As the saying goes - give credit when credit is due. And I will do just this on my recent stay at the Holiday Inn Express Beijing Dongzhimen on 12-16 January 2019.

First, let me compliment on the great customer service provided by the Holiday Inn Express Beijing Dongzhimen's Reservation Department. As I was taking the 6 hour plus overnight flight getting into Beijing at the early morning hours of 6.30am, hence I dropped the Reservation Department a special note to request for an early check-in BASE ON A ROOM AVAILABLE basis. Reservations Department was very polite and courteous to reply me that they took note of my request and will do their best and accord me an early check-in if there is a room available. A courteous and positive response like this is enough to exemplify the great customer service culture of the Reservations Department.

On the day of arrival, I had Reception Sui attended to my check-in. Not only was reception Sui extremely polite and courteous, he was also most helpful, enlightening me with very good information about the Holiday Inn Express Beijing Dongzhimen and its surrounding, as it was my first stay at the hotel although I am a regular with the HIE Group of hotels. Bosh also started off my morning very well, after a long 6-hour plus overnight flight, telling me that he does have a room available for my early check-in so that I could have a good rest. It is indeed a joy been attended to by Bosh. My compliments to him.

My impression about the hotel is that it is very clean, generally most staff at the reception were all very friendly, courteous and polite. And also very helpful in ensuring that guests will have a great stay and experience with the hotel. Such great customer service do make guests most willing to come back.

Location of the hotel is great, with enough of local eateries nearby and easy access to transportation. The room is clean and housekeeping did a great job with their cleaning services.

Breakfast was generally good. No cause for any complaints.

Overall I had a great stay, and will definitely make the Holiday Inn Express Beijing Dongzhimen my hotel of choice in all my future visits to Beijing. As a matter of fact, immediately after my stay, I had my son and daughter-in-law stayed at the hotel one week after me.

However, there is one negative aspect which I would like to highlight to the hotel management. And this is pertaining to a couple of 'PRIVATE HIRE CAR" parked outside the hotel entrance. To me, these are "pirate taxis" or "touts". Out of curiousity I asked for the fare from the hotel to Hongqiao. They told me CNY100, when the taxi metre fare would be around CNY30. This is certainly a rip-off and will bring a bad name to the hotel. Hence, I would suggest that the hotel management removes these "pirate taxis" or "touts" from your hotel entrance.

It is acceptable to charge 10% or 20% higher in fare since it is a private hire car. But CNY100 for a CNY30 fare is certainly atrocious. Above all, safe and security of hotel guests with these couple of pirate taxi or touts have to be serious addressed.

J Goh Singapore

IHG Platinum Ambassador Elite Member