We stayed in this hotel as a family of four from February 5 to 10 during the Chinese New Year holiday. Even though the price of the hotel was attractive, I hesitated before I made the reservation because the location was a little odd and Beijing's traffic was notorious. However, this hotel turned out to be a very pleasant surprise for all of us.

The room was HUGE by any standard. All furniture and bathroom amenities were very well maintained. The hotel staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Everybody paid attention to details and was ready to reach out and make their guests happy. This type of service attitude is not very commonly seen in China. One example is, during our stay, we felt the air was too dry and I asked for a humidifier which they didn't normally provide. They instantly gave us one that looked like it was being used in their office by themselves.

The only down side of the hotel is its location. Not only that it is located on the west side of the city while most other "high end" hotels are on the east side. That was not a noticeable problem for us during the holiday when traffic was light. The problem was, the hotel's main entrance was in the back of the complex. Cars must drive around the buidling to find the hotel. That leaves all guest rooms facing the northeast and not exposed to the sunlight during the day. If Marriott was the landlord of the buiding, I would think they retreated into this subprime part of the buidling to give the sunny spots to their tenants for higher rental yield. I asked the hotel staff if that was the reason. They told me no and explained they made the change years ago because a Fengshui master told them to do so for better luck and fortune!

Well, maybe the Fengshui master was right. The weird half hidden entrance makes this hotel a hidden treasure in Beijing.

My husband and I were looking for a place to pamper ourselves for a couple of days after a 2-week long business trip to Beijing and Shanghai. We had stayed at another Marriott in Beijing and were looking to spend another 2 days at the tailend of our trip before flying out. The Marriott website showed no availability, but through Orbitz we got a great deal ($200/night) on a lavish, HUGE suite in the Beijing Marriott West -- more than worth every penny. Could not have asked for anything more comfortable and satisfying! Huge multi room suite, 2 bathrooms, soft carpeting throughout, huge comfy king-size bed with lots of soft pillows, on the 17th floor near the Executive lounge with all its perks (free internet, full breakfast, happy hour with drinks and snacks, coffee and tea available 24 hrs/day, free papers, magazines, great service), very good, polite, friendly service all around at front desk, main door, and lounge. Only downside was the overpriced and moderate quality of the hotel caffe/restaurant, though the service was thorough and respectful. Many shops and places to eat with the locals within easy walking distance of the hotel. A bit dark around the entrance and parking areas at night, and a bit out of the way, but not as bad as I had heard or imagined. Taxis are easy and very cheap all over Beijing so no problem getting anywhere you want to go across the city for well under $5 total ... we rode up to an hour in a taxi at one time and spent no more than $3 ever. Plus no tips are expected and the drivers are doing their best to learn some English in preparation for the Olympics, or at least have signs and recordings offering some English. Also, any hotel staff and doormen are happy to help explain where to go, and most hotels offer business cards with handy phrases and locations to visit written in both English and Chinese, to communicate with the drivers, etc. Great hotel and great quality for the price. We would stay there again anytime.

I booked on marriott.com. It was my first time to Beijing, but the front desk made me feel at home. I went there last week for 4 nights, and I was tired from the time change. The front desk associate offered to help me with my bags becuase there was no bellman in sight. They were all presumably busy. The breakfast was fantastic, and the room was spotless. I called to ask the front desk for some toothpaste, and a housekeeper delivered it in 5 minutes. Great hotel!

We arrived late on the last flight from Narita which put us at the hotel around 11:00 p.m. The bell staff had to be roused to help us with numerous suitcases, something we hadn't experienced with past late arrivals at different hotel chains in Beijing. But once we were at the reception desk, Simon, the desk clerk, took charge and all went according to plan. We booked a spacious suite on the Executive Floor, well worth the added expense for our five day stay.The bedroom lighting console was a puzzle at first, especially when suffering jet lag, but eventually we managed the suite's rather confusing lighting system. Except for the inattentive late evening bell staff, from maids, to the front desk, to restaurants and the ex. lounge, the staff was excellent. The breakfast buffet was just average, especially Sunday morning, but we enjoyed the choice of both Chinese and western breakfast. The BIG downside of the hotel is the fitness center and pool area. From the hotel's website, I had learned the fitness center was a Ballys but the pool area is also public and shared with 100s, seemed like 1000s, of Ballys members. No lockers were available and the locker room was really quite a mess.The staff at the fitness desk was of no help. We did not use the pool. Swimming laps and working out is an important criteria for us when booking a hotel. This experience was a big disappointment.