Where to Stay in Beijing with Kids: Best Family Friendly Hotels

Beijing is unlike any city I have ever visited - with a rich history spanning over 3,000 years, where you’ll find imperial palaces alongside modern skyscrapers and ancient hutong alleyways wind between office towers. We visited with my husband’s family when my daughter was 15 months old meaning it was a group of 6 adults and 2 toddlers so we needed accommodation options that would keep everyone happy!

The city does require a bit more planning than a European city break. English is spoken very little outside tourist sites, mobile payment through AliPay is essential, and many popular apps and websites are blocked so it is worth reading our full itinerary post before you go: 5 Days in Beijing with Kids: A Toddler Friendly Itinerary.

Things to know before you book

Getting around with a pram: The Beijing subway is extensive and cheap, but not always pram friendly. Some stations have lifts or escalators but many do not, so I would recommend bringing a lightweight travel pram as you’ll be carrying it a lot! Didi, which is Beijing's equivalent of Uber, is cheap and easy to book through the AliPay app, and we used it constantly. Bear in mind that taxis do not have car seats as standard, so children travel on a parent's lap unless old enough to sit independently (or you can bring a travel car seat with you).

Staying central: Beijing is a large city and you do not want to waste time commuting. Dongcheng is the most central district for historical sightseeing and means you’re close to things like the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the hutong neighbourhoods. Chaoyang is the modern, international face of the city and suits families who want a more contemporary base with excellent facilities and easy access to Sanlitun (the shopping and nightlight district) and the Central Business District.

Where to Stay in Beijing: Best Areas for Families

I've highlighted my recommendations in red in the map below:

Hotel	Neighbourhood	Best For	Price
base Beijing Wangfujing Serviced Apartments	Dongcheng	Best mid range choice and self catering	(from around £65/night)
Grand Hyatt Beijing	Dongcheng	Luxury and Forbidden City access	(from around £250/night)
Live Fortuna Hotel	Chaoyang	Modern base and pool facilities	(from around £70/night)
Kerry Hotel Beijing	Chaoyang	Best in class kids facilities and play	(from around £200/night)

Dongcheng: For the Forbidden City, Hutongs and Central Sightseeing

Dongcheng is where most first time visitors to Beijing want to be based, and with good reason. This is the historic heart of the city, with easy access to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, Nanluoguxiang hutong and the Lama Temple. Staying in Dongcheng means you can reach the main sights on foot or in a short Didi/subway ride. We walked through Nanluoguxiang on our first evening and ended up eating candied strawberries on sticks just before bedtime.

1. base Beijing Wangfujing Serviced Apartments (from around £65/night)

Best for: Mid range families and self catering flexibility.

This is where we stayed for the first part of our trip, delivering exactly what you want when travelling with a young child. The apartments offer generous space, fully equipped kitchens, washing machines and a locaiton with plenty around. For larger groups, they offer two bedroom options giving everyone plenty of privacy. We loved the indoor play area in the basement and it is perfectly situated with two subway stations within a five minute walk, and you can easily stroll over to Wangfujing Street.

2. Grand Hyatt Beijing (from around £250/night)

Best for: Luxury seekers who want to be steps from Tiananmen Square.

Situated right at the junction of Chang'an Avenue and Wangfujing Pedestrian Street, the Grand Hyatt is the perfect location within walking distance of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. The hotel is directly above the Oriental Plaza shopping complex, so very convenient if you need to stock up on extra nappies or snacks. Facilities include an indoor pool. two bedroom family suites with separate living areas, children's bathrobes, and dedicated kids menus.

Chaoyang: For Modern Beijing, Sanlitun and the Best Hotel Facilities

Chaoyang is where Beijing gets international because the business district, Sanlitun shopping and restaurant district, Ritan Park and the embassy quarter are all here. The area has a more modern, spacious feel than the narrow hutong streets of Dongcheng. It suits families who want excellent hotel infrastructure with larger pools, kids clubs, and better equipped facilities, and who do not mind a short Didi ride to the main historical sights. We spent the second half of our trip based here and appreciated the extra space and the proximity to modern restaurants.

3. Live Fortuna Hotel (from around £70/night)

Best for: Families splitting their time or wanting a modern base.

We moved here for the second half of our trip to experience a different side of the city, and it offers an incredible amount of value. The hotel features a fantastic indoor swimming pool with lifeguards on duty, alongside a well equipped gym and a generous daily breakfast buffet. The family suites are thoughtfully designed with separate living areas and kitchenettes, giving you much needed extra room to breathe after a busy day. One of the best perks is that Ritan Park is just 600 metres away, so you have a peaceful green space to take young children before/after sightseeing. Chaoyangmen subway station is a ten minute walk away, and the Forbidden City is a quick taxi ride. Note that cots are not available here.

4. Kerry Hotel Beijing by Shangri La (from around £200/night)

Best for: The gold standard of family travel in Beijing with exceptional play facilities.

The Kerry Hotel is widely regarded as the best family hotel in Beijing, and the extensive facilities completely back up that reputation. If your priority is keeping little ones entertained, this place is a destination in itself. There is an incredible indoor playground complete with a slide and themed party rooms to keep toddlers busy for hours. Parents will appreciate the 35 metre heated indoor pool and the outdoor jogging track. They are very accommodating, offering connecting rooms and cots available upon request. Dining includes five fantastic options like the Horizon Chinese Restaurant, serving spectacular wood fired Peking duck from open theatre kitchens. Jintaixizhao subway station is 800 metres away, and the Taikoo Li Sanlitun shopping area is a short walk. It is without a doubt the standout luxury option for families wanting the best hotel facilities in Beijing.

Our Verdict

For most families visiting Beijing for the first time with young children, I would base yourself in Dongcheng because the hutong atmosphere is part of what makes Beijing so uinque. The base Beijing Wangfujing Serviced Apartments are the smart choice at mid range, as the space, the kitchen, the English speaking staff and the central location make it perfectly suited to families travelling with a baby or toddler. For a luxury splurge, the Grand Hyatt puts you closer to the Forbidden City than anywhere else on this list, with the pool and family suites to match.

If you are spending several days in the city and want to split your time between Dongcheng and Chaoyang, which is worth doing as they feel like different cities, the Live Fortuna works well as an affordable second base with an indoor pool. For families who want the best facilities in one place and are happy to take a taxi to the sights, the Kerry Hotel is in a category of its own.

For everything to do once you are there, read our 5 Days in Beijing with Kids: A Toddler Friendly Itinerary.