Jing Bin Hotel, Beijing
 

Our overly caretaking Chinese host is INSISTING that we stay at the Jing Bin Hotel (NOT the 'Friendship Hotel FAR out, but one in Xicheng (24 Fuwaidajie Xicheng District, Beijing P.R.C #100037) http://www.roomexhotels.com/jing_bin...nfo.40121.html

He's being wonderful..providing car, driver, making train reservations, and insisting that his department has a contract at this place, so room and any meals will be free! Says our plans (the Grand Hyatt) would be difficult for the driver, given the traffic, etc. It's an offer it's difficult (maybe impossible) to refuse, but wondered if anyone has any knowledge of this place? We're NOT sticklers for fancy (though we DO love great locations) but unless someone tells us it's dreadful, we think international graciousness is going to require our staying at the Jing Bin. With two nights on overnight trains, seven in a ship cabin, and four (partner's work requirement) four at the Traders, were hoping for a few special nights, but might have to rely on the Sofitel Xian and the No. 9 Shanghai for those!

any feedback welcome!

steve

The Traders is in a fine location (10 minute walk from my place, in fact) and you might be able to look into buying up to the Kerry or CW (which are on either side) since IME most companies that have contracted rates at one, have them at the other two as well.

As for your Jin Bin place, from the pictures and description, it looks like a run of the mill Chinese hotel, which is fine with me. But, I'm having trouble thinking of anything nice to say about the location (appears to be reasonably close to Financial Street). I suppose the good news is that you'll have a chance to stay in two different parts of town. And, maybe your driver is planning on taking you to the Fragrent Hills or similar, which is nice. You can also do some decent bike rides over there.

All that said, I'd be loath to take your host's offer without at least entertaining other alternatives that adhere to the driver's location criteria (it seems like he just wants you to be closer to a ring road than the Hyatt, which is understandable). For example, TravelManKen recently stayed at the Orange Hotel near Xizhimen (almost as far west as your proposed hotel, but a much more attractive area IMO) which really impressed me. What's more, the rates were very good because the hotel is new and trying to put itself on the map.

insult, or injury
 

Moondog, took the chance to email your privately. The social issues around having this place chosen for us, is a bit complex, and i'm trying to be discrete. Hope that's OK...

Hotel is most likely OK but expect your bed to be extremely firm. Politely explaining that softer "western" beds help with lower back pain (at least that's the case for me) is usually enough to justify your own pick without offending anyone.

Consider Intercontinental or Westin Financial Street - a pair of fairly new properties located in the same general area.

After a few more exchanges, it's clear our host INSISTS we stay at the Jing Bin at his expense. We're going to 'console ourselves' by getting a Trader's Club Executive Suite at the Traders for the next 4 days... (heck, with partner at meetings, I may actually have time, finally, to enjoy a Club room!)

S

MrZhu wishes to point out that at least it is not the xing bing hotel.