Oz 6 1/2 hours to sydeny 5 hours s/pore. Perth is the most isolated City in the world. Trivia what is the clossest capital city to Perth ? when i return i will give you a do it yourself 5 hour trip of Beijing.Grumphy.

[doggylover]

We were there at the end of March. We stayed at the Park Plaza, connected to the Regent. /this is a new 4 star very very nice hotel. $150.00 per night .

Excellent location, good breakfast in the morning, nice modern clean rooms.

[Lobbylin]

Doggylover, did you book direct with the hotel or via an agent?

[doggylover]

I Bbooked Directly With The Hotel. The Rate Off Season Is Excellent.

Doggylover

 

P.s. The Conceirge Can Arrange For A Car, Driver And Guide.

I Booked With Ae Beijing Tours From Here, Stay Away From Them....

[zlato]

Just stayed in Peninsula Hotel 3 weeks ago. Great hotel; I highly recommend; i.e., spacious rooms, attentive service, excellent dining, good location.

[seahappy08]

Hi

 

We will be in Beijing pre-cruise for 1 night in March 09. We don't have much time - arriving 10am day 1, embarking at Tianjin day 2 for 6pm sailing.

 

I am planning on booking something all inclusive with a local tour company to include

- airport pick-up and same day afternoon tour

- overnight hotel

- day 2 early morning Beijing City tour to arrive a the port around 2pm. ( I know it's a good 2hr transfer from Beijing to Tianjin...)

 

Where should I stay in Beijing? I am leaning towards hotels near Wangfujing/Tiannenmen Square, or am I there for such a short time that it doesn't matter? Am happy to eat in the hotel, but would like some good Chinese food. Is there any good sights worth strolling out for in the evening or best to stay in the hotel?

 

Thanks:)

 

We are from Southampton and must be going on the next cruise after yours we are leaving on 15th April 09 have flown in to spend a few extra days in Thiland and staying on in Beining at the end of the cruise. Look forward to reading what you thought of the cruise when you come back?

Can't find anyone going on the Diamond on my dates as yet?

[Lobbylin]

Hello Seahappy 08

 

I'd be happy to feedback on my cruise, but I am on a different cruise to you - I am sailing on the Azamara Quest from Beijing to Hong Kong.

 

Below is a link to the roll call for what I believe is your cruise on the Diamond Princess. Check it out as there are a lot of people travelling on your cruise who can give you lots of helpful info.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=588809

 

By all means, I am happy to feedback on my cruise - what ports are you visiting?

 

Linda :)

[Aussie One]

HI linda, back to the Aussie winter. the cruise on the Summit was great the med is a real buzz of a trip. who ever designed the bathrooms should get a medal you can shtt, shave, shower, at the same time.jokes aside a huge difference to my cruise in 1961. problem is where should i cruise next ? the cruise ships out of oz are small.maybe out of Singapore or Hong Kong.all sagestions welcome.

[greatam]

Hi

 

We will be in Beijing pre-cruise for 1 night in March 09. We don't have much time - arriving 10am day 1, embarking at Tianjin day 2 for 6pm sailing.

 

I am planning on booking something all inclusive with a local tour company to include

- airport pick-up and same day afternoon tour

- overnight hotel

- day 2 early morning Beijing City tour to arrive a the port around 2pm. ( I know it's a good 2hr transfer from Beijing to Tianjin...)

 

Where should I stay in Beijing? I am leaning towards hotels near Wangfujing/Tiannenmen Square, or am I there for such a short time that it doesn't matter? Am happy to eat in the hotel, but would like some good Chinese food. Is there any good sights worth strolling out for in the evening or best to stay in the hotel?

 

Thanks:)

 

My favorite is the Beijing Hotel. Old, historic hotel that has signed recently for Raffles Hotel Management. It was the only hotel Westerners were allowed to stay in until 1984. Mao had an office there, Pat Nixon (wife of US President Nixon) learned to cook Chinese food there. The buffet breakfast is VERY good. BLDG A has rooms with small balconies overlooking the street. VERY close to Tiannemen SQ, Forbidden City, the Hutongs and markets. You can book a private car for transport to the port or for a city tour. The concierge desk also has day tours (although they are not overly helpful-the valet parking attendants are more helpful arranging transportation).

