sawena25
Google
I stayed at the Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing and found it to be a well-maintained, comfortable four-star property with several notable strengths — but also a few disappointments that would prevent me from returning.||The hotel’s interior leans towards a traditional style, with warm wood panelling, patterned carpets, and heavy curtains — more early 2000s than contemporary. That said, everything was in impeccable condition. My room was spotless, with a supremely comfortable king-sized bed, practical layout, and thoughtful touches such as a capsule coffee machine. The housekeeping team did an outstanding job throughout my stay. I also appreciated the rare convenience of a self-service laundry room on the first floor — especially useful during longer trips.||The bathroom, though immaculately clean and stocked with good-quality amenities, was less to my liking. It featured a bathtub with a shower curtain rather than a walk-in shower — something I find dated and inconvenient. While the hand-held shower itself was excellent, with good water pressure and temperature control, the presence of a curtain in lieu of a glass partition felt out of step with the otherwise high standard of the room. Hoping for an alternative, I returned to reception to enquire about a room with a walk-in shower, but was met with a rather abrupt and unwelcoming response. The request was handled coldly and with no effort to explain or assist — I felt more like a nuisance than a guest. This would sadly become a theme.||Reception staff throughout my stay came across as consistently distant and expressionless, lacking the warmth and hospitality one would reasonably expect at this level. Even a simple request for a breakfast box for an early departure was met with a blank, mechanical interaction — no smile, no warmth. It left me wondering why the front desk seemed so disconnected, especially in contrast to the rest of the team. The concierge, for instance, was genuinely helpful and pleasant when assisting with transport queries.||Breakfast was served in a bright, leafy room with floor-to-ceiling windows and views of green foliage — a truly pleasant setting. The buffet was broad and international, with both Western and Asian options. However, I missed some healthier staples like rolled oats or Bircher-style muesli, and the only nuts available were pumpkin seeds. Staff were polite, though English was very limited, which made ordering a vegetarian omelette and chocolate milk a little cumbersome — a task eventually solved with a translation app.||I dined once in the hotel restaurant. The buffet wasn’t particularly vegetarian-friendly, so I opted for à la carte: pesto pasta and a salad without chicken. Service was polite, but again, communication wasn’t easy. I had initially ordered a beer, only to be told — after a considerable wait and a follow-up — that the beer was available but hadn’t been chilled. An oversight like that in a hotel restaurant is puzzling. That said, they handled it graciously: I was offered a complimentary beer later and switched to a well-chilled glass of white wine in the meantime, which I genuinely appreciated.||The breakfast box on my final morning was prepared reliably and matched my vegetarian preference. However, it felt rather uninspired: two small apples, two mini croissants (without jam), a soggy green salad that had clearly been dressed far too early, and two eggs — one of which was fermented, which I personally didn’t enjoy. It was better than nothing, but lacked thoughtfulness and freshness. A small pot of jam, for example, would have made a difference. Still, when I collected the box, I was pleasantly surprised to find the same receptionist who had checked me in now a little more friendly and even smiling. It was a welcome change, albeit too late to undo the overall impression.||In summary, the Park Plaza has much to offer in terms of comfort, cleanliness and practical amenities. But it is let down by a frosty, detached reception team who failed to deliver even the basics of warm, guest-oriented service. A hotel can be spotless and well-equipped — as this one is — but if the front desk lacks hospitality, the experience is inevitably diminished.||Summary: A spotless, comfortable hotel with good amenities and a lovely breakfast setting — but consistently cold and unwelcoming front desk service leaves a lasting negative impression.
