Shichahai

Good and close to everything

Everything top notch

The hotel is located inside the 2nd Ring, where most of the historical sightseeing spots located. Since mid November was not busy travel season in Beijing, at time of check in, I requested a free upgrade to a bigger room and the staff was nice enough to give me a bigger one. There is a 1/2 self service pastry stall in the lobby which has my favorite chestnut cake. The nearest metro station is about 15 minutes walk, that I think is a bit far away. The first day I arrived Beijing (11/16) the temperature was zero degree and windy. It would be too cold to walk to the metro station. For the few days I stayed at the hotel, I ended up using taxi most the time instead of subway train. In November the city already turned on heat. My room was facing west and window was locked/unable to open; the room got very warm and I had trouble falling asleep in a " hot room" . On the third day, I had to call the service desk to check if I could have air-conditioning turn on. The answer was no and the housekeeper came to unlock the window so I could got some air! Overall, the hotel is nice, clean and room is spacious.