International standard, but local soul. Review Renaissance Beijing Wangfujing

If you visit a megacity like the Beijing you have to Carefully search for the hotel where to stay, sure the price might attract the distracted tourist, but then you find yourself at Wasting hours in traffic or transportation.

That's why I chose to try the Renaissance Beijing Wangfujing situated in a perfect location for wandering without wasting time and resources.

Location

We are in the district of Wangfujing, from here you can walk to Tianamen Square, the Forbidden City and many other places that are on every tourist's to do list in China's capital.

There is not only culture and history, but also shopping and social life since it is one of the richest areas of stores and restaurants in the ever-changing city.

Reservation

As always, reservations must be made via app or website, this way you get benefits and accumulate points. Or you can go by the Marriott Luminous and get free breakfast, upgrades and credit to spend at the facility (in addition to points). Of course elsewhere you could find the same room for a few euros less, But that's when the BRG comes in., or the promise to get the best price guaranteed. If you then don't give a damn about points and status, then off to Trivago and book the room at the best price.

I always need to accumulate qualifying nights (and points) and I took advantage of the double night promo and 1000 bonus points, for the series two birds with one stone. The cost for one night was 140€. Renaissance is a sign that ranks just below the more luxurious ones in the portfolio Marriott.

Check-in

As soon as I entered the lobby, I was speechless. Going from the St. Regis to here, I feel like I've taken a trip back in time., this is a lower category hotel than where I was before, but it is more in my league. Less luxury and more design.

The lobby is immense, the ceiling very high, and an obsessive attention to detail. Everything is thought out and placed in just the right spot.

Check-in procedures carried out in a nanosecond, only question was about the lack of visa in my passport. This novelty has not yet been assimilated by all and especially having left a little over two months ago, it is still not very well known.

The attendant informed me that she had made me a small upgrade to a higher category room and on a high floor, and after also explaining the services of the lounge, he showed me the way to the elevators.

The room

If there is one thing the architects who designed this hotel certainly loved, it was the edges. A constant throughout the hotel, and even in my room.

The room does not have the classic shape, it is full of corners and edges, a beautiful architectural play. Of course I didn't have a view of the Forbidden City, but the city view had its own thing, too.

My room (1050) in some hotels could also be classified as a Suite. Of course there are no rooms separated by doors, but there is a habitable entrance hall where two huge closets are placed. Then there is the bedroom proper, and finally a micro sitting area in front of the window with an attached bar area.

Of course there is a bathroom that is immense with a bathtub with a panoramic view of the Beijing Skyline, walkin shower and everything else that a hotel of this category requires.

Everything is in the room, mega screen, desk for smartworking, stocked minibar. The only thing missing is the coffee maker, when I am away from home, a nespresso saves my life.

Club lounge

On the 17th floor is the lounge. For holders of elite platinum status or above. access is included and is one of the main benefits that prompts me to renew the race for Bonvoy Elite status. It is open all day long and, in addition to breakfast in the morning serves classic afternoon tea and evening happy hour.

It has no limitations for children and in fact During happy hour it was really full of people and families who take advantage of free dining as is often the case in these lounges.

The offerings seemed modest both in the afternoon and evening, or perhaps it was the crowds that kept plundering the buffet, not at all international.

Fitness & Pool

If there is one thing that has amazed me here in Beijing is the size of the pools. This Renaissance, like the St. Regis, also offers guests a real pool, not a place to take a dip.

Of course it is not located in a premium spot in the hotel, since it is on the -1 floor, on the opposite side of the parking lot. It's the product that counts, though, and it's absolutely good, perfect for relaxing after a busy day out and about in this megalopolis, taking advantage of being open until 10 pm.

Although it says that it is unsupervised there were two attendants watching the bathers, standing still on their perch even without guests soaking.

Very nice relaxation/changing area that also includes sauna and steam room, all free for hotel guests.

The gym, on the other hand, is a classic hotel gym, although it is not even that small.

The Lobby

The heart of the hotel is definitely the lobby, which is really nice. There is also a bar here, very scenic, and a couple of small stores.

Here, too, as throughout the hotel, the diagonals and edges that characterize the entire structure are noticeable.

Breakfast

Also on the ground floor is the main restaurant, where breakfast is served in the morning. The first thing I noticed was the size of the dining room, definitely too small for a structure of this size. Of course not everyone comes down at the same time to have breakfast, but I think it's hard to find it quiet.

I went down to breakfast at 7:40 a.m. Sunday morning., not just any Sunday but the last day of the week-long Chinese New Year holiday and the hall was practically full. So many families ready to storm Beijing before returning to work.

The architects' love of diagonals is also evident here, let's say in this room they could have spared them and made a more regular environment. Sure it creates movement, but it also creates clutter and little space in some places with all the tables occupied.

I went to sit in the room away from the buffet, and definitely less crowded, of course I had to walk 4 extra steps to get to the buffet, but it was a strategy to start working off everything I ate.

The offer is rich, obviously lots of local dishes, things that are incompatible for us at breakfast like for a Milanese to see the bum dipping focaccia in cappuccino at 8 a.m..

In conclusion

Really top location, within walking distance of one of Beijing's busiest pedestrian areas. Hotel that offers everything you look for from an establishment of this type and at a cost that is absolutely correct for the category.

If you are not looking for luxury, but a quality product this is definitely a facility to book.

• Bonvoy