Hotel Yoo Beijing 3*: in the courtyard of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square

Hotel Yoo is located in Nanyanzizi-hutong alley 1, Dongcheng district, a ten-minute walk from Tiananmen. It opened in 2007 and was later renovated; there are 152 rooms here. The interior combines materials and works of art, creating a special atmosphere, and the property features a quiet garden pavilion. Guests write about free spacious parking in the courtyard, a self-service laundry room in the basement, and a small gym that they say is more for warming up. Tiananmen-Dong metro station is an eight-minute walk away, and the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and Wangfujing are within walking distance. The hotel is suitable for those visiting Beijing for the first time and wanting to have everything important nearby.

Dongcheng: the heart of Beijing within walking distance

The Dongcheng district is the historical center of Beijing. From here you can walk to Tiananmen Square, Tiananmen Gate, the Gugong Museum (Forbidden City), the National Museum of China, and Wangfujing pedestrian street. Qianmen Street with its shops lies a little south. Nearby is the large Union Medical Hospital, and Tiananmen-Dong metro station is an eight-minute walk away. The hutongs around the hotel are quiet and suitable for evening walks. Life in the hutongs around Dongcheng moves slowly: in the mornings, old men play chess at the gates, during the day the windows smell of fried onions, and in the evening red lanterns light up. It’s convenient to wander here without a plan and pop into shops selling tea and spices. From Tiananmen to the Forbidden City, the journey is short, and on the north side you can climb Jing Shan hill for a view of the palace roofs from above.

• Tiananmen Square — the main square of the country; passport and registration are required.
• Forbidden City — the Gugong Museum; tickets must be booked in advance.
• Wangfujing — shopping street and snack stalls.
• Qianmen Street — old shops.

Travel tip: For the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, tickets and passes are arranged online in advance, and your passport is required at the entrance. Beijing is huge, so it’s best to plan for one district per day. Dust is possible in spring, so bring a mask. The streets around the hotel are quiet in the morning, but crowds gather near Tiananmen by midday, so arrive early. When visiting in spring, be aware that Beijing can experience dust storms. Keep a mask and glasses handy during these times, and plan your day indoors rather than outdoors.

Courtyard with parking, library, and laundry room

The hotel is designed like a courtyard in a lane. It features free parking, which is rare for central Beijing. Guests mention a garden pavilion with minimalist design, a library, a restaurant and a cafe. There’s a self-service laundry room with a washing machine and dryer in the basement. The gym is small – just good for a warm-up. Wi-Fi works in public areas, and luggage is stored at reception.

• Free parking in the courtyard
• Library, restaurant, cafe
• Laundry room in the basement
• Small gym
• Business center, meeting room

Design

The interior is based on materials and artwork, so the hotel has its own atmosphere, unlike chain hotels.

Service

A concierge, express check-in, storage lockers, and a snack bar completely solve everyday issues.

Rooms

The hotel offers the following room categories:

• Special room with a king-size bed — 18 m², 1 double bed. In the room: shower gel, hair conditioner, shower cap, writing desk, kettle, bottled water, electric kettle.
• Room with 2 single beds — 18 m², 2 single beds, view: view of the garden, view of the courtyard, view of the city. In the room: shower gel, hair conditioner, shower cap, writing desk, kettle, bottled water, electric kettle.
• Room with a king-size bed (mini-fridge + heated toilet) — 18 m², 1 double bed, view: view of garden, view of courtyard, view of city. In the room: shower gel, hair conditioner, shower cap, writing desk, kettle, bottled water, electric kettle.
• Japanese-Style Double Bed Room (Mini Fridge + Heated Toilet + Smart Hairdryer) — 18 sq m, 1 double bed. In the room: shower gel, hair conditioner, shower cap, writing desk, kettle, bottled water, electric kettle.
• Deluxe room with a king-size bed (mini-fridge + washing machine + Laifen hairdryer) — 24 sq m, 1 queen-size bed. In the room: shower gel, hair conditioner, shower cap, writing desk, kettle, bottled water, electric kettle.
• Deluxe double room (mini-fridge + heated toilet + Laifen hairdryer) — 24 sq m, 2 single beds. In the room: shower gel, hair conditioner, shower cap, writing desk, kettle, bottled water, electric kettle.
• Rainbow themed family room (mini-fridge + heated toilet) — 20 m², 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed. In the room: shower gel, hair conditioner, shower cap, writing desk, kettle, bottled water, electric kettle.
• Family themed room (mini-refrigerator + air purifier) — 36 m², 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed. In the room: shower gel, hair conditioner, shower cap, sofa, writing desk, kettle, bottled water.

Beijing Cuisine Nearby

The hotel has a restaurant and cafe, but the real taste of Beijing lies outside the hotel. Try Peking duck, noodles with zha jiang sauce, and fried pancakes. Nearby is Wangfujing with rows of snacks: kebabs, candied hawthorns.

In the evenings, the hutongs come alive: courtyards open cafes, people drink tea and beer. It’s best to arrive before nine, while there are tables available.

Pros and Cons of Hotel Yoo Beijing

What Guests Appreciate

• The Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are within a 10-minute walk.
• Free, spacious parking in the courtyard.
• Quiet courtyard and garden pavilion.
• Laundry room in the basement.
• Metro station is an 8-minute walk away.

What You Should Know in Advance

• The gym is small.
• This is a three-star hotel, so the decor isn’t new.
• There are crowds of tourists around during the day.
• The lane is narrow, making it difficult to drive through by car.

What Guests Usually Write

Guests praise the location, service, quiet courtyard and parking. They note the artistic atmosphere. Dissatisfied guests mention the small gym.

How to Book Hotel Yoo Beijing from Russia

Select dates in the “Where to Book” block and complete your booking in rubles; you’ll see the payment method on the final step. Book tickets for the Forbidden City separately.