moondog

Rumor has it that the Great Wall Hotel has a meeting with the wrecking ball in the not too distant future.

TRAVELSIG

And what a shame that would be.

iahphx

Indeed, I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for this property as it was my first Beijing hotel. I've always been treated well there, too. I could see why it might be time for it to go, however. A lot has changed since it was built.

skrosvik

Yeah, it is certainly not up to the "new" Sheraton brand standard, but would be sad to see it go cause it's a great value when redeeming points.

skrosvik

Back here now for one night. Booked the C&P award (great value).

Got upgraded to a junior suite on the 15th floor. Was no problem to check in at 7AM. The clerk mentioned that usually they charge for this, but it was okey in my case.

This suite is much nicer than the one I had a couple of weeks ago, this have Bose and feels a little bit larger.

Tatty hotel, but great value for Beijing using C&P

yosithezet

My Your24 request for this property was approved. Arriving a bit earlier than expected. 6:45 rather than 8. SPG iPhone app showed upgrade to executive room. Looking forward to seeing how this works out with checkout. Haven't stayed here in several years.

TRAVELSIG

Fortunately the hotel has not changed

fwfdan

What a dump. "working girls" walking up the drive way. Filthy carpets. OLD TVs.... smells of smoke in nonsmoking rooms... HOT rooms...

And not cheap for a conference....

Wrecking ball would be being nice.

moondog

1) Passions closed for a brief spell around the Olympics, but it returned shortly after... some sort of PLA connection there
2) It appears that you didn't get a renovated room; they are actually kind of nice
3) I really thought that it wouldn't last through the summer; I honestly have nothing against the hotel apart from the fact that it is too much of an eyesore for anything but a complete overhaul to save it

clublounger

Any recent experience with the lounge? Evening offerings? Breakfast offerings? Thanks.

geminidreams

I was in the lounge a couple of months ago. It was ok. I rarely drink so cant comment on the beverage selection. Evening there were light snacks, nothing substantial, breakfast was nondescript but sufficient to meet my requirements.

It was my first plat stay. Was upgrade to a Junior suite. OK except for TV. Allowed to check in at 8am. Apart from the tv and the tatty carpets I was happy with it, though I slept about 25 hrs of my stay due to long travel to get there.

thehowieee

Stayed there last week for a night as a part of a PHL-PEK mileage-run. Ended up getting re-routed on BA through LHR and arrived early morning instead of late evening as originally planned (and I was going to stay at the Hilton PEK)

Took the airport express and subway to Agricultural Exhibition Centre exit ... walked about 1/3 mile to the hotel.

I arrived around 730am IIRC and checked-in without issue. I was told I was upgraded to a suite but it wasn't ready so I happily took a king non-smoking.

Asked about eating breakfast as I was checking out very early the following morning and would miss the buffet. Front desk made a call and I was all set. The spread is east/west plenty of options including an omelet station.

The property definitely isn't new but is in good shape. The room was clean and had all traditional amenities plus a bunch of tea, an electric hot water kettle, and coffee with a french press. 5 free bottles of water as well.

Evening hor d'oeuvres were great. free drinks/snacks on the 17th floor; I made a meal out of it.

The front desk dropped off a fruit plate and welcome note (with my name / room number scratch out from my upgraded suite to the regular room I was in). They also stopped by with a foam pillow as is in my profile (first time ever at any spg property)

At a category 2 (3k weekend / 4k weekday rate) this property IS A STEAL ... yes it isn’t new / fancy, but it is clean, well kept and has fantastic service

Internet was so so, but I used a VPN service which actually seemed to speed things up (CactusVPN.com)

kevino

Thanks hdawg for the balanced review. ^

So you got a special breakfast because you were checking out early?

thehowieee

Not special, just got them to move my breakfast from the day after arrival to the day of arrival. Given I was staying just the one night and left the hotel before breakfast would open on my day of departure they were flexible enough to do that.

clublounger

It sounds like you had breakfast in the restaurant, rather than the lounge?

I've only had it in the lounge, not knowing that I had a choice. There's a choice?

thanks