Beijing South Station Hotel: Unbeatable Luxury & Location!
Okay, strap in, because we're about to unpack the Beijing South Station Hotel. Forget the glossy brochures, I'm here to give you the real dirt, the good, the bad, and the slightly bizarre. And trust me, there's plenty of bizarre.
Beijing South Station Hotel: My Honest Take (Because You Deserve It)
Alright, let's be honest: the name itself, "Beijing South Station Hotel," doesn’t exactly scream "luxury escape." More like, "convenient pit stop before I hop a train." But don't let that fool you. This place… well, it's complicated.
First Impressions (and a near-disaster with the elevators)
The location is genuinely unbeatable, smack-dab next to the station. Super handy if, like me, you're chronically late. Arrival? Pretty smooth. Check-in was surprisingly swift, especially considering I showed up looking like a crumpled travel brochure. (Contactless check-in? Yes, please! Though, full disclosure, I’m still more comfortable with actual human interaction).
Now, the elevators. Oof. Let's just say navigating them felt less like a luxury and more like a gamble. Were they going up? Down? To Narnia? You never quite knew. Thankfully, there was a doorman who always seemed to appear after I had a melt down, and he had the patience of a saint.
Accessibility? (A Mixed Bag)
Accessibility: They say "facilities for disabled guests," but you gotta dig deeper. The lobby? Generally okay. The rooms themselves… well, I can't speak to it from personal experience, but I did see some ramps and elevators. But, again, the elevator situation is a little like the hotel equivalent of a clown car. (And yes, there is an elevator).
The Room: My Fortress of Solitude (and free Wi-Fi!)
Alright, the room. Let's get to the stuff that REALLY Matters: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! (Did you hear that, other hotels? It's called the 21st century!) Seriously, I needed that. Between posting InstaStories that were a masterpiece of cultural insight (aka, me bewildered by chopsticks) and trying to decipher the Beijing subway map (mission impossible), I was glued to my phone.
Available in all rooms: And speaking of the room, it actually had most of what you'd expect: Air conditioning (a godsend in Beijing!), Alarm clock, Bathrobes (ah, the fluffy comfort!), Bathroom phone (which, let's be honest, I never used), Bathtub (yes!), Blackout curtains (essential for beating jet lag), Closet, Coffee/tea maker (thank god!), Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping (thank you, angels!), Desk, Extra long bed (appreciated!), Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor (gotta get that view!), In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies (never watched them sadly, too busy eating everything I could get my hands on!), Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale (yikes!), Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The little details? Delicious. Slippers? Check. Fluffy towels? Check. And the room, it actually felt soundproof. Which was a blessing, trust me, especially on my first night where the sound of a family's karaoke practice was a little too close for comfort.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: A Gastronomic Adventure (with some caveats)
Dining, drinking, and snacking: Okay, this is where things got interesting.
- Restaurants: Plural! Yes, plural! And, the Asian cuisine in restaurant was stellar. I got a bowl of noodles that almost brought me to tears of joy. The buffet in restaurant was decent however, sometimes the food ran out quicker than, shall we say, my self-control when confronted with a plate of dumplings.
- Breakfast [buffet]: I have to confess, I'm a sucker for a hotel breakfast buffet. And this one… well, it was okay. The Asian breakfast options were great, though.
- Bar: Yes, a bar! Happy hour? I think so.
- Room service [24-hour]: Bless them. I ordered room service at 3 am once, needing a snack. My faith in humanity was restored.
The "Spa" Experience (A Minor Letdown)
Pool with view: Now, the "spa" situation wasn’t quite what I expected. It felt a little… sterile. The sauna, steamroom, and the swimming pool [outdoor] all were there, but nothing really wowed. I did, however, briefly consider a Body scrub, because, you know, self-care. But then I remembered all the delicious food I was eating.
Things to Do (Beyond the Train Station):
Fitness center: I did, however, make it to the gym.. once. It was small, but functional. Car park [free of charge]: Yes! Free parking. Poolside bar: Yes! Things to do : Honestly, my main "thing to do" was eat my way through the city. But! The location meant easy access to everything. Sightseeing was a breeze. Ways to relax?: I found the best way to relax was in my room, with the blackout curtains drawn, and a mountain of snacks.
Cleanliness and Safety: They Take It Seriously
Cleanliness and safety: Okay, important. This is a big deal right now. The hotel seemed hyper-vigilant. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer – it was all there. And the staff? Fully masked and very professional.
Services and Conveniences:
- Air conditioning in public area.
- Airport transfer.
- Babysitting service: (For those with the kids! Or the kids' parents.)
- Bicycle parking.
- Cash withdrawal.
- Concierge.
- Convenience store.
