THE SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, BEIJING

I was recently put in this hotel and though it had a 5 star rating the expectations of the rooms were left much to be desired for. The carpets were horrific. It looked ragged and old. Even the elevator and corridor were the same. It stank of cigarette smoke when you get in to the corridor. The breakfast had a good spread of Chinese and European cuisine but I think a bit overpriced at more than CNY250 The staff were brilliant and spoke good English, but some never even had heard the language. But the key points of service was understood by everyone like the greetings! The train station was a bit far about 20 minutes walk but the bicycles kept any distance short. The hotel location is good with a supermarket and KFC next building, a Hot Pot restaurant and a roasted duck restaurant close by! I would stay here but maybe for an overnight stay. The hotel did not meet the high expectations of a Shangri-La Hotel with a 5 star rating!

This is my third stay here over a five year period. There are not many hotels in this area. It is expensive for what you get. The staff at concierge (especially Cage and Jason) are superb and professional, although some others have very little English language capability. The rooms (given the 5 star rating) - especially the carpets - are grubby, and indeed it seems that the whole place needs a good clean and a makeover. Overpriced for what you get (more for less in Sydney!). Despite the ban, the corridor of the room often stank of smoke. I would be reluctant to stay here again.

I visited Beijing few days ago for business. I stayed in Shangri-La Beijing for 4 days. The rooms are quite big ( stayed in garden valley rooms ). Very clean. The restaurant were the breakfast takes place is very big. Also you can have lunch or dinner there. Good variety of breakfast options. The hotel has a very nice garden where you can have your coffee or a relaxing drink. Even shopping stores can be found in the hotel. Overall a very good choice and certainly I would have booked it again.

Lovely 5 star, great modern room layout. Easy to walk to shops, etc. Good breakfasts to suit most tastes. Friendly and helpful staff. Horizon Club great to relax in after a bustling day. Would recommend to anyone.

Away from the center of the city. Helps if you have business at Bei Da or high tech city. With the traffic jam in Beijing, it is not convenient for touring the major attractions. Hard to categorize the hotel, closer to a business hotel than a tourist hotel. The breakfast buffet was massive and crowded - so much so that I opted to eat outside of the hotel. Room was large - with a huge desk and lots of room to work. Garden is a nice retreat from the bustling city. Close to the Summer Palace. I recommend a tour of Beijing University which is a hidden gem. The Business Center is very helpful.