Stayed 3 nights at this very modern property in Sanlitun, as a change from my usual hotels in Wangfujing. Sanlitun has a very different vibe, with a wide selection of mainly upscale and fashionable dining, retail and nightlife options. The traffic in Beijing is usually pretty heavy, but especially, it seems, around Sanlitun, where people like to gather for the above-mentioned reasons. Depending on which direction I was coming from, I'd ask taxis/Didi cars to drop me at the large Taikoo Li shopping mall opposite the hotel, to avoid unnecessary and time-consuming turning and waiting at traffic lights. Despite its 20-plus floors, the hotel itself is not immediately obvious from the street, being set back from Workers' Stadium Road down a 2-lane thoroughfare, with a very small area for drop-off/pick-up. The Chao is very unorthodox, in offering vast open spaces at its entry level, a check-in experience at communal-style desks which remove the traditional barrier between staff and guests, and staff who are casually (though neatly) dressed in black pants and sweaters and white sneakers. These first impressions, combined with the very contemporary architecture and decor, cater to a younger audience. I slept very soundly - the rooms are equipped with blackout motorised blinds, cloud-like mattresses and excellent quality bed linen, complemented by free and fast Wi-fi, strong and stable water pressure in the shower. The only concerns were the inadequate sound-proofing - I could hear conversation and also the sound of staff cleaning in neighbouring rooms, while toiletries, supplied in pump dispensers, may pose hygiene issues as they are not tamper-proof. The mini-bar was stocked with a generous array of non-alcoholic beverages and snacks, which was a lovely and thoughtful touch, along with quirky little notes around the room. The bathroom (shower and sink, no bath) is separate from the toilet. As even my standard room ("Studio 50") was very spacious, the room would feel warmer and more inviting with a rug, in my humble opinion, which would provide some warmth and sound insulation. Whilst housekeeping service was adequate, it could have been improved with the added touches provided by luxury hotels, including a loth on which guests' toiletry articles are placed, and clothes folded. I have read some negative comments about the hotel's lighting - yes, it is dim in many areas, but I understand that the intention is to create a certain mood, which I liked. The style of the Chao is not to everyone's tastes, but to me, it was a nice change from traditional luxury hotels. The gym is situated on level 3, equipped with a reasonable selection of Technogym. I believe that the hotel has an outdoor pool, although I did not see it, plus it would be closed during the colder months, presumably. Breakfast at the Dining Room on level 2 consisted of 3 set menus - Western, Asian (Chinese) and Healthy. I opted for the Western on all 3 mornings, which comprised a tray of 9 small cold items (fruit, cold cuts, salad, etc.), a basket of pastries and a choice of 1 hot dish, all of which tasted fresh, flavoursome and well-presented. Staff were generally not very attentive to clear dirty dishes, even though there were so few guests. A buffet counter offered baskets of whole fruit, cereals, juices and assorted jars of dried fruit/nuts. Overall, a very comfortable stay in a central location with friendly staff who tried hard to please, and I would be happy to return on my next visit to Beijing.…
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