Metropark Lido Hotel Beijing

We spent three nights here as part of a group tour. The hotel is large, the rooms are spacious, and the neighborhood is roomy, though Chaoyang isn’t a prime location. It has some old charm, but feels a little dated. Breakfast had a good, wide selection of Chinese and Western dishes. Check-in took a long time even though our group booking was made in advance and the hotel had our names. The Wi-Fi wasn’t great either, though staff helped get us connected. All in all, a good experience.

The property was clean and well maintained, with tidy, comfortable rooms and impressive room service. I stayed for three days and came away with mixed feelings. Check-in and checkout were unusually slow, which was a nuisance after a long trip, and reception staff struggled to communicate in English. I ate breakfast all three days, but the menu was the same each time and had very few choices that suited my South Asian tastes. Chicken and beef were placed close together and sometimes shared utensils, which conflicts with our religious dietary practices. The snacks and fruit were disappointing too. The internet was another problem. Major apps like Facebook and WhatsApp wouldn’t work, which was frustrating during an international trip. Apart from the food and Wi-Fi issues, the hotel was wonderful for cleanliness, room quality, and comfort. Better breakfast variety, staff communication, and internet access would make it a much better option for international travelers.

The pool was spacious and clean, and I used it. The spa and fitness center looked nice, but I didn’t try them. Along the hallway toward that area there are several shops, mostly clothing. The room was nice, though a little worn, and the large, upscale lobby made a good impression. Staff were courteous and helpful. For what I paid, it was well worth it.

I keep coming back to Metropark Lido Hotel because it suits what I need. I’ve spent well over 50 nights here in the past year and tend to return each month, partly for the different restaurants nearby. It works well if you want a place to unwind after work with Chinese and international food close at hand, but not if you’re after luxury and pampering. The rooms are mostly clean but a bit worn. Air conditioning units make quite a bit of noise, and neighboring doors slam loudly. The gym is average and heated to about 27-28 degrees Celsius, so workouts are short and very sweaty. Breakfast is okay, with a decent selection for both eastern and western tastes, though the bread could be fresh instead of hard and dry. Staff are usually friendly and speak English reasonably well. If they don’t, they call someone who does.