The Peninsula Beijing

I’ve never had a hotel stay this luxurious. I was upgraded to a huge suite, a real dream of a room, and the colder-than-expected weather meant I spent more time there than planned. It was impeccably clean, smelled great, and had all the technical touches. Room service was so good I ordered it every day, even though I usually go out for local food when I travel. The staff were incredibly kind and welcoming, and I felt right at home. I’ll come back whenever I return to Beijing and won’t even consider staying elsewhere. A travel gal’s dream! Check-out isn’t until 12, so I get to lounge around on my last day. SUPERB!!!!!!

The duplex suite was a highlight: great finishes and fantastic soundproofing, and the cleaning was thorough. The location is decent for sightseeing. But over our four nights, the service, lobby, and concierge were subpar, and the hotel felt more like a business hotel than a luxury one. It didn’t live up to its reputation in Shanghai or HK. We booked some things through the hotel and were told the deposits would be charged to our card when we arrived. Instead, we got several last-minute calls urging us to pay, then were told to use another payment method or face an extra 7% international card fee. It felt unprofessional, as if their lack of planning had become our problem. They also promised to help with tickets for a museum in Beijing, then completely ghosted us. Despite multiple emails, they seemed unaware of the reservation. When we asked for cooking class or restaurant recommendations, they kept pushing their own offerings without mentioning alternatives. Apparently, the best restaurant in Beijing is their French restaurant. For the price, it’s fine if you don’t need booking or concierge help. The rooms themselves are great, and the housekeeping was excellent, but everything else I expect from a luxury hotel was lacking.

The interior has a subtle luxurious old money vibe, and the service really lives up to the name, from the butler to the doorman. We liked the afternoon tea at one of the restaurants, but the breakfast selection and overall dining experience didn’t impress us.

The location is a must, as it is at all Península Hotels. We had a comfortable stay in a spacious room with all amenities, a nice resting area, and a roomy bathroom. Breakfast buffet was complete, with delicious local and international dishes, but the service felt slow and impersonal. The SPA doesn’t open until 10am, which is limiting if you have tours or other early plans. There’s a nice selection of shopping and gastronomy inside the hotel, and the rooftop bar has a lovely view at night. I recommend it for a calm, comfortable stay un Beijing.