Ji Hotel Beijing: Unbelievable Luxury Near Communication University!
Ji Hotel Beijing: Unbelievable Luxury Near Communication University? … Maybe… Let's Dig In. (SEO Keywords: Ji Hotel Beijing Review, Communication University, Beijing Hotel, Luxury Hotel, Accessibility, Wi-Fi, Spa, Restaurant, Cleanliness, Safety)
Alright, folks, buckle up. Because I just got back from a stay at the Ji Hotel Beijing, and frankly, I need to process. "Unbelievable Luxury" they trumpet in their ad copy. Hmmm… let’s just say my definition of "unbelievable" might be slightly different from theirs. But hey, let's dive in, shall we? I'm going to break this thing down, warts and all. And trust me, there are… quite a few warts.
Accessibility: Okay, starting strong. This is important, right? And I'd give them a solid… B. The elevator actually worked (phew!). They do have facilities for disabled guests, and that's a huge plus for anyone who needs them. I didn't personally need them, but just knowing they're there gives peace of mind, you know? The exterior corridor felt a little… exposed, but hey, at least the walk wasn't treacherous.
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges: Ugh, can't really say if these existed. I didn't see any specific ones designated, but honestly, I was too busy navigating the… labyrinthine… corridors of the hotel to thoroughly investigate. This deserves a follow-up visit.
Wheelchair accessible: See above. A decent effort, but more specifics on the designated areas would be helpful.
Internet Access – Wi-Fi, LAN, and Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! FINALLY, something that actually was unbelievable. The Wi-Fi… was. Surprisingly. Good. Like, Netflix streaming without the buffering, good. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Bless you, Ji Hotel. Seriously. Internet Access – LAN? Technically present, but I couldn't figure out how to get it working. Let's be real, I mostly used the WiFi anyway. Internet services: Don't think there were any specific internet services beyond, you know, the internet.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… Let's Get to the Good Stuff (Maybe).
Okay, here we go. This is where things get… interesting.
- Pool with view/Swimming pool [outdoor]: I swear I saw a picture of a pool. Somewhere. I think you'd need to get a taxi to get to this pool! It’s not worth the hike!
- Spa/Sauna/Steamroom/Body scrub/Body wrap/Foot bath/Massage/Fitness center/Gym/fitness: Ugh, the "spa." Let's just say it was "functional." The sauna smelled faintly of… something I couldn’t quite place. The gym/fitness center? More like a glorified storage room with some treadmills. I tried the massage, but let's just say I left feeling more stressed than relaxed. My masseuse – bless her heart – seemed to be wrestling with a language barrier and a mysterious aversion to my shoulders.
- Poolside bar: Another thing I didn't see. Maybe it was hidden in the mythical pool area. Perhaps it's a mirage?
Cleanliness and Safety
This is where Ji Hotel Beijing tried to shine. And honestly, they mostly did. Big points for these guys.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification: Check, check, check! I saw staff diligently scrubbing, spraying, and generally making an effort.
- Rooms sanitized between stays, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Staff trained in safety protocol. Okay, maybe they were trying to take all the right boxes.
- First aid kit, Doctor/nurse on call: These are good to have! Though, I didn’t need them thankfully.
- Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Individually-wrapped food options: They seemed to be taking the pandemic seriously, which is always a win in my book.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried. But in a busy buffet breakfast, it was… ambitious.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking
- Restaurants/Bar/Coffee shop They have the basics.
- Asian breakfast/Asian cuisine in restaurant: The Asian breakfast was… interesting. Noodles for breakfast? Apparently, this is a thing in China. I went for the Western breakfast, the breakfast buffet.
- Western breakfast/Breakfast [buffet]/Breakfast service: Okay, the breakfast buffet… It was a mixed bag. The coffee tasted like dishwater. Really. The pastries were dry. But the made-to-order omelets were amazing! Someone could make an omelet!
- A la carte in restaurant/Buffet in restaurant/Vegetarian restaurant: Options, options, options.
- Room service [24-hour]: I ordered room service once at like 3 am, and I was very grateful. The food was mediocre, but available!
Services and Conveniences
- Air conditioning: Essential in Beijing, and it worked!
- Concierge/Front desk [24-hour]: They were polite and helpful, but sometimes struggled with English.
- Elevator/Facilities for disabled guests: See earlier comments.
- Currency exchange/Cash withdrawal: Convenient.
- Laundry service/Dry cleaning/Ironing service: Nice to have.
- Luggage storage: Useful, especially if you have a late flight.
