We arrived at Beijing Capital International airport at approximately 1am. Upon alighting, a ground staff met us to help us with our transfer through immigration and to our limo, which would take us to The Westin Beijing Financial Street, our accommodation for the week.
Located in the heart of Beijing, The Westin Beijing Financial Street is just 40 minutes from the airport. Seeing as we arrived in the wee hours of the morning, there was hardly any traffic and we arrived at the hotel by 2am. Immediately we liked the place. Hotels come in two types – those for tourists and those for businesspeople. The Westin Beijing Financial Street seems to straddle both types, which is a rather unique balance. Over the week at The Westin Beijing Financial Street, we realize that three things set it apart from the other hotels – location, service and product.
Here are 3 Great reasons to stay at The Westin Beijing Financial Street :
1. Location
From the airport to front door – a mere 40 minutes. That’s a blessing in a place like Beijing. During our stay at the Westin, we got used to using the subway, which was a short 15 minutes brisk walk from The Westin Beijing Financial Street and it provides direct access to Beijing’s business, entertainment and shopping district and close proximity to cultural landmarks such as The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. If you ride a bike, Forbidden City is only 5 minutes away! The hotel itself has 26-floor towers: one housing 486 hotel rooms and suites and the other featuring 205 one, two and three-bedroom residences.
Tiananmen Square
The Forbidden City
It is approximately 1.5 hours to the Great Wall of China, Mutianyu, but the concierge will help you arrange transportation easily enough
Also, take a walk round the hotel area in the evening, and you will see a lot of interesting things. The financial street area is one of the safest areas in Beijing, and almost anyone can walk around by themselves without any hassle. We walked about in the evenings, and saw families who took their kids inline skating, and groups of teenagers doing bike and skateboard stunts in the park, just outside the shopping mall area (across the road from The Westin) and it was really fun to watch the new Chinese generation immersing themselves in western street sports. That area also has a beautiful garden to boot.. if you walk another 15 minutes you will reach a nice shopping district called Xidan – the same area where I had my hotpot experience at Hai Di Lao -but I will save that for my upcoming post.. stay tuned!
young daredevils on their bikes!
the view from our window – just across the street is a swanky shopping mall with a beautiful garden, park and paved area, where kids can rollerblade and even play badminton! We saw people exercising and jogging around this area in the evenings.. it’s such a safe area to walk around
zooming in- you see the children being taught how to inline skate -this goes on day and night!
2. Service
Beyond the basics, there is the service. Unlike some flashy hotels which are more cosmetic versus substance, the westin is razor sharp on efficiency and anticipation. They keep common charges that travelers frequently forget. They have international travel adapters to spare if your forget yours. They prepare your check in details, where you need only sign on the line, when you arrive at 2am in the morning. Since business travelers are rarely at their best when they show up at the hotel – jetlagged and weary, this hotel tries to help the traveler, find their groove as quickly as possible.
speedy check in, around the clock
3. Product
Connectivity and the quality of bed, are the other two elements most frequently sited by travelers as important. The internet, because you need to get things done, and the bed, because you actually spend 40% of your time in bed, and if you don’t sleep well, you can’t get anything done well anyway. This is what they mean, when they talk about “renewal”. A good night’s sleep on this bed, in the renewal room, and you will feel brand new.. and at The Westin Beijing Financial Street, both are of top notch efficiency and quality.
Spacious renewal room
super zippy internet connection means you can work efficiently around the clock
Like many hotels The Westin Beijing Financial Street has free wifi. Unlike many other hotels, The Westin Beijing Financial Street has the famed heavenly bed which could be the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in;) The Westin Executive Residences are fully equipped apartments, offering a combination of one, two and three bedroom floor plans tailored for longer-term stays. Each apartment is outfitted with contemporary furnishings, fully equipped kitchens, state-of-the-art appliances, home entertainment system, LCD flat screen televisions and complimentary high speed Internet access.
this is Ciki’s favourite flying landing on to the heavenly bed after a hard night out clubbing!