- Currency exchange.
- Daily housekeeping.
- Doorman.
- Dry cleaning.
- Elevator.
- Facilities for disabled guests.
- Food delivery.
- Gift/souvenir shop.
- Invoice provided.
- Ironing service.
- Laundry service.
- Luggage storage.
- Meeting/banquet facilities.
- Safety deposit boxes.
- Smoking area.
- Terrace.
- Hotel chain.
- Front desk [24-hour].
- CCTV in common areas.
- Check-in/out [express].
- Check-in/out [private].
- Room sanitization opt-out available.
- Rooms sanitized between stays.
- Safe dining setup.
- Staff trained in safety protocol.
- Sterilizing equipment.
- Additional toilet.
- Air conditioning.
- Alarm clock.
- Bathrobes.
- Bathroom phone.
- Bathtub.
- Blackout curtains.
- Carpeting.
- Closet.
- Coffee/tea maker.
- Complimentary tea.
- Daily housekeeping.
- Desk.
- Extra long bed.
- Free bottled water.
- Hair dryer.
- High floor.
- In-room safe box.
- Internet access – LAN.
- Internet access – wireless.
- Ironing facilities.
- Laptop workspace.
- Linens.
- Mini bar.
- Mirror.
- Non-smoking.
- On-demand movies.
- Private bathroom.
- Reading light.
- Refrigerator.
- Safety/security feature.
- Satellite/cable channels.
- Scale.
- Seating area.
- Separate shower/bathtub.
- Shower.
- Slippers.
- Smoke detector.
- Socket near the bed.
- Sofa.
- Soundproofing.
- Telephone.
- Toiletries.
- Towels.
- Umbrella. *
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is me, battling jet lag, questionable street food, and the ever-present existential dread of being a tourist, all crammed into a stay at the… checks notes… Hanting Hotel Beijing South Station South Square. Right. Let’s go.
Day 1: Arrival! (Or, How I Met a Very Persuasive Pigeon)
- 7:00 AM (Beijing Time) - The Landing! Ugh. The flight. Don't even get me started. Suffice it to say, I'm now officially convinced that airline food is designed to be an endurance test, not a culinary experience. Plus, my neck feels stiffer than a Confucian scholar's back.
- 8:30 AM - Immigration & Baggage Claim Shenanigans: Okay, so, I landed. I'm in China. Deep breath. Passport control was…efficient. No drama. My suitcase, bless its cotton socks, actually arrived. Tiny victories, people, tiny victories.
- 9:30 AM - Taxi Trouble & "Lost in Translation" Edition: Flagging a cab. This is where the fun begins. Using the translation app to explain where I need to go (Hanting Hotel) was… a spectacle. I swear the taxi driver initially thought I was trying to order a deep-fried scorpion. He kept pointing at his steering wheel and making exaggerated "vroom vroom" noises. Eventually, after flailing around like a disgruntled octopus, we got there.
- 10:30 AM - Hotel Check-In & The Room Reveal: The Hanting Hotel…it's…functional. Think budget-friendly with a side of fluorescent lighting. Actually, it's more like a lot of fluorescent lighting. And the tiny room? Well, my suitcase takes up about half the space. Still, the bed looks comfy, and after the flight, I'm not picky. (As I wrote that, I just tripped on the luggage. Yep, this is already going great.)
- **11:00 AM - *The Pigeon Incident:* I was trying to get some air and a bit of sunshine, right? Standing outside the hotel. And this enormous pigeon. Like, a pigeon the size of a small chicken (okay, maybe I'm exaggerating). But it was bold. It waddled right up to me, looked me dead in the eye, and started pecking at my shoelaces. Aggressively. I swear, for a split second, I thought it was going to try and steal my credit cards. I eventually shooed him away, but the sheer audacity! Truly a welcome to Beijing.
- 12:00 PM - Food Adventure (Or, the Great Noodle Conspiracy): My stomach is rumbling like a poorly-tuned engine. Time to find some food, preferably something that doesn’t involve deep-fried spiders. Found a little noodle shop nearby. The menu? All in Chinese. Panic. Pointing and gesturing became the order of the day. I think I ordered something with noodles and…stuff. It was delicious and spicy, my mouth is actually on fire. But in the best way possible. I feel like I really lived!
- 2:00 PM - Naptime. The jet lag is screaming. Need to recharge for the afternoon.
- 4:00 PM - Exploring the South Square: Wandered around the South Square. The sheer volume of people! The air is thick with the smell of…well, everything. Incense, street food, exhaust fumes. It’s an assault on the senses, in the best way possible. Observed a couple of Beijingers arguing with what appeared to be a bicycle repairman, who only used hand gestures and a dramatic series of grunts
- 6:00 PM - Dinner…Again?! Found another small restaurant nearby. Decided to be brave and point to something with a vaguely recognizable picture. It turned out to be some sort of meat and vegetable stir-fry. Absolutely excellent. And a beer. Always a beer.