For the Kids
- Babysitting service/Family/child friendly/Kids meal: I didn’t have any kids with me!
Available in All Rooms
- Air conditioning: (See, how it's getting repetitive?)
- Free bottled water: Thank you!
- Wi-Fi [free]: Again, a hero.
- Satellite/cable channels: The TV was… functional.
- Smoke detector/Alarm clock: Necessary, but not exciting.
- Blackout curtains/Soundproofing: Crucially helpful. Sometimes I needed some peace.
What I REALLY Thought… (The Random Rant Part)
Okay, so the Ji Hotel Beijing… It's trying. Really, it is. It's got the bones of something good. The location is pretty decent. The free Wi-Fi is a godsend. The beds were comfortable. (Or at least, my bed was. The extra-long size was a mystery.)
But… the "luxury" part? Mmm, maybe a little bit of a stretch. It has a very bland, sterile feeling about it. The service was variable. The food was… uneven. The spa? shudders.
The Verdict:
Would I stay there again? Honestly, maybe. It depends. If you need a functional, clean, and reasonably priced hotel with excellent Wi-Fi, it's a contender. If you're expecting over-the-top luxury, you might be disappointed. Just temper your expectations, pack your own coffee, and enjoy the free internet. Because let’s be honest, that’s the real luxury here.
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my trip to the Ji Hotel Beijing Communication University of China East! Prepare for a wild ride. This isn't your perfectly curated Instagram travelogue. This is the real deal – the good, the bad, and the "did I really just eat that?"
Day 1: Arrival and Utter Confusion (and maybe a little jet lag)
08:00 AM: Airport Shenanigans (more like chaos)
Okay, so landing in Beijing was… an experience. Imagine a sea of people, all talking a language I barely understand, wielding luggage that looked like they were about to move their entire lives. Finding a taxi was like trying to win the lottery. Eventually, after what felt like hours of me looking utterly bewildered, and a helpful guy who didn't speak a lick of English, I just gestured wildly in the general direction of the hotel (thanks Google Translate for the address scribble!). Success! Sort of. Because the taxi driver clearly thought I was made of money and took me on a scenic tour of Beijing that added an extra hour to my trip. Wonderful start.
10:00 AM: Ji Hotel Check-in - And Relief!
Finally. THE HOTEL. The Ji Hotel looked pretty decent from the brochures. And the lobby, at least, was actually decent. Check-in was surprisingly smooth – maybe because the girl at the desk took pity on my perpetually jet-lagged face. My room? Basic. Clean. Comfy bed. Crisis averted. I crashed. HARD.
14:00 PM: Food Adventures (or rather, the "I'll eat anything" phase)
Woke up starving. This is where my "I'll try anything" mentality kicks in. Found a small restaurant nearby. Pointed at things on the menu (again, Google Translate to the rescue) and prayed. Ended up with some sort of noodle soup that was…interesting. Let's just say it was an acquired taste. A very, very acquired taste. My stomach feels a little bit iffy, but hey, I survived. The first foodie adventure of my China trip achieved. Sort of.
17:00 PM: Exploring the Campus (Lost and Awed)
The Communication University of China is HUUUGE. And beautiful. I got completely and utterly lost trying to find the East Gate. Like, wandered around for a solid hour, marveling at the architecture and the sheer number of students. They all looked so cool and effortlessly stylish. I, on the other hand, looked like a slightly bewildered tourist, which, to be fair, I was.
19:00 PM: Dinner Round Two (Less Adventures, More Comfort)
Found a familiar-looking place near the hotel. Ordered some fried rice and avoided any dishes that resembled anything I hadn't seen before, after the soup incident. At least the rice didn't send me running to the bathroom. Small victories!
21:00 PM: Bed!
Jet lag is a cruel mistress. Lights out. Zzzzzz.
Day 2: History, Hustle, and a Whole Lot of "Wow"
08:00 AM: Breakfast (Finally! Something Understandable)
Hotel breakfast buffet! Praise be! Found some actual cereal and toast. Feeling human again!
09:00 AM: Tiananmen Square - Awe and Overwhelm
Took the subway (surprisingly easy, once you figure out the ticketing system). Got off at Tiananmen Square. WOW. Just… wow. The scale of the place is breathtaking. It’s massive. And honestly, a little bit intimidating. The Forbidden City loomed in the distance. The sheer weight of history hit me like a ton of bricks. Goosebumps level: extreme!
