The Peninsula Beijing

During our first trip to China, my family and I had the pleasure of staying at Peninsula Beijing, and I have to say that the experience much surpassed our expectations. We were treated with the utmost warmth as soon as we arrived and were always made to feel welcome. Joanna Su, the manager at the front desk, deserves special recognition for her considerate help and kind disposition, which made our stay genuinely remarkable. Joanna took the time to show us the hotel's amenities and the rooms when we first arrived. She went into great detail about everything, including the high-end services offered throughout the hotel and the options for the minibar. She obviously took pride in making sure we were informed and at ease. Her attentiveness didn't end there; she graciously provided wise recommendations for local sights when we had a few inquiries concerning our Beijing tour schedule. She even brought us to the concierge desk for extra specific guidance to ensure we had the greatest experience possible. Eating at the hotel's two well-known restaurants, Jing and the Chinese restaurant, was one of the pleasures of our visit. Each was remarkable in its own right. Every taste of the Chinese restaurant's assortment of classic meals with a contemporary touch was more delicious than the last. But we experienced something very extraordinary at Jing. Jing perfectly embodies great dining with a global flair, and the sophisticated setting and delectable meal reminded me of my time in Paris. We didn't know where to go for breakfast, but Joanna was there to help us once more. She showed us the hotel's breakfast service, which is situated in a charming section close to the lobby stores. I was immediately drawn to it because it reminded me of the breakfast options at the Peninsula Tokyo. In contrast to what we had seen elsewhere in the city, the serene and opulent environment made for a really different and special experience. We had a great time in the mornings, and the food was excellent in both variety and quality. What most impressed me during our three-day visit was the outstanding service that the whole staff offered. The concierge staff exuded enthusiasm and vitality, and the front desk personnel was consistently professional. Joanna in particular was a dependable presence, constantly smiling and willing to assist with any need. We sincerely appreciated the tiny but meaningful gesture that made us feel properly taken care of. From the luxurious amenities to the flawless service, Peninsula Beijing's commitment to providing an exceptional guest experience is apparent in every facet of the establishment. Peninsula continues to be my top pick for opulent travel experiences worldwide because of its unmatched attention to detail. I already look forward to going back to Beijing again because this trip was so memorable. Without a doubt, the Peninsula Beijing will be at the top of my list of places to visit in China in the future. Once again, we want to thank Joanna and the whole team for making our first time in Beijing so special!

My family and I travelled to Beijing for our Christmas break, but the experience we had with the front office at the Peninsula Beijing was by far the worst. We stayed there twice, and on neither occasion did the front office staff have the courtesy or knowledge to inform us that our $100 credit was not applicable to room service or the minibar. At check-out, I prepared a list of items we had used from the minibar (as a courtesy to save the staff effort), but we were told the credit could not be used and were asked to either return the items or be charged for them. I explained that if we had been informed beforehand, we would not have used the credit in this way. At that point, our suitcases were already packed, and my family and two kids were waiting for our taxi at the concierge. Despite this, the staff repeatedly insisted on their request without acknowledging their mistake or the inconvenience this caused. They also failed to provide any suggestions on where I could open my suitcase privately. I felt extremely pressured as three staff members engaged with me about this matter with the same demand. I assumed it must be a significant issue for them, so I retrieved my suitcase from the concierge and brought it to the front office to return the minibar items. The worst part was that I had to open my suitcase on the floor at the front desk, exposing my privacy in front of cameras, staff, and other guests. No staff member offered any assistance or advice, even after I asked if there was a private area or an office where this could be handled. What shocked me the most was that once I began finding the minibar items in my suitcase and handing them to the staff, Joanna Su (who appeared to be the duty manager I think) approached me and said, "No need, as I have the ability to move the funds around." Yet, she was one of the staff members who had insisted I do this in the first place! Afterward, I went to the pastry station with her to select cakes to redeem my $100 credit, and she mentioned, "I can give a bottle of complimentary wine." This was especially confusing since I had just been told the funds could not be "moved around." I am not pointing finger at her at all as she genuinely tried to rectify the issue and felt guilty about my experience. She took great responsibility on this matter, and I appreciate her efforts and inputs 100%. However, it was evident that she lacked a supportive team. For instance, the gentleman who checked me in on my second stay (a round-faced, bulky-built with short hair) failed to inform me about the terms and conditions of the credit. During check-out, when a junior staff member sought his assistance, he simply deflected responsibility. He also didn't bother to check a reported cigarette smell in the bathroom when I brought it to his attention. When Joanna asked him who had checked me in, he merely said, "Me," without taking accountability or offering an apology but just trying to step away. As a premium hotel at the Peninsula level, I cannot understand how such staff behavior is acceptable. The front office team needs to improve significantly in understanding terms and conditions, admitting their mistakes, and prioritizing guest satisfaction over their convenience and working as a cohesive time and supporting each other. On another note, during our stay, we also noticed a heavy cigarette smell in the bathroom next to the reception, along with cigarette ash in one of the sinks. While taking my 4-year-old to use that bathroom during breakfast, I saw a man with a name badge who appeared to be a hotel staff member and seemed to be the person who was smoking there (I could be wrong). I reported the issue to the front office, but gentleman merely apologized without even bothering to check, even though the bathroom was only a couple of steps away. This was the first time we encountered smoking in a hotel bathroom, and it was absolutely disgusting. On a positive note, the stay overall was good as there is no such a thing as perfection in the room of reality. The breakfast buffet offered a wide variety of high-quality food with friendly and efficient service, a young gentleman wears glasses (a team leader perhaps) was a true stand-out who always had pleasant smile on his face, and we felt he truly enjoys his work and working with his team and guests. A special shout-out to the staff at the gym and pool—especially the lovely lady in her 40s or 50s—who showed exceptional care, particularly for kids. Her genuine smile was truly memorable, and our kids loved her. The housekeeping staff also demonstrated great attention to detail and consistently kept our room cozy and tidy. Guys at the concierge truly treated us like we are a family, professional while laid back, we loved them.

I've traveled extensively, but few places nail the details like this one. The staff's timing was impeccable - present when needed, invisible when privacy was desired. The thoughtful touches, from the evening cookies to the curated local activity recommendations, made each day special. The way sound never carried through the halls spoke volumes about the architectural planning.

This place understands that true luxury isn't just about fancy amenities – it's about creating moments of joy. From the wonderfully comfortable beds to the staff's genuine smiles, everything worked together to create an atmosphere of absolute contentment. The public spaces invited both socializing and peaceful solitude, perfectly balancing energy and tranquility.

We stayed in The Peninsula Beijing for more than a week and it was excellent! Everything from the first minute was fantastic. The best and very central location, the breakfast, room facilities and staff. Especially I would like to mention a wonderful concierge team, who helped us not only with exploring Beijing, but with different and sometimes unusual questions related to our health conditions. Anytime when we needed help: sightseeing, restaurant recommendations, traveling to other cities in China and even medical facilities, the best and very knowledgeable concierge team, especially Lambert, Kurt and Jason were incredible! We will 100% come back to this hotel when we travel to Beijing again. It was one of the best experiences and I really enjoyed the service.