Beijing Youlan hotel

We enjoyed our stay, and the price felt reasonable for what you get. It's in a residential area, with a few little family-run eateries nearby, though the choices are limited. One metro stop is about a five-minute walk away, and a more convenient one takes around ten minutes on foot. The room looks lovely, and the hotel has spent on some nice details: the hair dryer and humidifier are reputable brands, and the toiletries are a step above what you usually find in business hotels. It isn't very practical, though, with no TV and too little proper shelving or cabinet space.

The staff were friendly and helpful, and when we couldn't get fast train tickets home for our planned return date because of the public holiday, they extended both rooms for us. They also gave us a small gift when we checked out, which was a nice surprise. I'd suggest contacting the hotel directly about booking, since they'll tell you the cheapest option. There are plenty of restaurants nearby, plus a FamilyMart on the main road. Wangfujing St and Forbidden City are within walking distance, and nearby buses and train stations can get you to attractions farther out. Amap is useful for planning, as you'll often need to change lines. We were traveling with my wife's parents and our two- and nine-year-olds, and the two double rooms worked well for us. The rooms have no TVs, which suited us since we spent more time out doing things. Each had a little Chinese tea set with a couple of teas to try. The spacious, well-equipped bathrooms included Japanese toilets and a soaking tub the kids loved. Our room was cleaned every day. Breakfast was good, with perhaps fewer choices than at a larger hotel but enough for most people. You can ask them for wanton soup. This place also feels quite different from a typical hotel, in a good way. The main courtyard is the first thing you see, and guests often relax there.

Breakfast may take some getting used to, and coffee isn't really a thing in China. Early in the morning, tea and water are provided in the room. The hotel's WiFi was very poor, so I used mobile data from a pre-purchased e-SIM, which worked well. Google Maps worked surprisingly well too, while social media didn't work so well, as expected. The staff are lovely and very helpful, though their English is limited, as is often the case. If the weather's good, you can have a drink and snacks on the pretty patio with its little Zen Garden by Reception and Bar. Some rooms have their own patio. It's tucked along a quiet little side street in the city center. Shops and restaurants are within walking distance, and public transport is nearby. The rooms are bright and spacious, with modern bathrooms, an automated toilet, a huge tub, rain shower, and hair dryer, plus bathrobes and slippers. The bed is very comfortable, and the A/C worked flawlessly. There are plenty of power outlets, including sockets for European and US plugs. There's a clothes rack and basket but no wardrobe, TV, or dedicated work space.

I ended up here by mistake, but the location is really good. It's in a quiet neighborhood, and the staff are polite and helpful.