 

AsiaRooms.com often has packages that include airport pickup. I have stayed in an Executive room with Balcony, with airport pickup and daily breakfast buffet for $600 US or less for 3 nights. I have also paid over $300 per night for the Peninsula. I like the Peninsula, but the Peninsulas in Hong Kong and Bangkok are better than the one in Beijing.

[Lobbylin]

My favorite is the Beijing Hotel. Old, historic hotel that has signed recently for Raffles Hotel Management.

 

Greatam, what do you mean when you say it has signed recently for Raffles Hotel Management? I see the Raffles is near this location too, are you talking one and the same?

 

Thanks...:)

[Lobbylin]

HI linda, back to the Aussie winter. the cruise on the Summit was great the med is a real buzz of a trip. who ever designed the bathrooms should get a medal you can shtt, shave, shower, at the same time.jokes aside a huge difference to my cruise in 1961. problem is where should i cruise next ? the cruise ships out of oz are small.maybe out of Singapore or Hong Kong.all sagestions welcome.

 

Hi Grumphy, wondered how things were going for you! Glad you had a good time in the Med - one of my favourite locations for cruising as there is so much to see. The Med cruises are very port intensive by comparison - did you do lots?

 

You could try Princess or Holland America for some Asian itineraries - they are BIG ships too if you like that. I have always found smaller ships are better on the Asian itineraries as you get to dock in better places than the big ships (no container ports). How many cruises have you done / where to? Excluding your £10 bargain many years ago!!:p

 

One of my favourite cruises was one that went from Singapore to Hong Kong via Vietnam. You can also do Cambodia too en route - I have heard good things about Cambodia too.

 

I am eager to hear your suggestions for that walking tour of Beijing:)

 

Linda

[greatam]

Greatam, what do you mean when you say it has signed recently for Raffles Hotel Management? I see the Raffles is near this location too, are you talking one and the same?

 

Thanks...:)

 

Yes, the hotel is now called RAFFLES Beijing Hotel. But the only thing Raffles actually has to do with the hotel is a management contract. The Chinese government still owns the hotel, but to make it more "world class" and with the Olympics, they turned management over to Raffles.

 

As you can see by the new Raffles website, the rooms in the front of the hotel have small balconies. I absolutely LOVE those rooms. Can see all of what is going on in downtown Beijing from the balcony. And since Raffles took over management, the hotel is becoming more "Americanized/European". Not particularly to my liking, but should overall meet more travelers standards.

http://beijing.raffles.com/z891/fact_sheet.html

 

Some of the package deals are pretty good, even from the Raffles website. $230-300 per day, with transport and breakfast is NOT a bad deal for a world class hotel. And Asia Rooms still has rooms (without breakfast) for $160.00.

[Aussie One]

My favorite is the Beijing Hotel. Old, historic hotel that has signed recently for Raffles Hotel Management. It was the only hotel Westerners were allowed to stay in until 1984. Mao had an office there, Pat Nixon (wife of US President Nixon) learned to cook Chinese food there. The buffet breakfast is VERY good. BLDG A has rooms with small balconies overlooking the street. VERY close to Tiannemen SQ, Forbidden City, the Hutongs and markets. You can book a private car for transport to the port or for a city tour. The concierge desk also has day tours (although they are not overly helpful-the valet parking attendants are more helpful arranging transportation).

 

AsiaRooms.com often has packages that include airport pickup. I have stayed in an Executive room with Balcony, with airport pickup and daily breakfast buffet for $600 US or less for 3 nights. I have also paid over $300 per night for the Peninsula. I like the Peninsula, but the Peninsulas in Hong Kong and Bangkok are better than the one in Beijing.

Do not book the Peninsula in Singapore its only a two star go for grand Plaza but forget the Peninsula. grumphy

[Lobbylin]

Yes, the hotel is now called RAFFLES Beijing Hotel.

Some of the package deals are pretty good, even from the Raffles website. $230-300 per day, with transport and breakfast is NOT a bad deal for a world class hotel. And Asia Rooms still has rooms (without breakfast) for $160.00.

 

Well, I ask as I made a reservation for an Exec room here a month ago on a great rate.

 

I will keep a lookout on Asiarooms for a cheaper offer as I can cancel my direct booking if Asiarooms can do it cheaper.

 

Thanks...:)