Holiday Inn Express Beijing Downtown

Holiday Inn Express Beijing Downtown is our mid-range pick and one of the best-value central bases in the city. It sits on Lishi Hutong in Dongcheng, one of the old lanes of the inner city, so you step out into the hutongs rather than onto a highway, yet it has the predictable comfort of an international brand. The 153 rooms are modern and practical, with large televisions, rainfall showers and kettles, and a free buffet breakfast is part of the deal, which makes a real difference to the budget over several days. Location is the other strength: Dongsi station, on Lines 5 and 6, is about 700 metres away and Chaoyangmen, on Lines 2 and 6, about 900 metres, so the Lama Temple, the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen and the Forbidden City are all a few stops away. The palace is about two kilometres away, and Beijing Railway Station is close for trains. Expedia guests rate it wonderful, at 9.2 from 240 reviews.

Location and getting around: the hotel is at No. 18 Lishi Hutong in Dongcheng. Dongsi station, on Lines 5 and 6, is about 0.7 kilometres away: Line 5 runs south to the Temple of Heaven and north to the Lama Temple. Chaoyangmen station, on Lines 2 and 6, is about 0.9 kilometres away, and Line 2 circles the old city. The Forbidden City is about 2.1 kilometres away, Tiananmen Square about three, and Beijing Railway Station about two.

Rooms: standard rooms and one-bedroom suites, modern and quiet, with 65-inch televisions, rainfall showers, kettles and free Wi-Fi.

Who it suits: first-time visitors, families and budget-conscious travellers who want a central, reliable base near the metro with breakfast included.

Good to know: the free buffet breakfast covers up to two adults sharing a room, with a charge for extra guests; it runs from 6:30 on weekdays and weekends. Parking is limited, so arrive by taxi. Check-in is from 14:00.