The Hunt for a Room: A Month-Long Obsession
Let’s be real—scoring a room at MUJI Hotel Beijing feels like winning the minimalist-lover’s lottery. I spent a month obsessively refreshing booking pages before snagging a patchwork stay: 2 nights in Type C (¥900/night) and 3 in Type D (¥1,300/night), shuffled like a chaotic game of musical chairs. Pro tip: If you want consecutive nights, plan way ahead—or embrace the joy of daily room-hopping.
The Good: Why This Hotel is a Unicorn
1. Location, Location, Location
This place is the golden child of convenience:
- 200m from Qianmen subway (Lines 2/8), and a 5-minute walk to Qianmen Street’s bustling food stalls and souvenir shops.
- 400m to the China Railway Museum (a hit with my train-obsessed kid).
- Across the street from Tiananmen Square—I strolled over with just my phone, ID, and room key for an afternoon visit.
- The 4th-floor restaurant terrace offers a private panorama of Tiananmen—sipping coffee here at sunrise is peak Beijing magic.
2. Rooms That Feel Like a MUJI Catalog Come to Life
- Spacious & Spotless: Both Type C (30-38㎡) and D (43-48㎡) felt airy, with deep-soak tubs (I brought disposable liners—bliss after 20K steps/day). Bathrooms were impeccable, with Toto fixtures and clever hidden storage.
- Freebies Galore: Daily MUJI snacks, 2 bottled waters, and fridge-stocked juices. The tea bags and drip coffee were a nice touch.
- View Lottery: Type D on the 3rd floor (Room 305) gifted us a direct Tiananmen view—worth the ¥1,300 splurge.
3. Perks Beyond the Room
- B1 MUJI Store: Forgot your travel-sized toner? The flagship shop downstairs has you covered (and offers guest discounts!).
- Laundry Deal: ¥10 for wash/dry (though they mysteriously never charged me).
- Public Lounge: A quiet hideout with vending machines (though tragically, no pads for emergencies—bring your own!).
The Not-So-Good: Quirks & Quibbles
1. The Great Room Shuffle
Switching rooms four times in five days was exhausting. MUJI’s popularity means zero flexibility for extensions—pack light and mentally prep for luggage Tetris.
2. Paper-Thin Walls
Heard every 6am TV show, sprinting kid, and even got scolded for running bathwater at 10:30pm. Bring earplugs if you’re noise-sensitive.
3. Breakfast Mediocrity
At ¥70/person, the MUJI Diner spread was underwhelming: stale fruit, watery eggs, and no coffee refills. We opted for McDonald’s after Day 1.
Final Verdict: A Design Lover’s Dream (With Caveats)
MUJI Hotel Beijing is a masterclass in minimalist aesthetics and unbeatable location—but it’s not for everyone. Ideal for:
- MUJI fanatics who crave total brand immersion.
- Tourists prioritizing proximity to Tiananmen/Forbidden City.
- Light packers who can tolerate room-hopping.
Skip if: You need luxury service, consistent quiet, or hate daily relocation chaos.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) — Almost perfect, if not for the noise and booking woes.
Footnotes & Tips
- Best Room: Type D, 3rd floor for Tiananmen views.
- Book Early: Rooms sell out months ahead.
- Pack: Earplugs, bath liners, and menstrual products (the vending machines fail here).
Would I return? Absolutely—but only if I can lock in a week-long reservation. 🌿✨
