I came to Beijing on a long business trip this time, and after three days of meetings from morning till night, I felt stiff like I had wound up a spring. When booking the room, I didn't take a closer look. On the night of check-in, I followed the hallway to find an automatic vending machine and accidentally stumbled upon the leisure center of Beijing International Hotel. It was only then that I realized there was such a treasure trove hidden in this old hotel that could crush all fatigue.
The leisure center is located on the B1 floor of the hotel, and there is no stuffiness of underground space when I open the door. The 25 meter long heated swimming pool was my first target. The water quality is so clear that the blue line at the bottom of the pool can be seen. The water temperature remains stable at 28 degrees all year round. In the evening after the meeting, there were very few people. I swam three laps wearing a swim cap, and even the tightness in my shoulders and neck that had been accumulated for several days dissipated with the water flow. The lifeguard by the pool didn't just show off. When he saw me swimming to the deep water area, he raised his hand from a distance to signal safety. After getting ashore, the hot water in the shower area came out in seconds, and the towel was warm and wrapped around me, without even a chance to shiver.
After changing clothes and turning to the nearby fitness center, I realized that the configuration here is not inferior to the chain gym outside. The treadmill is facing a floor mirror, and when I run, I can see the exercise data on the projection screen synchronously. The dumbbells in the strength zone are neatly arranged from 2.5kg to 30kg, and even my commonly used high position pull-down equipment is well maintained. The most thoughtful thing is that there is a free sports supply station in the corner, with room temperature mineral water, dry wipes for wiping sweat, and even sports drinks for replenishing electrolytes, so you don't have to carry your own bags from the room. I walked slowly on the elliptical machine for forty minutes, and an old guest who had been staying next to me for a week talked to me, saying that he came to soak for an hour every day after meetings, which was much better than lying down in his room to relieve fatigue.
I thought the swimming pool and gym were all surprises, but I didn't expect to find a whole leisure area hidden inside. I booked a one hour pool room with a flat tablecloth and no pilling. The golf club was just the right amount to hold in my hand, and I was used to playing on the wrinkled table downstairs in the company. Here, I played my cue smoothly. The table tennis room and sauna room next to it are also clean and tidy. When the sauna room comes out and you lie down on the rest chair, the waiter quietly hands you a glass of liangbai kai. Even the timing of the reminder is just right, and you won't disturb too much.
In the following days, I almost went to the leisure center every day after meetings. Sometimes I swam around twice, and sometimes I just sat in the rest area for half an hour. I didn't even save up the exhaustion of business trips. I used to think that the recreational facilities in old hotels were just decorations, but this time when I stayed at Beijing International Hotel, I realized that there were no fancy internet celebrity check-in points here, but every facility was well maintained, and the guests' needs for exercise and relaxation were clearly understood. On the day I left, I specifically asked the front desk about the opening hours of the leisure center. The next time I come to Beijing, I will definitely pack my swim trunks and sneakers in my luggage.Show more