With over 1,000 hotel nights across six continents, I do not hand out praise easily. The St. Regis Beijing earned every word of this review.
One of my favorite hotel brands in the world is The St. Regis — and the Beijing property is, without question, one of the finest I have EVER stayed at. With over 1,000 hotel nights under my belt, I do not say that lightly. This one sits right at the top of the list.
The St. Regis Beijing is part of Marriott Bonvoy — formerly Starwood SPG, which I loved deeply before Marriott absorbed the program back in 2019. It sits in the heart of Beijing’s business, diplomatic, and shopping district — close to Wangfujing Street and a short ride from the Forbidden City. It is also, for the record, the designated hotel for visiting U.S. Presidents when they travel to Beijing. That alone tells you the caliber of this place.
I am going to tell you everything — the suite, the food, the spa, the service, and whether it is worth your money. Spoiler: YES. Absolutely yes.
Booking — The Best Luxury Hotel Value on Earth?
I paid approximately $150 USD per night — WITH taxes and fees — for my stay at the St. Regis Beijing. And I was not in a standard room. I was in a Vice Presidential Suite. Let that sink in.
China is one of those magical places on earth where world-class luxury hotels are genuinely, legitimately affordable by Western standards — easily one of the best luxury values on the planet. The same is true in the UAE, India, and Egypt, but China might be the most dramatic example. A hotel that would cost you $800, $1,200, or MORE a night in New York or London is regularly available in Beijing for a fraction of that price.
If you are a Marriott Bonvoy member, this property is also a fantastic points redemption. The St. Regis Beijing has been bookable with a Marriott Bonvoy Free Night Award certificate — the kind you earn as an annual benefit on cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless. If you have one of those certificates sitting around, THIS is the kind of property to burn it at, not a Courtyard in Cleveland. Check both the cash rate and the points rate before you book — either way you are getting incredible value.
Getting There — Airport Transfer
I booked my airport transfer directly through the Marriott Bonvoy app using their Activities & Transfers feature — and compared to my usual car service, I saved about $100, ended up in a perfectly nice black VW Passat, and earned Marriott Bonvoy points on the booking. The driver met me at arrivals with a sign. Smooth, easy, done.
Worth checking the Marriott app for transfers before you default to a taxi — you earn points on it and the pricing is often competitive. And if you are traveling internationally and need data on arrival, I always grab an Airalo eSIM before I leave — it works in China and saves you from hunting for a SIM card at the airport.
One more thing on connectivity in China: I also travel with a VPN. I use NordVPN — without it, you are cut off from Google, Instagram, WhatsApp, and most Western apps the moment you land. Important note: VPN use in China exists in a legal gray area. Enforcement primarily targets providers, and casual tourist use is widely practiced — but I am not a lawyer, and rules can change. Do your own research before you travel, know the local laws, and use good judgment.
Arrival and Check-In
This is where The St. Regis experience separates itself from every other so-called luxury brand. When I arrived and gave my name at the front desk, the agent politely excused herself and returned with the Front Office Manager AND the Director of Rooms — both of whom greeted me personally, welcomed me warmly, and escorted me to my suite.
That is not normal. That does not happen at most five-star hotels. That is what a TRUE first-class hotel looks like. The check-in process was fast, the staff was warm without being performative, and the whole arrival felt like being welcomed into someone’s home — if that home happened to be a palace.
The Suite — Upgraded to the China Suite
Before arrival, I used Suite Night Upgrade certificates from Marriott Bonvoy (a perk for Platinum elite members and above) to lock in a suite. I was confirmed into the Ambassador Suite. Then, when I landed in Beijing and checked the Marriott app, I had been further upgraded to the China Suite — the Vice Presidential Suite of the hotel.
I will just say this: WOW.
The China Suite is approximately 1,000 square feet, on the top floor, corner position, with nearly 360-degree views of Beijing. Full kitchen. Dining room. Living room. Separate office. Reception area. Walk-in closet. And the classic St. Regis white marble bathroom.
The design is done in a beautiful Chinese decor — not overdone, not kitschy, genuinely elegant. Waiting in the suite on arrival was a large bowl of fresh fruit, candies, and sparkling water. Every detail was considered. I have stayed in a LOT of suites. This one is in a category of its own.
