Lonely Planet Review
Don't judge this hotel from its ageing exterior. It's another story inside. The lobby is a cavernous department of slick marble and crystal, and the rooms are fresh, cosily provided, and bright on the upper floors. The location is prime, being central to some top-drawer attractions.
Take a minute, if you need to, to relax in the palm-studded atrium lounge. It's not five-star quality by any means, but the Qianmen is not the type of hotel you feel you need to rush out of either. In late 2005 the hotel is slated for a major renovation. Since furnishings and facilities are already in good shape, we are hoping the changes will be purely to improve the design. And we're hoping the price doesn't rise too much. The Qianmen has a fantastically central location, making visits to Tiananmen Square and the Temple of Heaven just a short taxi ride or a longer, but manageable, walk. In addition, the Liyuan Theatre, a popular venue for Beijing Opera and acrobatics, is right on the hotel grounds.
Review by author
Robert Kelly