Best Hotels in Beijing for Every Budget — 49 Real Picks From £38 (2026)

Our top Beijing hotel pick for 2026 is Legendale Hotel Beijing for its opulent central-Wangfujing grandeur — but the real headline is that this guide covers all three price bands, right down to real, bookable rooms from £38 a night. We've built it around 10 luxury hotels, 10 mid-range hotels, and 29 budget hotels we verified as distinct, currently bookable properties — 49 in all, each linking straight to its live prices. Whether you're spending £200 a night by the Forbidden City or £40 near a Daxing metro stop, every pick below is a genuine hotel with a live rate, not a placeholder.

Jump to your budget: Luxury hotels · Mid-range hotels · Budget stays from £38

Scout's 3 best budget picks right now: 🏨 Cosy Feeling Hotel - Beijing Headquarters Xinfadi — from ~£38, the cheapest verified bed in this guide. 🛬 Meichen Hotel Beijing Daxing International Airport — from ~£43, a 4★ with over 600 reviews, ideal for a Daxing (PKX) flight. 🚇 Qianmen Courtyard Hotel — from ~£47, a well-reviewed courtyard stay near the historic Qianmen and Tiananmen area. From-prices are live rates pulled while writing — tap any hotel for today's price on your dates.

Beijing is China's 3,000-year-old capital — the seat of the Ming and Qing emperors, home to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the launch point for the Great Wall, and a city of over 20 million people wrapped around a superb modern metro. It rewards a bit of planning: as a UK passport holder you can currently enter visa-free for up to 30 days (a policy extended into 2026 — confirm before you travel), but you'll want Alipay or WeChat Pay set up to pay for anything, and a VPN installed before you land if you rely on Google, WhatsApp or Instagram. It's worth checking the UK Foreign Office's China travel advice for the current entry rules, and the Forbidden City and Great Wall both feature among China's many UNESCO World Heritage sites. Compare live Beijing hotel prices or search UK flights to Beijing (PEK) — direct London flights run around 10-11 hours into PEK or PKX.

The Best Luxury Hotels in Beijing

The ten hotels that anchor Beijing's top tier — grand central addresses around Wangfujing and the CBD, most within metro reach of the Forbidden City. From-prices are rough £ conversions of live rates pulled while writing — tap any hotel for your dates.

1. Legendale Hotel Beijing — Beijing · 5★ · 4,941 reviews · from ~£179/night. The most-reviewed luxury hotel in this guide by a wide margin, with a lavish European-palace aesthetic in the central Wangfujing/Dongdan district. Opulent public spaces and a location within metro reach of the Forbidden City make it a special-occasion pick.

2. Sunworld Dynasty Hotel Beijing Wangfujing — Beijing · 5★ · 3,140 reviews · from ~£105/night. A large 5★ right on Wangfujing, Beijing's main shopping street, putting Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City within a short walk or one metro stop. Strong value for a genuinely central luxury base.

3. base-Beijing Wangfujing Serviced Apartment — Beijing · 5★ · 1,638 reviews · from ~£80/night. Serviced apartments in the heart of Wangfujing — more space and self-catering flexibility than a standard room, ideal for longer stays or families who want a central base near the sights.

4. Guo Ji Yi Yuan Hotel — Beijing · 5★ · 1,559 reviews · from ~£70/night. One of the best-value 5★ ratings in the luxury tier, a well-established central hotel with a strong review base at a price closer to mid-range. A dependable pick for travellers who want five-star facilities without the top-tier rate.

5. Empark Prime Hotel Beijing Wangfujing — Beijing · 5★ · 1,551 reviews · from ~£127/night. A modern 5★ in the Wangfujing area with contemporary rooms and reliable facilities, well-placed for both the central sights and the shopping district.

6. New World Beijing Hotel — Beijing · 5★ · 1,507 reviews · from ~£119/night. A polished international 5★ in the Chongwenmen district, connected to a shopping complex and close to the metro, with easy access to the Temple of Heaven as well as the central sights.

