Shichahai Sandalwood Boutique Hotel — Hotel in Beijing

The place looks great in the photos but it is quite scary outside especially at night, my friend was afraid to walk as it is located in a dark alleyway. It looks clean inside but a bit old, and not as good in the photos.

Every time you want to enter the hotel you need to knock on the door or ring the doorbell (even if it is very late). Also no electronic key to the room it is an old lock, and there's no privacy with the rooms as they are all connected to the courtyard.

Inside the room there is no powerpoint next to the bed unless you unplug the lamp so it's quite frustrating you can either have the lamp and no laptop or devices plugged in or give up the lamp...

They are also VERY VERY strict on refunds, they will not give any refund or let you change your booking to make it shorter. Once I arrived I tried to make my stay shorter as I didn't find the hotel met my expectations and they said sure I can leave early but I must pay for the room for every night even if it is empty... WOW

Won't be coming back again, very disappointed. The reviews for this place are very positive, I don't know why.

Oh and also the tv kept breaking, and not a single channel in english (no movies available either). Wifi also not very good connection and calls kept dropping out.

I was super excited to visit this place but unfortunately it is not what I was expecting at all

Please note I did try to speak with the manager / supervisor about my issues but after the staff called her and said she would meet me in 20 minutes, 30-40 minutes later I was informed she was very busy and didn't have time to discuss with me and if I would like she will let me leave the hotel early as long as I still pay for the night I...

My wife and I recently spent seven nights at this wonderful boutique hotel. It provided the unique experience of living in an historic Chinese private residence that has morphed into a boutique dwelling. The magic here is that the hotel has maintained the charm and ambiance of the private residence while offeing contemporary amennities for its guests comfort.||We booked a room adjacent to the courtyard and just loved the entire setting. A couple of reviewers mentioned being somewhat disturbed by noise from the courtyard. We heard very little noise, certainly nothing that would be considered disturbing. Because the courtyard area is so comfortable and relaxing it seemed that guests preferred speaking in quieter tones so as to not disturb the ambiance.||The complimentary breakfasts were both excellent and filling. Being able to select either a Chinese or a western breakfast was a nice touch.||And the staff, the excellent staff! My wife and I can't say enough about how wonderful the entire staff was; Ada, Seven, Carrie, Lucky, Jocelyn, Ella ........ Because the Sandalwood is so intimate, after initial introductions they all interacted with us like good friends for the entire week.||Lastly, the neighborhood. The Sandalwood resides in the wonderful Shichahai hutong area of old Beijing. My wife and I took many relaxing walks through the narrow, historic hutongs surrounding the Sandalwood. There are a number of dining options near the hotel and the Sandalwood sits midway between two subway stations, both about a ten minute walk.||Should we have the opportunity to return to Beijing, we've already got our...

I spent 2 nights in this hotel and stayed in one of the room facing the courtyard (I requested this type of room at the tike of reservation and they satisfied my request). The place is just like the pictures and even better. The courtyard is beautiful and very cosy, gives the idea of traveling back in time. In the morning after breakfast time they put a calligraphy set on he table and it's free to use, and also you can watch a shadow theater performance in the sister hotel nearby. The service is top level, everyone speaks English and take care of your stay without being too invasive. The bathroom is super modern and very well designed, the breakfast is simple but delicious (I'm not a fan of crazy big buffet breakfast). Outside of the hotel you are right in the middle of a Hutong, super close to 2 subway lines, on the west there is a fun local not too touristy pedestrian street with a couple of live music pubs at night, on the east all the beihai area with tourist attractions and so on. I am extremely satisfied. Only two tiny thing I would change: first, instead of calling the rooms A01, A02, A0... etc, I suggest the hotel could choose more beautiful and evocative names, like the one of the Forbidden City's pavilions and gate: guestroom of the thousands springs, suite of the Supreme Tranquillity... Something like his ahaha. Second thing, instead of using a modern looking lock, the doors could have an old style lock, I have seen many of them around the city antiques shop, it would make the experience of time traveling much...