Crown Plaza Beijing lobby
I stayed at the Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town in Beijing, China, for three nights as part of a press trip with the Chinese Tourism Board. Although we traveled by private bus, this hotel is fairly centrally located. It is located on the 2nd Ring Road in Beijing, where the ancient city wall once stood. That makes it centrally located but not so close to sites like the Forbidden City that you will want to walk.
The Chaoyangmen station is a bit more than a block away. It is the most centrally located Crown Plaza in Beijing at this time. If you’re brave enough to bike, Beijing’s shared e-bikes are everywhere.
If you are looking for a comfortable hotel in Beijing for a Western business traveler, look no further than the Crowne Plaza Beijing.
Public Spaces: Dramtic if not Cozy
Stepping into the lobby, you will immediately know this is a business traveler’s hotel. It’s spacious, modern, and dramatic, but not particularly cozy. There’s marble and muted lighting, and the staff at reception were professional and fluent in English and Mandarin. There are oddly no places to sit in the lobby. Fortunately, there is a coffee bar located just off the lobby, where you can meet up with friends and coworkers.
A baby grand piano graces the area, which is highlighted by a large abstract painting and a crystal chandelier.
Like many Chinese hotels I saw on my trip, this one also features a couple of robots in the lobby that can be used for deliveries, as well as a location where you can rent a power bank. Stand here long enough, and you can watch a DoorDash driver drop off a delivery. The robot will traverse the lobby, take the elevator, and deliver the package to the appropriate room.
- To get to facebook and other sites from China you will need a VPN.
- Get a universal plug adapter
- Get an eSim to be able to use your smartphone abroad.
- Get a Car Rental
- Buy Travel Insurance
Room Features: Comfortable
My room was generously sized, especially by urban Asia standards. A king bed with quality linens, 4 comfortable pillows, a small sitting area, a desk, and ample closet space made it easy to settle in. The room’s decorations were minimal, featuring a warm color palette and natural wood accents.
Wi-Fi was free and strong throughout the room, with power outlets available at the desk and four USB outlets located on one side of the bed. The power outlets accommodated a variety of plugs, so I did not need my universal adapter; however, you will need electronics that can handle 220V or a voltage converter.
The TV had a decent selection of English-language channels, including CNN, CNBC, National Geographic, HBO, and Cinemax. The wi-fi was also fast enough that I was able to download shows from my home Tivo.
The bathroom had a separate tub and glass-walled shower, along with branded toiletries, robes, and slippers. The hot water was reliable, and the water pressure was excellent. While not trendy or design-forward, the room was very comfortable.
Despite facing a busy street, double-glazed windows do their job well, and thick curtains kept both sound and light under control in my 8th-floor room. I slept soundly every night, even after a 16-hour time change.
Meeting Space
The Crowne Plaza brand is known for catering to corporate guests, and it shows here. It is set up for both business meetings and also has a beautiful wedding chapel.
Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town offers over 3,600 m² of event space with 8 flexible meeting rooms.
- Grand Ballroom: 1,050 m², pillar-free, seats up to 600 for banquets, 900+ for cocktails.
- Sunlit Chapel: 480 m², domed glass roof, ideal for weddings (up to 400 guests).
- Glass-Roofed Foyer: 1,000 m², used for exhibitions and receptions.
- Function Rooms: 40–300 m² each, suitable for 20–80 people depending on setup.
Food and Dining: Best Breakfast
I had breakfast each morning at Essence, the buffet restaurant on the second floor. It offers a broad international spread—Western staples like eggs, bacon, and toast alongside Chinese dishes like congee, baozi (steamed buns), noodles, and fresh fruit. It was one of the most impressive breakfasts I have experienced. Breakfast is available from 6:30 a.m.
There is a Chinese restaurant in the hotel, but with so many dining options nearby, I did not eat there. Room service is available 24 hours a day, although I didn’t try it this trip.
Facilities and Amenities
The indoor pool, located under a glass ceiling, was a nice discovery—a good size and not overly crowded. There’s also a good-sized gym next door with cardio equipment, free weights, and a few strength machines.
The spa on-site offers massages and traditional Chinese treatments. I didn’t have time to sample it on this trip.
Things Nearby
If this is your first time in the city, don’t miss the central axis of the city with the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Drum Tower.
The hutongs (historic alleyways) around Dongsi and Nanluoguxiang are easily reachable by metro and worth exploring for their blend of tradition and youth culture.
Final Verdict: Dependable Comfort in a Historic Capital
Crowne Plaza Beijing won’t dazzle you with flash or trendsetting design, but that’s not its role. It’s a reliable base in the center of a vast and often overwhelming city—close to history, well-connected by transit, and comfortable in the ways that matter after a long day of sightseeing or meetings.
Prices for a standard room start at about $120 a night.
Check rates online at Expedia, Booking.com, Agoda.com, or Hotels.com.
I visited Beijing and the Crown Plaza Hotel on a press trip to Beijing and the Gansu Province with China’s Tourism Board. They covered the cost of my stay, but the opinions expressed are my own.
