Grace Hotel Zhonghe

I've stayed here two or three times over the last 5 years and have always been pleased with the rooms and how clean everything is. The hotel is great, with a very professional staff, and it's only a couple of blocks from the metropolitan subway station.

For the price, it's great value, and this is the classiest hostel I've stayed at. It feels like a somewhat expensive hotel when you walk in. The front desk was very professional, though check-in took 20 minutes. There's a lounge with free cookies and tea, plus a fridge for food. A microwave would have been useful, and the coffee machine was broken when I visited. The laundry rooms are open anytime, and soap is sold there. I stayed in the men's dorm. It was very clean and comfortable, with a great bathroom, a urinal, and a high-pressure shower. Soap and a hair dryer are provided, but bring your own towel. The main problems were noise and light. There isn't noise insulation, and my bed was right against a bathroom in another room, so I heard the sink, hair dryer, and people talking as if they were next to me. The lights stayed on all night. I'd switch them off, but someone kept turning them back on within an hour, not sure if that was staff or other backpackers. Someone in the top bunk checked in at 3am and woke me up. That's not the hotel's fault, and the free earplugs helped a bit.

The staff were extremely friendly, and the modern rooms were clean. The bathrooms were well equipped, and the bed was comfortable, on the semi-firm side. In the lobby each morning, it smelled like fresh buns. Such a great way to wake up, I'll dream about that smell forever. A great business hotel.

The mattress was plush and made for a restful night's sleep. The room was well equipped, with excellent air conditioning and a comfortable layout that made it easy to relax. The front desk staff were friendly and accommodating, and having a shopping mall beside the hotel was convenient.