Crossing chang'an jie is really hard, and the north side is far nicer than the south side in that area.

That's helpful, I appreciate it.

If my plan is to make use of mass transit, such as to/from the airport, would the W's proximity to the subway serve me better? I'm not on a budget, but I'm guessing traffic is unpleasant - plus I sort of enjoy mass transit in foreign countries. I need to get in from the airport around noon on a Saturday and return first thing Monday morning for an Air Koyro flight from T2. Unless a taxi is more time-efficient at these hours?

I'll stop hounding you, thank you very much.

Jamie

The W has better subway access than the St. Regis, but I could never recommend taking mass transit from PEK to either. Taxis are faster 80% of the time and infinitely more comfortable (we're talking about two extremely unpleasant transfers, one which is often borderline stampedesque, and a lot of standing time).

But, given your interest in subways, trying out a few during your visit (when you don't have luggage) is certainly worthwhile.

Feel free to ask more questions; I don't mind them at all.

Very helpful, perhaps I should reconsider a taxi or car service (which I'm confident both the W or SR could set up).

In terms of "unpleasantness", how different is taking the Airport Express and transferring to the #2/Blue line relative to, say, taking the Narita Express to Shinjuku and transferring (with a bag) to the Yamanote-sen? I'm comfortable with that sort of "stampedesque", but not much more than that.

Jamie

Beijing subways aren't more crowded than Tokyo subways, but the majority of transfers didn't take user experience into consideration at all when they were designed. Line 10 to line 1 at guomao is particularly painful because the transfer tunnel is far too narrow to sanely accommodate the volume of traffic that passes through it. In fact, many people actually exit the station in order to pull off this drill.

Another big difference between Beijing and Tokyo is that taxis are cheap in Beijing, whereas taxis in Tokyo are not. As much as I dislike it, I would sweat out the public transit drill from PEK to St Regis in a heartbeat if it saved me $250, but certainly not for a $15 savings, which is the case.

All right, if it isn't going to save me time (whereas in Tokyo or London it would), I'll just hop a car at PEK.

I was mistaken, departure Monday is at noon, I'll ask the hotel what they advise but I suspect leaving at 8a will give me ample time for whatever the airport throws my way.

Still having a tough time decided between Marvelous Suite and Ambassador Suite. Similar sizes, but W does obviously look cooler/younger. Any views from SR Ambassador Suites that I should be aware of?

Thanks again - Jamie

I am posting to amend my assessment of the mass transit option from PEK:
-AEX to line 2 to jianguomen is the best way to play this (completely removes line 10 and line 1 from the equation)
-the transfer at dongzhimen is relatively benign, based on China standards
-I would guess this drill beats taxis timewise 35% of the time

All that having been said, I still maintain that taxis are a no-brainer wrt airport transit in this case.

Argh, still torn. Any recent feedback on the Ambassador Suites?

It looks just as it does in the first picture on the website. There's a loveseat with comfy chair just inside the door, in front of the tv. There's a small table with four chairs in an adjacent area, with a desk. Hard to see the tv from there. The bedroom is off to the side. If you just want a comfy suite and don't need the table, I actual prefer the St. Regis suite. Love seat plus two comfy chairs facing the tv. Behind the loveseat and also facing the tv is a large desk. Ambassador Suite doesn't make much sense unless you really need the small table and chairs.

This is very helpful. What is your impression of he bar? Lively? Sedate? Music? Knowing W HKG, SIN and DPS, I imagine W Beijing is along those lines.

The Press Club is not what I would describe as "lively". The w's bar is definitely cooler, but still not a place where you'd really want to hang out for longer than 20 minutes or so.

Based on feedback on W FT page, sounds like SR probably the way to go. I really appreciate everyone taking the time to help me out.

Do Plats no longer get free happy hour hors d'ouvres and drinks in the Press Club?

This will be held at the Business Lounge however as I'm staying here today I was informed that tomorrow this will be moved to the Press Club again. Not sure if that's a temporary or permanent shift.

Also the Plat Benfits here are really good.

St. Regis Beijing
 

After some searching I haven't found a thread just for this place, hubby and I will be from Nov3-Nov7 in an Executive Deluxe room, we get comp cocktails and Hor Doeuvers and Butler Service, doesn't say anything about Breakfast? Just looking for thoughts on this place, and service at this Hotel.

TIA