Just got back from a 4-night stay. Me = IHG Platinum (via credit card), booked cash nonrefundable rate for a Deluxe King room. Solo traveler from USA. English-only. I thought about the Crowne Plaza Wangfujing, but all the reviews said the interior was in need of refurbishment. Regent wasn't that much more expensive and had the benefit of being near the Metro. First time at the Regent brand.

Check In: I showed up at 6:30am. They told me that my room (on a higher floor, as requested during the booking) wasn't available until check-out time (noon). Understandable.So I simply asked about where to change (and possibly shower. . . I had a food tour booked at 9am) and to drop my bag. After a few minutes, the manager(?) shows up and says there is the same type of room on the 7th floor (so lower floor) I wanted to check in for that room. I was immensely grateful, so I didn't even ask about an upgrade. The reception employee thanked me for my loyalty and explained the welcome drink amenity which I understood was you're either supposed to tell the server or room charge it. Regardless, I didn't use it during my stay. They did ask what kind of tea I would like brought up to my room, and within 10 minutes of me getting to the room, a small pot of tea arrived. I asked about breakfast, but unlike trueblu above, I was explicitly told it was not part of my reservation. There is a small coffee cart in front of reception which inexplicably is taken away around 6:30am. I wonder if it's mostly for the SwissAir crew that stay at the Regent. (I saw their bus arrive every morning around 6-6:30am.)

The fruit platter was dropped off later in the day along with a welcome letter explaining my Platinum benefits.

King Deluxe room: good size for 2 people. Bed on the firm side. Pillow menu is next to the bed. Fridge has a few free sodas (Coke and Sprite), a few beers, individual CoffeeMate servings, and a few bottles of water. Additionally, there are 2 other bottles of water in the room which were refreshed during turndown and room cleaning. There is a kettle for tea and Nestle instant coffee. Air conditioning was very very strong. One nice touch: a power strip that included 3 USB ports was located by the bed.

Gym/Spa/Pool/Restaurants/Club(Lounge): I didn't visit them.

Staff: I found them pleasant, gracious, and welcoming. . .but I didn't have any issues that needed some sort of remedy.

Other: No communication issues at all in English with reception or concierge. Front desk without hesitation changed my large RMB bills to smaller ones.

Location: good, but not great. The adjacent hutongs are not "happening". Overall pretty lame. The hotel sits on Dengshikou station on Metro Line 5 (which I used exclusively as my transit). I took a taxi to the hotel from the airport (83RMB... it was so early in the morning, the Airport Express bus and metro line wasn't running that early). I also took the Airport Shuttle bus from the Regent (concierge explained where to pick it up, super close) to the airport at noon for 25RMB. Ride took 70min and was super easy.

Overall: a good stay with a comfy room and friendly and helpful staff. The super-early check-in was the biggest benefit I could have received. However, as a solo traveler who would prefer to walk to bars, I'd probably want to stay near a hutong with bars or near Sanlitun.