7. Beijing Pudi Hotel — Beijing · 5★ · 1,170 reviews · from ~£75/night. A boutique-leaning 5★ with a design-forward feel at a notably accessible price for the tier, a good fit for travellers who want style and comfort without a mega-hotel scale.

8. Stey Beijing Wangfujing Hotel — Beijing · 5★ · 1,141 reviews · from ~£86/night. A contemporary design hotel in the central Wangfujing area, blending apartment-style comfort with hotel service — a modern alternative to the grand traditional 5★s nearby.

9. Grand Hyatt Beijing — Beijing · 5★ · 1,026 reviews · from ~£203/night. The most expensive hotel in this guide, and a benchmark international 5★ — part of the Oriental Plaza complex on Wangfujing, with a landmark pool and a prime position steps from the metro and a short walk from the Forbidden City.

10. JEN Beijing by Shangri-La — Beijing · 5★ · 1,018 reviews · from ~£127/night. Shangri-La's more relaxed, lifestyle-focused brand, a modern 5★ with a strong service reputation — a comfortable, contemporary choice for travellers who want a known international name.

Luxury-tier note: prices are rough £ conversions from Yuan on live searches and move with your dates. Even the top of this tier stays well below equivalent hotels in London or Dubai. See all Beijing stays · search flights to PEK

The Best Mid-Range Hotels in Beijing

The middle of the market is where most UK travellers land: reliable 4★ facilities, big review counts, and easy metro or airport access at a fraction of the luxury-tier price. From-prices are rough £ conversions of live rates pulled while writing — tap any hotel for your dates.

11. Howard Johnson Paragon Hotel Beijing — Beijing · 4★ · 6,777 reviews · from ~£83/night. The most-reviewed hotel in this entire guide — a large, dependable 4★ near Beijing Railway Station and the central sights, with a huge review base that makes it a low-risk booking.

12. Holiday Inn Express Beijing Dongzhimen by IHG — Beijing · 4★ · 5,469 reviews · from ~£70/night. A reliable IHG chain hotel at the Dongzhimen transport hub, with direct metro links (including toward the airport) and a strong review count — a sensible, no-surprises mid-range base.

13. Sunworld Hotel Wangfujing — Beijing · 4★ · 2,574 reviews · from ~£80/night. A well-located 4★ on Wangfujing, putting the Forbidden City and Tiananmen within walking or one-stop metro reach at a solid mid-range price.

14. Peace Hotel Beijing — Beijing · 4★ · 1,937 reviews · from ~£76/night. A long-established central hotel just off Wangfujing, with a strong review base and an unbeatable position for first-time sightseeing on foot.

15. Fairfield by Marriott Beijing Daxing Airport — Beijing · 4★ · 1,840 reviews · from ~£46/night. The cheapest mid-range pick, a modern Marriott near Daxing (PKX) airport — excellent value and convenience for an early or late flight, though a long way from the central sights.

16. Hilton Garden Inn Beijing Daxing International Airport — Beijing · 4★ · 1,798 reviews · from ~£53/night. A well-reviewed Hilton brand near Daxing (PKX), another strong airport-zone choice with reliable facilities for a transit night before or after a flight.

17. Park Plaza Beijing Wangfujing — Beijing · 4★ · 1,624 reviews · from ~£97/night. A comfortable international-brand 4★ in the central Wangfujing area, a good middle ground between the budget picks and the full luxury tier for travellers who want a known name near the sights.

18. Grand Mercure Beijing Central — Beijing · 4★ · 891 reviews · from ~£90/night. An Accor-brand 4★ with a central position and dependable facilities, a solid choice for travellers who prefer international chains over independent hotels.

19. Beijing Saga Hotel — Beijing · 4★ · 880 reviews · from ~£49/night. One of the best-value mid-range picks, a well-reviewed 4★ near the Dongsi area and metro, within easy reach of the central sights at a near-budget price.

20. Beijing XinQiao Hotel — Beijing · 4★ · 756 reviews · from ~£61/night. A historic central hotel near Chongwenmen, close to the metro and within reach of both the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven, at a comfortable mid-range price.

