About 1h15m in traffic, the cab deposited us at the Westin for 118RMB. I had had a map to the hotel with the address in Chinese (which I had emailed the hotel for), but the dispatcher simply asked us our destination and communicated it to the driver and all was fine.

Upstairs to the club lounge to checkin (since Platinums have access to the lounge, they can necessarily check in there).

I had reserved the hotel on a cash and points award, US$60 + 4000 points a night. 500 point Plat amenity has already posted, along with points from two room service coffee orders, but no points for the cash portion of the rate – will have to followup.

We were informed the hotel was full (and it certainly was, with a huge American tour group of seniors) but that we had been upgraded to a suite that seemed to me something of a junior suite. They did offer to upgrade to something larger in the residences, but I was perfectly happy with what they had given us.

The lounge offers a very substantial breakfast and evening cocktails, appetizers, and desserts. There’s table service throughout for drinks as well as offers to bring things to you, but the main affair is the buffet. Some of the items were delicious, others sort of missed (the evening bagel with lox had mayonnaise instead of cream cheese on it, for instance).

The lounge had a few Americans, but seemingly mostly Chinese on business.

Club guests also receive a complimentary pressing during their stay, you just put the card that comes in your checkin folder into the laundry bag so that you aren’t charged.

The room had a bedroom, somewhat separated office area, walk-in closet area, and a large bathroom. There was a toilet room, dual sinks, shower, and beyond the shower a tub in the window with a shade that operated electronically. Toileteries were Ashford & Hall.

The lobby bar had both smoking and non-smoking, and our second evening there was a woman demonstrating martial arts and another woman offering complimentary back and shoulder massages.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a Starwood property so keen on promoting “instant awards.” They have fully preprinted materials pushing the offerings, not of which represent enough value to entice me.

Redeem Your Awards Give more value to your Starwood awards in the Westin Beijing, Financial Street Food & Beverage One glass of wine from the ‘starwood wine of the world’, 750 Treats, box of chocolates, 750 Senses, breakfast buffet, 2250 Senses, lunch buffet, 2250 Prego, a set menu and a drink, 3000 Jewel, a set menu and a drink, 3000 Senses, dinner buffet, 3000 One bottle of wine from the ‘starwood wine of the world’, 4500 Room Upgrade Upgrade to westin renewal room, 1 night, 1000 Upgrade to Westin workout room, 1 night, 1000 Upgrade to westin executive club floor, 1 night, 1500 Upgrade to renewal suite king size, 1 night, 10000 Upgrade to deluxe suite king size, 1 night, 15000 Limo Service Limousine airport pick up service, one way, 6000 Half day city tour, 4 hours in an audi a6, 7500 Limousine airport pick up service, roundtrip way, 10000 Whole day city tour, 8 hours in an audi a6, 15000 Westin Store Book, memories of hutong, 750 Umbrella, 1500 Panda teddybare, 1500 Short sleeve t-shirt, 1500 The food of asia cookbook, 1500 Long sleeve t-shirt, 2250 Hotel cuff link, 2250 The Beijing guide book, 2250 White scent potpourri, 3750 White scent candle, 4000 Westin bath robe, 5250 Heavenly Spa Wings manicure, 3000 Roots pedicure, 3000 Aromasoul massage, 5250 All about face facial, 6000 Specials Westin bubbly Sunday brunch with unlimited soft drinks, juice and mocktail, 3000 Westin bubbly Sunday brunch with free flow of piper champaign, wine, and brunch beverage bar, 3750