Beijing's BEST Guangdong Hotel: Authentic Cantonese Cuisine & Luxury Stays!
Beijing's BEST Guangdong Hotel: A Messy, Glorious Dive into Cantonese Heaven & Luxurious Lapses
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Beijing, and let me tell you, the experience at the "Beijing's BEST Guangdong Hotel" was… well, it was something. They bill themselves as a haven of authentic Cantonese cuisine and luxury stays, and honestly? They partially deliver. It's a mixed bag, a glorious, frustrating, delicious, and sometimes-a-bit-bizarre mixed bag.
Accessibility: The Good, The Bad, and the Slightly Confusing
Let's start with the practical stuff. I've got a friend who uses a wheelchair, and I'll be honest, my research wasn't perfect. "Facilities for disabled guests" were listed, which gave me a flicker of hope. Access to the hotel itself was decent, a nice ramp leading to the lobby. (Good start!). The elevator was spacious and easy to navigate. (Score!). But, and this is where it gets a little wobbly… while the lobby was easily accessible, the restaurant paths and some of the spa areas seemed a little tight. Not entirely inaccessible, but a bit of a squeeze in places. It felt like they tried, but maybe didn’t quite nail it. We're talking subtle, but noticeable. And parking! "Car park [free of charge]" and "Car park [on-site]" – excellent! But getting in and out for someone with mobility limitations involved navigating a slightly awkward turnstile and a few surprisingly sneaky curbs.
On-Site Grub & Libations: My Stomach's Diary
Okay, the food. This is where things truly get interesting. The Authentic Cantonese Cuisine claim? Mostly true. My taste buds are still singing! The restaurants were an absolute highlight. Forget Michelin stars, I'd happily give them a constellation of deliciousness. The dim sum at the "Jade Dragon Pavilion" (or whatever the name was – I’m still on Beijing time) was legendary. I’m talking melt-in-your-mouth char siu bao, delicate har gow that shattered with every bite, and a crispy, golden-brown turnip cake that made me weep with joy. And the service? Spot-on. They practically anticipate your chopstick needs. The servers, expertly trained, weaved through the tables providing that impeccable service, but a little too fast. No time for contemplation!
They had an Asian breakfast and Western breakfast that included a buffet. The buffet options were, let's say, extensive. The coffee shop was a lifesaver for a much-needed caffeine jolt every morning. The poolside bar… ah, that brings up a good memory.
The Poolside Bar Debacle & The Pursuit of the Perfect Cocktail
The poolside bar situation was a story unto itself. Picture this: I’d just emerged from a blissful massage (more on that spa later… sigh) and was craving a celebratory cocktail. I envisioned myself, lounging by the swimming pool [outdoor] with a perfectly crafted Singapore Sling, the Beijing sun kissing my face. Reality? Well, the pool itself was gorgeous, a shimmering oasis of turquoise against the urban backdrop. The view from the pool, as promised, was stunning. (Pool with view - check!)
The bar… was a work in progress. Let’s just say the mixologist clearly hadn’t mastered the art of communication. "Do you have… a Singapore Sling?" I asked, brimming with anticipation. Blank stare. “Um… something similar?” Another blank stare. The eventual concoction that arrived? Let's just say it tasted suspiciously like watered-down cough syrup. (Emotional reaction: disappointment and a touch of giggling helplessness). I ended up ordering a beer and watching the sun set, feeling a tad deflated, but hey, at least I had a beautiful sunset. And a slightly-off cocktail will make you appreciate the good times more.
Ways to Relax & Get Yourself Pampered: Spa Shenanigans
Alright, the spa. This is where the "luxury stays" part truly shines… and slightly unravels at the edges. The spa itself was a sanctuary. The sauna was steamy, the steamroom a damp dream. I tried the body scrub and the body wrap and emerged feeling like a newborn, smooth-skinned and blissfully relaxed. The massage was divine. I literally melted into the massage table. The masseuse was skilled, intuitive and got rid of the knots I didn't even know I had.
Here again, the devil was in the details. The spa area itself felt a little… understaffed. Finding someone to help with a locker or explain the different treatments took a bit of wandering. And the music was… okay, this is where the imperfections start to make it charming. One minute, it was soothing new age ambient, and the next? A bizarre mix of elevator jazz and whale song. Whale song in a spa? It was unexpected, to say the least. Cleanliness & Safety: Covid-Era Concerns (and the slightly excessive hand sanitizer)
Amidst the ongoing global situation they have, quite a lot of protocols for safety. “Daily disinfection in common areas” Yes! “Staff trained in safety protocol” Absolutely! “Hand sanitizer” Everywhere. Seriously, I think I washed my hands about fifty times a day. Everywhere I turned, there was a bottle of the stuff, staring me down. I was honestly expecting them to start spraying it directly INTO my eyeballs. “Rooms sanitized between stays”. Good! “Anti-viral cleaning products.” Excellent. “Individually-wrapped food options.” Checks out. “Safe dining setup.” Definitely. “Physical distancing of at least 1 meter” Generally, yes. “Professional-grade sanitizing services” They seem to have it under control.
