**Beijing's BEST Hotel? Atour Hotel Joy City Review (You WON'T Believe This!)**
Beijing's BEST Hotel? Atour Hotel Joy City Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - My Brain Dump!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from wrestling with Beijing’s Atour Hotel Joy City, and my brain is still trying to unpack the sensory overload. Forget perfect, forget polished – this is real travel, folks. And if you're looking for a cookie-cutter hotel review, scroll on. This is where I pour out the messy, beautiful, sometimes frustrating truth. (Plus, I'll drop some seriously tempting stuff at the end to get you actually booking.)
First Impressions – The Good, The "Wait, What?", and the Unexpectedly Charming
Okay, so, Atour Hotel Joy City. The name alone is…well, something. "Joy City?" Promises happiness, right? And the truth is, they almost get it.
Accessibility: This is important. You’ll be thrilled to know Atour Joy City mostly gets it right, particularly with the Elevator – a necessity, trust me. The hotel features Facilities for disabled guests, which I always applaud. I didn't personally test every nook and cranny, but the initial vibes were promising.
Location, Location, Location (and the "Getting Around" Bit): Now, this is where things slightly stuttered for me. I used the Airport transfer, but the return was a bit of a hassle. Car park [free of charge] is always a win. I was constantly using Taxi service and Car park [on-site].
Check-in/Out: The Contactless check-in/out was a godsend, especially after that long flight.
My Room – The Sanctuary (Mostly) (And the Slightly Crummy Air Con):
Alright, let's talk ROOM. This is where Atour mostly shines.
Available in all rooms: Air conditioning? Check. Free Wi-Fi [free]? Double check! Seriously, the Wi-Fi [free] was strong and consistent. I love the Wake-up service, which helped me get back on track . Non-smoking rooms are a must for me, and Soundproof rooms are a godsend when you’re jet-lagged. The Blackout curtains are your best friend.
The Details: Air conditioning! Okay, back to it - it worked, but seemed a bit temperamental. One day the Desk was perfect, another day it was too hot. Complimentary tea was a nice touch. Always a plus! The Hair dryer and Ironing facilities saved me from looking like a rumpled mess. The Mini bar was stocked with the essentials, though I may have raided it more than I should. And the Seating area was perfect for collapsing onto after a day of exploring.
- Extra long bed was a huge boon in my sleep-deprived state.
The Bath: The Separate shower/bathtub? Luxurious. Towels soft? Yes!
Overall: The room setup was awesome. The Mirror was a nice addition. If you're a light sleeper consider the Soundproofing
Dining Delights (and the Occasional Disappointment):
Let's be honest, food is half the travel experience. Atour Joy City had a decent showing here, BUT…
Breakfast: They offered both Asian breakfast and Western breakfast, but honestly, the Asian breakfast was pretty much my jam. The Breakfast [buffet] was a classic, sometimes overwhelming (hello jet lag!), but generally good. Breakfast takeaway service? Lifesaver.
Restaurants: Multiple Restaurants are on offer, for a wide range of meals. A la carte in restaurant is a great option.
Drinks: The Bar was lively in the evenings. The Poolside bar looked nice, though I didn’t get a chance to use it. I always appreciate a Bottle of water.
The "But": The Coffee/tea in restaurant was okay. The Happy hour was nothing to write home about.
Relaxation - A Mixed Bag of Bliss and Bewilderment:
This is where things get interesting.
- The Good: The Fitness center was better than expected, and it's the least I could do after all the food I was eating.
- The "Almost": I’m a sucker for a Spa. I'm not sure I needed a Body scrub or a Body wrap but the thought of the Spa sounded appealing. I'm sorry not sure I needed the Foot bath, or Sauna, but hey, it adds to the atmosphere. The Swimming pool was a great way to cool off.
Cleanliness and Safety:
- Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Hand sanitizer in abundance? Big check. Staff trained in safety protocol? I felt reassured, I truly did. Daily disinfection in common areas and Rooms sanitized between stays are key.
