Imperial Courtyard Hotel

“Authentic experience at a great convenient location”

We stayed here for 4 nights, March 16-20 and LOVED it. Great location near Andingmen metro station, Subway Line 2. We had seen reviews where people had complained taxi drivers from airport or elsewhere did not understand the address. So we saw the street view on the qq map and pinned up the locat... more

We stayed here for 4 nights, March 16-20 and LOVED it. Great location near Andingmen metro station, Subway Line 2. We had seen reviews where people had complained taxi drivers from airport or elsewhere did not understand the address. So we saw the street view on the qq map and pinned up the location on offline maps showing how it's in a small lane opposite the metro exit 4, land mark being the pedestrian bridge for crossing. So we had no trouble locating the place. Metro is very convenient but lots of stairs to negotiate while entering as well as for transfers... beware if carrying bags! Tel:  +86 10 84 031 088; not what is on the Booking site. Direct bus no 44 from the Andingmen bus station right across on the main road to go to Deshengmen for catching the public transport bus to Badaling great wall. You just have to take the pedestrian bridge and get down on the far side Andingmen bus stop also has Direct bus no 2 to Beijing West railway station to catch high speed trains to Pingyao/ Xi'an etc...this stop is surprisingly on the other direction, we just have to get down at the middle portion og the bridge. We had wanted to take a taxi but the hotel staff don't do that service. After repeated attempts to get them to help with taxi, we had the option of taking the metro or the bus to catch our early morning 7,46 am train from Beijing west to Pingyao. Since metro involves 2 transfers as well as the stairs to enter, we decided on the bus. The hotel guy repeatedly confirmed the direction was the same as the bus 44 we had taken. We waited at the wrong place from 5.15am for an hour and found our mistake quite late. We again schleped our bags up and down the pedestrian bridge to the other side, got into the bus that just turned up at 6.15, miraculously made it on time to check in as the last people for our train!! This story is to flag that no taxi help can be expected. We tried other options/ travel agents, and also tried to hail taxis but nothing worked. The décor is authentic, lovey antique furniture in the room as well as the lobby. The hotel is in a hutong, quite clean and safe with rickshaw borne tourists. Very good local store on the main road after exiting the metro which came in useful for buying stuff for us vegetarians. One young man speaks a little English and is warm. Other Staff speak no English but are very sweet and helpful. We managed with our offline app and theirs. Our AC/heater conked out, but they gave us another on, so it was OK. the windows open but unfortunately there is cigaratte smoke. It's true of a lot of places we visited on our 16 day vacation, sadly. On the whole an authentic experience at a great convenient location.

less

“Hutong ambience”

I decided to stay 1 night here mainly to experience the hutong environment. If you can figure out its exact location, it is about 8 mins walk from Andingmen Station, Line 2, exit A. Upon entering the hotel, one is brought back to ancient Chinese era. The hotel maintains its decor and design to re... more

I decided to stay 1 night here mainly to experience the hutong environment. If you can figure out its exact location, it is about 8 mins walk from Andingmen Station, Line 2, exit A. Upon entering the hotel, one is brought back to ancient Chinese era. The hotel maintains its decor and design to reflect that. The room is small, as I have to place my luggage on the floor. Bed is comfortable. The bathroom is acceptable, if you are not fussy about cleanliness. Staff is friendly and helpful, though couldn't communicate in English. Breakfast only served after 8am. I tried it out of curiosity. There are 2 options, Chinese set 25rmb & Western set 35rmb. I ordered the Western set, pathetic for the price. Don't bother to try. Though I didn't mind staying 1 night for the experience, I prefer a bigger room with better amenities for longer stays. Transport tips - if you wish to go to Deshengmen Tower to catch buses to Badaling great wall or Ming tombs, you can take buses 12 or 44 along the main road, 2 stops only.

less

“Mixed feelings”

Pros: great location (once you find it) charming courtyard sweet if not fully professional staff Cons: only two drawers and a coat rack - no closet or wardrobe uneven wifi intermittent smell of smoke my room only had accessible electrical outlets in the bathroom (others hidden behind headboard)... more

Pros: great location (once you find it) charming courtyard sweet if not fully professional staff Cons: only two drawers and a coat rack - no closet or wardrobe uneven wifi intermittent smell of smoke my room only had accessible electrical outlets in the bathroom (others hidden behind headboard) my included breakfast, supposedly available 8-10, wasn't available if I asked for it at 9:30 ("The cook has gone to buy vegetables.") some noise in the courtyard during sleeping hours

less

“Tourist”

If you’re on a budget and rather be spending your money exploring the city this is a noisy but ok budget place. I lived here on my own and felt very safe walking the huttongs night time even if it was very dark in the alleys. Breakfast was said to be included when I booked the hotel. When I ask... more

If you’re on a budget and rather be spending your money exploring the city this is a noisy but ok budget place. I lived here on my own and felt very safe walking the huttongs night time even if it was very dark in the alleys. Breakfast was said to be included when I booked the hotel. When I asked for breakfast at 08.00 the big guy went to prepare it and returned with it but forgetting the tea. When I kindly asked for it I was told that I had ordered breakfast to late? so there was no water for tea. When I suggested that I could boil the water from my own water bottle and use the teabag in my room magically every thing suddenly seemed to work out and a cup of tea was quickly delivered. :) Amusingly just a few minutes later staff pulled out two bottles of water from the fridge and started watering the plants. I don’t really know what to make out of this logic. :)

less