Mid-range note: several of the cheapest picks here sit by Daxing (PKX) airport rather than the centre — match the location to your itinerary. See all Beijing stays · search flights to PEK

Cheap Hotels in Beijing — 49 Real, Bookable Options From £38

This is the tier we built this guide around. Every property below is a real, currently operating hotel we verified as distinct, with live rates on its JetMeAway page. From-prices are rough £ conversions pulled on live searches while writing; weekends and peak dates run higher. Budget rule #1 in Beijing: the cheapest rooms cluster around the airport zones and outer metro stations — stay a few stops from the centre and let the excellent metro do the work.

21. Cosy Feeling Hotel - Beijing Headquarters Xinfadi — Beijing · 3★ · 25 reviews · from ~£38/night. The cheapest verified bed in this entire guide — a small 3★ in the Xinfadi area of southern Beijing. Basic and out from the centre, but priced accordingly, and reachable via the metro network.

22. Jinjiang Inn - Beijing Jiuxianqiao — Beijing · 3★ · 30 reviews · from ~£40/night. A branch of China's well-known budget chain in the Jiuxianqiao/798 art-district area — clean, simple and predictable, a reliable low-cost option near the 798 galleries.

23. Meichen Hotel Beijing Daxing International Airport — Beijing · 4★ · 619 reviews · from ~£43/night. A 4★-rated hotel near Daxing (PKX) with over 600 reviews — outstanding value and a genuine star rating for an airport-zone stay, ideal for an early flight.

24. Holiday Inn Express Beijing Airport Zone by IHG — Beijing · 3★ · 799 reviews · from ~£45/night. A dependable IHG chain hotel in the Capital (PEK) airport zone, with a strong review count and reliable brand standards for a convenient pre- or post-flight night.

25. Nostalgia S Hotel Beijing Guomao — Beijing · 4★ · 76 reviews · from ~£46/night. A stylish budget-boutique hotel near the Guomao CBD, giving you a 4★ rating and a central-east business-district location at a genuinely low price.

26. Qianmen Courtyard Hotel — Beijing · 3★ · 882 reviews · from ~£47/night. A well-reviewed courtyard-style hotel in the historic Qianmen district, just south of Tiananmen Square — one of the better-located budget picks for sightseeing on foot, with genuine old-Beijing character.

27. Wanshang Garden Hotel — Beijing · 4★ · 132 reviews · from ~£47/night. A 4★-rated budget hotel with a garden setting in southern Beijing, offering more comfort than the price suggests for travellers happy to use the metro into the centre.

28. Jinjiang Inn Beijing Olympic Village Datun Road — Beijing · 2★ · 47 reviews · from ~£48/night. A simple, reliable Jinjiang Inn near the Olympic Park in northern Beijing — basic 2★ comfort close to the Bird's Nest and a metro line.

29. LeafIN Hotel Beijing Wangjing SOHO — Beijing · 3★ · 452 reviews · from ~£49/night. A tidy 3★ near the striking Wangjing SOHO towers in northeast Beijing, well-reviewed and metro-connected, handy for the 798 art district and Capital airport.

30. QiQiaoWu Fashion Hotel Beijing Songjiazhuang Subway Station — Beijing · 2★ · 64 reviews · from ~£49/night. A budget hotel right by Songjiazhuang subway station in southern Beijing — a metro-interchange location that makes reaching the centre and airport straightforward at a low price.

31. Yi Stack Hotel Beijing — Beijing · 4★ · 240 reviews · from ~£49/night. A modern 4★-rated budget hotel with a design-conscious feel, strong value for travellers who want a smarter room without the mid-range price.

32. Jingli Hotel Beijing Heshenghui Dajiaoting Subway Station Branch — Beijing · 4★ · 303 reviews · from ~£49/night. A 4★-rated hotel beside Dajiaoting subway station in eastern Beijing, well-reviewed and metro-connected, a comfortable budget base with easy access to the centre.

33. Beijing Hyde Courtyard Hotel — Beijing · 3★ · 870 reviews · from ~£50/night. A well-reviewed courtyard-style 3★ with old-Beijing character, one of the more atmospheric budget picks for travellers who want a sense of the traditional hutong aesthetic.