…But also, note the "Room sanitization opt-out available". This seems odd, like they're worried about giving guests too much cleanliness?
Rooms: Comfort & Quirks
My room? The non-smoking rooms were a godsend. I had a high floor, which was nice for the view (when I wasn't staring at the slightly-off cocktail). Air conditioning worked like a charm, and the bed was ridiculously comfortable. They even provided those fluffy bathrobes and slippers! I’m a sucker for those. And the blackout curtains… chef's kiss. However, the Internet access – wireless was a little spotty at times, which was frustrating. I'm a big fan of the wake-up service, it was a blessing. The desk and laptop workspace were useful, but the lighting above it gave me a headache.
Food & Drink: More Than Just Dim Sum
The room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver on those jet-lagged nights, and the menu offered a decent selection of options (including the crucial bottle of water). The desserts in the restaurant? Heavenly! The coffee/tea in restaurant was also good.
The alternative meal arrangement was helpful to see. The breakfast [buffet] had a good spread.
Service & Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Perks
The concierge was fantastic, always helpful with directions, recommendations, and even getting me a last-minute taxi to the airport. The Daily housekeeping was efficient and always kept the room spotless, and all the essentials were included, like those essential condiments that you always conveniently need. The laundry service did the trick. They even had a convenience store, perfect for grabbing late-night snacks.
But there were glitches. I'm still confused by the presence of a shrine next to the smoking area. And I’m not completely sure what business they have in the cash withdrawal, but it was there for sure.
For the Kids (and The Kids at Heart): Family-Friendly Features
I don't have kids, but I noticed they offered a babysitting service and generally seemed family/child friendly.
Getting Around:
The airport transfer was smooth and efficient. I relied heavily on the taxi service. The car park [free of charge] was helpful, but as I said a bit tricky.
Overall…Would I Recommend It?
Yes. Absolutely, with a few caveats. The Beijing's BEST Guangdong Hotel is not without its quirks. The service can be uneven, the spa music a little… eccentric, and the accessibility could be improved. But the delicious food, the comfortable rooms, the stunning pool, and the overall feeling of luxury (even with the occasional hiccup) make it a truly memorable experience. It’s a place where you’ll eat amazing food, relax, and probably have a few good laughs. It's a flawed masterpiece, a gloriously messy, authentic taste of Cantonese hospitality in the heart of Beijing. Go, be prepared to be slightly bewildered, thoroughly delighted, and utterly stuffed with
Jarnac Waterfront Dream: Luxurious Modern Loft!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a Beijing adventure, specifically from the gilded cage (or rather, the slightly-less-gilded Guangdong Hotel). This isn't your glossy travel brochure. This is the real deal. My brain's already buzzing with excitement, a healthy dose of jet lag, and the lingering scent of airplane peanuts. Let's do this.
Beijing Bangers & Guangdong Grooves: A Messy Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & a Touch of Temple Trauma (and Terrible Translation)
Morning (ish): Arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). The air conditioning was fighting a losing battle against a tsunami of humidity, which immediately made me feel like a wilted lettuce leaf. Navigated the chaos with the tenacity of a honey badger. Found the luggage carousel. Thank God. Then, the quest for the airport express train. Let's just say my Mandarin is limited to "xie xie" (thank you) and "ni hao" (hello), which didn't exactly win me any points with the ticket vendor. Ended up feeling like I was in a slapstick comedy routine, flailing and pointing. Success! (Eventually).
Afternoon: Check in at the Guangdong Hotel. Okay, pretty swanky, I admit. Though the "English" on the hotel's welcome sign promised a "hospitality that will make your heart dance," I'm pretty sure my heart just wanted a nap. Unpacked, showered, and promptly fell onto the bed for a 20-minute power nap. Jet lag is a beast.
Evening: First foray. Wanted to hit the Temple of Heaven. Got on the wrong subway line. Twice. Honestly, navigating the Beijing subway felt like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while blindfolded. Finally stumbled out, disoriented, only to find out the temple was closing in 30 minutes. Rushed inside, felt rushed, took some blurry photos, and promptly got herded out like a rogue sheep. Definitely not enough time to soak in all the history, which was a bit of a downer.
- Rambling Observation: The sheer number of people! The constant buzz of conversation! The air, thick with the aroma of… something… I couldn’t quite identify. But the architecture! The Temple itself, breathtaking. Even my hasty visit left me awestruck.
- Quirky Note: I swear I saw a man wearing a Pikachu hat feeding pigeons. Only in Beijing, people. Only in Beijing.
