Novotel Peace Beijing, Beijing

Advantages: Location, Location, Location
Disadvantages: Expensive meals

I stayed at the Novotel Xinqiao, Beijing during a family trip to China's capital in February 2005. There were 3 of us in our party, and we had reserved 2 superior rooms for 6 nights. The total costs of this stay was a mere £360 (courtesy of www.asiarooms.com). The hotel is classified as 4*, and certainly fits the bill. The grand marble lobby creates an impressive first impression which is not let down by the size or quality of the rooms. These are ...
...us! Like most hotels, the Novotel also provide cards which state “Take me to the Novotel Xinqiao” in Chinese for you to hand to the driver on your return – very handy indeed!! The hotel was immaculately clean and there always seemed to be 3 or 4 people in the lobby polishing, cleaning or sweeping in order to maintain this. Our rooms were made up every day and were also spotless. All in all we were very impressed with the hotel and would definitely ... Read review

Advantages: central location
Disadvantages: not luxury

...you have ever been to Novotel in Europe, you would expect novotel hotel to be average Well the Novotel in Beijing is a totally different story, first of all the location is very very central, right at the store step of Tiannanmen Square and right next to the Oxford Street equivalent in Beijing. Secondly,the hotel entrance is certainly the grandest I have ever been in a novotel with a grand staircase and lots of fresh flowers. The rooms are only ...
...in fact I should say do not have a high expectation and you will feel better when you taste it! But with prices for around 50 pounds to 70 pounds per room per night. Novotel is certainly not a bad choice for staying at a reasonable price hotel in Beijing! ... Read review

Advantages: Location, Wide variety of restaurants inside
Disadvantages: Average rooms

I stayed at the Novotel Beijing for a period of 5 days. It's location, is just about as central as can be. Not far from Tianan'men Square or the subway and shopping locations. It is certainly a very grand hotel, the entrance is stunning. During my visit, I found that the staff triend their best to make my stay very comfortable. I found that there was no language barrier as the staff were quite compotent. There is a concierge service, as well as ...
...gym, gift shop (an expensive gift shop, though), tennis court, pool and sauna, body massage area. There is a French restaurant, Celebrity Hall restaurant, Japanese restaurant, chinese restaurant, coffee shops, and a Westernised restaurant. Some items on the menu are rather expensive, but not a rip-off. The whole hotel is beautiful and immaculately displayed. The rooms, however, are not very desirable. An average room has a bathroom and one large ... Read review

Advantages: location
Disadvantages: poor breakfast, very expensive meals, non-smoking rooms smelling very bad, onfriendly and incapable staff

...non-smoking room. Compared to the Novotel Peace hotel, this hotel is al real disaster. Hotel personel was not friendly and totally not capable to work with guests. English is zero, even simple things like numbers wan't do. If the staff doesn't know, they just keep you on the line, every two minutes you get - 'wait a minute' -, meanwhile they are helping other guests, while you keep waiting. I will never ever come back to this hotel, even for free! ... Read review

Advantages: Very Central
Disadvantages: Rooms Very dated

As you walk into the lobby, you assume that the hotel will be very plush. My husband and I stayed for 4 nights and found the room to be very dated and we upgraded. I would not class this hotel as 4 star by European standards. Very good value for money though. The standard of English speaking staff was very good. We were told by higher managment at a sister hotel that the rooms were being upgraded in the near future (Probably for the Olympics). There ...
...room ask for a high floor room to avoid any traffic or construction noise. The concierge was VERY helpful when organising taxis, hire car (and driver) or trips. Lots of restaurants within the close vicinity and within 2 mins walk of the Wangfujing shopping area. 5-10 min walking distance from subway (best way to get around Beijing) 20min walk to Tiannimen square ... Read review