Area options

Distances in Beijing are vast, and roads are perpetually choked with traffic, so if you don’t want to spend half your visit sitting in the back of a succession of taxis, be careful when choosing the location of 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, since there are better restaurants and shopping opportunities.

Hotel standards

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

Star system

The Chinese star system of grading hotels is meaningless, since no star is ever lost once it has been given, despite sometimes dramatic deterioration.

Something different

Beijing now boasts a number of classy boutique and design hotels, and an even wider range of appealing courtyard hotels. The latter are conversions of traditional siheyuan (courtyard houses) in old hutong (alley) areas of the city. They vary in price and degree of comforts from budget to expensive luxury options. For a range of courtyard hotels in different price bands, see Courtyard Hotels. Home stays options are also available.

Booking and bargaining

Online agencies such as www.ctrip.com or www.elong.com usually offer better rates than the ones found on a particular hotel’s website. When contacting a hotel directly, always ask for a discount of the usually widely inflated rack rate quoted online. Most will be willing to reach a compromise on the price.

Payment

Even though credit cards have become increasingly widespread in Beijing, they are not universally accepted, so always ask whether they are a suitable form of payment when you check in. Hotel foreign exchange facilities are becoming less reliable, and holders of traveler’s checks, in particular, may be sent to a bank. 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.

Hidden extras

Service charges of between five and fifteen percent are frequently added to the final bill, so be sure to clarify this with reception staff at the start of your stay. Minibar contents are as overpriced in China as they are anywhere else; however, but international telephone calls made from your room are subject to only a modest surcharge.

Seasonal demand

The busiest travel periods for the Chinese 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 children under the age of 12 to stay in their parents’ room free of charge. Most will also add an extra bed for an older child for a nominal (and negotiable) fee.

Tipping

Traditionally, there is no tipping in China. Indeed, hotel staff may even try to return any money that is left for them.