BootsnAll Travel Community

I would love to go to Beijing for the 2008 Olympics, but there seems to be very little available (in terms of Hotels) for less than $400-500/night! Does anyone have any recommendations on how to get a reasonably priced hotel room during the Beijing Olympics? Any help is greatly appreciated. Many thanks!

I stayed at the Beijing Jade International Youth Hostel last month. The location is great, within walking distance to the Forbidden City and Wangfujing shopping street. The have private double rooms with private bathrooms if you prefer for RMB380/night (approximately USD$50). Dorm beds are cheaper. From what I understand most of the Olympic events will be centered around the new stadium in the north part of Beijing. There is a new subway line that just opened with a station a few minutes' walk from the Hostel that will take you to the stadium. Here's the Hostel web site:
http://xihuahotel.com/eng/zhide/index.asp

Thanks that was a good suggestion - though I requested rates and for that time even BJIYH is asking over $200/night! This is all crazy....

Ouch! I guess everyone is raising rates and taking advantage of the mad rush for the Olympics. Viva la capitalism!

Try checking on http://haystack.lonelyplanet.com to see if you find something in your price range.

I think if you want to book a hotel now, should be very expensive, but during the 2008 Olympics, maybe more small hotel and less turist, they will down the price

Hello!

Perhaps a nice Chinese BNA member could offer you a homestay in exchange for a reasonable amount???

I know, It sounds utopic but I was helped A LOt in Beijing by a BNA member who gave me a grand tour and help for accomodation and restaurants in exchange for friendship . So if it happened to me, why not TO YOU???

TC's advice is good: there are several homestay sites, and this one is already taking bookings for the Olympics. There is a queue, but I'm sure that a lot more residents will sign up.

Meanwhile, camping is always an option. You should still be able to make a reservation.

It won't be cheap. I rented out my place for RMB 2000 a night during the Olympics and people were bidding against each other in order to get it. During the Olympics we will be heading out of town.

How many days would you spend at the Olympics? If 20 days or over, consider renting an apartment for the month, which can be shared with a friend. I notice that the campsite is 60km away from the Olympic site - pity Beijing did not arrange something more sensible.

Putting up a tent is not going to work. Besides if you are unlucky the temperatures in Beijing will be 40 Celsius and more in August. Rent an appartment with a few people. Say you find something of 200 to 300 Euro a night with 3 or 4 people that will be the cheapest price I guess you'll find in the city. Some people head for towns nearby but I would say that travel time and cab fees will add up nicely too. Find something in the city center near the main subway lines. http://www.homestaybeijing2008.com is a website with Google earth maps and placemarkers which allows you to navigate the city and check out locations

You didn't update with how many days. Consider an apartment, try Google with these keywords:

beijing olympics apartment walking distance

and check out anything that is still available.

welcome to Olympic.
i am a Chinese and i've got some suitable choices for you. if you will live more than 10 days, an apartment will be much better.
we here have many choices of different sizes, locations and prices. Among these, the least expensive ls less than 100 dallars every day.
The apartments are all near the Olympic venues and the public facilities are all available, banks,supermarkets,hospitals and so on.
If you are interested, you can contact with
E-mail yafeieppie@126.com
MSN yafeieppie@live.cn
and website www.bjohu.com