Sleeping at the St. Regis in Beijing for less than 65€ was a really good decision
Nine out of ten trips that I recount here on TFC are business trips, or it would be better to call them review trips. [...]
China
Marriott
Nine out of ten trips that I tell about here on TFC are business trips, or it would be better to call them trips to review. Yes because I remind all readers, I I am Matteo Rainisio and this site is, among other activities, my job.
In this article:
When I happen to fly to a place I've never been. I always try to aim for a hotel facility that will provide me with a comfortable stay, but that above all May be of interest to TFC readers in the future..
The best bonuses
This one in Beijing is a classic example of an "unprepared-for" trip, my first time in the capital of the China and for that I chose the St. Regis, a guarantee in terms of product since it is one of the family insignia Marriott among the most exclusive and luxurious. Not knowing where to sleep, not knowing the city, and not having time to study, I chose this property because, like all extra-luxury hotels, I knew I would be in a perfect location, and I was.
Reservation
Being a status hunter in the Marriott's Bonvoy loyalty program I should have, as I always repeat, booked through the app, but first I always do a quick check on Fine Hotels + Resorts to see if it has anything to offer and this time I hit the jackpot. This is an exclusive benefit for customers American Express Platinum which has the distinction of giving so many benefits to the guest and also keeping those related to point accumulation and status intact.
I thus caught a chance to book this 5-star hotel at 163€. A truly spectacular price for this category of hotel, but best of all. thanks to FHR I would have had benefits not included in my Titanium Elite status. Specifically, guaranteed early check-in at 12 noon, but most importantly. 100$ credit to use at the hotel and free breakfast.
Having entered my card details at the time of booking, it also regularly appeared on my Marriott app a few hours later.
I'm often asked, "But are we sure I'm being credited points?" the answer is yes to 101%
Location
As mentioned not knowing the slightest Beijing I literally went in blind, trusting my experience as a frequent traveler, and I must say that I was not wrong.
The hotel is located in a truly spectacular area for getting around to the city's most iconic destinations.
It has a subway stop 5 minutes away, it is in an area full of embassies, and I walked to the Temple of the Sun and the heart of the new Downtown where there are new skyscrapers, including the city's tallest one, and unique buildings such as the State TV headquarters.
On foot, however, it is also possible, if you like walking as I do, Tianamen Square and the Secret City.
The cost of the trip from Beijing Capital Airport took about 40 minutes and cost me less than 100 yuan.
Check-in
I arrived a few minutes after 1 p.m. The lobby was deserted, with only one attendant present.
I handed in my passport and I immediately had the feeling that I would not have the classic warm welcome. The clerk struggled not a little with the various tasks, then stuck on the lack of a visa in my passport.
Fortunately, a manager intervened and things improved. Probably the language barrier played an important role, but in an international 5-star hotel I expect staff who speak English, but this was not the case.
No kind of welcome, no letter explaining the benefits and rules of the hotel. If I hadn't asked I wouldn't have, e.g. discovered, that the credit would not be usable in the Japanese restaurant present in the hotel.
The room
Opening the door to my room, I realized that I had gotten an upgrade to a suite. Two factors play here: the FHR reservation that includes a room upgrade and the status that as Titanium allows me to hope for the best available room, I might as well have played a credit for guaranteeing it, but I preferred to see how it went and it went well.
My room was on the 18th floor, number 1803. In the lobby is the bar area and a very nice piece of furniture.
There is also a small living room with TV screen, armchairs, and work desk.
A setup of the kind you dream of having at home, including the office chair, a model that costs over 800€.
The bedroom has the usual king-size bed, with a topper and comforter that seem to make you sleep on a cloud. In the room is a second mega TV and switches to turn off all the lights, but really all of them.
Anti-bathroom with walk-in closet and hair and makeup area.
Finally, marble bathroom with bathtub, shower and Japanese toilet seat.
As well as a very rich supply of soaps, bath salts, and a wide selection of personal hygiene products.
I have worked at the desk, and I absolutely cannot complain about the location and all the small services associated with it.
The room is still from the 1980s, perhaps only the TV and light bulbs are more modern.
For example. A third TV is hidden in the bathroom mirror, but it must be KO since there is no remote control and I haven't found any other way to turn it on.
My room, but I think like 99% of the rooms in Beijing, had no view. Or mglio the view was of the garden and the hotel's indoor pool.
In the room I felt the same lack of warmth as at the front desk. No welcome card, no little gift or saucer with local products. Of course now you're probably thinking, "Hey Bum, what do you expect," but the point is that it's part of the reward for loyalty, the small/big attentions that you get used to and enjoy.
The lounge
On the 18th floor is the executive lounge, there are not many St. Regis who have lounges, but again it seemed like a stretch.
The room is nice and is perhaps the most scenic spot in the hotel.
But I guess I didn't ever found a business lounge where they charge me to print a paper, or to scan a document.
Dates are also short, as is the opening. During the day there is just some fruit and a few drinks, in the evening the aperitif closes (with Swiss punctuality) at 7:30 p.m, never seen such an early closure in any lounge in any corner of the world.
The hotel
Marble and gold are the stars of the public spaces on the ground floor. As soon as you enter you are greeted by a soaring ceiling with marble chandeliers and staircase, pure 1980s opulence.
The lounge bar is nice and lively especially for afternoon tea. The whole environment perfectly represents the St. Regis style, it is not the first hotel of this sign I have visited and I must say that there are unmistakable elements of style, although as mentioned other times this is not the kind of luxury I like.
Walking down the long corridor (made of marble of course), one arrives at the walkway that connects with the second tower.
The second tower is a private residence, so services are calibrated for a different size than just hotel guests.
Here are the hotel's spa, swimming pool, and gym.
The gym is large and very well stocked, all Technogym equipment.
The pool with some whirlpool areas is semi-Olympic and also has a lifeguard, which is more than rare in hotel pools, but again I think the presence of private residences plays a key role.
Food & Beverage
As mentioned there is the lobby bar, which is very nice. Then there is a second bar "The Press Corner" which was closed, however, and a third bar on the elevated floor of the Hall.
There are then three restaurants. The Japanese which is outside the hotel.
The main dining room where breakfast is served in the morning and to eat during the rest of the day, and finally a Chinese restaurant.
I dined at Chinese, a way to use my 100$ credit.
I was alone in the whole restaurant. I enjoyed Wagyu and wok-cooked shrimp and a Chinese beer.
The breakfast then was truly monumental, starting with the room where marble reigned here as well.
Open kitchen and virtually endless choices. From local cuisine to more Western dishes, from salads to noodles to baked goods made by the hotel's chefs to ice cream.
Impossible not to come out 1kg fat from such an offering.
In conclusion
A perfect way to kill 3 birds with only 160€.. I saved on dinner and breakfast, which unfortunately in the St. Regis is not included by status. I have accumulated bonus membership rewards points, points Marriott Bonvoy and also took advantage of the qualifying double-night promotion.
At this price I would say it's just fine, if it were more expensive (probably) there are better alternatives to consider.
All just because I'm a holder American Express Platinum and one of the ways in which I am amortize, every year, the annual paper fee.
Pro
- The price
- Breakfast
Against
- He is agé