34. Zhongan Hotel Beijing — Beijing · 3★ · 109 reviews · from ~£50/night. A straightforward 3★ budget hotel with a solid review base, a dependable low-cost option within reach of the metro.

35. Beijing Landmark Hotel — Beijing · 4★ · 103 reviews · from ~£52/night. A large, long-standing 4★-rated hotel near the Lufthansa Center and the embassy district in northeast Beijing, offering more facilities than its budget price implies.

36. Suisse Place Beijing Jinsong Subway Station — Beijing · 4★ · 21 reviews · from ~£54/night. Apartment-style rooms by Jinsong subway station in eastern Beijing — extra space and a metro-side location make this a practical 4★-rated pick for longer stays.

37. Radisson Hotel, Beijing DaXing Airport — Beijing · 4★ · 27 reviews · from ~£54/night. An international-brand 4★ near Daxing (PKX), a reliable and well-equipped choice for travellers who want a known name for an airport-zone night.

38. Beijing Jinjiang Fuyuan Hotel — Beijing · 4★ · 20 reviews · from ~£55/night. A comfortable 4★-rated Jinjiang-group hotel offering dependable chain standards at a budget price, a safe pick for travellers who value consistency.

39. Atour Hotel Beijing Capital Airport New International Exhibition Center — Beijing · 4★ · 353 reviews · from ~£56/night. A stylish 4★-rated Atour-brand hotel near the New China International Exhibition Center and Capital (PEK) airport, well-reviewed and handy for both flights and exhibitions.

40. Metropark Lido Hotel Beijing — Beijing · 4★ · 315 reviews · from ~£56/night. A large 4★-rated hotel in the Lido district of northeast Beijing, close to the 798 art zone and Capital airport, with plenty of facilities at a budget-friendly rate.

41. Hilton Garden Inn Beijing Daxing Jinyuan Road — Beijing · 4★ · 55 reviews · from ~£56/night. Another Hilton Garden Inn in the Daxing area, a reliable 4★-rated brand option at a low price for travellers based in the south or heading to PKX.

42. Nostalgia Hotel（Beijing YongheLama & Nanluoguxiang） — Beijing · 2★ · 86 reviews · from ~£56/night. A budget-boutique hotel near the Lama Temple and the Nanluoguxiang hutong lanes — one of the best-located cheap picks for travellers who want the historic hutong-and-temple neighbourhood on their doorstep.

43. Holiday Inn Express Beijing Wangjing Center by IHG — Beijing · 4★ · 492 reviews · from ~£56/night. A well-reviewed IHG chain hotel in the Wangjing business district of northeast Beijing, reliable and metro-connected, a sound choice for travellers who prefer international brands.

44. Park Plaza Beijing Science Park — Beijing · 4★ · 353 reviews · from ~£57/night. A comfortable 4★-rated international-brand hotel in the Zhongguancun science-park area of northwest Beijing, handy for the university district and the Summer Palace.

45. Holiday Inn Beijing Temple Of Heaven by IHG — Beijing · 4★ · 83 reviews · from ~£58/night. A full-service IHG 4★ close to the Temple of Heaven, one of the best-located budget picks for sightseeing, within easy reach of that landmark and the central sights.

46. Jade Garden Hotel Beijing — Beijing · 3★ · 137 reviews · from ~£59/night. A well-located central 3★ near Wangfujing and the Forbidden City, putting you within walking distance of the main sights at the upper end of the budget band.

47. King Parkview Hotel — Beijing · 3★ · 269 reviews · from ~£60/night. A 3★ near the Temple of Heaven and the Qianmen area in southern-central Beijing, a solid, well-reviewed sightseeing base at a budget price.

48. Beijing Poly Plaza Hotel — Beijing · 4★ · 116 reviews · from ~£60/night. A 4★-rated hotel near Dongzhimen in central-east Beijing, close to a major metro interchange with airport links — good facilities and connectivity for the price.

