From the outside this hotel seems sterile and warehouse like. It seemed like an old communist administrative building turned into a hotel. The block its on feels aged and industrial as well. However, when you walk in, you get a whole new experience. The staff was very friendly - even when we asked to change rooms (I'll get to that later) and helped us from the time we got there to the time we left. Beijing was our first stop and China was very new to us, so it took a lot of patience and they had it.

PROS:
- Beijing is enormous, so there is no such thing as the perfect location. Everything is far away from everything. But this hotel was down the block from a few trendy strips, a very heavily packed restaurant street at night, and easily accessible to subways and taxis. In a large city, thats the best you can ask for. You could walk to many places from this hotel, but if its summer and gross out, you have the options of all the nearby things and public transport.
- The staff was very helpful. The first room we were put in we asked to switch and they readily accommodated us.
- The staff received a package on my behalf and purchased train tickets for us (with a cheap commission).
- The room itself was very modern and sleek, but this may not be every room.
- Seemed to have every amenity under the sun, and they seemed nice, but we didn't use any of them.
- Excellent western breakfast - little pricey, but well worth it.
- Free WiFi!!

CONS:
- The bottom floor was a very high priced Karaoke TV joint, which second as a brothel. We didn't know until I went prying down there and saw the most elaborate beautiful rooms I have ever seen and questioned it. They told me it was a very expensive KTV where men took women and had some fun. Its not noticeable so don't think you'll be rubbing shoulders with hookers or anything, its not like that at all. But it is what it is. Westerners aren't allowed down there but see if you can sneak down and take a peak, it was quite amazing. Its a true bordello.
- Try as they might, the front desk didn't really speak english. They were as helpful as they could be though.

After a long research - This best cost-performance 4 Star hotel, gives you the immidiate acces to real Beijin. 5 min. walk to the local restaurants place in the East part of the road, after passing the Metro station of Beixinqiao, and if you go West, about 20-min walk, you are in the famouse Hu-Hai lakes infested with western style restaurants & pubs, the magnetic nightlife hub. Because we used to cover the area by foot, we had a wonderful exploration of the many nearby Hutongs. Last but not least - Such hotel in a "Better Location" will cost you much more and you're only a 2 Yuan (per persone) away from it by the Metro...
Despite the traditional Chinees hard matresses, the bed has a comfort layer that makes the sleep quality, superb.

Dalia & Naftali Blau - Israel

Overall:
- excellent location and good value, would definitely stay again, probably 3 star by Western standards
Location:
- close to subway, 24 hr food street (Gui Jie), old hutongs (Nan Luo Gu Xiang)
Food:
- good selection for breakfast
Lobby:
- couches are nice (but seems to be a little dirty), bar very expensive by China standards
Rooms:
- a bit old, decent sized, nice beds, air con worked most of the time
Service:
- quite good (at least when you speak Chinese)
- free internet (with cable)
- has gym and pool (didn't use)

I stayed here for 5 nights for US$49 (wotif mystery hotel). What a bargain! I knew which hotel it was before I booked and I read the reviews and they seemed promising. I originally only booked for 2 nights but extended my stay.

Location: 5 minute walk to Beixinqiao subway station. It's the cheapest way to get around Beijing (2Y per ticket to ANY station on the network). Very accessible to the major sites such as Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven. We caught the subway there. You can easily get taxis from the street or the hotel can arrange for taxi. To the left about 5 minutes away, there are about 60 restaurants. To the right, 2 minute walk away there's a supermarket, bakery, mcdonalds. It's a very convenient location that is not too 'touristy'.

Service: Service was great. Didn't see any information re tours, I had to ask for maps as they weren't on display. English was good. The business desk helped me book my tickets to Xi'an which was very cheap. They were very patient and always willing to answer my questions.

Room: for the price I paid, I was very happy.
Positives:
- large shower
- flat screen tv with HBO and CNN
- gym is well equiped although located in a strange place. Had to be escorted out so not to disturb the KTV.

Negatives:
- aircon was not working (although it meant my clothes dried quickly when I washed them)
- no free bottled water: it was 25Y per bottle (go to supermarket, only 0.59Y)
- room is quite small but manageable
- fridge doesn't work
- showerhead was hopeless

Other perks: free wifi in the lobby. KTV if you're interested!! It's downstairs in the basement and apparently one of the best in Beijing. If you don't know what that is, that's Karaoke with girls. We didn't really see it, you could hear it but it's definitely not a sleazy hotel.

I asked about the price of the room and I was quoted 880Y. So I booked on wotif mystery instead for the fraction of the price. Not sure if you can bargain?

Overall, great hotel for the location. If you're worried about aircon and showers then this one is probably not for you. I'll definitely stay there again.