Has anyone flown the JQ Melb - Beijing route yet ?

[DontGetMeStarted]

We are due to go in May and interested to hear from anyone that has already flown this route. The stop over on the way back is horrendous 11 hours in Singapore and as I have just recently got back from a week in Singapore will look for a hotel for the day I think close to the airport and may do the Changi Museum. Cannot complain though as bought flights at $149 each way. Just interested to hear from anyone and where they stayed in Beijing - we have 8 days there.

 

[Hvr]

Don't think it has started yet, maybe next month.

Way too long in SIN and two night flights in a row is just asking for trouble.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Just interested to hear from anyone and where they stayed in Beijing - we have 8 days there.

Budget for accom? How many stars you like to sleep under?

 

[pagingjoan]

We are due to go in May and interested to hear from anyone that has already flown this route. The stop over on the way back is horrendous 11 hours in Singapore and as I have just recently got back from a week in Singapore will look for a hotel for the day I think close to the airport and may do the Changi Museum. Cannot complain though as bought flights at $149 each way. Just interested to hear from anyone and where they stayed in Beijing - we have 8 days there.

Have not flown direct Melbourne-Beijing but flew Melbourne-Shanghai, then Shanghai-Beijing a couple of weeks ago and stayed in two hotels while in Beijing: Hotel G and The Opposite House. Had a very good deal at the former and liked the size and comfort of the room, the breakfast and the buzzy casual restaurant. Then transferred to The Opposite House, and again had a great deal. The latter went straight into my Top Tier of hotels world wide. A wonderful stay, that made our return visit to Beijing, after many years, an amazing experience. Bei Restaurant in the hotel was superb!
Sorry I can't provide links at the moment but they should be easy to find.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Budget for accom? How many stars you like to sleep under?

Thought maybe no more than $200 a night

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Have not flown direct Melbourne-Beijing but flew Melbourne-Shanghai, then Shanghai-Beijing a couple of weeks ago and stayed in two hotels while in Beijing: Hotel G and The Opposite House. Had a very good deal at the former and liked the size and comfort of the room, the breakfast and the buzzy casual restaurant. Then transferred to The Opposite House, and again had a great deal. The latter went straight into my Top Tier of hotels world wide. A wonderful stay, that made our return visit to Beijing, after many years, an amazing experience. Bei Restaurant in the hotel was superb!
Sorry I can't provide links at the moment but they should be easy to find.

Thanks will look them both up

 

[pagingjoan]

Although we had a great deal at at The Opposite House, I doubt you would find a rate under $200 there.

However, Hotel G would fit the budget.

Would not suit you, if you prefer standard international hotel chain style - but you can get the idea from the website and decide whether you would like the style.

An experience - but without sacrificing comfort, space or food quality.
Some interesting restaurants in the vicinity.

 

[Timtammi]

PagingJoan - I will be going to Beijing again next year and looked those hotels up. Opposite House looks amazing and just what I like in a hotel. May I ask where you got the great "deal" and approx how much a night it was?

Thanks

Timmi

 

[pagingjoan]

PagingJoan - I will be going to Beijing again next year and looked those hotels up. Opposite House looks amazing and just what I like in a hotel. May I ask where you got the great "deal" and approx how much a night it was?

Thanks

Timmi

Apologies, Timmi. Don't have access to my records from my current location (and I am notoriously bad at remembering any figure with a $ sign in front of it - mainly for self-preservation, I think!)

However, I booked an Advance Purchase room - right on the death knock for the pre-purchase discount but they honored it - and booked only the entry level room.

On arrival, and with a most impressive welcome, we were allocated a room that was certainly not entry level. It may have been a two level upgrade, perhaps. Whatever the level, it was large and gorgeous, and it included free wifi, complementary minibar (soft drinks, waters, snacks and sweets, tea and coffee), lovely toiletries and newspapers, a full range of chargers and converters etc. The fitout of the hotel is stunning.

Also, courtesy of Mr & Mrs Smith membership, we had complimentary Champagne in the Bar, one evening, as yet another added bonus.