- Emotional Reaction: Frustration at the subway, awe at the Temple, and a general feeling of exhilarating overwhelm. I loved that it was rushed and chaotic, it allowed me to see the sights and learn from the missed lessons!
Dinner: Found a random noodle stall. Ordered something. Pointed at a picture. Ended up with noodles that smelled like heaven and tasted even better. Ate them outside, dodging scooters and feeling a surge of pure, blissful happiness. This is what travel is about, right?
Day 2: Forbidden City Fantasies & a Duck Disaster
Morning: Forbidden City. Okay, this was incredible. Walking through those enormous courtyards, imagining emperors and concubines… it was a history nerd's dream come true. Even the hordes of tourists couldn't fully detract from the majesty of the place. Managed to snap some pretty decent photos, despite the sheer number of selfie sticks vying for space. The scale of it all is just… mind-blowing.
- Imperfection: Lost my map about halfway through. Ended up wandering around, completely lost, for a good hour. Fortunately, I have a horrible sense of direction, so I didn't go far.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure wonder. I felt like I'd stepped straight into a historical drama. Absolutely worth the early wake-up call.
Afternoon: Exploring the Hutongs. These narrow alleyways, filled with traditional courtyard houses, were charming and chaotic. Dodged bicycles, sampled street food (that tasted amazing, by the way), and got a fleeting glimpse of everyday life. Really got a sense of what it was like to live in old Beijing.
Evening: Peking Duck. The Holy Grail. Booked a table at a famous restaurant (Quanjude, I think. Or maybe it was the one next door, I can't remember). The presentation was stunning. The duck was… mostly delicious. But… and this is where the disaster comes in… The server, trying to be helpful, attempted to assemble the pancakes for me. He was, shall we say, not skilled. The pancakes were torn, the duck was falling apart, and it looked like I was eating a crime scene. Laughed until my stomach ached.
- Messy Commentary: Peking duck felt a little pretentious but was delicious. And the pancake assembly disaster made it all perfect.
- Emotional Reaction: Starts with anticipation, peak with pure delight and the most hilarious experience I've ever had. This is why you travel, right? To make memories, good or bad!
Day 3: Great Wall Glory & a Tea-House Tranquility
Morning: The Great Wall. Got up at the crack of dawn because everyone says you have to go early to beat the crowds. They lied. It felt like every single person in Beijing decided to visit the wall at the same time as me. Hiked up, gasping for air (altitude, people, altitude!), and marveled at the view. It was stunning, despite the hordes. The sheer scale of the wall is difficult to comprehend. Did not fall off. Win!
- Opinionated Language: The Great Wall is amazing. Seriously. You have to see it. Period.
- Quirky Observation: The sheer number of people taking selfies… it was like watching a human centipede of selfie sticks.
- Emotional Reaction: Overwhelmed with awe. And a slightly bruised ego (from the hike).
Afternoon: Tea-house. Found a traditional tea house. Sipped delicate tea, listened to calming music, and tried to pretend I wasn't jet-lagged. It was a welcome respite after the craziness of the wall. Managed to actually relax for a whole hour. Almost achieved inner peace. Almost.
Evening: Hotel dinner. Honestly, I was exhausted. The hotel restaurant offered a decent buffet, which was exactly what I needed. Slept like a log.
Day 4: Shopping, Silk, and Departure Shenanigans
Morning: Shopping. Got a taxi (which was an adventure in itself – the driver didn't speak a word of English, and I could barely manage a "Beijing" in Mandarin). Hit the silk market. Prices were insane. Bargained. Won. Bought far too much silk (scarves, a robe, probably some things I don't need). Regretting taking that much stuff back home.
Afternoon: Strolled through the park. Found a beautiful lake, rented a swan boat (yes, really), and floated around, feeling surprisingly peaceful. One of the better moments of this trip.
Evening: Packing. It was messy. Trying to figure out what to wear on the 14-hour flight. Eating a final dinner in the hotel. Feeling both sad to leave and utterly exhausted. Airport bound!
Departure: The usual airport chaos. Lost my passport. Found it again. Barely made my flight. Boarded the plane. The end? Not really. This trip has left me with a bucketload of experiences, a suitcase brimming with souvenirs, a renewed appreciation for my travel pillow, and a deep longing to return to Beijing. Because, despite the jet lag, the subway mishaps, the duck disaster, and the constant sensory overload, Beijing… well, Beijing is something special. And those airport peanuts? I miss them already.
Okay, spill. Is the food at BEST Guangdong Hotel actually *good*? Like, REALLY good?
