OK

I was back at the Minzu in October. I did not have a reservation, my wife and I just walked in. They were fully booked as were many other good hotels in town but, the staff bent over backwards to get us a not just a room but a suite.

When you are half-way around the world It is nice to see friendly faces who remember you from your previous visit and welcome you as an old friend.

Yes, the breakfast is only very good (not superb) but they more than make up for it with great service, a beautiful hotel, gorgeous rooms (marble showers) and a first rate location.

A week ago I walked into the Minzu Hotel in Beijing, China. It looked like a modern version of a luxurious golden palace! I arrived with no reservation and (sadly) discovered that the hotel was full. Though I was grubby from travelling in the countryside (muddy shoes, worn out jacket and not appealing luggage) I was treated like the queen of the world.

A bellhop watched my luggage for me (without me asking) while the concierge attempted to find me an available room in another comparable property. I made no fuss - this service, too, was offered to me without me asking. A short while later, a room was found for me in the Minzu. The concierge asked if I "minded" being upgraded (at no cost) to an executive suite. He also offered 1 complimentary breakfast (standard anywhere in China) but a second breakfast at 1/2 price for every day we stayed to "make up for my inconvenience". I was thinking - "the inconvenience that I put you through by walking through your doors without a reservation?"

The room was spectacular! A huge glass-encased rain shower with a bath beside it sat in a modern North American style washroom. The bed was comfortable (firm, but softer than anything I had stayed in in China). The furnishings were modern and luxurious - woods, leathers, mood lighting. There were bathrobes, slippers, toothbrushes - anything you needed.

The maids came in the evening to turn down your bed. The service and room were luxurious and the food delicious. I would go back in a second. All for under $180 Canadian a night. I could simply not afford this type of luxury in North America.

The only hesitation that I have in writing this review is that this property will become far too popular with travellers and I really won't be able to get a room on my next trip to China!

I have stayed in this hotel twice recently on business. I agree with the previous reviews that only certain floors have been recently renovated - and one must specify one wants to stay in a renovated room - ( I think they have finished up to the 4th Floor now - as of Jan 2006) however the renovated rooms are very well done in dark wood with comfy beds and a all-white marble bathroom with a big glass window between it and the bedroom. Cable TV is available, and amenities (soap, shampoo etc.) are not the typical kitchen detergent variety usually provided in China! The new rooms are well done - so make sure to check your room is one of them! Breakfast is a sort of socialist-scrum with large tables where you may have to share with others. The food on offer is pretty mediocre. It helps if you speak Chinese but even if you do not the staff try to help and even raise a smile ! The one thing this hotel has not learned yet is the art of SERVICE.....but then this a new concept for a country like China.
Unfortunately foreign tourists and business people's expectations are usually higher than the services provided by this hotel, despite its 5 star ranking. Actually the Minzu Hotel was the very first hotel to be constructed in Beijing so it has history......but still no service.
Situated about 10-15 mins walk from Xitan the new, young place to shop / eat to the west of Tiananmen......and a short 5 mins drive from the new enormous Beijing Capital Museum which outlines the history and origins of Beijing and which is definately worth a visit. There is also an excellent dumpling shop over the road in a back street : plates of steaming dumplings with different fillings for very modest prices - but you've got to speak Chinese.

I stayed at this hotel for one night after coming back to Beijing from Xian. Boy am I glad it's only for one night. The hotel is located at Xi Dan area (west of Wangfujing) and has an impressive look from outside. Even the lobby has a sense of grandness when you first walked in but don't be fooled by the look. I was extremely disappointed when I got to my room which is on the 8th floor. This hotel boasts itself as a "luxuary hotel" but there is absolutely nothing luxuarious about my room! I felt like I walked into a Travelodge or Motel 6 room and it was so outdated! Whatever the hotel indicates on their website (www.minzuhotel.cn) is nowhere to be found at least in this room. I understand many parts of hotel are being renovated right now but only showing nice pictues of those "renovated" rooms with bragging description on the website is truly misleading to tourists and I certainly feel deceived.

In addition, breakfast is medicore and NOT included in the price as I was told and I had to call the manager to intervene. As the previous review indicated, you really have to speak some Chinese (which I do) in order to get somewhat decent service or you may be ignored.

Overall, I would encourage people to think twice before they decide to choose this hotel - or at least wait until the "entrie" renovation is done. And be sure you get what you are promised. There are lots of nice hotels in the same area, this one just doesn't cut the list.