11:00 AM: Forbidden City - A Majestic Maze
Okay, the Forbidden City is even more stunning up close. The detail, the colours, the scale… it's a proper maze, and I got turned around multiple times. But every corner I turned revealed something spectacular. My neck is already aching from trying to take in all the ornate details. I felt like I was walking through a history textbook come to life.
14:00 PM: Hutong Exploration - Charm and Chaos
Jumped in a rickshaw. The hutongs were incredibly charming and a bit chaotic. Narrow alleyways, bustling shops, people everywhere. The contrast between the history and the modern life was incredibly interesting. Got to drink some tea from a street vendor – delicious!.
*16:00 PM: Shopping! (and Bargaining!
Shopping! Hit the Silk Market. Prepare for sensory overload. Mountains of silk, souvenirs, and persistent vendors who will try to sell you… well, everything. Bargaining is the name of the game. My attempt at haggling was a disaster. I'm pretty sure I paid more than the 'local price'. Hey, I tried.
19:00 PM: Peking Duck - The Culinary Highlight (So Far!)
Found a restaurant famed for Peking duck. This was it. This was the dish I'd been anticipating. And it delivered. The crispy skin, the tender meat. Honestly, it was one of the best things I've ever eaten. I think I almost cried with joy.
21:00 PM: Back to the Hotel - Food Coma!
Stuffed and exhausted. Another early night.
Day 3: A Deep Dive Experience (and a Near-Disaster)
09:00 AM: The Temple of Heaven - Serenity in the City
The Temple of Heaven was exactly what I needed after the day's hustle and bustle. Peaceful, beautiful, and a welcome respite. The circular design and the intricate details were incredibly calming. I just sat there for a good while, soaking it all in.
11:00 AM: The Temple's Grounds - A Day with the Locals
Spent time, watching local people enjoying themselves, practicing Tai Chi, and playing cards, it was a really great opportunity to witness the locals, getting to know them, and their culture. It felt like an authentic look into their life-style. I absolutely adored this moment.
13:00 PM: A Moment of Panic (and Bad Decisions) Here’s the REALLY IMPORTANT part of my stay!
Okay, so, let's talk about that restaurant. In a moment of adventurous gluttony (and fueled by the success of the Peking duck), I decided to try something a little more… authentic. Found a little hole-in-the-wall place. The menu was… challenging. Pointing and hoping, again. THIS IS where things went sideways. Ordered something that looked vaguely like noodles in a sauce. Took a bite. My stomach immediately revolted. I won't go into detail, but let's just say I spent a good part of the next hour very, very close to a porcelain throne. Panic set in. I was in a country where I didn't speak the language, and I was violently ill. Pure terror. What do I do? How do I explain this to anyone? Will I ever be able to eat again? The hotel's front desk gave me some tablets and a bottle of water. I slowly began to revive.
17:00 PM: Aftermath and Reflection (or, How to Avoid Food Poisoning)
Spent the remainder of the day in my hotel room. Eating plain crackers. And contemplating my life choices. Maybe I should stick to fried rice for the rest of the trip. Learn from your mistakes. The experience, though awful in the moment, was a reminder of how fragile we are, and how important it is to be respectful of local customs.
19:00 PM: Quiet Dinner at the Hotel - Rice and Regret
A quiet bowl of plain rice from the hotel's restaurant. Feeling better. But my food adventure streak is temporarily over.
21:00 PM: Early Night
Lights off. Hoping tomorrow will be a less eventful day.
Day 4: The Rest of the Trip, Hopefully Less "Drama"
(This will be a shorter, more manageable itinerary, after the big day!!)
09:00 AM: Exploring the University Craziness
Spent more time exploring the Communication University. Walking around the area, feeling the atmosphere. A much needed dose of normality after the previous day's near-disaster.
12:00 PM: Lunch: Okay, I'm playing it safe today. Plain noodles. At a chain restaurant. No risks.
14:00 PM: Enjoy the rest of the day
Walking around the hotel, thinking and remembering every single second of my travel.
The end.
Final Thoughts:
Beijing, you are an experience. The chaos, the beauty, the history, the food (and my stomach’s reaction to it) have all left a lasting impression. Travel is messy, unpredictable, and often uncomfortable. But it’s also exhilarating, humbling, and utterly unforgettable. I may need a detox day when I get home. But I wouldn't trade this
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Ji Hotel Beijing: The Good, the Bad, and My Beijing Brain Freeze
Okay, is this "Unbelievable Luxury" thing REALLY true about Ji Hotel Beijing? 'Cause I've been burned before...
