by Ted Sherman

Created on: September 01, 2009   Last Updated: September 02, 2009

Any business or vacation traveler who has stayed at one of the 360 Crowne Plaza hotels in 60 countries wordwide (there are two in Beijing) expects first-quality accommodations and services. The Crowne Plaza in Beijing, the capital city of China, is no exception. Most international travel experts rate it with five stars.

Located conveniently in the city's center, hotel visitors have easy acccess to most of Beijing's business, shopping, art and historical sites. It's just 45 minutes by taxi or bus ride to Beijing International Airport, and a short 10-minute hop to the city's main railway station. A major station on Beijing's very efficient subway system is just a few city blocks away.

Within a few minutes of walking from the hotel entrance, much of it through beautiful park-like areas, are the Convention Center, National Art Gallery, financial district, St. Joseph's Cathedral, and the historic destinations of the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven and The Imperial Gardens.

For those who want to sign up for tours of specific destinations throughout the city and beyond, such as to the Great Wall of China, the hotel desk can furnish complete information and make reservations for guests. Desk service at the hotel is open 24 hours, as is room service.

The Beijing Crowne Plaza offers 360 well-furnished and comfortable rooms, many with city and park views. Rooms include cable TV with many Western programs and videos, refrigerator and internet connection, modem or data port. The hotel also features five large meeting rooms and a business center.

While the ususal listed price per night for standard rooms runs about $250, there are frequent discount offerings, including one at this writing offering rooms at a price cut of $146. Recent Western guests reported they paid around $160.

For dining and quick snacks in the hotel, there are the Atrium Coffee Shop, Pearl Garden Chinese Restaurant, Plaza Grill and Inn Bar. Nearby are some of the best restaurants in the city, ranging through all ethnicities, including Indian, Japanese, French, Italian, English and many others.

Visitors should be aware that some flashy city restaurants catering to foreign tourists can be very pricey, many averaging $50 per person and up for dinner. You may be able to get information on finding good, but economical dining by asking at the hotel front desk. You could also try the traditional request: Where do the local families eat?

For current information, go to www.CrownePlaza.com, or check with your favorite hometown or internet travel agency.

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