thehowieee

Correct, in the restaurant. Honestly, when I asked about having breakfast I didn't ask about lounge/restaurant ... the gentleman checking me in simply directed me to the restaurant.

APweb

Yes, you have a choice but usually they never tell you. I think the selection in the restaurant is much better.

hearna

So this hotel is sticking around? I am looking to book 2 nights in Oct; other hotels 'look' nicer; but at 4k points it is a steal, and if you can exchange lounge breakfast for restaurant breakfast that really is good!

We will be transiting so just looking for a good hotel for breakfast, hors-d'oeuvres after our city tours!

lcpteck

I've read somewhere that this is the first hotel that SPG opened in China.

APweb

Personally, I rather stay at the sheraton Dongcheng or Westin Chaoyang, much nicer properties. The only thing that's great about the Great Wall Sheraton is maybe the price (imo).

James Luckard

Yep. It opened as The Great Wall Hotel in 1984, Sheraton took it over a year later in 1985.

http://www.at0086.com/at_News%5C279%...988248401.html

lcpteck

Wow, I wonder when was the last renovation.

moondog

They jazzed up the place quite a bit in 2008 but there really isn't much they can do to make the structure itself nice. I've heard that it won't be around much longer.

lcpteck

I see, that's kind of sad. Maybe I should stay there if I go Beijing again.

clublounger

Checked in to The Great Wall Sheraton today. Confirmed at check-in that it's okay to have breakfast in the restaurant instead of in the Club Lounge.

This evening I called down to ask about wifi in the room. I had no signal, so I thought I must just be in a room too far from a signal. I was told that only the Executive Floor has wifi, otherwise it's wired. I was told that I can upgrade. When I asked "how much?" I was transferred to the Executive Lounge personnel. I was told that the upgrade would be 600 RMB, which is $100. Silly. I have privileges at the Executive Lounge already. $100 for wifi and perhaps some upgraded toiletries, if even that?

What's particularly frustrating is that as a Platinum 100/AMB I was not given a room on the Executive floor to begin with. I wasn't even given a suite on ANY floor. As a matter-of-fact, I'm in a CONNECTING room! On the Club Floor. It CONNECTS to a suite. The smallest room, according to the floor plan on the back of the door.

I've been here before. I know the shortcomings of the physical property. It's NOT the Westin up the road. It's less expensive than comparably located Starwood properties in Beijing. But, I expect to be treated fairly. I don't feel I have been.

moondog

Wired internet is fairly common in Chinese hotels. But I have a travel router to address this problem. Cost less than $20.

TRAVELSIG

I agree and I don't like using wireless anyway in China as there are often it seems a number of sniffer programs and receptors around- I always use a VPN in PRC however I am not sure that is even strong enough? Wired is one less thing to worry about.

clublounger

The "wired" is not really a problem. I have a Macbook Pro that easily acts as a hotspot for my other devices when it is connected to broadband.

It's what I learned through my enquiry that shows the service shortcomings of the property.

Kevin Wang

i have been going to beijing on regular base for the last 4 years. used to stay at great wall, but DongCheng is definitely a much better choice. if you are plat, you will definitely get upgraded to the suite.

Astrophsx

Do you know the price of breakfast in the restaurant? I'm a gold right now and probably will not get upgraded.