Alright, buckle up. "Unbelievable Luxury" is... well, it's marketing. Let's just say that. It ain't the Four Seasons, folks. More like... a really, really *good* Holiday Inn Express. (Don't @ me, Holiday Inn Express, you're solid.) The lobby's sleek, the lighting is nice, and the staff, bless their hearts, are generally polite. But unbelievable? Nope. Comfortable, clean, and a decent base of operations for exploring the Communication University area (which, let's be honest, is the big draw here)? Absolutely.
Location, location, location! Is it *actually* near the Communication University of China? 'Cause I'm a stressed-out parent.
Yes! Thank the travel gods, it's practically across the street. Okay, more accurately, a short walk. Which is FANTASTIC. I was there for my nephew's graduation (proud Auntie moment!). Seriously, after the ceremony, you're exhausted, the parking is a NIGHTMARE, and the last thing you want is a 30-minute taxi ride. This place? Boom. Walk. Bliss. Pure, unadulterated bliss. My advice? Book it purely on location, you'll save your sanity alone.
Anecdote Time! My niece thought the hotel was *so* cool - she was so eager to try everything out! Including the "fancy" coffee machine in the room. Sadly, she poured a whole mug of white liquid - and it was milk! After she added the coffee. It was a learning experience, and we did have to fight off the urge to laugh, and we did order her a hot chocolate!
What's the Wi-Fi like? Crucial for this digital nomad's sanity.
Mostly okay. It works. Let's be honest, I've had worse. But don't expect to stream 4K movies at lightning speed. I did have a couple of moments where it went a bit wonky, and I ended up pacing my room like a caged tiger, swearing at the internet gods. Then I just chilled on the couch (which, I will say, was comfy), and it sorted itself out. So, bring a book. Just in case. (And maybe a portable hotspot, just in case *I* have a problem.)
The rooms. Tell me honestly, are they tiny, like some hotel prison cells?
They're not palatial suites, let's put it that way. But they're perfectly functional and, crucially, CLEAN. Which is a HUGE win in my book. I appreciated the minimalist design – no clutter, which is great. The bed was comfy enough (I slept like a log after those graduation festivities!), and the bathroom was adequate. No, you're not going to be hosting a dance party in there, but for a solo traveller or a couple, it's perfectly fine.
My Big Room Disaster - Twice! I might have a bone to pick with the hotel. Twice out of the 4 trips I took, I had the misfortune to be placed in a room that was, shall we say, *close* to the elevator. Imagine this: *ding*... *ssssssshhh* (that's the elevator doors)... *ding*... *ssssssshhh*. All. Night. Long. I woke up with a twitch. Then I politely asked for a room change (in my best, exhausted-but-trying-not-to-sound-like-a-maniac voice), and they were very accommodating. So, yeah, request a room away from the elevator if you value your sanity. Trust me on this one.
Is breakfast included? And is it any good?
Yep, breakfast is generally included (double-check when you book!). It's a buffet, and it's... what you'd expect. There are some Chinese options (noodles, congee), some Western options (toast, eggs, sad-looking bacon). It's not gourmet, but it fills the hole. Coffee? Acceptable. The main goal? Fuel up before a day of... who knows!
Any hidden fees or sneaky charges I should know about? I hate surprises.
Generally no, but always double-check your bill before checkout. I didn't run into any major issues, but I'm a paranoid person when it comes to hidden fees. Just be vigilant! Some places try to sneak in stuff, so don't be afraid to question anything. My advice? Keep it simple!
Okay, so what's the *real* vibe? Is it noisy? Is it a party hotel?
Not really a party hotel. It's mostly families in town for graduations, academics, business travelers, stuff like that. I found it pretty quiet, *except* for those darn elevators! So, again, request a room away from them. Otherwise, it's a perfectly reasonable place to get some sleep and recharge.
Emotional Ramblings! I'm still slightly traumatized by the elevator situation, let's be honest. I think I need therapy. It makes me tense. On the bright side, it's a GREAT hotel and is very efficient. But the elevator sound... ugh. I'm going to need a drink after writing this!
What's the deal with the staff? Are they helpful? Do they speak English?
The staff are generally helpful. They try their best! English is spoken, but it can vary. If you can speak a little Mandarin (even just the basics), it'll make your life a lot easier. I always try to learn some basic phrases, even if I butcher them.
Would you stay there again? Be honest!
Yes, BUT... only if I needed to be near the Communication University. And only if I got a room far, far away from those infernal elevators. Honestly, that location is a massive, massive plus. So, yeah, despite the minor quibbles, and the occasional elevator-induced panic, I would. It's a solid choice. Just... pack earplugs. And pray for a quiet room!
