this was first rate. The problem with cab drivers not knowing where it was was never a problem (we always carried card with address). It was relatively close to the airport. Our only real complaint was that the staff was not all that knowledgeable about museums, etc.

This is a 5-star property at a 3-star price. For 3 of us in Beijing for 14 days on business, this hotel was perfect. Particularly the free internet access, free breakfast, on-site gym and walking distance to a variety of restaurants. Then there was the accommodation. We usually stay at the 5-star china world hotel, which would have cost us more than double what we paid here for the 2-bed/2-bath suite, and none of the room. The front desk staff was over the top helpful and gracious. Although it seems to be out of the way of the action, and for a tourist wanting to be near the center of town activities this is true, it was just a $3 cab ride to anywhere we needed to go. Will stay there again and recommend this bargain of a property!

We were 2 families that rented a 3-bedroom apartment for 3 nights. This was the most spacious and luxurious facility ever. Everything from the hardwood floors to the marble bathrooms was top notch. This was one instance where the rooms lived up to the photos on the hotel website. The beds and linens were the high quality now expected of the best hotels. Amenities and towels were high quality; bathrobes were provided. The master bedroom had a private bath with separate shower and tub. The second bedroom had a private bath with a shower-over-tub. There was a third bath on the hallway with a shower stall. The master bedroom had a standard in-room safe.

Although the staff’s English was a little spotty, service was good. As mentioned in another review, the 3 bedroom units are really set up as 2 bedrooms plus a den/office (with a sofa but no bed) as the units are designed for long-term residents. My confirmation from booking at the Marriott website, however, said there would be a king bed and 2 queens, so when we called the Marriott in advance of arrival, they promised we would have a second queen in the den at no charge. On arrival, there was a roll-away bed there, but when we pointed out the discrepancy a crew arrived and cheerfully replaced it with a queen bed.

The kitchen is not stocked with pots/pans or utensils. There were only 4 coffee cups/saucers, 4 glasses and some spoons. No coffee maker, only a water boiler with some instant coffee (common in China). There is a large Chinese grocery store about a block away where we bought paper cups, plates and other supplies. A large separate laundry room had an American brand front-loading washer and a dryer. This was one of the few places where there was lots of bottled water on arrival which were diligently replaced daily.

The Marriott operates two apartment towers in a complex with several towers. The complex is a secure facility with limited access. In the interior are extensively landscaped grounds with a waterfall and children’s play structure. Marriott guests have access to an athletic club in the complex which has a workout room and the biggest and most luxurious private indoor pool I’ve ever seen. The enormous pool room has one wall of glass looking out to the gardens and has marble floors, columns. The locker rooms are first class, with showers that are separate booths with privacy curtains. It’s a little awkward to get club access, as you have to get a free card pass from the Marriott front desk and then cross the garden area and access the pool from the club entrance at the other side of the complex. The club requires you to wear a hair cap in the pool so you either have to bring one or purchase one at the club (about 40-80 CNY).

Free breakfast buffet is included for occupants. Although we were 3 adults and 3 kids, there was no extra charge. The buffet is limited: scrambled eggs with a rotation of bacon, ham or sausage, some kind of potatoes, toast and a few pastries, a few Chinese items (rice porridge or noodles). Coffee is good as it is from self-service automatic espresso machines that grind fresh beans for each cup. Although the buffet offerings were limited, for some reason this was the favorite breakfast during our 2-week trip for our kids. I think it may be because the dining room is small and intimate, with sofas and coffee tables as well as dining tables – more like a bed and breakfast place.

The location is not ideal for tourists. It’s out between the third and fourth ring roads across the street from Chaoyang Park. This is an area under construction, and it’s not like you walk out on the street and there are lots of restaurants or shopping nearby. Returning from the Forbidden City during evening rush hour by taxi took us about 50 minutes, of which 38 minutes was wait time. There is no subway stop nearby – you have to take a taxi to the nearest stop. From the airport, taxi drivers seem unfamiliar with the Marriott – you have better luck not mentioning the Marriott name and just say you want to go to the Palm Springs apartments. The best approach is to have the hotel’s phone number handy and have the driver call to get directions (they all have cell phones). On the other hand, the Marriott is better located for getting to sites outside the central core area (such as the Great Wall or Summer Palace).

We began our 2 weeks in China in Beijing at the Marriott and at the end of the trip when we asked our kids what their #1 experience was, they unanimously said – not the Great Wall, not the great Buddha of Leshan, not the sunrise at Mount Emei – but the Beijing Marriott, and particularly the swimming pool. So if you’re traveling with kids, the Marriott apartments are an unbeatable choice compared to a couple of hotel rooms, especially given the current very reasonable pricing. At the end of a hot, tiring day, it was great to return to paradise.

Just returned along with my family from Beijing. We stayed at a 3 bedroom ambassador suite which was excellent. Initially , the driver from the airport took us round and round in circles as he could not locate the property. It is not easily located for that matter and is in between a cluster of buildings around a large garden with several points of entry and exits- all with security control. So it would make a big difference if you knew which gate was the best to approach. Anyway, the lobby is very small and check in took a bit of time as they need to take passport copies of all guests etc. Our suite was located in a different building and we were led to it through a corridor. Lightings and decorations were of a high standard and elevator access is room key card controlled for security. Our suite was on the 16th floor and had a foyer with a laundry room next to it which had an ironing room and a washer dryer as well- making life very easy when traveling with kids! A large dining area with living room adjacent to an open plan kitchen was beautifully laid out with quality furnishings. Although the booking was of a 3 bedroom suite, the fine print clarifies that the third bedroom is actually a study room. It indeed was a study room with a large sofa and ample space to place an extra bed although the housekeeping confessed it had no more extra beds. The other 2 rooms were a master bedroom with a king bed and a large bathroom with spearate showere and large windows. The other room was a queen bedroom. An extra bathroom was outside the room to cater for the bedroom and study room but there was a guest toilet as well. Free high speed internet, local calls and breakfast was also provided. Breakfast was in the lobby and nothing special. We preferred to make it ourselves in the suite kitchen. Overall service was good and as usual in China, langauage might not be very easily understood. My word of advice is always to take instructions and addresses written in Chinese along with you. Also if you are with a family, it is better to hire a minivan with a driver which does not work out too much. Overall we had a great stay and I will readily recommend it to family groups. My only gripe is there isnt any convenience store or supermarket in the complex. The nearest one is Watsons located 10 mins walking from one of the gates- but it closes at 9pm. We had arrived at 9.10 pm but the bellboy was nice enough to arrange a cab to take us to a store 10 mins away by cab and made him wait and bring us back.