An Oasis in a Questionable Location
By A Yahoo! Contributor, 06/06/2005
The worst thing about this hotel brings out the best thing about this hotel. In a word, "location." It is located an unfortunate distance from the Back Lakes; it is too long to walk there and back, but too close to take a cab. The surrounding area was under heavy construction during my stay in November of 2004. Every cab ride we took to the hotel involved the driver either making a few wrong turns or stopping to ask for directions. You had to walk two blocks to the main road to catch a taxi when leaving the hotel. In short: not an ideal location.
All this brings out the best part: when your taxi finally makes the turn through the gate of the Bamboo Garden Hotel, it is an oasis. It has color and character. It is relaxing and serene. There is the mood and ambiance a tourist in China desires. The doorways and gardens draw you in. The bamboo garden really is neat, especially if you arrive at night. The lighting at night is really very well done. It is almost enough for you to excuse the rather malodorous smell of the place. (The smell is not the fault of the hotel, but rather the hotel's location in the Hutongs.)
The room was clean and funished with copies of traditional chinese furniture: the bed had a silk comforter. The room was not posh, but comfortable and unique.
Other good points to recommend the Bamboo Garden:
The reception desk staff speak very good English.
The breakfast food (40RMB buffet) was not great, but they make up for it with the orange juice.
The garden is home (in 2004) to two cats that like to taunt the koi in the fish pond.
The tea room has a fish pond in the floor. It is an expensive place to have tea, but very relaxing.
Summary: if you are a tourist, don't mind staying at a hotel that is a cab ride from everything, and seek chinese charm and color, the Bamboo Garden is perfect for you.
Also a note: I had a Chinese speaking friend call the hotel from the United States to make a reservation for me. This worked, but I did not get nearly the deal the other reviews seem to have gotten. I hear you should not make reservations for hotels in China, just show up.