49. Holiday Inn Express Beijing Temple of Heaven by IHG — Beijing · 3★ · 2,515 reviews · from ~£61/night. The most-reviewed budget hotel in this guide by a wide margin — over 2,500 reviews for a reliable IHG chain hotel near the Temple of Heaven. The safe default budget pick if you want proof, not just a promise, at the top of the tier's price band.

Budget tier summary: cheapest overall — Cosy Feeling Hotel £38; best-reviewed budget pick — Holiday Inn Express Temple of Heaven, over 2,500 reviews, £61; best airport-zone value — Meichen Hotel Daxing Airport £43; best hutong-area pick — Nostalgia Hotel Lama & Nanluoguxiang £56. Compare all Beijing hotels with live prices →

What to See in Beijing

Beijing packs more imperial and historic sights into a metro map than almost any city on earth. Here's what to build a trip around.

The Great Wall — day trips (Mutianyu / Badaling). The single reason many people come to Beijing. Mutianyu is the popular first-timer's section — restored, less crowded, with a cable car and toboggan, about 1.5 hours out. Badaling is the closest and easiest by public transport but the busiest. Keen hikers head for Jinshanling or Jiankou. Set aside a full day.

The Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square. The vast Ming and Qing imperial palace complex sits directly behind Tiananmen Square, the ceremonial heart of the city. Book tickets in advance (the palace caps daily numbers) and bring your passport. Allow at least half a day for the palace alone.

The Temple of Heaven. The serene circular Ming temple complex in southern Beijing, set in a huge park where locals practise tai chi and play music in the mornings — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a calm counterpoint to the Forbidden City's scale.

The Summer Palace. A vast lakeside imperial garden in the northwest, another UNESCO site, laced with pavilions, corridors and a marble boat. A relaxed half-day trip reachable by metro.

The hutongs & Houhai. The old lane neighbourhoods around Nanluoguxiang and the Houhai lakes are the walkable, human-scale Beijing — courtyard homes, small cafes, rickshaws and evening bars around the water. The best area to wander with no fixed plan.

Peking duck. Beijing's signature dish — crisp-skinned roast duck with pancakes, spring onion and sweet bean sauce. Whether at a historic specialist or a modern room, having it at least once is non-negotiable; ask your hotel for a pick to match your budget.

Explore more of China

Planning to see more of the country? Our companion guides help you compare:

• Best Hotels in Shanghai for Every Budget — China's dazzling financial capital, from Bund-view luxury to real budget rooms.
• Best Hotels in Chengdu for Every Budget — the laid-back home of pandas and Sichuan food, with some of China's best value.

Beijing Hotels FAQs

Do UK passport holders need a visa for Beijing in 2026? As of 2026, China grants UK passport holders visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days — this was extended into 2026, but it's a temporary arrangement that has changed at short notice before. Always confirm the current rule on the official Chinese embassy site or gov.uk before booking flights.

What currency is used in Beijing? The Chinese Yuan, also called Renminbi (RMB or CNY). All £ prices in this guide are rough conversions to help UK travellers compare — you'll pay in Yuan, and rates move, so treat every £ figure as approximate.

How do I actually pay for things in Beijing? China is nearly cashless and runs on mobile payment — set up Alipay or WeChat Pay before you arrive and link a foreign card (both now support international cards for tourists). Many taxis, shops and market stalls no longer take cash easily.

Do I need a VPN in Beijing? If you rely on Google (Maps, Gmail, Search), WhatsApp, Instagram or Facebook, yes — these are blocked on the Chinese internet. Install and test a reputable VPN before you land, because app stores inside China may not let you download one.

Which Great Wall section should I visit? Mutianyu is the usual first-timer's choice — restored and less crowded, about 1.5 hours out, with a cable car and toboggan. Badaling is closest and busiest; Jinshanling and Jiankou are wilder and better for hikers.

Are there direct flights from the UK to Beijing? Yes — direct London flights run roughly 10-11 hours into either Beijing Capital (PEK) or Beijing Daxing (PKX). Routes and fares change, so compare current options before booking.

PEK or PKX — which Beijing airport will I land at? Beijing has two: Capital (PEK) to the northeast, closer to the city, and the newer Daxing (PKX) to the south. Check which your flight uses, as transfer times and the best hotel location differ. Several airport-zone hotels here sit near Daxing.

