Bamboo Garden Hotel, Beijing

I did not dislike it. Everything was wonderful.

The worst thing about this hotel brings out the best thing about this hotel. In a word, "location." It is located an unfortunate distance from the Back Lakes; it is too long to walk there and back, but too close to take a cab. The surrounding area was under heavy construction during my stay in November of 2004. Every cab ride we took to the hotel involved the driver either making a few wrong turns or stopping to ask for directions. You had to walk two blocks to the main road to catch a taxi when leaving the hotel. In short: not an ideal location. All this brings out the best part: when your taxi finally makes the turn through the gate of the Bamboo Garden Hotel, it is an oasis. It has color and character. It is relaxing and serene. There is the mood and ambiance a tourist in China desires. The doorways and gardens draw you in. The bamboo garden really is neat, especially if you arrive at night. The lighting at night is really very well done. It is almost enough for you to excuse the rather malodorous smell of the place. (The smell is not the fault of the hotel, but rather the hotel's location in the Hutongs.) The room was clean and funished with copies of traditional chinese furniture: the bed had a silk comforter. The room was not posh, but comfortable and unique. Other good points to recommend the Bamboo Garden: The reception desk staff speak very good English. The breakfast food (40RMB buffet) was not great, but they make up for it with the orange juice. The garden is home (in 2004) to two cats that like to taunt the koi in the fish pond. The tea room has a fish pond in the floor. It is an expensive place to have tea, but very relaxing. Summary: if you are a tourist, don't mind staying at a hotel that is a cab ride from everything, and seek chinese charm and color, the Bamboo Garden is perfect for you. Also a note: I had a Chinese speaking friend call the hotel from the United States to make a reservation for me. This worked, but I did not get nearly the deal the other reviews seem to have gotten. I hear you should not make reservations for hotels in China, just show up.

the hotel grounds are amazing. with old bamboo gardens an fish ponds covering inside courtyards. it is the perfect place to rest and enjoy tea. the beijing zoo is a cab ride away. there is also a great bar at the hotel with an attentive staff. in the evening travelers gather and compare adventures of their journey over beer. the rooms are very clean and are in traditional chinese style. many rooms have balconies which over look the gardens. air conditioning and sit down toilets are the deal in china! the best thing cheap cheap cheap!!! jason

I am an American ex-pat living in China. Recently some froends came to visit from home and wanted to see Beijing. I booked rooms at the Bamboo Garden and found that it was a much better deal than I had imagined. Far better priced than most other "luxury" hotels around the city, it provides an incredible local in the old part of the city, near the Drum and Bell Towers. The hotel is located amidst a winding array of old chinese style hu-tongs, or small alley neighborhoods. It is a very short walk(5-10 minutes) from the subway and has excellent grounds. The rooms are standard, though they offer a bit of luxury on the high end, but all are very comfortable and come with all the western necessities. Most of all , the staff is courteous and helpful. They have a nice restaurant and a great Health/Beauty Spa that will provide you with a real Chinese medical massage(no "extra" services offered). If you want to really experience Beijing and/or China, this is the place to stay. Of course, it helps that you will save a bundle of money to spend at the Great Wall or the Pearl Market.