Gloria Plaza Hotel, Beijing

When I first stayed there in the 1990s, the Gloria Plaza was one of the better hotels in Beijing. Flash-forward almost a decade, and the hotel is not wearing well. Furnishings are ratty and service is not particularly great--it's not the worst I've seen, but nowhere near the best. It happens that I'd returned to this hotel after staying at the Park Hyatt in Tokyo, and the Gloria simply didn't compare well. Most of the clientele seemed to be Eastern Europeans on a tight budget, and the lines at the registration desk were always long. I can't really recommend it, though I gave it three stars due to the location and price.

I did like that the hotel people spoke some english. The hotel was near some convient places to see. My tour guide there was helpfull. Very helpfull not sure if he was assicated with the hotel. In an excellent location to get to places from or just to walk the streets. The staff was very helpfull when I needed them. Neg. Need to buy shower caps for pool. I could not get in one night Smell off garbage on one side of building.