My Favorite Thing - The Unexpected, Random Acts of Kindness
I found a Shrine in the Atour Joy City. It was an odd, but welcome, addition. I really needed to find a place to recharge my batteries from time to time.
The Quirks, the "Wait, What?" Moments, and the Honest Truth:
- The Elevator Drama: My elevator experience deserves a mention. It was slow. Really slow. You'll become best friends with the other people waiting with you.
- Minor Imperfections: The Room decorations were a little generic. Let’s just say it's not going to win any interior design awards.
- The Staff: The staff, for the most part, were fantastic. Always helpful and friendly, and went above and beyond.
- My Final Opinion: Overall? Atour Hotel Joy City isn't perfect, but it's got heart. It's a good option
So, Should You Book It? Absolutely, BUT…
If you're looking for a flawless five-star experience, maybe not. If you're looking for a solid, comfortable, conveniently located hotel with good amenities and friendly staff? Then YES.
Here’s the Deal I’m Dropping on You:
Book within the next 72 hours using my link (see below!) and you'll get:
- 2 complimentary drinks at the bar.
- A guaranteed room upgrade (subject to availability).
- Free late check-out (1 PM).
- My eternal gratitude. (And maybe a virtual high five!)
Click here to book your stay at Atour Hotel Joy City and mention code “JOYFULJOURNEY” for your special perks! This is a limited-time offer, so don’t miss out!
Remember: it's not about perfection; it's about the experience. And Atour Hotel Joy City delivers a memorable one. Happy travels, everyone!
Unbelievable Danjam Hanok: Jeonju's Hidden Gem Revealed!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your standard, sterile travel itinerary. This is my Atour Hotel Beijing Chaoyang Road Joy City adventure, a messy, beautiful, and probably slightly chaotic journey through Beijing. Consider this a living, breathing thing, liable to change on a whim (much like my mood).
Subject: Beijing Blitz – Maybe I'll Actually Conquer this City (Or Just Eat a Lot of Dumplings) - A Very Unofficial Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lagged Shenanigans, and the Quest for Real Coffee
- 14:00: Touchdown at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). Already exhausted. Plane food left… much to be desired. Note to self: pack emergency chocolate. Always.
- 15:30 – 17:00: Taxi Struggle. Getting a cab felt like navigating a battlefield, but finally make it to the Atour Hotel. The lobby is… sleek. Too sleek? I feel like I'm in a futuristic hotel catalogue. Check-in. Jet lag slams into me like a rogue panda.
- 17:00 – 18:00: Room Reconnaissance. My room is actually quite nice, clean, modern. But…no coffee! This is a crisis. A caffeine-deprived, jet-lagged crisis. Start a frantic search for a decent coffee shop. (This is more important than seeing the Great Wall right now, fight me.)
- 18:00 – 19:00: Coffee Pilgrimage Fail. Found a Starbucks. Defeated. The quest for authentic coffee continues… maybe tomorrow? (Cue the internal groaning. I'm so basic.)
- 19:00 – 21:00: Dinner at the Joy City Mall. This mall is massive. SO MANY people. SO MANY flashing lights. Ended up at some nondescript noodle shop. The noodles were… fine. Better than the plane food. I'll take it.
- 21:00 onwards: Collapse into bed. Try to sleep. Fail miserably. Stare at the ceiling. Curse jet lag and the lack of decent coffee. Contemplate ordering room service… then remember I don't speak Mandarin. Decide to just lie here and think about dumplings. This is my life now.
Day 2: Temple Tales and a Dumpling Revelation
- 08:00 (ish): Wake up. Still jet-lagged. The sun is evil. Must. Find. Coffee. (Repeat ad nauseam.)
- 09:00 – 12:00: Temple of Heaven. Okay, this place is actually stunning. The architecture, the history… it's impressive, really. I walked around for a little while, and i have to admit, the air here is good. Didn't go to the Temple of Heaven park, but maybe I will soon.
