Sheraton Grand Beijing Dongcheng Hotel

The breakfast buffet had a great range, from American and continental options to local dishes and live cooking stations. The indoor pool is temperature controlled and long enough for full laps, and the clean, comfortable locker room has a sauna, steam room, and hot jacuzzi. They ask swimmers to wear caps, but provide loaners. The hotel feels old, but still has a luxurious feel. My room was spacious and clean, with a large open bathroom, separate shower, toilet, and bathtub. Water pressure was good, although hot water took a while to arrive. The amenities were all there, and the twin beds were a good size, if a little too soft for my taste. There’s a multi-building mall about three minutes away on foot, with eateries, restaurants, Watsons, and a Hema supermarket. The Line 12 metro station is right outside. A very good five-star stay from start to finish.

Lots of local coffee shops nearby, and the location worked well for me. The room was nice, with both a walk-in shower and a bathtub. I also found the garment steamer easier to use than ones at other hotels, and they have a robot bring room service orders.

My first night was unbearable: the room stayed above 30°C all night. I called about it, and a repairman remained in the room until 2 a.m., but the problem still wasn’t fixed. I got no sleep, was sweating all night, and then gave a terrible business presentation the next morning. There was also a broken bathroom tile that cut my foot badly. The photo shows the broken glass in the bathroom that caused the cut. I’ve stayed with Marriott for 1,000 nights and been loyal to the brand for over a decade, but this Sheraton was by far my worst experience. Management seemed to know the room wasn’t working properly: there was a small portable air conditioner in it, but it only blew hot air. I asked several times for a manager to call me. No one did, and only after I went to the front desk multiple times did someone speak with me briefly. After more attempts to reach management, someone offered a stuffed teddy bear as compensation. When I said that wasn’t suitable for a room I’d paid top dollar for, they offered just 3,000 points. I’ve never posted a negative review before, but I feel I should share this so other travelers can avoid what was a nightmare for me. I would never recommend staying here if you care about your health and safety. I’ll also tell my entire sales organization that this property is off limits when traveling to China because of the serious hazards. Avoid this Sheraton at all costs.

The lounge was a highlight for me: the food was generally very good, even if it got crowded, and the raw vegetables with ranch dressing gave me a taste of home in the States. There’s also a complimentary full bar from 6 to 8, with liquor, wine, and beer. The staff were kind and accommodating, and plenty of people spoke English. Delivery robots made ordering from Ele.me and Meituan easy, and were fun to see. I spent a week here in July on a work trip, and the AC worked incredibly well in Beijing’s hot, humid summer. I could set the room to 17.5°C, which is rare these days, and slept great in my igloo. The renovated rooms were spacious, with very comfortable beds. It’s also handy for major roads, metro stations, and places to eat, drink, or get a massage within walking distance. A memorable, comfortable stay at a great price. This has quickly become my favorite Marriott in China, and the only hotel I plan to book in Beijing. Thanks to the whole Sheraton Dongcheng team.