It is old Soviet style housing (blocks) with Chinese redwood furniture. I don't think they have any non-smoking rooms, but the smoking residual smell wasn't too bothersome. The check-in for a foreigner during a pandemic was something to behold - you need passport with latest entry stamp into China, proof of your quarantine and cleared PCR-RT test on day #12 or #20 of your quarantine, proof of travel to Beidahe (personal vehicle, train tickets, plane tickets, etc.), evidence of vaccine (if vaccinated), green HDC code (travel health code --arrow), RMB100 deposit (they do give a paper claim ticket for refund of the RMB100), and they will retain your passport for them to validate your status in China and make copies. You'll leave a Chinese cell phone number and your permanent residency in China (mine was Shanghai & I had my Shanghai residency certificate with address indicated). Once you clear those hurdles, the room was ready on-time and they give you guest pass to use the private beach (maybe 500-ft of private beachfront) across the street (you have to leave the compound) and check into the private beach area. There's supposedly a canteen and restaurant on the premises, but they appeared to be closed possibly due to the pandemic. Fear not, there's plenty of food, drinks, desserts, beach toys around the compound as it is the heart of Beihahe CBD. But not many other amenities I could locate on the compound premises.
The guests appear mostly to be foreigners, yet the staff could barely speak English. That is a curious feature - I would think as a diplomat retreat, the staff would cater to foreigners and English is more widely spoken than Mandarin amongst that crowd (at this point in history). To summarize, you stay here for the experience - to play where diplomats and their staff play, and where the Chinese leadership used to/ or still do come to rest and relax. You do not stay here for the amenities other than the 500-ft or so of private beach. By the way, everything on the private beach from the toys to the drinks to the umbrellas, etc. all require payment. Get sunscreen across the street from the private beach and it is super expensive, so check it into luggage if possible. I got 2 full bottles of sunscreen I bought on Tabao tossed from my carry-on. Again, stay for the experience and the proximity to the center of Beidahe, but do not expect glorious amenities.
Outstanding
894 Reviews