I recently spent 14 days at a hotel in Beijing, and my stay was a mixed bag. The hotel's location was incredibly convenient, offering easy access to nearby attractions and amenities. However, several aspects of the stay left much to be desired.
One of the major challenges was the language barrier at the front desk. The staff members struggled with English and relied solely on a translation app, which made communication difficult and frustrating at times. Despite this setback, the housekeeping staff was exceptional. They were prompt in responding to any requests and maintained the cleanliness of the room to a high standard throughout my stay.
One particularly uncomfortable aspect of the stay was the absence of air conditioning, attributed to government policy even in the relatively warm month of April. As a result, some nights were uncomfortably hot and humid. However, after lodging a written complaint, the manager, aptly named Dragon, intervened. Dragon, who spoke perfect English, provided a portable air purifier/indoor exhaust system, which significantly improved the room's comfort level and made the stay more bearable.
Despite these challenges, I ultimately rate the hotel five stars. The convenient location, excellent housekeeping staff, and the manager's proactive response to the air conditioning issue outweighed the difficulties encountered at the front desk. Additionally, the presence of reasonable restaurants within walking distance added satisfaction.