Just got back from China this past Monday, have a post called "just back from China TR" which talks about Peninsula.

I don't know anything about the Hyatt, but when I was selecting hotels, this was the only one where I didn't read anything negative about it. The other hotels I read about had plus and minuses. This one seemed all pluses.

We really liked it. The staff is nice and pleasant, very helpful. Great location. Close to many tourist sites and shopping. Nice high tech gadgets in rooms. Very well run hotel, wonderful buffet breakfast every morning. I never got sick of it. Very convenient to get around hotel and get to things you needed. ATM in basement, shops within hotel, but VERY expensive.

Hope that helps!

Glad hear you form Rocket,Grand Hyatt is much better.are you a Rockets fan?

Thanks for all of your comments...

However, I am still undecided between the two. Both hotels have their positives and negatives. I suppose I will have to choose one and see for myself.

P.S. I am not a Rockets fan...sorry.

Rocket18 I am staying with my family at the Grand Hyatt for 6 nights next week. I'll post when I return after the 29th and give you a report of what it was like. Deciding on a hotel is so hard when you have no idea of the area or place. good luck if you decide before

My wife and I and our 2 daughters stayed at the Hyatt in March. Only hotel that you could get a 2-bedroom suite at a not too sky-high price. Room was great as was the hotel... 15 minutes to Tianenmen Sq and Forbidden City, next to the Wanfujing shopping street, and below it was a large mall that many reasonable Mall type Restaurants and 2 bakeries that were open early for breakfast. The Breakfast at the Hotel was good but very pricey unless you get the B&B Deal... would recommend if you are having breakfast at the hotel. Pool awesome decor and spacious/clean, and great exercise rooms. I think Peninsula was a bit further up from the Sq. and the Forbidden City and some reviews said that the rooms were small. One downer on the Hyatt, Internet was expensive which irritates me because if you are paying so much for a hotel you should get this service for free.

HI

At the Hyatt, arrived Sat. It is wonderful, we have the two bedroom suite, only problem, price quoted is higher than we were told when got here by several hundred yuan. Not sure how that's going to work out at check out but sure we can get it straighten out. Our room is wonderful though and supplied with water daily. Also the breakfast we did the b&b deal is fabulous and saves us time as for us the last two days we just snacked for lunch. Easy walking to many restaurants and forbidden city and t-square..

we had a fabulous driver John recommend by another tripad person.

So I haven't seen the Peninsula yet but the Hyatt has been great.

Flip a coin? Pick the one you get a better price for?

Both are fine hotels. If you read through all of the hotel reviews section and don't see anything that makes you think one suits you better, then don't worry about it, you an't rally go wrong with these two hotels unless you can't afford them.

There are not too many people who have actually stayed at both hotels, so it is hard for us to give a really good comparison. The reviews are really your best source of information.

One nice thing about the Grand Hyatt in March, is that it is attached to a mall and a subway stop, so you can put off going outside for longer. But I always wonder if people who stay in a hotel like the Grand Hyatt would ever take the subway instead of a taxi, anyway.

travellevret,

Nice comment about Hyatt residents and subways!!!!!

today is my last night at the hyatt and we used the subway everyday but the two days we went to the great wall and summer palace. it is very convenient to got right to the subway from the hotel. the line for the taxis is extremely long outside the hotel at times

Good to know you used the subway! I have really found myself mentioning that to people considering staying in the hotel and wondering if it would matter to them.

Aside from cost-savings, the subway is a good way to avoid traffic jams.