We had a wonderful experience at the Red Capital Residence, spending a total of seven days in mid-June and using it as a base from which to travel to the Wall (Red Capital Ranch) and to Lhasa, Tibet (House of Shambhala).

The Residence is unique in two respects. The first is its location: a working hutong (Dongsi), perhaps 1.5 miles northeast of the Forbidden City (north end). One senses how all of urban China once lived, and how the lower working class in Beijing still lives. The neighborhood was alive all day, but especially in the evening when seemingly all residents were on the street, whether eating dinner, playing games or watching TV, selling wares or simply watching the world go by. As a side note, we felt very safe walking this hutong, including at night; besides, there is a police station only one block from the Residence.

The second unique aspect is the Residence’s design. Unlike most hotels, contained in massive, modern 20-30 story buildings, the Residence is contained in a traditional Beijing courtyard. It is large enough to contain five rooms, plus another for a reception/sitting area, all of which are built around an open courtyard. The architectural style is traditional nobility, the same design found in the mansions now open as museums. The furniture and wall furnishings are taken from the 1950’s era, which we enjoyed. As one prior reviewer aptly noted, one is staying in a place of Beijing’s history.

The Residence has several additional strengths. One is the open courtyard, shaded by a large poplar, which shields a surprisingly amount of noise generated from the neighborhood. It is a great place to have breakfast in the morning or a drink after a long day in the city. (Obviously, the experience would be different during inclement weather.)

A second strength is the staff. Though young, they were consistently courteous and always willing to assist (e.g., make reservations, provide directions). During the important times of the day, the Residence is staffed with persons whose English skills range from good to excellent. We strongly recommend use of the Residence’s airport pickup service, as it sends an English-speaking staff to accompany the non-English driver, making for a very pleasant and easy trip.

In response to some earlier reviews, our rooms were clean; our beds were not short (I’m 6’2”) and were very comfortable; our linen was not stained; our towels were fine; our hot water was fine; and there was no sewage smell.

The Residence is not inexpensive. Whether it is a good value depends upon one’s expectations. If one is looking for a 4-5 star room in Beijing (traditional EU/U.S. standards), the Residence is probably not for you. If, however, one is looking for an experience, the Residence is perfect choice. For us, it was a memory that will last a lifetime.

The residence looked great on the website but the actual place was such a disappointment. The courtyard is very small that I felt claustophobic. The room is dark and cramped with stuff. For the price of over US$200 for a double room, it is definitely not value for money, in fact it was a rip-off. US$80 would be about right for a place like this, compared to what else are available in Beijing. I booked two nights and left after one. I am sure there are better siheyuan hotels around that provide better experience that this one.

After reading some fabulous reviews about the Red Capital, we booked a long weekend with another couple last year.
Each couple had a concubine room.
Whilst the staff were all extremely helpful and nice, this was totally offset by the old, smelley towels that didn't even dry you as they weren't made of cotton, the stained bed linen that appeared not to have been changed, the dust everywhere, the lack of any storage for clothes, the lights that didn't work in the rooms, the seawage smell in the bathroom and to top everything off, the lack of hot water, which merely dribbled out - not good when it is freezing outside.
As for the bunker - it was so mouldy that even the staff said drinks weren't served down there as the air quality was so bad.
I imagine that the place was once lovely but it looks like the owner is now just taking advantage of the global reviews and has not kept the place clean etc. This also goes for the restaurant - we sat in a room where the paint was peeling off the walls, mould growing, and the chairs nearly collapsed when you sat on them.
We were all so disaapointed with the entire experience - the staff must have realised it as we only stayed for one night - they booked us into a 4-star hotel the following afternoon. A real shame because it could be so quaint.

I read the review from Texas and very much disagree. I stay at the Red Capital Residence whenever I travel to Beijing because I so much appreciate that someone has finally preserved a piece of Beijing's history in this courtyard boutique hotel. True, the rooms are small, but it's a real Chinese courtyard and the furniture is all historical as well (chairs/beds, etc. actually used by Mao, Zhou En Lai, etc.). Colleagues and I have had fantastic parties, taking over all five rooms and enjoying drinks under moonlight in our own private Chinese courtyard! Complimentary breakfasts, fresh and light (eggs, fresh yogurt, banana bread, endless coffee or fragrant teas, etc.) are also served outdoors in the tiny Courtyard. Service is excellent and attentive (although can be a bit noisy in such a small space but one word to please be more quiet did the trick)! I appreciated that the inn was not that easy to find...after all it's in one of Beijing's last real preserved neighborhoods...and it's only a rickshaw ride away from the Red Capital Restaurant which is simply excellent (and room service is available too!). No, this is not a hotel for business travellers or 5-star modern hip hotel lovers; this is a tiny inn, much like a Ryokan in Japan, where we are meant to sit still and appreciate a time before modernity, when Mandarins lived in courtyards in China...and we can be a part of this historic feeling, even if only for an evening or two at a time!