Lavande Hotel (Beijing Gongti Sanlitun)

My room was small and in the basement, with only a thin plastic wall between the bed and bathroom. The hotel is near malls and restaurants, but the closest subway station is a 20-minute walk away. There was no food included. If you find a good price for one of their rooms, check carefully whether the listing says it's in the basement.

The location is handy, opposite the workers stadium. Dongsishitiao station on line 2 is within a 15-minute walk, and Sanlitun's bars and shops are about 20 minutes away. The area is popular with expats and Chinese visitors. A basic basement room with AC, TV, and an ensuite costs around £150 a week, while the best rooms go for about that much per night. Staff speak very basic English, but they're happy to help where they can. There are public computers in the lobby, and free Wi-Fi throughout the building and in the outdoor smoking area. There's no road noise from workers road, and the other guests seem quite...

WARNING, don't stay at that hotel! I booked the "basement room - no window," expecting something like the room shown by the hotel. Seeing it was a horrible surprise. It stank of damp, and mold covered the walls. I had trouble breathing all night. I arrived at 01:30 and left at 06:00 because staying there was so awful. Even the sheets were damp. I slept in my clothes, and a few hours later they were damp too. It's a scam!

The staff are really helpful. They listen and try to help with whatever problem you have. The bathroom doors attached to the room should be more hazy, though, because they're too clear. It's only a short walk to Sanlitun Bar street, vics and mix club, and international shops like H&M, Addidas, and Uni Qlo.