For everyone's convenience, this is the text linked to above (supplementary note at end), and the account is based on personal experience. The lounges discussed were last visited a little over a year ago.

> Does anyone know of a sleep or rest area in terminal 3?

Yes, it's open. It's at the far right-hand end of level 2 as you face out of the building, and signposted.

> If so, can you tell me how it works?

Just like a hotel, but you can rent a room by the hour or overnight. The rooms are typically large and clean, have no bath but a proper shower cubicle, but no windows.

> Do you have to leave the screened security area to check in?

Yes, The location is in the public concourse that stretches across the front of the building. Go right to the front of the building and turn right.

> Do you know the price?

It's ¥300 for a standard room with private bath for 4–6 hours, ¥400 for longer, less for shorter periods. You can pay less for a room with common bath, or ¥400 for 4–6 hours in a triple with private bath. You can try to bargain these prices down, but don't expect much success.

> Reservation process?

The overwhelming majority of the business will be walk-up. I've known one of the two 'time-rate lounges' as they call them in Terminal 2 to get full, but when I went round these places in Terminals 1, 2, and 3 last year all had vacancies. They are all run by the same people, so if Terminal 3's happened to have no space they would call and check the others. There's a free shuttle bus to Terminals 1 & 2, and although Terminal 1 is much older it's 'time-rate lounge' has recently been completely refurbished and would be your first choice over the twin rather more tired facilities of Terminal 2. Except for variations in room sizes (and in Terminal 2 you can just hire a comfy chair in a lounge with TV blaring) the rates are much the same in all three terminals.

If you want to try and reserve in Terminal 3, the number is 010 6455 8577.

End quote. Supplementary note:

According to a message recently received from the Hilton PR people the airport property won't until until July.

If you're considering Terminal 2 (much more tired unless recently refurbished) then of the two lounges (down in the basement) you want the south one, which has single and doubles with private bath (the north has only common bath). The number is 6459 8943.

Terminal 1 (standard rooms with private bath, and suites): 6454 0985. This is only a short (interior) walk from Terminal 2.

Frankly, for a brief crash between flights you'd have to be ultra-fastidious (to the point where you probably really shouldn't be travelling in China) to find the T1 or T3 options objectionable, at least as last seen, although there's always the possibility of thoughtless behaviour from fellow travellers to disturb you. Probably ¥260 for under six hours for a single room. ¥300 for six or more. (The figures quoted earlier were for a family, if I remember correctly.)

Peter N-H
China