After reviewing previous comments here my girlfriend and I couldn't decide between the Great Wall Sheraton and the St Regis in Bejing for our long weekend break, so in the end we decided to split it, with two nights first in the Great Wall on points (7,000 total), then two in the St Regis (US$160 per night corporate rate, room only).
Great Wall Sheraton
We arrived at the Great Wall at around 12-30 without having requested an early check-in (and having been fiddled on the taxi fare by some sleight of hand by the driver with the meter). After declining the bellboy's offer of help with one quite small wheelie bag we were greeted as we crossed the lobby by the GUest Relations Manageress, who, on spying my Platinum card in hand, invited us to proceed to the Executive Lounge to check in there. She accompanied us up to the 17th floor where we took a seat. Unfortunately, the assigned room was not yet cleaned and we were offered the choice to wait "20-30 mins" for the non-smoking "junior suite" or have a lesser room immediately. Since we needed a coffee after the trip we moved to the lounge and took one while planning our touristing.
After the promised 20 mins or so, the person manning the desk came with our keys, and also a personalized letter detailing the Platinum benefits at the hotel. These are:
"1. Upgrade to the best available room upon check-in, inclusive of Junior Suites (subject to availability).
2. Complimentary American breakfast at the Silk Road Trattoria using the vouchers in the key jacket.
3. Guaranteed 4pm checkout.
4. The choice of the following four amenities:
- 500 Starpoints
- RMB42 F&B credit
- Welcome gift [described as some Chinese Tea]
- Hotel's Delight [described as a fruit bowl]
5. Executive Benefits at the 17th Floor Lounge:
- check-in and check-out
- coffee, tea and soft drinks 06:30-16:30. The usual F&B charges will apply 19:00-23:00
- Complimentary drinks with a wide selection of hot snacks served in the lounge from 16:00 to 19:00 every day, limited to a second registered person in the room."
I chose the Starpoints, and we proceeded to the room. The Junior Suite is really one biggish room (30sq.m?), but it has a sliding wood-framed, frosted glass partition which can separate it fairly effectively into two spaces. The bathroom is of the quite basic, older type: smallish, with a shower over the bath. The bed was very firm and comfortable. The sitting area had a sofa, a desk, and a couple of other chairs, which made it feel quite full. The windows could be opened, and the fittings were in good order.
On the first night we went up to try the canapes and drinks. The food was really quite good - a wide selection of both savoury and sweet items, as promised, and very tasty. Unfortunately the alcoholic drink selection left a bit to be desired - only Chinese wines and, for example, a brand of gin of which I had never previously heard. The service was excellent and friendly.
Both mornings we took the buffet breakfast which was an excellent selection, covering Chinese, Japanese, Hot Western (including eggs cooked to order), cold cuts, cheeses, fruits, cereals, juices, etc. There was a slight confusion over the fact that we had been given only one breakfast voucher per day when we should have had one for each of us, but this was resolved in seconds at checkout.
There is no high speed internet apparent, though my girlfriend had insisted I leave the laptop at home so I didn't really look!
We didn't have a chance to sample any of the bars or restaurants in the evenings.
St Regis
On the third morning we proceed top the St Regis, arriving at about 11:00, again without having requested an early check-in. We checked in at the main reception desk, and this time our room was ready. I asked about Platinum benefits, and the check-in girl seemed confused and told me that the butler could tell me about them.
The room was described as a "Diplomat Suite" but in fact it was just a big (50sq.m) room - there was no partition. The bathroom was excellent - big, well lit, modern fittings, big walk-in shower, deep bath tub, full set of amenities. Again, the windows can be opened, and everything was in a good state of repair (not surprising since the St Regis is still pretty new). High speed internet is available for RMB120 (US$15) per day, also with half-day and per minute options, but with no laptop I couldn't test it out.
During our stay we called the butler a few times for tea and coffee, and to help with some other requests. Apart from the tea and coffee everything was handled by the person you would expect (concierge for restaurants, reception for late check-out) with the butler just acting as a messenger. We asked the butler about Platinum benefits, and he seemed equally confused, suggesting, implausibly, that we might ask the concierge! At this point I just gave up asking. Curiously, on the second day a gift, being St Regis mug, was delivered to the room with a letter from the Assitant Controller noting that this was my second visit and thanking me for my continued support. This was strange because I had never visited there before. The mug is nice though
On the first night we tried the "cocktails". The experience was the reverse of the Great Wall. The drinks were quite good - French and Australian wines, Johnnnie Walker Black, .... However, the canapes were awful - we arrived at 6-30 and it was clear they had been there since 5-30 and were completely dried out and curled up. The contrast with the Great Wall was dramatic. The other problem with the cocktails was that the lounge is simply far too small - many people turned up and left again when they could not find a seat.
On our last night in town we decided to splurge and have dinner at Danieli's ("the best Italian restaurant in Beijing"). We arrived at 8pm on Sunday to find the place almost full, but with many people coming to the end of their meals. The menu looked promising, with the usual selection for Italian restaurants in Asia - heavy on the goose liver, lobster, caviar, etc. The wine list was comprehensive and at about HK prices (e.g. RMB525 ~US$65 for the Masi Campofiorino 97, but bottles up to RMB4000 and more). The food was generally pretty good - the starters (one goose liver, one aubergine/cheese rolls) excellent, the mains (one veal - with goose liver, one stuffed chicken breast) were good, and the desserts (ice cream and a chocolate sponge thing) were OK.
However, at about 21:15 all the staff suddenly went into "setting up for the next day" mode and much waving of arms became necessary to get any service. Unfortunately the meal was rounded off by the most truly awful attempt at capuccino coffees I have ever had the misfortune to taste anywhere in the world. They had the grace to immediately take them off the bill, and we tried to get some more from the butler when we returned to the room - these were almost as bad, so we stuck to the more or less acceptable regular coffee after that.
Since this meal, at RMB 1550, cost significantly more than the rest of the five days' food, transport, admission fees, etc. combined I have to say that the value overall was fair, but nothing special.
On our last day a 3pm checkout was requested and granted, and there were no problems with the billing.
Pros, Cons & Questions
There is no doubt that the St Regis is in the better location for accessing the central tourist sights, and transport to many others. It is easy walking distance from the subway which is very easy to use. We also used the buses a lot which would be trickier but by no means impossible if you have no Chinese (girlfriend).
On the other hand, the Great Wall hotel is at the right end of town for the bus station for trips to the Great Wall itself, and we actually walked back from there in about 40 mins. It is also very convenient for the Sanlitun bar and restaurant area.
The Great Wall is substantially better value for points in my opinion - it is one third of the price, Plats get an excellent breakfast and good evening snacks. The rooms are a bit smaller and older but still very acceptable. The service is more friendly.
For money it depends a bit on what rates you can get I suppose.
Q1: Am I alone in thinking that the Butler service concept is misconceived? To me it is much easier simply to call the concierge when I want restaurants, etc, reception for late check-outs, room service for coffee, housekeeping for an iron. Each of these would be two or three phone calls with the butler. Shouldn't we at least have the numbers so we can call direct if we know who we want?
Q2 I know this has been raised before, but why is talk of Platinum benefits met with such blank incomprehension at the St Regis? And should I be talking to someone to get a 500 starpoint amenity?
Q3 How does the St Regis get away with making such truly awful coffee?
Q4 I noticed on a number of big posters plugging SPG at the Great Wall that they claimed 25 stays / 50 nights required for Platinum status. Have I missed some news here? I had it down at 20/40, although it is immaterial for this year since I will fall a long way short
[This message has been edited by christep (edited 10-15-2002).]