“Perfect for work and pleasure”

This review is long overdue since I stayed at Jin Ma the first week of September 2016, but I still recall its great location for work at China Agricultural University and for anyone who wants to be treated well at a great property. As I write, I am remembering the delightful surprises I found as s… more

This review is long overdue since I stayed at Jin Ma the first week of September 2016, but I still recall its great location for work at China Agricultural University and for anyone who wants to be treated well at a great property. As I write, I am remembering the delightful surprises I found as some of the room amenities: soft strong paper slippers with the hotel’s logo on the top for use in the room and not just the customary lotion and shampoo but even paper packets containing tiny toothpaste and toothbrush and another containing a wooden comb in the bathroom. These were on top of the usual amenities for a good business hotel: bathrobe, coffee/tea supplies, huge flat-screen TV, desk and chair and sufficiently swift WiFi, sitting area with two chairs and a super view from my 17th-floor bedroom of various buildings in this section of the expansive Beijing. The king-sized bed was comfortable and helped me sleep well although away from home, and the views from my window were marvelous to awaken to. Although many of the staff did not converse fluently in English since the hotel is not in the usual tourist areas but in the educational district, they could not have been more accommodating or nice. When I needed some supplies for the room once and went downstairs to the front desk, the desk clerk and I communicated well enough through some basic English and some pantomime. And when I had arrived, I was pleased to see a Starbuck’s in the lobby since, I must confess, I am rather addicted to a morning latte, making myself one every single morning at home. So that Starbucks saw me every morning for my latte when it opened at 7 before I went to the restaurant on the 23rd floor for the included breakfast. The buffet gave numerous options, from Western fare of toast and eggs and bacon and different cold cereals or from Eastern morning foods of congee (rice porridge basically), small pork buns, fried rice, sautéed greens, salad, fresh tomatoes, and chow mein. A selection of juices and teas or coffee were of course also available. The location a few blocks from China Agricultural University, the proximity of different places for a quick bite or groceries or cold drinks for the room, the polite and friendly staff, the staff, the cleanliness and attractive furnishings throughout the lobby and the room, the excellent views from the restaurant at breakfast – Jinma has much to recommend it. It was a perfect location for a work trip and for easy public transportation to sightseeing sites such as the Summer Palace, the Badaling section of the Great Wall, the Forbidden Palace, etc. It wasn’t filled with Western tourists yet was quite accommodating to an only English-speaking person from the States – I felt as if I were experiencing a more authentic side of Beijing by staying at this hotel rather than at one of the US chains yet I was still able to have my morning latte and get to know my Starbucks barista who began to prepare my usual order when he saw me enter—the best of both worlds!

less