As Ngaire and some of you know, I have done a fair amount of research on Beijing hotels for those planning on staying in Beijing post-cruise and not going on the Regent post-cruise. I’ve concluded that for those not planning to use points or some other special promotion, one of the best deals is at the Peninsula Beijing, and its location is excellent. I have read reviews from TripAdvisor, Concierge.com, Frommer’s, Fodor’s, etc. This is what Frommer’s says.

The Peninsula Beijing (Wangfu Fandian) Review *** (highest rating)

The range of accommodations choices in Beijing is now so vast that no hotel can claim to be the absolute best, but if a choice had to be made, it would be the Peninsula. Most international hotel management agencies are forced to work with Chinese parent companies, which typically hold the majority stake and are interested in squeezing their properties, rather than investing in staff training or renovations. The Peninsula is owned by its parent company, and it shows. Service is impeccable, and helpful touches abound: Braille on all signs; a user-friendly bedside control panel which displays the outside temperature and humidity; and tri-level mood lighting. In the exclusive shopping arcade is Jing, one of the city's best fusion restaurants.

Facilities: 2 restaurants (fusion, Cantonese); cafe; indoor pool; fully equipped fitness center; saunas and steam rooms; 24-hr. concierge; tour desk; Rolls-Royce and Mercedes limousines; business center; shopping arcade (with ATM and bank); Clarions Beauty Institute; 24-hr. room service; massage; babysitting; same-day dry cleaning/laundry service

The rate for a Deluxe room, including Internet and Breakfast and all taxes, comes to about $222 per room per night. A Grand Deluxe Room is $257. These “Winter Escape Package” rates also include a value-added benefit, such as an airport transfer, or a SPA credit for $60, or afternoon tea (If you do not pick one of the “Winter Escape Packages” neither breakfast nor a value-added benefit is included.). Here are the specific details:

Winter Escape Package:

Deluxe Room (description below)* at RMB 1288.00 (+ 15% (surcharge-see below) = ($222 per room per night at 1 RMB = $0.15)

Grand Deluxe Room (description below)** at RMB 1488.00 (= $257) per room per night

- Rates include daily breakfast (maximum of two people) in Jing restaurant

Choose one value-added benefit from the following selection once per stay:
- Round trip airport transfers
- One set afternoon tea for maximum 2 people in the Lobby Lounge
- Spa voucher worth RMB 400 (=$60) per person per stay at The Peninsula SPA

Terms & Conditions:

-Room rates are subject to 15% surcharge (included in my calculations)
-The spa voucher applies to treatments only (it is not available for the purchase of ESPA products), and is not refundable or redeemable, in part or in full, for cash, and cannot be used for future visits
-All rates are quoted on a per room per night basis and valid for single/double occupancy.
-Advance booking is required and must be confirmed directly by the hotel.
-Room rates cannot be used in conjunction with any other offers.
-Flight details for airport transfers must be received by the hotel at least 24 hours prior to the arrival date in order to guarantee airport transfers; confirmation of airport transfers will be sent by the hotel on receipt of flight details

Room descriptions:

*Deluxe Room

31 square meters (334 sq. ft.)
King or twin beds
Multi-function bedside electronic control panel
42 inch plasma screen television with cable channel
Fully stocked mini-bar
In room safe
Two line international direct dial telephones with voice mail
Executive work desk with data socket
Complimentary high speed Internet access and modern hook up
Facsimile machine
Dual voltage
Radio
CD/DVD player
Coffee/tea making facility

Bathroom
Marble bathroom with bathtub and shower
Hairdryers and bathrobes
Telephone

**Grand Deluxe Room

Everything in Deluxe Room PLUS
34 square meters (366 sq. ft.) instead of 31 square meters
Sitting area
14 inch LCD television in BATHROOM

Cancellation Policy:

Non-guaranteed reservations will be held only until 6:00 pm on the day of arrival if no credit card details are provided. Cancellations/amendments to guaranteed reservations should be made at least 24 hours prior to the arrival date in order to avoid incurring a no-show charge of one night’s rate.

The Peninsula will arrange for airport transfers via hotel limousine at RMB 700.00 (=$105) one way per car.

Ngaire and I decided that it would be best if each couple (or single) handled their own reservation.

You can go to the Peninsula Web site , pick the Peninsula Beijing, enter dates, enter number of people, pick type of room, pick package (for example, “Winter Escape Package-Spa Credit”), convert currency (if desired). Note the rates shown here do not include the 15% surcharge that I included in the above calculation.

If you decide to make your reservation at the Peninsula, you can let me know, and I will keep track of our group. (It is possible that we will get additional amenities depending on the final size of the group.) If you have any difficulties navigating the Peninsula's site, which is not the most straightforward, feel free to drop me a line, and I’ll see if I can provide assistance.

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Eugene

Thanks, Eugene. I made the reservation for a deluxe room (don't really need a TV in the bathroom). I took the airport transportation, so we'll get to the airport. Have you (or anyone) looked at getting from the port to the hotel?

My understanding is that Ngaire is planning on looking into the transfer once the dust settles from the TUT cancellation.

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Eugene

Anyone staying at an airport hotel? We have an 0730 flight on the 21st. Still, we want to spend some time in Beijing for shopping. Would love to share a taxi or transfer with others.

Ngaire and Ken identified the Langham Place hotel, which certainly looks like the place to stay near the airport. However, to get a good rate now, one must pay a non-refundable rate. I think that rate will be lower in the future because nearer-term rates are lower.

We haven't absolutely decided what we are going to do on the last night. We fly out on the 23rd on the same flight you are taking. For the time being, I booked 3 nights at the Peninsula.