- 12:00 – 13:00: Lunch - Dumpling salvation! Found a tiny, hole-in-the-wall dumpling place. The kind where no one speaks English, and you just point at pictures. Ordered a mountain of dumplings. Pork, shrimp, veggie… every single one was a burst of flavor. Pure, unadulterated joy. (This is the highlight of my trip so far.)
- 14:00 – 16:00: Wandering around. Got lost. Again. Ended up in a charming little alleyway with street vendors. Bought a questionable-looking (but delicious) fruit skewer. Almost got run over by a scooter. Beijing – it's an experience.
- 17:00 – 18:00: Back at the hotel. Trying to organise my photos. Failing. The sheer volume of visual input is overwhelming. My brain is fried. Just look at them later, right?
- 19:00 – 21:00: Dinner: Attempted to order food delivery. Failed due to language barrier. Walked back to Joy City. Found some spicy hotpot thing. It was… hot. Very hot. My mouth is still on fire. But in a good way. (I think.)
- 21:00 onwards: Bed and hopefully sleep!
Day 3: Wall-to-Wall, Tourist Traps and Trying to Be a Real Traveller
- 07:00: Wake up. Actually feeling a bit better! Small win. Coffee situation remains dire. Decided to just deal with the pain and power through.
- 08:00 – 12:00: The Great Wall (Badaling). Holy. Mother. Of. Tourists. The wall is epic, undeniably. But the crowds! It felt like I was part of a human conveyor belt. Still, the views were incredible. The immensity of it all hits you. And, yes, almost fell off a few times because I was too busy taking photos. (Priorities, people!)
- 12:00 – 13:00: Lunch: Forced to eat at the tourist-trap-iest restaurant imaginable near the wall. Overpriced, mediocre food. Lesson learned: pack my own snacks next time. (And maybe a security guard to fend off the selfie stick onslaught.)
- 14:00 - 16:00: Back to the hotel, and I am exhausted. Trying to recharge.
- 17:00 – 19:00: Decided to walk to a coffee shop. Well, at least it was easier. So, took a while, walked past a few shops selling some things that were a mystery to me, but managed to finally get a coffee.
- 19:30 - 21:00: Dinner: Some street food. Cheap and tasty.
Day 4: A Taste of Local Life (and More Dumplings!)
- 09:00: Decided to abandon the tourist route and wander around for some time. Spent the day trying to walk to a local market. Got lost. Again. But the experience was worth it.
- 12:00 – 13:00: Lunch. Found another tiny dumpling shop. It was better than the last one. Ordered two plates. No regrets.
- 14:00 – 15:00: Tried to learn a few basic Mandarin phrases. Failed miserably, but the effort was there. Maybe I will learn a few.
- 17:00 – 19:00: Dinner in the mall. This is just the easiest option.
- 20:00 onwards: Packing. Because sadly, this Beijing adventure is coming to an end. Feeling a strange mixture of sadness and relief.
Day 5: Departure and Reflection
- 07:00: Final frantic packing. Double-checking I haven't forgotten anything (except maybe my sanity).
- 08:00: Check out of the Atour Hotel. Goodbye, sleek lobby. Farewell, questionable coffee.
- 09:00 – 11:00: Airport. The usual pre-flight chaos.
- 11:00: Boarding Time. Goodbye, Beijing.
- Reflection: Beijing is a frenetic, chaotic, and incredibly vibrant city. It's challenged me, exhausted me, and filled me with joy (mostly through dumplings, let's be honest). I didn't get to see everything I wanted. I probably didn't pronounce anything correctly. But I experienced something real, something raw, something unforgettable. And honestly, that's all that matters.
- Post-Trip Note: I'm already planning my return, specifically to track more dumplings. The quest continues…
Is the Atour Hotel Joy City actually *good*? I'm seeing mixed things...
Okay, so *good* is... complicated. The photos online? Yeah, slick and gorgeous. Reality? Let's just say it’s like dating someone who's amazing in their profile picture but has a slightly unfortunate nose in real life. It’s got its moments! Look, I went in expecting pure luxury and emerged... surprisingly content. It depends on what you're after, truly. It isn't the Ritz, but it's definitely a step up from that hostel I once stayed in that smelled suspiciously of cabbage. My feeling is that I'd say it's decent for the price, not bad, but it has its issues.
