Beijing's Hidden Gem: Yanqing's Element Hotel - Unforgettable Stay!
Beijing's Hidden Gem: Yanqing's Element Hotel - Seriously Unforgettable! (My Honest Take)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to gush – and maybe grumble a little bit, because hey, nobody's perfect! I just got back from Yanqing's Element Hotel, and let me tell you, it's NOT just a "hotel." It's… well, it's an experience. And a damn good one, even with a few wobbly bits.
First things first: Accessibility. Now, I don't have mobility issues personally, but I always appreciate a place that caters to everyone. Element seems to have put some serious thought into this. Elevators are a given, which is great. Based on the photos, the hallways looked super wide, a huge win, and I saw mentions of wheelchair accessibility. They also have facilities for disabled guests which is awesome! I mean, it's 2024, people! This should be standard, but so often it's not. So, big thumbs up on that front.
Getting There: Pretty easy. They offer an airport transfer. Plus, they have a car park [free of charge] and you can even bring your car power charging station so you don't have to worry about parking fees or running out of juice. And if you fancy a taxi service to explore around the city? No problem, also a valet parking!
The Room - My Sanctuary (and Minor Quibbles):
Let's talk about the rooms because, honestly, I spent a lot of time in mine. My room was a haven, a freaking castle of comfort. The air conditioning worked miraculously (a lifesaver in this weather!). The bed was extra long, which, as a six-footer, I deeply, deeply appreciate. No more dangling toes! The blackout curtains? Genius. Seriously, I slept like a damn log.
And the details! They had complimentary tea and bottled water. Bathrobes and slippers? Yes, please. A desk for those (few) moments when I actually needed to work. A mirror strategically placed for obsessive selfie-taking (ahem). They even had a scale, which… well, let's just say I used it to gauge how much more room service I could possibly eat.
Now for the minor blips. Wi-fi was generally great (Wi-Fi [free] in all rooms!), but there were a couple of times it hiccuped, especially when I was trying to stream a movie. This isn’t a dealbreaker by any means. They also had Internet access – LAN, which is a blast from the past, but hey, maybe for the geeks among us.
The Food - Oh. My. God.
Okay, let's get real. The food at Element is almost worth the trip alone. Almost. They have a range of restaurants, including an Asian restaurant, a vegetarian restaurant, and a Western cuisine restaurant. So, you're covered. You can have Asian breakfast or Western breakfast.
They offer Breakfast [buffet], and trust me, go hungry. The spread was ridiculous, a decadent explosion of flavors. Freshly baked pastries, a mountain of fruit, and – my personal weakness – an AMAZING omelette station. And, if you're feeling lazy (and who isn't on vacation?), you can get Breakfast in room! They even have a Breakfast takeaway service, so you can grab something on your way out.
They also had a damn good Coffee shop. And the desserts in restaurant? Yeah, I may have indulged a little too much. Note: I will have to take note of the salad in the restaurant. And what is more, a soup in restaurant and other good options!
The Drinks - Cheers to the View:
The Poolside bar and the bar? Perfection. Sipping a cocktail while overlooking the pool? Pure bliss. They also have a Happy hour, you know, just to kick things up another notch. They were handing out bottle of water at the entrance.
Relax & Rejuvenate – My Personal Paradise (and Minor Panic Attacks):
This is where Element REALLY shines. The pool with a view? Stunning. I mean, stunning. I practically lived in it. The sauna? Perfect for melting away any stress. The spa/sauna and steamroom are top-notch too. I definitely felt like my soul was re-calibrated by the end of the visit. They have a full-blown Spa, and I treated myself to a massage! I also got a Body scrub and a Body wrap!
They have a Fitness center you can check out and a Gym/fitness. The Foot bath also looks intriguing.
Okay, here's a confession: I get a little claustrophobic in spas. But the Element's spa? Even I actually relaxed! The therapists were amazing, the ambiance was serene, and I even felt myself drifting off during my treatment. Pure, unadulterated bliss.
