My 2nd long stay (2 months) at this apartment hotel and in general, I am very pleased. You do have to insist on things from the staff. When we came we asked for a room with a washing machine, and were told the rooms did not have washing machines. When we told them we had stayed before and knew there was a washing machine, they gave us the room. The WIFI was also out, but we bought a cheap router from the 6th floor, and that fixed it. We also bought a rice cooker/hot plate and used them for cooking. In terms of grocery/convenience stores, there is a Watson's on the 3rd floor of the same building. There is also a V and Go store in the basement of a nearby mall. You can also take a longer walk down to the Xuanwumen stop where there is an upscale BHG mart in the SOGO mall. Lots of expat products in there. I used the pool and gym almost everyday. It is mostly basic stuff, but it is good enough, and is mostly empty, so you usually have the pool to yourself. The 8th floor has a huge food court and is still a fun place to eat in a pinch. You have to get a pre-charged food card from a counter at the center. The rooms are generally a bit dated, but workable. The level of cleaning is more to the standard of a serviced apartment than hotel. This place is recommend for a family stay, and people already familiar with Beijing, but it can also be a way to get a more authentic China experience and "home like" feel. It is certainly a great value, so go ahead, and give the HWA a try! :)
