6/10 Okay
Michael
Travelled with partner
4 Jun 2024
Liked: Property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
Erm. This was unlike any other Fairmonts I've stayed at elsewhere around the world.
The hard product is solid. The rooms are large and well-equipped. The gym is excellent and I even checked out the pool. Large bathroom was great.
The soft product was sort of how I imagined hotels in North Korea are like. Stern, cold, minimal. Each staff member we saw felt like they were there more to monitor us and our movements than to provide welcoming, warm service. No smiles. One-word check-in. Frigid.
Beijing hotels are subject to an absurd regulation that the aircon temperature can't be set lower than 26 degrees in summer - so every where here is hot - rooms, gym, etc. Not great.
We weren't asked for a card/deposit when we checked in so had to pay on demand for room service. Not exactly Fairmont standard.
Minimal toiletries in the bathroom and nothing for the bath itself, which was a shame as it was a great bathroom.
Gym/spa staff were good - after barking at you for your room number each time you enter. Using the nice pool was a bit weird. I was the only person in the pool one day and the attendant stood staring at me the whole time. Big brother was real.
Location was good. Easy to get Didi taxis/cars whenever you need them.
I don't know if the central Fairmont brand has ever had any hands-on involvement in this property, but it didn't feel that way. I recommend they do so soon, or they may as well take their name off it completely.
Michael
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024