This time I came to Beijing for a business trip, I specially stayed for two more days to rest. When I checked into Beijing Friendship Hotel Grand Building, I realized that many people only knew about its national guest culture and garden scenery, but did not pay attention to the complete set of recreational facilities that can completely relax business travelers. Without leaving the hotel gate, I could arrange all my needs for sports, leisure, and stress relief.
On the evening of the day I checked in, I headed straight to the hotel's indoor swimming pool. The water quality of the swimming pool is so clear that you can see the blue markings at the bottom of the pool. The water temperature is maintained at around 26 degrees Celsius all year round, and even in late autumn, entering the water will not feel bone chilling. The lifeguards by the pool were on duty throughout the entire process, unlike many commercial pools that were overcrowded. I swam for an entire hour, with less than five people on the same stage. After swimming, I leaned back on the lounge chair by the pool, and the staff immediately handed me warm towels and ginger tea. The exhaustion of the journey dissipated along the water flow.
Next to the swimming pool is a 24-hour fitness room, without fancy internet celebrity check-in devices. It is equipped with professional strength equipment and aerobic treadmills. The treadmill is facing the floor to ceiling glass window, and when running, the line of sight can just fall on the Chinese garden outside the window. Watching the tree shadows swaying in the wind, I unconsciously ran two more kilometers. The fitness area is also equipped with free exercise towels and functional drinking water, so you don't have to carry your own big and small bags of equipment, and you can easily move around without any burden.
The most surprising thing for me is the outdoor tennis court hidden deep in the garden. The clay court is maintained exceptionally flat, and you can use it directly by making an appointment at the front desk one day in advance. You can rent rackets and balls for free. In the afternoon, the sun slanted on the field, and the surrounding ancient pine trees separated all the noise from the outside world. After playing for an hour, even the tension accumulated from work was drained with sweat. After playing the ball, I walked back along the garden. There was an open-air leisure trail hidden in the small garden by the roadside. The soft rubber road made it very comfortable to step on. Walking around the trail twice in the evening, I could meet many hotel guests taking a leisurely walk, and the wind was filled with the fragrance of plants and trees.
I also spent an afternoon trying out the hotel's SPA center. The technicians were professional and precise in their techniques, focusing on relaxing the shoulder and neck areas that were sitting for long periods of time. After finishing, my stiff shoulders were finally able to rotate easily. The layout of the SPA room is a low-key new Chinese style, with warm yellow lights and light aromatherapy. After lying down for a while, it is completely empty, without the need to spend time taking a taxi to rush around like looking for a SPA outside.
Many people come to stay at Beijing Friendship Hotel Grand Building because of its location and historical heritage, but few people specifically set aside time to experience the recreational facilities here. After staying for three days, I realized that in the bustling core area of Zhongguancun, one can find a professional and thoughtful leisure package in an environment full of ancient architecture and gardens. Without leaving the hotel, one can arrange exercise and stress relief clearly. It is truly the most unexpected small fortune in business trips.Show more