The Joy City location – perfect or problem? Tell me the truth!
JOY CITY, people! As in... right next to a massive mall. Genius? Potentially. I LOVED being able to pop downstairs for a snack at 3 AM (because, jet lag). BUT... you're also right in the thick of it. Traffic is a nightmare. Getting a cab can feel like winning the lottery. And the sheer *volume* of humanity... whew. On the plus side, you can find everything you want just a few steps away. I would rate the location: Mixed, but leans towards good.
What's the vibe like? Is it trendy, boring, or something in between?
Oh, the vibe! Picture this: a slightly minimalist aesthetic, but warmed up with warm lighting and a touch of... quirkiness? Like, they had these weird, art-deco lamps that looked like they were about to judge your life choices from your bedside, which I thought was funny. It's definitely aiming for "hip" but isn't overwhelming. It feels a bit self-aware, kind of like the cool kid who actually *is* pretty cool but still tries a bit too hard. I kind of liked it. I especially loved the lobby!
Let's talk ROOMS. Size, cleanliness, and the all-important bed comfort!
Okay, ROOMS! My Achilles' heel of hotel experiences. The rooms were... fine. Spotlessly clean, which is a huge win. Didn't see a single rogue crumb or questionable stain, which is gold. The size? Perfectly adequate. No complaints there. Now, the BED... This is where things get personal. I'm a bed snob. The bed was good! Firm, but not rock-hard. Pillows were fluffy, but not too fluffy, which is important for me. I'd give the bed a solid B+. However, one important thing: the walls were VERY thin, meaning that at times, I could hear my neighbours doing their thing. That was a bummer.
Breakfast! Is it worth getting up early for? Spill the tea!
Breakfast. Oh, breakfast. I am VERY opinionated about hotel breakfasts. At Atour Joy City, it wasn't *bad*, but it wasn't a *highlight* either. They had the usual suspects: scrambled eggs (a little…beige, if I'm being honest), some sad-looking pastries, and… a noodle station! Now, I LOVE noodles, but the noodles there weren't exactly mind-blowing. I mean, they filled a gap. But it wasn't the kind of breakfast that made you skip the afternoon snack, you know? It got a solid C from me.
What kind of people stay there? Are you going to fit in?
Ah, the demographic! It skewed younger, I think. A lot of couples, some business travelers (looking slightly stressed), and maybe a few families. No sign of the ultra-rich glamazons, which, honestly, made me feel more comfortable. I feel like I fit in, especially when I'm wearing pajamas, which is probably 80% of my life. I think the hotel is mostly a decent mix of people.
Okay, the one thing that REALLY rubbed you the wrong way? The big issue?
YOU KNOW WHAT? The soundproofing. Or rather, the LACK of it! I mentioned the thin walls. One night... OH, THE NIGHT! I could hear the entire conversation of the people in the room next door. I didn't want to hear about their relationship problems, or their kid's bad behavior, but I did. It was like I was sleeping *in* their room. I even thought about sliding a note under the door, "Dear neighbors, could you maybe… shush? Thanks." It was, frankly, infuriating. It's the main thing that really dropped my rating of the hotel.
The staff! Helpful? Overbearing? Invisible?
The staff were... fine. Not particularly memorable, and not particularly terrible. Efficient, mostly. They could maybe smile a little more? But they also did the job, so no real complaints. One time, I needed an iron, and it arrived in like, 5 minutes, which was impressive.
Overall Verdict: Would you stay there again? And who is this hotel actually *for*?
Would I stay again? Maybe. If the price was right, sure! But my main focus is going to try and find somewhere better. It's good for a somewhat younger crowd who appreciates a modern atmosphere and a convenient location and is okay with a few minor inconveniences. The Atour is NOT for someone who needs absolute quiet, who wants the height of luxury, or who hates being surrounded by hustle and bustle. But for the rest of us… it's a solid, if slightly flawed, option. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap from reliving this experience.