- 7:30 PM - Back to the Room & Existential Dread: Back at the hotel. Thinking about tomorrow. And about my life choices. But mostly about how comfortable this bed is.
- 9:00 PM - Sleep! If I don't have nightmares about pigeons.
Day 2: Temple Time & the Subway Shuffle
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast? The hotel breakfast…well, let's just say it's an experience. A buffet of…things. I opted for toast and a mysterious juice that tasted vaguely of…something. I'm officially hungry for a proper meal.
- 9:00 AM - The Temple of Heaven: Ah, the Temple! It's majestic! And the air here is (comparatively) fresh. Took approximately 3 hours to traverse the grounds and take pictures of myself in front of different buildings. It's stunning, really. A sea of red and gold. I may have even shed a tear. Or it might just have been the pollen.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch on the Go: Street food! I was convinced that it was an unwritten law that one must try one. Found some delicious, spicy skewers (again!). My stomach is becoming a steel trap, I can handle anything.
- 1:00 PM - Subway Survival: Figuring out the Beijing subway. Wish me luck. The crowds are intense. Google Maps proved to be my best friend. Managed to get on and off without losing a limb. The subway is a sensory overload; it's loud, it's bustling, it's fascinating. People-watching here is a sport.
- 3:00 PM - The Forbidden City (Part 1): Okay, the Forbidden City. It is HUGE. An absolute maze. Feeling overwhelmed but also like a tiny, insignificant speck in the face of history. This place is mind-blowing. I took a lot of pictures. Too many pictures.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner Debacle: Okay. This is where things took a turn. Was trying to find a restaurant recommended. Ended up totally lost. Wandering around, hungry. I ended up in an alleyway. There was a…interesting odor hanging in the air. Eventually, I found a random restaurant. Ordered something…again without being able to read the menu. The dish arrived, and it looked…interesting. I ate it. It was… edible. I'm not entirely sure what it was.
- 7:30 PM - Forbidden City (Part 2) the Aftermath Went back to the hotel and crashed. Seriously done.
- 9:00 PM - Sleep!
Day 3: The Great Wall & Departure Anxiety…
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast & Contemplation: Hotel breakfast, round two. Starting to get used to the…textures. Also starting to feel a general sense of panic about leaving in a few days.
- 9:00 AM - The Great Wall! The moment of truth. Headed to Mutianyu. The drive was long and the traffic was horrific. Seeing the section of the Great Wall…it's incredible. I climbed, I huffed, I puffed. The views are breathtaking as I gazed over that vast countryside. I felt a strange sense of accomplishment.
- 12:00 AM - Lunch on the Wall: Found a small restaurant. Ate in near silence surrounded by other tourists.
- 2:00 PM - The Long Hike Down: The hike down was equally as strenuous. I was exhausted, sweaty, and my legs were screaming. But the views…worth it.
- 4:00 PM - Back in the City: Back in Beijing. So tired. Considering just collapsing in my room.
- 6:00 PM - Farewell Dinner: Found a local place. Lots of spicy food. Ate too much, feel guilty, but also incredibly happy.
- 7:30 PM - Pre-Departure Panic: Packing. Realizing I haven't bought any souvenirs. Mild panic. Also, I'm almost out of clean socks.
- 9:00 PM - Sleep! Before the long flight tomorrow.
- 0:00 AM - (Departure day) - See Y’all
So, that's it. Beijing in a nutshell. It's messy. It's beautiful. It's overwhelming. It's everything. If you're looking for a perfectly planned, sterile vacation, this certainly isn't the itinerary for you. If you're looking for an adventure, then get your butt to Beijing! But, seriously, bring extra socks.
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Beijing South Station Hotel: Your Ultimate (Maybe?) Guide!
Is this place REALLY as luxurious as they say? I'm picturing gold-plated faucets...
Okay, let's be real. Gold-plated faucets? I didn't *see* any, but hey, I only stayed for a week; maybe they're hidden in the Presidential Suite (which, naturally, I didn't spring for). However, the impression *is* one of luxury. Think plush carpets, gleaming marble everywhere, and a lobby that smells faintly of some ridiculously expensive perfume. The staff? Super polite, always smiling…a little *too* polite sometimes, like they’re trained robots programmed for perfect customer service. (Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated it, just…it felt a bit Stepford-y at times!)
