Just came back from the Westin in Qingdao, and did both; dinner out the first night and ate dinner in the lounge the second night. As others have said here the buffet spread in China/Asia is very different from NA. I enjoyed both options for different reasons. First night to go out to be social and second night in lounge to relax and not head out anywhere. I didn't feel 'cheap' but I did enjoy the savings!