I didn't hesitate to renew Beijing Friendship Hotel when I came to Haidian to connect with the project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. For business travelers who frequently visit the Zhongguancun area, this old-fashioned garden hotel located at No. 1 Zhongguancun South Street, built in 1954, stands out for its hardcore location and calm atmosphere, making it the kind of "base camp" that can calm their hearts.
Geographic location is the core bargaining chip. The hotel is located next to Exit D of Renmin University Station on Metro Line 4, just a few hundred meters away on foot. It is within a ten minute drive to Zhongguancun Square, Peking University, Tsinghua University, or major research institutes in Haidian. The accessibility at the intersection of North Third Ring Road and Zhongguancun Street is extremely friendly to business travelers attending conferences.
We are staying in the Welcome Building this time, and considering our business and office needs, we have specifically chosen a high-rise building. Although the room has traces of aging, it is well maintained, with no dust accumulation on the tabletop and clean and crisp linen. The desk is spacious, the lamp brightness is sufficient, the Wi Fi signal is stable, and there is no disconnection for three hours of video conferencing, which is crucial for business travelers. Yibin Building and VIP Building are relatively quieter and newer, and it is recommended to choose these two buildings with a spacious budget. The sound insulation of the room is considered excellent in old buildings. After closing the windows, it can isolate external traffic, and you can sleep by turning your head back when you return to the room late at night.
I participated in a half day industry seminar at the Friendship Palace during the day. The hotel has 23 conference rooms of different specifications and 3 multifunctional halls, which can accommodate nearly 800 people for meetings. It is equipped with complete simultaneous interpretation and projection equipment, and has sufficient confidence to receive large clients. In the afternoon, we will solve the problem at the restaurant in the park. The catering level of the old hotel is online, and the freshly cooked noodles and Beijing Shandong cuisine are stable. There are also private rooms that can be used to entertain customers.
My favorite time is taking a walk in the 60000 square meter garden after finishing work in the evening. The ancient trees are towering, and the pavilions and terraces in Su Garden and Xiang Garden are scattered. In Zhongguancun, where every inch of land is precious, there is a hidden urban oasis. Walking around the central fountain and blowing the wind is much stronger than being confined in the conference room. The fitness center and indoor swimming pool are fully equipped, and taking a swim during free time can relieve most of the fatigue.
Of course, we need to address our shortcomings: some building facilities are outdated, there are occasional queues for elevators, and the front desk processing is slightly slower during peak seasons. But compared to the comprehensive cost-effectiveness of the location and four-star rating, these flaws do not overshadow the strengths. It is a typical "pragmatic" business hotel - not relying on internet celebrity looks to attract attention, but on 70 years of accumulated dignity and comprehensiveness.
Next time I come to Haidian for a meeting, I guess it will still be me. After all, the business trip plan is a safe one: the bed should be soft, the internet should be stable, and the subway should be at hand when going out. Beijing Friendship Hotel has given all three of these.Show more