How good is Beijing's metro? Excellent — one of the largest, cheapest and most modern systems in the world, with English signage, reaching almost every major sight for a few Yuan a ride. Load a transit card into Alipay or WeChat Pay.

When is the best time to visit Beijing? Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) — mild, drier and clearer. Summer is hot and humid; winter is cold and dry with occasional poor air-quality days, so check the forecast and an air-quality index if travelling then.

What's the cheapest area to stay in Beijing? The deepest budget stock sits around the airport zones (especially Daxing) and outer subway districts, from about £38 a night. For budget sightseeing, pick a hotel near a metro line a few stops out rather than right by the Forbidden City.

How much does a budget hotel in Beijing cost? Real bookable budget hotels here start at around £38 a night and run to roughly £61 at the top of the budget tier — rough £ conversions from Yuan on live rates. Your dates will differ, so tap through for today's price.

What is the most expensive hotel in this guide? The Grand Hyatt Beijing tops the guide at around £203 a night on the rates we pulled — a central 5-star, and still well below what an equivalent hotel costs in London, Dubai or New York.

Where should first-time visitors stay in Beijing? Wangfujing and the central district — walking distance or a short metro ride to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the main shopping street. Several luxury and mid-range picks cluster there.

Is Beijing a walkable city? The historic core around the Forbidden City, Tiananmen and the hutong lanes is very walkable, but Beijing is huge, so you'll rely on the metro for longer hops. The hutongs and Houhai reward walking.

How many days do I need in Beijing? Four days is a good minimum — the Forbidden City and Tiananmen, a Great Wall day trip, the Temple of Heaven and Summer Palace, and the hutongs and food. Five or six days lets you slow down.

Is Beijing safe for tourists? Generally very safe, with low violent street crime. Standard city awareness applies for pickpocketing in crowded spots and for common taxi or tea-house scams aimed at tourists. Check current gov.uk advice before you go.

Should I book a Great Wall tour or go independently? Both work. Mutianyu and Badaling are reachable independently by bus or arranged transport, but a small-group tour removes the logistics for first-timers. Avoid the cheapest tours that bundle long shopping stops.

What is Peking duck and where should I try it? Beijing's signature dish — crisp-skinned roast duck with pancakes, spring onion and sweet bean sauce. Historic specialists and modern rooms both serve it; ask your hotel for a nearby pick to match your budget.

Are the hotel prices in this guide per night? Yes — every from-price is a rough £ conversion of the per-night rate pulled on a live search while writing. Prices are in Yuan at booking and vary by date, season and demand.

Can I use Google Maps in Beijing? Only with a working VPN, since Google services are blocked. Many travellers use Apple Maps (which works) or Chinese apps like Amap, and download an offline map of Beijing before arriving as a backup.

Do Beijing hotels include breakfast? Many mid-range and luxury hotels include a breakfast buffet, but it's inconsistent at the cheapest budget tier. Always check what's included on the hotel's live page before comparing two similarly priced rooms.

Is English widely spoken in Beijing? English is spoken at major hotels, airports and big sights, but far less in taxis, small restaurants and shops. An offline translation app makes daily life much easier given the internet restrictions.

What's the difference between airport-zone and central hotels? Airport-zone hotels — many near Daxing (PKX) here — are cheaper and convenient for early or late flights, but far from the central sights. Central hotels cost more but put you within metro reach of everything. Match to your itinerary.

Is the Summer Palace worth visiting? Yes — a vast lakeside imperial garden in the northwest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the city's most beautiful half-day trips, easily reached by metro.

How do I book these exact hotels at the prices shown? Every hotel name links to its live page on JetMeAway — real-time rates, taxes shown, and a date picker for your trip. The from-prices here were pulled while writing, so your dates will differ. No booking fees either way.

What should I set up before flying to Beijing? Three things: confirm the current visa-free rule for UK passport holders, set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a linked card, and install a VPN plus offline maps and a translation app while you still have open internet — all before you leave the UK.

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