This trip to Beijing did not aim for a new hotel, but instead choseJianguo Qianmen Beijing Hotellocated at 175 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, which opened in 1956. At the moment of pushing the door into the lobby, the marble floor, elevated space, tropical plants on both sides, and the vermilion entrance of the Pear Garden Theater, exuded the aura of a century old state-owned hotel - not stunning, but steady. For me, the most important aspects of staying in a hotel are quietness, bedding, water temperature, and flow. However, this hotel has unexpectedly delivered on these points.
The front desk processing is not very fast, but the attitude is gentle, proactively informing the room orientation and elevator location. I am staying in an executive king size bed room, approximately 32 square meters, on the 7th floor, facing the alley. Open the door and smell the scent first - there is no common stuffy or moldy smell in some old buildings, only a faint scent of cleaning agent. The carpet does show signs of aging, with visible signs of wear and tear on the edges and corners. However, the vacuuming is in place and there are no stains. If you mind, you can make a note in advance to switch to a newer floor.
What really surprised me was the sound insulation. On the Internet, he often roast that the old hotel "can hear the sound of the next room", but after the door of this room was closed, the footsteps in the corridor and the conversation in the next room were basically isolated, and only the air conditioner was heard to supply air evenly at night. A resident commented that 'the structure is sturdy and you can't hear any sound from the next door or hallway', which is generally true and friendly to light sleepers.
Bedding is a typical way for old four-star hotels: pure white cotton, moderate thickness, two hardness options for the pillow core, the mattress has a supportive feel and does not collapse, which is more to my taste than many new-style design hotels. The socket on one side of the bed is sufficient, and the reading light is an old-fashioned knob style with a slight damping sensation when twisted, which actually adds a bit of fun. The depth of the writing desk is enough to spread out a 13 inch computer and a spare book. The desk lamp provides warm light, and reading two sentences at night is not dazzling.
The bathroom is a typical old design of "bathtub+shower integrated", with white tiles, hardware with usage marks, fast faucet water flow, sufficient water pressure, and hot water in just over ten seconds. The situation where there is no fixed handheld 2-in-1 shower exists in some low floor room types, but my room is still acceptable; If you want to take a bath, there are disposable bath bags available for sale at the front desk, making it more cost-effective to purchase them yourself. Washing care is a customized fragrance for hotels, with a sandalwood tone that is not considered high-end but lacks a sense of cheapness. The towel has moderate fluffiness, and the bathrobe is made of thick cotton, suitable for autumn and winter.
In terms of details, free bottled water can be replenished in the room without limit, the price of the mini bar is clearly stated, and the air conditioning is seasonal central air conditioning, which runs quietly; Some room types have fewer bedside plugs, it is recommended to bring a small row plug. The corridor cleaner is often seen pushing carts during the day, while the night bed service is simple but organized, and garbage and water bottles are changed.
Overall feeling after staying for two nights: Jianguo Qianmen Beijing Hotel is not a "refined vacation type" contestant, and it is a fact that the hardware has a sense of age. Some rooms may encounter problems such as loose switches, old carpets, and slightly noticeable air conditioning sounds, which may not be friendly to perfectionists. But if you, like me, prioritize "sleeping soundly, having sufficient water pressure, sound insulation online, and providing excellent service", it will be an old-fashioned residence that people are willing to come back to. Opening the lattice windows in the early morning, occasional flocks of pigeons graze the gray tiled roof, creating a relaxed feeling of old Beijing that is difficult to replicate in a new hotel.Show more