Sharrie
"Fit for the emperors!"
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Fit for the emperors!
-
Mar 29, 2010
- by Sharrie
- posted in Unique Hotels
Rating:
When visiting China for the first time, it is common for most Americans and Europeans to go with a group tour or on a business trip. And where would you stay generally? Depending on what you paid for, it's mostly one of those American chains like Holiday Inn, Marriott, Sheraton, Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton. If you made special requests for something more Oriental, perhaps you'd be lucky to get the Shangri-La or Raffles which are both Singapore based chains. It is very unlikely for you to find something very local and yet unique.
+4
My first time to Beijing in 1993, I stayed at the Palace Hotel (managed by Hong Kong based Peninsula group). It was THE best hotel in Beijing in that era. Most expensive but still affordable at that time. Now, the prices at this hotel had skyrocketed through the roof because Beijing is no longer a novelty like back then in the 90s. Many foreigners visited this city and more are coming! Such has time changed.
With the 2008 Olympics, thousands of hotels are now available for your pick. It's up to you to name the price you're willing to pay and then select from a large pool of brands and concepts. One thing that is of utmost importance though is where you intend to do your business or to sightsee. You see, Beijing is huge and traffic is horrendous! Despite the fact that taxis are very affordable, you don't want to waste your time in traffic, would you? So, where you locate yourself is very important.
I came across the Emperor Beijing last year. It was first opened in 2008. It is one that is located within walking distances from the Forbidden City. The best place to station yourself if you're in Beijing for the first time and for fun. Most people have not heard of this hotel because it is not one that is big or belongs to a chain.
The Emperor Beijing is locally managed though. So, there are things that as a foreigner you might have to be a little more tolerant. For the price it is charging and its location, I do highly recommend it. I paid for less than $100 a night (RMB$600) through Ctrip.com. For that price, it is a bargain in that location in Beijing. Within the same area, Raffles is charging at least triple that!
Another thing I like about The Emperor Beijing is the fact that it is a small hotel. It only has 55 rooms! Each room is named after a specific emperor rather than room number. In the rooms, you'll be given the seal of the name of the emperor as a souvenir to take away. That I thought is a nice touch!
The staff are friendly and helpful. This is one hotel in Beijing where I felt like I had actually visited a resort when I first arrived. Many of Beijing hotels are huge and elegant without that homely feeling. This one is truly nice among the many low-rise homes in central Beijing. You can even venture off to the Hutong to check out the old lifestyle of Beijing residents! The pubs and restaurants in Houhai areas are also within walking distance. If you like, you may even rent a bicycle from the hotel and bike around Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City (or commonly known as the Palace Museum now). That's the greatest thing about living here.
If you want something unique, convenient & totally affordable, this is the hotel for you. If you're looking for luxury, Raffles Beijing would be a better choice though. I'll write a review on that soon. Do look out for it if you've expensive taste! ;-)
(A Lunch Featured Review)
(This review is being nominated for Lunch Award! A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who nominated & voted!!!)
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jbeswick
February 09, 2011
Sharrie, I always learn so much from your reviews, and this one is really great. And it gets my vote for the Best Hotel Review category.
Sharrie
February 10, 2011
Thank you very much, James! I hope it helps in your visit China planning! There are a few hotels in Beijing I've stayed in and if I have the right incentives, I might just begin to review them, LOL... In the mean time, as I mentioned before, I love that dating review you wrote! I nominated for it and am glad to see others agreeing with me as well. Awesome if you do win it too! The date may be disastrous but if I were you, I won't mind the Golden Thumb as "consolation" price! ;-)
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devora
February 03, 2011
Whoa, this looks so cool! And WOW at the price! My parents are spending a night in Beijing soon. Recommending this to them!
Sharrie
February 03, 2011
It is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. So, you can check a few websites and see which one gives the best deal! There are quite a few offers on the SLH official website!
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Jatemin
October 05, 2010
I have reserved 1 room in this hotel, but some reviews in other websites wrote that it is relatively far to MRT station. Walking distance 10~15 minutes would be a bit far for me as I am coming with my Mom (65 years). Any other suggestion that is good with reasonable price ? thanks a lot
Sharrie
October 05, 2010
I'd suggest taking the cabs in China. Cabs are so affordable and easier to access than the MRT stations. There's the Kapok Hotel nearby but the price may be higher and also the theme more of a standard fare. I can't be sure if that's near the train either since I hardly take train the 6 months I was there!
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Bethany_K
April 01, 2010
I really like the fresh, colorful rooms and the location of this hotel! Very cool to be right next to the Forbidden City. I've stayed at a couple hotels in Beijing, the last being Beijing International, and unfortunately I didn't have a very good staff experience while there. So, it's nice to have a good recommendation for next time! :)
Sharrie
April 01, 2010
Yes. The location is great. One thing is that the hotel needs to upkeep its rooms. I feel that it has too many local customers who simply don't give a hoot about public properties. So, although this place is almost new, the wear and tear needs upgrading constantly. If the hotel managed to do that, then it would be a bargain. As I said, Raffles is about triple the price, while Grand Hyatt & Peninsula Beijing are even more expensive. However, IF you're on corporate a/c, you might want to try them both! They are some of the best in town!
Bethany_K
April 10, 2010
That's unfortunate, it's sad when others don't respect property.
Sharrie
April 10, 2010
Yes, I've reflected the observation to the management though and they have promised to look into them and upgrade accordingly. I haven't been back since so we'll have to see about that. There is another hotel nearby which is also new and have a different theme to it. I'll get to that when I can find time! Too much to do here with all the communities I've sprung up! ;-)
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woopak_the_thrill
April 01, 2010
wow! this place looks like my bedroom except that it's black and white...maybe this is slightly bigger but the set up is real similar. When I stayed in HK, we stayed in a hotel called "Kowloon Palace Hotel" or something...(maybe a panda word there) and they bump us to the presidential suite! so cool! Just right for Emperor Woopak! LOL
Sharrie
April 01, 2010
Really? You are not kidding me? LOL
woopak_the_thrill
February 06, 2011
congrats on the nomination by the way. :)
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More The Emperor Hotel Beijing reviews
A theme htl in Beijing within walking distances from Forbidden City & Tiananmen Sq. No room # in hotel, they are known by Emperor's name!
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Sharrie (Sharrie)
Ranked #1
Ranked #1
I'm a traveler at heart & have been nicknamed Travel Queen by friends & colleagues alike. Traveling has been my life passion for the last decade or so. As we enter a new decade, I'm excited … more
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