Radegast Lake View Hotel — Hotel in Beijing

I only rate this hotel excellent when compared to three star and below. It is average for a four star hotel. ||Seven day stay visiting friends. For a four star hotel it was adequate. First stayed in this hotel in 2011. Was much newer then. Now a bit dated. Clean, as Chinese hotels go. But not up to Western standards in cleanliness details such as windows, mirrors, dusted shelves and drawers. Plan on living out of your suitcase because there isn't sufficient drawer space and plan on bringing plastic garbage bags to line the limited dusty drawers with. Otherwise housekeeping was generally prompt and good. ||I had a lake view room and it was beautiful! And since I arrived right after a period of rain, I actually had a few days of clean air and blue sky! In Beijing! That all ended by the fourth and fifth day, at which time I felt like I was Frodo marching in Mordor when out for a walk.||There are plenty of restaurants, convenience stores and fruit markets about. When you walk out of the front of the lobby, walk straight to the street and turn right. as soon as you leave the hotel area you will see small shops on your right where there are two small markets (liquor, wine and beer available) and a couple of fruit markets. Continue down that street until the next intersection and turn right. There are several Chinese restaurants along this street on the right side, including a dumpling chain which is reported to be a favorite of President Xi. ||The Dragon Lake Park is across the major highway (ring road) from the hotel. To get there walk out of the lobby and turn left. You'll see a walkway across the ring road. Cross over and make a slight left to enter the park. There is a small fee to enter. A lovely park, but a bit crowded on weekends. If you walk to the far end, you can rent paddle boats or electric boats. ||Other sightseeing areas in Beijing are accessible from this hotel, but I advise going to the front desk, have the hotel call a taxi for you and tell the driver where you want to go, and grab a hotel business card from the front desk to show the taxi driver when you catch a cab to return to the hotel later. Try not to use taxis during morning or afternoon rush hours, so time carefully. There is an Uber like service called DiDi, but if you aren't Chinese good luck using it. There's also a way to call taxis using the social app WeChat - but without speaking Chinese, having a Chinese bank account and phone number, again good luck. ||Breakfast buffet was adequate and average. Usually. The often ran out of items and didn't replace in a timely way. Only saw waffles/pancakes/french toast once during seven days. Buffet as night was definitely sub-standard because of lack of customers - food was cold and not fresh. Wait staff was good.||There is one other restaurant in the hotel and the food and service were excellent - although pricey. ||No problems noted with AC and heating. Everything in bathroom functioned well. Be aware the room refrigerator is very small and only slightly cools things. Not even a small freezer in it. And there's even a written warning not to rely on it...

I only rate this hotel excellent when compared to three star and below. It is average for a four star hotel. ||Seven day stay visiting friends. For a four star hotel it was adequate. First stayed in this hotel in 2011. Was much newer then. Now a bit dated. Clean, as Chinese hotels go. But not up to Western standards in cleanliness details such as windows, mirrors, dusted shelves and drawers. Plan on living out of your suitcase because there isn't sufficient drawer space and plan on bringing plastic garbage bags to line the limited dusty drawers with. Otherwise housekeeping was generally prompt and good. ||I had a lake view room and it was beautiful! And since I arrived right after a period of rain, I actually had a few days of clean air and blue sky! In Beijing! That all ended by the fourth and fifth day, at which time I felt like I was Frodo marching in Mordor when out for a walk.||There are plenty of restaurants, convenience stores and fruit markets about. When you walk out of the front of the lobby, walk straight to the street and turn right. as soon as you leave the hotel area you will see small shops on your right where there are two small markets (liquor, wine and beer available) and a couple of fruit markets. Continue down that street until the next intersection and turn right. There are several Chinese restaurants along this street on the right side, including a dumpling chain which is reported to be a favorite of President Xi. ||The Dragon Lake Park is across the major highway (ring road) from the hotel. To get there walk out of the lobby and turn left. You'll see a walkway across the ring road. Cross over and make a slight left to enter the park. There is a small fee to enter. A lovely park, but a bit crowded on weekends. If you walk to the far end, you can rent paddle boats or electric boats. ||Other sightseeing areas in Beijing are accessible from this hotel, but I advise going to the front desk, have the hotel call a taxi for you and tell the driver where you want to go, and grab a hotel business card from the front desk to show the taxi driver when you catch a cab to return to the hotel later. Try not to use taxis during morning or afternoon rush hours, so time carefully. There is an Uber like service called DiDi, but if you aren't Chinese good luck using it. There's also a way to call taxis using the social app WeChat - but without speaking Chinese, having a Chinese bank account and phone number, again good luck. ||Breakfast buffet was adequate and average. Usually. The often ran out of items and didn't replace in a timely way. Only saw waffles/pancakes/french toast once during seven days. Buffet as night was definitely sub-standard because of lack of customers - food was cold and not fresh. Wait staff was good.||There is one other restaurant in the hotel and the food and service were excellent - although pricey. ||No problems noted with AC and heating. Everything in bathroom functioned well. Be aware the room refrigerator is very small and only slightly cools things. Not even a small freezer in it. And there's even a written warning not to rely on it...

Three things I need to point out during my stay:||1. Breakfast was repetitive|The served the same food everyday although there were a few options. Service was quick and they were able to clean tables and tables. We were told to bring the breakfast coupons but none were collected. ||2. Rooms were nice but needs refurbishing and renovation|The room we had was spacious. It had a nice interior, modern design mixed with classic chinese culture. First, the bathroom was a-okay with a toilet and shower on the side. Stains of dried soap or shampoo can be noticed on the walls. No bidet. Standard set up of soap, shampoo and bath foam were not enough for two persons. There was a separate bathtub (more like a small pool) from the balcony of your room facing their pond-like centerpiece. The tub was the highlight of the room perhaps since two or three persons can fit in there. |Second, the bed was the worst bed I have ever slept in the entirety of my hotels and resorts experience. Hard mattress. The duvet was nice and comfy. Sofas needed major cleaning or replacement. Even the carpet looks old and dirty (especially the carpets outside needed some vaccuuming). |There were cracks on the door frame that one strong bang on the door could destroy it. Also the door shuts so quick that you have to guide it to be closed. You can hear the other rooms' door shut from the inside of your room. |Television only displayed chinese channels. The TV is for white noise only for non-chinese speaking guests. ||3. Staff cannot speak sufficient english language|Even the front desk staff cannot speak basic english. They were not friendly and seemed to just be there to get their day's pay. Not interested to help. They even refused to accept foreign exchange and advised us to exchange to our guide. |Despite the inadequacy of english proficency, the telephone operator from guest services was kind enough to send someone to my room to help them understand that I need several bottles of bath foam.||Location wise, it is good. But overall experience barely reached fair. Please read all the reviews of this hotel...