Lemeng Hotel (Beijing Houhai Drum Tower)

The environment is great, and the service attitude is very good. Plus, the location is excellent; it's only a two or three-minute walk from the subway station. My only minor complaint is that there isn't a snack street nearby, and you have to walk a bit to get to livelier areas. But overall, I'm quite satisfied.

Staying in a traditional courtyard house is a must when in Beijing! This place is super easy to find, about 200 meters from the subway exit, tucked away in a charming hutong. The courtyard itself is huge, perfect for relaxing with a cup of tea and a chat. You can even catch the sunset right from your room in the evenings, which is just lovely. The room layout is well-designed, and the bed is large and incredibly comfortable. It was so quiet at night that I slept like a baby. Right across from the hotel, there's a fantastic local BBQ joint called Tong Ye's Old Beijing Zizi Roast Meat. You can book a table online through the hotel and just head over when your turn is near – it's absolutely brilliant! If you turn right out of the hotel and walk for about ten minutes, you'll hit Gulou Street, which is packed with food and drink options. It's really convenient for getting around. I've already recommended it to several friends and can't wait to go back!

The sound of chairs being dragged upstairs was constant, and the soundproofing was quite poor. My clothes that were drying outside had been moved, and a broom was left right next to them, which felt a bit unhygienic.

The courtyard is spacious, but this room type is a bit small. It has a very old Beijing feel, which is nice if you want to experience that. Although the corridor is right outside the door, it was still very quiet and comfortable at night.