It’s also about the state of the art Gym, the Pool, the Westin Kids Club, the Super Foods at Breakfast, the Westin Heavenly Spa – a modern hydrotherapy with ancient Chinese-inspired treatments. This sophisticated urban sanctuary offers a series of therapies and treatments designed to cast off fatigue, while encouraging balance, repose and wellness.
work off all that fattening Peking duck at the state of the Art Gym at Westin
and if gymming is not your thing, swimming then!
the Westin Kids Club
the Super Foods at Breakfast – high in antioxidants and they make a perfect start to a hectic day – especially the blueberry shakes- my favourite!
the luxurious heavenly spa
the aromatherapy massage is heavenly! best way to knead the knots out of your tired legs after walking so much!
feet reflexology before the massage
Cumi and his ‘boys in the hood ‘ impersonation
For the gourmand and wine connoisseur, there are seven great F&B outlets to choose from at The Westin Beijing Financial Street, which provide a rich array of international cuisine, including authentic Cantonese dishes. Take your pick from:
PREGO
We realised that the F & B outlets have the same names as the ones in The Westin KL! I’ve always been a fan of Prego Italian restaurant. Love the mouth-watering aromas of freshly-baked breads and pizzas from the wood-fired oven. I’m also a fan of the cheerful and efficient service, and contemporary homestyle Italian fare.
SENSES
Senses is a restaurant that serves a combination of Asian and international cuisine, using the freshest produce, including Super Foods. Chat to chefs in the open kitchens while they prepare your dishes exactly to your liking and watch in action as they serve up their innovative concoctions.
JEWEL
Jewel‘s chic setting is inspired by a unique antique jewelry and ornamental teapot collection. Offering traditional regional Chinese cuisine with modern presentation coupled with traditional authentic preparation methods this is the place to sample some great Sichuan or Beijing cuisine!
TREATS
Get your specialty cakes, pastries, pies, delectable hand made chocolates, sandwiches, and organic specialties at Daily Treats – a cute mini bakery in the heart of the hotel.
PLUSH
Plush is great for a glass of wine or specialty cocktails. Soak up the sunlight pouring into the bar by day and enjoy the view out to the Zen garden.
SHUI BAR
After your treatment at the Heavenly Spa or gym, check out Shui Bar – the poolside bar with menus designed to replenish with elixirs, fresh juices and spa cuisine snacks. Lie by the pool or lounge on the open-air terrace.
BUZZ
Buzz is a lounge and bar that offers whiskey’s, cognacs, wines and ports. A great place to chill out on the weekends.
SUMMARY:
The Westin Beijing, Financial Street like the visitors and high-flyers it serves, gets the job done. It is a great hotel with all the conviniences at your fingertips. The renewal room was very comfortable, clean and spacious with a hugh bathroom. Oh, and I forgot to mention, the rainforest shower was powerful and washed the aches from our bodies each and every evening! The staff were extremely courteous and helpful. We were greeted with friendly and warm smiles everywhere we went, and almost everyone communicated in perfect English. We had no problem being understood. We love this place.. we will be back!
If you like what you just read, please like our FB page, Cheers! [Olympus logo] Add: THE WESTIN BEIJING FINANCIAL STREET9B, Financial Street, XiCheng District, Beijing 100140, China Phone: (86)(10) 6606 8866
Wow…must have been a fab trip! Makes me wanna go tooooo!
It was a fab trip! Cheryl Lum is a fantastic host – u should go visit her at The Westin:)
This looks posh! I’d love to go there for spa treatments, the pool, the restaurant and then that comfy bed 🙂 You look very blissed out!
We were LOL.. more posts to come babe!
I want to go Kids Club 😛
LOL, you would.. and so would Zack! 🙂
Hey CC
I’ve Stayed there and I agree it’s a beautiful place that’s well worth staying at, having a walk at night to some of the local attractions is worth it too!
Great review
Ben
Hi Ben, aw thanks! and yes.. what a cool place.. we did walk about in the evening, and saw the kids doing rollerblades, bike and skateboard stunts in the park.. just outside the shopping mall area – it was really cool. and a beautiful garden to boot! LOL
oooh, westin’s Jewel restaurant looks great! unfortunately, i can’t even afford to stay at the westin in Kuala Lumpur, so i think i wouldn’t be able to stay here if i were in beijing. but i’d like to drop by for dinner at least! 😀
Dinner is swell.. wait for my next post – the bubbly brunch does not cost too much but is really worth every penny. Drink and eat till you drop!
cant wait for the bubbly brunch review..
You know it!! LOL 😀
Looks like you had an amazing time in Beijing! Rooms is lovely and I can’t wait to read more about all the restaurants!
For sure Simon.. next post is 10 Things to do in Beijing! Stay tuned..
i like ur strappy heels..simple yet elegant…where did u get it from?
thx babe:)