Summer Olympics Bound? Book Your Beijing Hotel Rooms Now

The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China is one of the most anticipated world events ever. If you’ve managed to score admission tickets to your family’s favorite sports and booked the trans-Pacific flight, you now face the somewhat daunting task of finding a room during the Olympic period. Booking hotel rooms in Beijing for this August is a good news/bad news proposition.

The first bit of good news: The approach of the games, combined with a real estate and foreign investment boom in China, has spurred on massive hotel development in the capital city. Every major international hotel chain has opened a new property within the last two years, and some have opened two or more. Most of these hoteliers are treating their Beijing real estate as a grand entrance into the China market.

The bad news: Unfortunately, these are primarily high-end properties (Ritz-Carlton, Westin, J.W. Marriott, etc.) that weren’t taking bookings as of early 2008. They claim to be full, but insiders say they are holding out for sponsors, media and VIPs who will swoop in with blank checks and large room blocks. When they do make rooms available to people booking shorter stays, expect exorbitant rates. Exhibit A: The Howard Johnson Regel Court Hotel Beijing Chaoyang quotes a daily rate of $942 (including tax) for a three-day stay during the Games.

• Lobby orchestra in the China World Hotel in Beijing.
• Courtesy of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

Of the Asian luxury hotel companies, Shangri-La is most active in Beijing, with four properties. But among the Shangri-La Hotel Beijing, The Kerry Centre Hotel, the China World Hotel and Traders Hotel, none are currently taking reservations during the Olympics. The Peninsula Palace Beijing is not taking reservations, and the Mandarin Oriental Beijing will not open until at least June of 2008.

Location, Location, Location

The best-located hotel in Beijing for Olympic spectators is the Marco Polo Parkside, Beijing. But good luck getting a room at this five-star hotel located within a 15-minute-walk from Olympic Stadium. Also a short walk away is the Best Western OL Stadium Hotel Beijing. As of early January, this Best Western had availability during the games for $627 per night. Its sister property, Best Western Premier Beijing, is also well-located in the Chaoyang District and is taking bookings for $500.

When booking, keep in mind that most events will take place in the north, between the Third Ring Road and the Fifth Ring Road. Exceptions to this rule include beach volleyball, located in Chaoyang Park along the eastern stretch of the Fourth Ring Road; and basketball and baseball, which will be in the southwest.

The following districts offer the best access to Olympic venues: Chaoyang, Dong Cheng, Xicheng, Xi Dan, Dong Dan and Haidian. If you decide to book a property outside of Beijing proper, locations to the north of the city will be more convenient than the south.