Anecdote time: I tripped over one of those ridiculously ornate vases in the hallway on the first day. Mortified doesn't even cover it. But a staff member *magically* appeared, practically whisking me off my feet, and apologized – *to me!* – for *my* clumsiness. That's luxury, folks. Or, maybe, extreme over-politeness. Still, a solid 8/10 on the luxury scale.
How's the location? Is it actually convenient for the high-speed rail?
Oh, the location? That's the real selling point, isn't it? Literally, you walk out of the hotel, and you're practically *in* Beijing South Station. Like, seriously, the entrance is right there. It's ridiculously convenient. I mean, if you’re catching the high-speed rail, it’s a godsend. No fumbling with taxis, no hauling luggage across a vast expanse of parking lots. Bliss.
On the *downside*, and I’m trying to be objective here, you do hear the occasional train announcement. And I mean *occasional*. It didn’t bother me *too* much, I'm a hard sleeper. But my travel companion, bless her heart, complained the entire time. "It's like living *in* a train station!" she kept wailing. So, consider that. If you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs. (Or maybe a whole soundproof room, which, I suppose, the Presidential Suite probably *has*.)
What kind of rooms are available? Are the suites worth the splurge?
Rooms galore! You've got your standard, your deluxe, and then there are a bunch of suites with increasingly ridiculous names. I went for a deluxe because, well, budget constraints. It was lovely. Spacious, comfortable bed, a decent view (of… well, the train station, mostly, but hey, people-watching is an art!), and a bathroom that I could happily live in. (And considering my life, that's saying a lot.)
Are the suites worth it? That’s a tough one. If you have the cash, go for it! They looked *amazing*. However, for me, the deluxe was perfectly fine. Honestly, I was there to explore Beijing, not to lounge around in a palatial suite. Plus, all that extra space... sounds exhausting, actually! More cleaning! More stuff to dust! No thank you.
The food! Is the restaurant good? And what about breakfast? (I’m a sucker for breakfast.)
The restaurant… It's okay. The food is… fine. It's what you expect from a hotel restaurant: a bit overpriced and perhaps a little too…refined. Nothing particularly bad, but nothing that'll knock your socks off. Think safe choices. The Peking duck was pretty good, though! But… you're in Beijing! Go out and *eat*! Explore local restaurants and try the street food. That's where the *real* culinary adventures are, trust me.
Now, the breakfast…*that's* the main event. It's a buffet, and it's epic! I swear, I gained five pounds during my stay just on the breakfast alone. Everything you could possibly want is there: the usual Western suspects (eggs, bacon, pastries), plus a massive selection of Chinese breakfast staples. Noodles, dumplings, congee, pickled vegetables… Oh, the pickled vegetables! I could eat them all day! It was truly a sight to behold, and my favorite part of the entire experience. I went back for seconds (okay, maybe thirds) every single morning. Totally worth it.
Are there any hidden costs I should be aware of?
Yeah, there are always *some* hidden costs, aren't there? The usual suspects: minibar (don't touch it! Seriously!), laundry service (expensive!), and any "extras" you might be tempted by. The hotel provides free Wi-Fi. It was solid! Not blazing fast, but enough for me to stream some shows, and do some work.
One thing to be *super* careful of: the taxis outside the hotel. Try to use the hotel's official taxi service or, even better, use a ride-sharing app (because, guess what, Chinese taxis are known to try to overcharge foreigners). I learned that the hard way. Let's just say my first taxi ride was a *lesson*.
What's the service like? Is the staff helpful?
Mostly, the service is impeccable. As I mentioned, the staff are polite to a fault. Always willing to help, always smiling. However, there was one incident… When I asked for a late checkout, I was met with…well, let's just say some *resistance*. They had a rigid policy. Eventually, they agreed, but it felt like I had to fight for it, and this was in the deluxe room (which wasn’t cheap, I felt!)
But, overall, the staff are helpful. They speak English (mostly), and they're eager to please – even if sometimes it comes across as a bit…over-the-top. They even organized a birthday cake for my travel companion. So, I'd say, generally positive. Just be prepared for a little bureaucratic rigidity in some instances.
Would you recommend it? What's the overall vibe?
Okay, the million-dollar question: would I recommend the Beijing South Station Hotel? Yes and no. It depends. If you prioritize convenience to the train station, yes, absolutely. If you enjoy a bit of luxury and don't mind a slightly formal atmosphere, then yes. The vibe is…polished. Think business travelers, families, and people who appreciate a certain level of…refinement.
However, if you're looking for something quirky, authentically Chinese, or budget-friendly, then maybe not. There's something slightly sterile about it. Despite its undeniable luxury, it’s not exactly bursting with character. But if you're after a comfortable, convenient, and relatively luxurious stay near Beijing South Station, then it's aBest Stay Blogspot