Cleanliness & Safety – Feeling Safe and Sound:
I’m a bit of a germaphobe, so this is important to me. And Element gets top marks here! They're hyper-conscious about hygiene. They have Anti-viral cleaning products in use, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere you turn, and I was very happy to see Individually-wrapped food options. The staff is Staff trained in safety protocol, and they have Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. They're doing all that, without a doubt. I also noticed Physical distancing of at least 1 meter.
Plus, they offer Rooms sanitized between stays and Room sanitization opt-out available. I found this to be reassuring.
Things To Do & Exploring Beyond the Bliss:
Element is the kind of place you could easily get lost in, but Yanqing itself has some amazing things to offer. I didn’t have the time to explore all the options, but I did spend an entire afternoon just relaxing in the terrace.
They also have a Souvenir shop, so you can grab a memento of your trip.
Hotel Tech & Services (Yay or Nay):
Element has a lot of the modern conveniences, but some of them are a little awkward. Internet access, Internet [LAN], Internet services, and Wi-Fi in public areas? I found a couple of the internet hiccups. They also offered Audio-visual equipment for special events.
They also offer a Cashless payment service. Contactless check-in/out is another super convenient service.
For the Kids… Or Not (Mostly):
I am not traveling with kids, so I didn’t really scope out the Kids facilities and Babysitting service. But based on the overall vibe of the hotel, I would not necessarily say this is a kid paradise.
Overall Vibe & My Verdict - Go, Just Go!
Element is the kind of place that just… clicks. From the moment I checked in with their Doorman and Front desk [24-hour] to the final, bittersweet goodbye, I felt pampered, relaxed, and genuinely happy. The service was excellent, the food was divine, and the facilities were top-notch.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. This isn't just a good hotel; it's an experience. And one you won't regret.
Offer for YOU (Because You Deserve Some Bliss):
Book your escape to Yanqing's Element Hotel within the next [X] days and get:
- A complimentary upgrade to a room with a view! (Because you deserve it.)
- Free breakfast for two! (Fuel up for all that relaxation.)
- A special discount on a spa treatment! (Melt away that stress!)
- 10% off your total stay
Use Code: UNFORGETTABLEELEMENT at checkout!
Don't miss out. This is your chance to escape the everyday and find a little piece of paradise. Book now, and get ready to be amazed!
Unbelievable Porto Views! Luxury Lemago Poveiros 2A Apartment Awaits
ELEMENT BEIJING YANQING: My (Almost) Perfect Disaster of a Trip
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. Prepare for a travel itinerary more chaotic than my last attempt at making ramen noodles. This ain't your perfectly polished, sanitized travel brochure – this is ME, unfiltered, in the middle of (hopefully) a fantastic adventure at the Element Beijing Yanqing. Let's dive in…
Day 1: Arrival, Altitude Adjustment, and a Questionable Dumpling Decision
- 14:00 - Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). Ugh, airports. They're like giant, echoing purgatories filled with crying babies and overpriced water. This flight, bless its soul, was delayed. My inner control freak (which is basically 90% of me) was SCREAMING. But, hey, gotta roll with the punches, right? Still recovering from the flight, so the airport transfer goes smoothly. Arrive at the Element Beijing Yanqing.
- Ancillary observation: Why is it always the people with the MOST luggage who manage to breeze through security? I swear, I travel light and get the full cavity search every single time.
- 16:00 - Check-in at the Element. Breathe Deep. Honestly, the lobby is impressive. Clean lines, minimalist chic… feels like I'm entering a fancy Scandinavian sauna. And the air? Crisp, clean. Beijing air, you're treating me well so far.
- Quirky thought: I hope the room has good Wi-Fi. I need to Instagram all this before the novelty wears off and I'm back to my grumpy self.
- 17:00 - Settle into room, marvel at the view (hopefully). Fingers crossed for a mountain vista! (Spoiler alert: I got a surprisingly stunning view, but I'm not admitting it yet. I'm keeping a little grumpy edge.)