I would stay nowhere else on a return visit. Hope this helps, despite the lack of specific dollars. If you need more info, let me know and I will delve further when reunited with my records.

 

[Timtammi]

Thanks for the info PagingJoan, so if you got the Mr and Mrs Smith amenity then I assume you booked through their website? I had to laugh re your comments on $ amounts, I have to admit I have the same problem!

To the OP: Sorry for hijacking the thread but hopefully you will find the info useful too!

Cheers

Timmi

 

[Cruiser Elite]

pj that hotel is a great find - I was not even aware of of The Opposite House and yet I have spent hours wandering around the village.

I have stayed at Hotel G several times - indeed have another booking there Jan 10 to 16 - I love this hotel - small boutique hotel where you mix with staff like a family member.

They usually have specials running 20% off second level up room - Great Room they call it - CNY1030.4+15.5% surcharge including breakfast per room per night.

I have stayed in all 4 room levels - IMHO Great Room is most suited to me as I am travelling alone - clearly not same level at TOH but serves my purpose - and in a fabulous location - walking distance to Ya Show market and Sunlitan bars / restaurants.

 

[pagingjoan]

pj that hotel is a great find - I was not even aware of of The Opposite House and yet I have spent hours wandering around the village.

I have stayed at Hotel G several times - indeed have another booking there Jan 10 to 16 - I love this hotel - small boutique hotel where you mix with staff like a family member.

They usually have specials running 20% off second level up room - Great Room they call it - CNY1030.4+15.5% surcharge including breakfast per room per night.

I have stayed in all 4 room levels - IMHO Great Room is most suited to me as I am travelling alone - clearly not same level at TOH but serves my purpose - and in a fabulous location - walking distance to Ya Show market and Sunlitan bars / restaurants.

I would not disagree at all re Hotel G , Cruiser Elite

We were very well looked after there and also had a room upgrade and some welcome extras. Tapas in the bar/restaurant were good - and very well priced - and breakfast was generous and varied. For the price we paid, I thought it excellent value. From memory, perhaps around AUD $150/night? (But don't hold me to that. Unreliable witness, in that regard.) The style and quirky design are fun, too, although some parts are just a little overdue for some TLC, I thought.

Have you had the Alice in Wonderland experience at The Green T House nearby? Well worth doing, if you are a foodie.

And do pop into The Opposite House for a sticky beak on your next visit to Beijing. It's quite close to Hotel G.

 

[pagingjoan]

Thanks for the info PagingJoan, so if you got the Mr and Mrs Smith amenity then I assume you booked through their website? I had to laugh re your comments on $ amounts, I have to admit I have the same problem!

Yes and no, Timmi. I've booked with them previously and am a member but had some glitches with making this particular booking, so they helped me out with it, in their usual responsive way. I am a great fan.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Although we had a great deal at at The Opposite House, I doubt you would find a rate under $200 there.

However, Hotel G would fit the budget.

Would not suit you, if you prefer standard international hotel chain style - but you can get the idea from the website and decide whether you would like the style.

An experience - but without sacrificing comfort, space or food quality.
Some interesting restaurants in the vicinity.

Pageinjoan - Thanks so much looked up both hotels at the G is within our budget and also joined the Mr & Mrs Smith website too. What is it like location wise and as a first timer to Beijing keen to be close to all the main sights..any other tips most welcome - Cheers Noreen

 

[pagingjoan]

Pageinjoan - Thanks so much looked up both hotels at the G is within our budget and also joined the Mr & Mrs Smith website too. What is it like location wise and as a first timer to Beijing keen to be close to all the main sights..any other tips most welcome - Cheers Noreen

Happy to help!

Location is fine. We used the Metro plus numerous cabs, which are very cheap.
Some interesting restaurants around, as mentioned in earlier posts, so I won't repeat them here. Hotel staff were also very helpful with directions, bookings etc.

(If you are booking through the Melbourne office of Mr&Mrs Smith, you are welcome to tell them that I referred you.)
Pj