They are pretty impressive because they immediately noticed I said we were coming by cruise, but asked for an airport transfer, and they wanted to know if I wanted to arrange for a car to pick us up at the port -- for only $1,140!

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Eugene

We would stay at airport hilton for 35,000 points; neec 28 stays per year to maintain diamond status.

http://www.tour-beijing.com/private_tour/

This is the company I was intending on contacting once the dust settles on TUT issues.

I have not used them before but read some good reviews when I was researching this a couple of months ago.

If you click on link above you can see their recommended private tours and you can see the pricing of the various options for 2,4,6,8,10 people. I like that they have this all out clearly. If some want to do something different from the others it is very easy to know the pricing and just book separately.

Everyone can read the options and make choices too of what they want to participate in. The clarity of their options and pricing so clear really makes this much easier.

If just four of you want to do a specific tour together then you can book for just four. If there is a popular tour that everyone wants to do we can do a bigger group. VERY flexible.

The pricing does not decrease that much with the numbers and smaller groups may work better.

Ken and I have done all these tours before multiple times and we do want to have plenty of time at the pearl market and for that we will just take a taxi over and a taxi back. So if any of you are interested in that you need to remember to keep at least a half day free.

They do the transfers also from the port. That I will book that for everyone in one bus when it is much closer and we know how many people are involved and where they all want to go.

Ngaire, can you pencil in Pearl Market on afternoon of 20th? Arlene needs a resupply so that is only place on our list this time.

Definitely count us in on the bus from port. We will decide hotel in next couple of days.

Ditto for us on the bus from the port and the pearl market. We'll also be there on the 21st, so will be interested in whatever tour anyone wants to do. We've been to Beijing before, so would be inclined to do something a little more out of the ordinary.

I posted this in the roll call so just copied it here.Message:
Ray and I have spent 2 weeks in Beijing in 1996 and another week in 2006. In '96 we spent it at the Palace Hotel(now the Peninsular) very close to the main inner city areas. We hired a car,driver and guide for all day touring.

The Beijing Classic Day Tour from US$ 60 p/p
Tiananmen Square + Forbidden City + Temple of Heaven + Summer Palace Tour Code: BXIT-F01 would be my first choice.

Badaling Great Wall and Underground Palace ( Ming Tombs ) from US$ 55 p/p Tour Code: BXIT-F02 would be my second choice.....Even that many years ago it took HOURS to get back from the WALL....traffic is terrible.

If you have time I've included the address for Prescription glasses. I took my prescription with me but Ray had his done in the shop.Our Opthemoligist checked them out on our return and said they were "dead-on correct". Get there early(when door opens) they rushed and delivered them to our hotel by 8pm the same night....Have Chinese currency to pay for them. The savings are unbelievable.

http://www.shoppinginbeijing.com/Glasses_city.php

At the southeastern part of the Third Ring Road is a small, modest bystreet. The street ends at a four storey-building which is best described as a paradise for every four-eyed person.

Just while strolling down the thin street, you will find ten or so glasses shops. These small shops contain everything necessary to make a pair of eyeglasses. The shops in the building, however, rarely handle the eye-testing and glasses- production. This takes place in a room in the building next to it.

If you have a pair of glasses with the correct strength for your eyes, be sure to bring these with you. In that case, their strength can be read and a similar pair can be made without you having to test your eyes. But if you do not have any glasses with you, you can still find a good pair. Just seek out a pair of frames you like, and the staff will help you with the eye-testing without any extra charge.
Salespeople and atmosphere

Some salespeople speak English. If you find a pair of frames in a shop with non-English-speaking staff, you can buy the frames there and then let a shop with English-speaking staff take care of the lenses. Prices are negotiable and range from about two hundred yuan and upwards, depending on which frames and lenses you choose.


Address

朝阳区东三环南路64号

Dongsnhuan Nanlu 64
Chaoyang district
Taxi
Approximately price:
25 yuan from
Opening hours

Daily 9am - 6pm
Subway
Line: 10
Station: Jinsong, approximately 8 minutes walk to Beijing Glasses City.

We even had our guide take us to the "Fragrent Hills " outside the city....beautiful...we were the only Occidentals there.

The best thing I brought back this time was a Silk Quilt ...it's the only thing we have on our bed winter and summer. Also bought 9mm pearl studs .

Anyway sorry to butt in, but thought this might be of some help.

Pat.

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Pat and Ray

add us to the penisula list. 3 nights. Grand Deluxe Room Pam and Jim Turner

Pearl Market afternoon of March 20 is a date.

Perfect time to go - off the ship, check in at the hotel and then taxis to the Pearl Market. Not sensible to try and tour that afternoon so it makes sense to hit the Pearl Market.

Before all you men groan they have a mens department, electronic department and the food department downstairs is a photographers dream. Foods you have never seen in your life before. Ken enjoys going and often we go in different directions and agree to meet at a certain spot at a certain time.

I take the ladies to the pearls he takes the men to the food market for pictures.

Those that prefer not to come could even walk to Tiananmen Square I think Eugene said it was close enough to walk or a short taxi ride.

Everyone will be happy.

We're in for the Pearl market. Haven't told Ken yet! but he'll be happy taking photos of food.

Add us to the Peninsula too. Hopefully we can get an early transfer in the morning.

I was hoping you would be planning on going to the Pearl Market Ngaire. I am definitely there...one can never have too many pearls!!

Just booked the Peninsula for 2 nights.

we're in for the Pearl Market. All we have to do is find a place for Jim to sit and a lemonade

Kentucky Fried Chicken in the Pearl Market do they carry lemonade??