- Emotional reaction: Oh. My. God. The view IS incredible. Okay, Beijing, you've won me over. For now.
- 18:00 - First meal! Dumpling hunt. Okay, listen. I thought I found a decent dumpling place near the hotel. It was… well, let's just say the "authenticity" was a bit… intense. The wrappers were a little too gummy, the filling a little too… mysterious. I'll spare you the details.
- Messy anecdote: There's this awkward moment when you try to order something in a language you don't really know and the waiter gives you that look. You know the one. The look that says, "Bless your heart, you poor tourist." I think I might have ordered a plate of… something that resembled a raw chicken foot, but whatever.
- 19:00 - Evening walk around the hotel grounds. Trying to shake off the raw chicken foot vibes. Hopefully, the altitude isn't kicking my butt yet.
- Rambling thought: What even is air? Like, a real, actual thing? Is it weird that I'm pondering this at 7 pm? probably.
Day 2: Hiking, Hot Springs, and the Great Wall - (Attempting to) Conquer It All
- 07:00 - Wake up, attempt to be enthusiastic about breakfast. Buffets are a double-edged sword. So much choice! So much potential for regret.
- Opinionated language: The "continental" breakfast options were… disappointing. Give me REAL coffee! The instant stuff tastes like sadness.
- 08:00 - Hiking at the Badaling Great Wall. This is the big one! The reason I came! I’ve heard it's crowded, so early bird gets the worm (or in this case, a less-crowded Great Wall). Take the hotel shuttle
- Emotional reaction: I am utterly unprepared for this. Why did I think hiking at altitude was a good idea? I'm wheezing before the first step. I hope I fall and people think I'm taking a picture of something important.
- Double down on the experience : Walking the Great Wall is breathtaking, literally. The views are incredible. Yes, it's crowded. Yes, I'm sweating like a pig. But the history, the sheer SCALE of the thing… it’s staggering. The stairs are brutal. My legs are already screaming.
- 12:00 - Lunch at a local restaurant near the Great Wall. Hopefully, a dumpling redemption opportunity. This time, I'm asking the locals.
- 14:00 - Hot spring relaxation at the hotel. My aching muscles (and ego) desperately need this. Praying the water is actually hot and not some tepid disappointment.
- Quirky observation: I'm going to turn into a prune.
- 16:00 - Explore the hotel's facilities (gym, pool, etc.). Maybe a quick treadmill session to redeem myself after the dumpling incident… or maybe just a nap?
- 19:00 - Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Time to splurge on something I'm sure isn't going to resemble a raw chicken foot. Fingers crossed.
Day 3: Departure and lingering regret (probably)
08:00 - Breakfast and packing. The moment of truth. Did I pack enough snacks? (Spoiler alert: I never pack enough snacks.)
09:00 - Checkout
10:00 - Airport transfer. The dreaded journey back to the purgatory of PEK.
14:00 - Flight home
Overall, the Element Beijing Yanqing and the Badaling Great Wall. I'll be honest, I'm exhausted. My body aches, my brain is fried, and I probably gained five pounds from all the dumplings (good and bad). But it was also incredible. The Great Wall was a once-in-a-lifetime experience (even if my lungs disagreed). And the hotel? Pretty darn good. Despite the raw chicken feet and the altitude-induced wheezing, I’d do it all again. (Maybe with more snacks.)
Final rambling thought: I need a vacation from my vacation. But first… another dumpling. Because, you know, research is important.
So, What Exactly *Is* This Supposed to Be About?
Okay, But, *Specifically*... Are We Talking About Work? Relationships? World Domination (asking for a friend)?
I’m Feeling Overwhelmed. How Do You, Like, *Cope*? Do you have any secret strategies? Please tell me. I'm desperate.
What About Relationships? Any Dating Advice? I'm in a MESS.
What is happiness, in your opinion?
Do You Believe in Anything?
What is the biggest mistake you’ve made? Let’s get *real*.
Okay, This has been a lot. What Should I Do Next?
