I came to Beijing this time looking for a place to stay that is close to the city center and can avoid crowds. After searching for a long time, I finally chose Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong Beijing, which is located on Jianguomen Outer Street, just a five minute walk from the subway station. At the moment I pushed open the door, I realized that this old five-star hotel, which had been open for more than 30 years, had a unique "calm and composed" texture, completely different from the stereotypical appearance of a business hotel in my impression.
As soon as I entered the lobby, there were no overly dazzling crystal lights, and the warm wooden decoration was wrapped in a faint fragrance. The front desk staff smiled and handed me ice towels and barley tea. They heard that it was my first time here, so they specifically pointed to the guide map by the window and told me that I could walk for ten minutes to Ritan Park. The nearby Old Beijing Meat Rin has been open for more than 20 years, and the taste is particularly authentic. The entire check-in process took less than three minutes, and even when I casually mentioned 'I want to stay in a higher room to see the street view', I turned around and helped me upgrade to a better facing floor for free.
The room I stayed in felt particularly comfortable when I pushed open the door. There were no flashy internet famous soft furnishings piled up, and the light wood furniture matched with plain cotton and linen bedding, like walking into a Japanese style home that was particularly well-organized. The small desk by the window is just wide enough to hold a notebook and coffee cup, and the warm light of the desk lamp falls on the paper. When organizing travel accounts, the eyes are not tired at all. The most surprising thing is the details of the bathroom, including an intelligent toilet seat and a thermostatic shower system. After taking a shower, there will be no water accumulation on the floor. Even the hair dryer is a professional model with gentle wind, and long hair can be blown dry in five minutes.
The most unforgettable experience was the delicious food in the hotel. The Japanese restaurant on the second floor is a treasure trove hidden by old diners. The sushi master's sushi rice is just right in temperature, and the freshness of salmon is not inferior to that of old restaurants in Tokyo. The choice of breakfast takes into account the flavor of both China and Japan. The freshly cooked old Beijing bean curd jelly served with sauce is served with a coke circle, and the newly prepared Japanese miso soup and Yuzishao are next to it. You don't have to travel half way to Beijing to taste two authentic flavors at the same time in the hotel.
The geographical location is even more convenient, with a ten minute walk from the hotel to Jianguomen subway station, a two stop walk to Tiananmen Square to watch the flag raising ceremony, and a few stops to Sanlitun and Guomao to explore the business district. The subway is just a few stops away. In the evening, I walked along the road to Haitan Park and saw ginkgo leaves floating on the red wall. When I turned a corner, I stumbled upon a niche caf é hidden in the embassy area. It was not crowded like the people in Nanluogu Lane, and a leisurely afternoon was particularly comfortable.
Having stayed in so many hotels in Beijing, it is rare to encounter such a place: Hotel New Otani Chang Fu Gong Beijing combines the stable and atmospheric atmosphere of an old five-star hotel with the delicate and thoughtful service of the Japanese style. You don't have to squeeze around in the crowd, you can feel the slow pace of the old Beijing urban area in a down-to-earth manner. Next time I come to Beijing, I will definitely consider this place as my first stop.Show more