Alright, alright, settle down. Look, I'm a cynical Londoner, alright? The word 'authentic' in a hotel restaurant usually makes my eyes roll so hard I nearly get a nosebleed. BUT... and it's a BIG but... BEST Guangdong? Okay, they almost nail it. Seriously. That dim sum? The har gow? Stuff of legends, I'm telling you. I went back four times just for those, dodging the jet lag. The first time, I was expecting utter tourist trap garbage. I was SO wrong. The chef must be a Cantonese wizard or something. Honestly, the *siu mai* are what I dream about now. It’s that good, which I hate to admit. You know, because I'm supposed to be all sophisticated and jaded and… Yep, it's good. Get the dim sum. Seriously.
How's the hotel itself? Is it ALL marble and stuffy, or is it actually… nice?
Nice is a strong word. Let's say… "impressive." It *is* Beijing, remember? There's a bit of marble. A LOT of gold. You might briefly feel like you’re in a Bond film. But, strangely, it's not oppressively stuffy. The rooms are massive, like you could practically hold a small rave in the bathroom. And the views? Spectacular. I’m usually a cheapskate when it comes to hotels, opting for dingy backpacker hostels. But after that dim sum, I kind of splurged, and honestly, the sheer extravagance was part of the experience. One small problem? The air conditioning seemed determined to turn my room into an icebox. I had to call down three times to get it sorted. Bit of a faff, but the staff were apologetic. So, yeah, it’s luxury. But with a… a *character* to it.
Tell me honestly, what's the biggest pain point? What made you want to chuck your chopsticks out the window?
Right, so... there's always *something*, isn't there? For me, it was the elevators. Seriously! The wait times! They were *agony*. You’d be standing there, tapping your foot, watching the numbers crawl upwards, and you’d swear you could *feel* the other hotel guests judging your impatience. It was worse than the rush hour tube in London. Honestly, I considered taking the stairs! Up to the 20th floor! And I'm not exactly an athlete. I’m talking about serious elevator rage. I even considered starting a petition. "Free the elevators! Down with the wait times!" I didn't, obviously. But the elevator situation was, without a doubt, the most annoying aspect. They need more lifts. End of rant.
Is the service good? You know, the whole 'smiling and helpful' thing?
Mostly. It's… complicated. Let's say the staff *try* to be helpful. Smiling is definitely part of the package. Some of them were absolutely lovely – always ready with a recommendation for a local attraction or an extra bottle of water when I needed it. Others? Well, let’s just say there was a slight language barrier. I once asked for "more tea." I received, and I kid you not, *a tea set*. A whole, elaborate, porcelain tea set. Not what I was expecting after a long day touring the Forbidden City. It was hilarious, though. And, eventually, I got my extra tea. So, yeah, it’s a mixed bag. But the genuinely friendly staff more than made up for any minor communication hiccups.
Okay, what are the extras like? Pool? Gym? That sort of thing?
Oh, absolutely. You're not just paying for a room and dim sum, you get the whole shebang. They have a decent-sized pool – apparently, it’s heated, even in winter, though I wasn't brave enough to try it! – a gym, which I *did* try, once. (Okay, twice. I felt incredibly guilty about all the dumplings.) The gym was well-equipped, but seriously, the views were the real winner. You're sweating while overlooking the Beijing skyline. It's pretty… surreal. They also had a spa, which I didn't try *because*… well, remember those dim sum? I figured a spa treatment would just be a prelude to another dumpling binge. Priorities, people! The extras are definitely a plus, though. You could easily spend a whole day just lounging around the hotel without leaving.
Is it worth the price? Be honest.
Look, it’s not cheap, alright? Let’s not pretend it is. But… (and there's a lot of "buts" with this hotel, apparently!)… if you’re looking for a bit of luxury and you’re a foodie, then yes, it’s probably worth it. That dim sum is worth its weight in gold (which, considering the decor, it might actually *be*). You're paying for the convenience and quality. The location is pretty central, making it easy to get to the sights. And the rooms are… well, they're nice. Just… be prepared for the potentially glacial-speed elevators. And, let's be honest, after wolfing down those dumplings, you're probably going to need that elevator *anyway*.
Any tips for first-timers at BEST Guangdong Hotel?
Alright, listen up. First, book a table at the Cantonese restaurant *in advance*. Seriously. It gets PACKED. Second, pack an adapter. Duh. And third, be prepared to embrace the opulence. It's part of the experience. Fourth, bring patience for the elevators, or seriously, consider the stairs. Fifth, budget for the dim sum. It's addictive. And finally, try and learn a few basic Mandarin phrases. It’s polite, and it can make the whole experience a bit smoother. Oh, and one last thing. Don’t judge the hotel too harshly. It's got its flaws, sure, but that dim sum… it hides a multitude of sins. That's all I have to say.
Would you go back?
Ugh. You know… despite the minor annoyances… that dim sum still haunts my dreams. So, yeah. I probably would. Maybe even *soon*. Dammit. I'm already craving those *siu mai*. Send help… and dumplings.
Any other food recommendations? Are there non-Cantonese options?
