Royal Hot Spring Boutique Hotel

First off, the hotel's service was genuinely good. Getting a taxi was always convenient, and the staff were very polite and proactive. However, the bathroom fixtures were quite frustrating, as you can see from the photos. Whoever designed this, the water pressure is already low, but washing a hand towel constantly bumps against the sink because the space is so small my hands kept bumping into each other. The shower pressure was also weak; it wasn't really showering, more like a slow trickle. The angle was awkward, making it difficult to wash without holding the showerhead, which meant showering took three times longer than usual.

I've stayed at Yu She Tang Quan multiple times, and it never disappoints. The rooms are comfortable, the service is excellent, and the food is hygienic and delicious. Both the indoor and outdoor hot springs are absolutely amazing. This time, I had to leave early due to a heavy rain orange alert, so I didn't get to visit the Great Wall. I'll save that for next time!

The room was fantastic! Super spacious, two people could play hide-and-seek in there. The tatami mat was really comfortable, soft and roomy. The rooftop onsen was also incredibly luxurious, easily the best in the ancient town (no exaggeration).

The room has a Japanese-style tatami mat, with a private hot spring inside and an outdoor onsen offering views of the Great Wall. The hotel's location is also very close to the Great Wall entrance and quite peaceful. Overall, it's pretty good.

As a Black Diamond member who almost never writes reviews 🤣, I'm making an exception to post some pictures because I was genuinely blown away! The value for money here is exceptional. The breakfast, afternoon tea, and Teppanyaki dinner were all incredibly refined. The room cleanliness was top-notch; my friend, who was wearing white socks, even complimented that they didn't get dirty at all. The room was surprisingly spacious, with two private hot springs, and plenty of space for the restroom and dressing table 😂. The service was very attentive; everyone was polite and had a good sense of boundaries. The entire Gubei Water Town check-in arrangement was very well-organized. If you're not feigning ignorance, you'll understand how rare and precious this level of service is in China 🥹. I really regret not extending my stay for a second night and instead going to the Commune by the Great Wall, which was such poor value for money 🫣. This time I was with some friends visiting Beijing, but I'll definitely bring my kids back here if I get the chance! 🤗

I stayed one night at Simatai Great Wall. It wasn't the weekend, so there weren't many people, and there were a lot of great performances in the evening. The hotel room was spacious and comfortable. If you want to experience the original, less crowded Great Wall, I highly recommend visiting Gubei Water Town.

Pros: 1. The hotel is conveniently located near the entrance to Simatai Great Wall. It's easy to access the Wall for hiking, and you can also enjoy views of it from the second floor of the room. The Wall is visible in the distance from the window, making it a secluded retreat away from the hustle and bustle. 2. The hotel offers excellent service. Housekeeping is prompt, and the staff are attentive and welcoming. 3. The duplex suite A is very spacious, perfect for families with elderly members and children. Kids, especially, will love rolling and crawling on the tatami mat. 4. Slippers and bath towels are replaced daily, and complimentary fruit is provided every day. 5. After checking out, I left my headphones in the room. The hotel proactively contacted me and arranged for them to be couriered to me, which I truly appreciate. Cons: 1. The room is very inconvenient for elderly guests with mobility issues. The main bed is on the second floor, making it difficult for them to go up and down. The first floor has a tatami mat, which makes it hard for elderly guests to get up and lie down. If they need to get up at night, they would definitely need assistance. 2. While the room is large, whether the Japanese wabi-sabi style truly suits Chinese guests, especially for a hotel charging 5,000 yuan per night, is a question that needs consideration. The wabi-sabi aesthetic often translates to very sparse furnishings: no comfortable sofas, no bedside tables, no bedside lamps, and certainly no central control panel for all lights and appliances. The tatami mat essentially means sleeping on the floor with a low table, making it very inconvenient and challenging to get up, sit down, or place and retrieve items, which clashes with Chinese living habits. 3. The private hot spring bath in the room only has one switch for hot water, making it impossible to adjust the temperature. Its size is also awkward; it's fine for one person, but feels cramped for two. For a room type designed for six people, such a small bath is quite inconvenient. Furthermore, the inner wall of the bath is made of solid wood, raising concerns about hygiene. 4. The smart toilet was broken and remained unrepaired even after reporting it. 5. The two bedrooms on the second floor, designed to accommodate at least four people, share a single small bathroom, which is a very impractical design. Additionally, the entire Gubei Water Town is not suitable for elderly visitors with mobility issues, especially those in wheelchairs. The flagstone paths are very uneven, and there are many steps, which would make a wheelchair ride extremely bumpy and uncomfortable.