Best Hotels in Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, and Hangzhou?

I just booked my air, now to plan the land. I did increase our trip to 14 days. I originally picked Peninsula for Beijing, Sheraton for Xian (though someone said there was a better one more centrally located), Shangri-La for Hangzhou, and JW Marriott for Shanghai. I wondered if there are others you have experience with that are maybe cheaper but just as good?

Thanks!

Best Hotels in Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, and Hangzhou?

I can only share some info about the Peninsula. We ate at two of the restaurants, Jing and Huang Ting. Both dinners cost approx $165 US each for 3. So very expensive but exceptional. First rate. Peking Duck at Huang Ting. What an experience - really beautiful. Other diners were so thrilled by the spectacle of it all they had to take photos of our duck being brought to our table etc etc. WE ordered too much at food at Huang Ting so probably shouldn%26#39;t have cost so much. Jing offers buffet and a la carte. Most people opt for the buffet which is probably the mother of all buffets - very upmarket.

Now location wise the Peninsula is very good. Taxi drivers know it too, even if you say the name in English.

We actually stayed at Lee Garden Serviced Apartments in a very luxurious (spacious and elegant furnishings) and small balcony, 2 bedroom apartment - 3 TVs, 2 bedrooms, kitchen, lounge, walk in robe and dressing room/office area for approx $315US per night. Angled view from balcony to Forbidden city. Now I believe that is cheaper than the Penisula and I doubt if the Pen could offer as good as room for that same price. Lee Gardens is closer by a block to the main Wangfujing Street too. This price included breakfast.

Try http://www.lgapartment.com/doce/gsjs.asp

As far as Xian is concerned I think a hotel located closer to the Xian South Gate or within the city wall/centre would be better. Hyatt Regency and Tianyu Gloria Plaza Hotel have a better location. WE drove through the area around the Sheraton - I don%26#39;t know if that area is so great.

JW marriott in Shanghai - excellent location, close to everything you need.

Best Hotels in Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, and Hangzhou?

Wow, xiantraveller, very good info you gave me. Thanks!! Very helpful!

I%26#39;m especially interested in those apt. I will look into it. Did you arrange that on your own or had a tour operator help you?

The newer hotels in better location sound better for Xian.

Thanks so much!!

BTW, Huang Ting where you said had great Peking Duck, is that one the tour companies send you to or one you discovered on our own? I hear the tour company%26#39;s Peking Duck places aren%26#39;t that great due to the sheer volume they have to cook. Is that true?

We went to the Pen on our own as the two restaurants are recommended retaurants and have won international awards. We booked the Lee Garden Hotel direct. Nice pool, fitness area if you want all of that. I doubt that the breakfast would be as good as the Pen, but there was more than enough choice. For an exceptional dining experience goto the My Humble House restaurant in the Oriental Shopping Complex (office tower section). Modern Chinese fusion cuisine and half the price of the Pen restaurants but in our humble opinion equal to our dinignexperience at Huang Ting.My Humble House%26#39;s website is http://www.tunglok.com/index1.html. If you want a world class experience all of these three restaurants will leave you with fond memories for you for the rest of your life. Not exaggerating. I have never seen a restaurant with the decor of MHH - no kidding it has an interior water feature the siz of a small backyard swimming pool and you are on table that have at least a 3 metre distance to any other table.

No offence but the other Peking Duck restaurants a re in a different class. Huang ting isn%26#39;t only about Peking Duck. It is modern Chinese cuisine in a beautiful atmosphere.

Thanks for all the info!! Making me hungry now!

What do you think about the Sofitel in Xian? Suppose to be a new one and centrally located. Some reviews on this site were mixed though, some really hated it, some thought it was ok.

Look I don%26#39;t know anything abouth the Sofitel in Xian except that it has a very good location. Check this page out hoteltravel.com/china/xian/central_map.htm

Very helpful site, thanks. I couldn%26#39;t figure out where the airport and the Terra Cotta warriors are.

These are not close to the city, at least 40 minutes or so away from the city centre by car.

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