The Business Center / Executive Lounge
This particular St. Regis has something a little unusual — a quasi executive lounge, which I have only seen at one or two other St. Regis properties.
During the day it is a business center. At 6pm every evening, the staff transforms it into a full executive lounge for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum members and above — quality food, snacks, and cocktails made to order. Actually great ones.
By brand standard, Marriott does NOT require St. Regis properties to offer any kind of lounge or happy hour. This one does it anyway. That is the difference between a hotel that meets the standard and one that EXCEEDS it.
Food
Shortly after I arrived, the Director of Food and Beverage came to my suite personally to go over my dietary needs. My Marriott Ambassador had already sent over my details — I eat plant-based — and the chef was ready to create custom dishes with a local Chinese flair. I basically told him: make me whatever you want, 100% plant-based.
They did not disappoint.
Both mornings I had in-suite breakfast — classic St. Regis Ambassador style. I had dinner at Celestial Court, the hotel’s Chinese restaurant, and the food and service were some of the best I have encountered anywhere in the world. I put the service on par with Cipriani in Mexico City — and that is my personal gold standard.
On my last day, waiting for my airport transfer, I had tomato soup and French fries in the lobby bar. Even THAT was great. And the moment I gave my room number to any staff member, anywhere in the hotel, they greeted me by name INSTANTLY and noted my dietary needs. Hotel-wide. That is systems. That is training.
The Spa — Underground Hot Springs
The Iridium Spa draws its water from natural hot springs 1,500 meters underground — rich in minerals, available in three baths at varying temperatures. There is also a sauna, steam room, and full treatment menu. The massage I had was excellent.
My only mild criticism: spa treatment prices run roughly on par with a night in the hotel. Slightly disconnected from the property’s otherwise exceptional value. But do not skip the hot springs — they are something you will not find at most hotels anywhere in the world.
The Staff — The Real Story
Everything above is impressive. But the REAL reason the St. Regis Beijing is exceptional is the staff. Every single person I encountered was first-class — not just polished and professional, but genuinely warm and clearly trained to a standard ABOVE the already-high St. Regis brand requirements.
I tell this story ALL the time because it is the single best example of hotel service I have ever personally experienced — anywhere in the world. I was sitting at the lobby bar, having a drink, and I casually mentioned to a staff member how much I loved the chili snacks they put out on the bar. Just a passing comment. I did not think anything of it. I went back up to my room — and waiting for me was a gift bag with those same chili snacks inside. Nobody made a big deal of it. Nobody announced it. Someone at that bar HEARD me, acted on it immediately, and had it in my room before I got there. I was completely taken aback. I have since ordered those same chilies online — they are THAT good. But more than the snack itself, that moment captured everything that makes the St. Regis Beijing extraordinary. It is not the marble bathrooms or the 1,000-square-foot suites — it is the moments nobody asked for.
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TouringTony Service Award
Awarded for Extraordinary Hotel Service
“I made one passing comment about the chili snacks at the lobby bar. By the time I got back to my room, a gift bag of those same chilies was waiting for me. No announcement. No fanfare. Just someone who listened — and acted. In over 1,000 hotel nights across six continents, this is the single greatest service moment I have ever experienced.”
— Tony Baker, TouringTony.com
I later learned that after my stay, the hotel reached out to my Marriott Ambassador to request a photo of me and details about my visit. They wanted to know who their guest was. They wanted to make the stay memorable. And they succeeded.
Is It Worth Booking?
Yes. ABSOLUTELY yes.
The St. Regis Beijing over-delivers on every single promise. The service is among the best I have seen anywhere in the world. The location is excellent. The rooms and suites are stunning. The dining is fantastic. The spa has literal underground hot springs. And the price — whether cash or Marriott Bonvoy points — is genuinely exceptional for what you receive.
If you have Marriott Bonvoy elite status, make sure your profile is updated with room preferences and dietary needs before arrival. Use your Suite Night Upgrade certificates here. If you have a Free Night Award, this is the property that makes it worth holding onto.
The St. Regis Beijing remains at the top of my list — and frankly, a return visit is long overdue. That is the highest compliment I can give any hotel.
Have you stayed at the St. Regis Beijing? Drop your experience in the comments below — I want to hear it!
Thanks for reading, and PLEASE, TRAVEL MORE!
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