I had chosen this hotel for its downtown location. However I soon realised its location in a hutong can be inconvenient. On 3 occasions, the Didi driver I booked stopped at the entrance to Lishihutong, and told me to walk down the hutong to the hotel myself. Their reason: the hutong is single lane, and they could get caught in a "traffic jam" in it.
However the hotel itself, the service and the staff, were great.
1. I had dropped my USB multi-charging cable when out, and realised it only when I wanted to charge my phone and power banks at night. I approached Reception to borrow a USB cable for the night. Cindy at Reception said the hotel does not loan USB cables but said I could buy one online, and it would be delivered that night. It was already 10.45pm, I was sceptical. Since I am not able to read or type in Chinese, she helped me make a purchase using her phone. The much USB charging cable was delivered at 11.35pm to my room by the hotel's own delivery robot! Amazing service - both by the online vendor, Cindy, Holiday Inn Express and its delivery robot too.
2. I had booked a Didi car to bring me to the Airport. I was concerned the Didi driver may not want to drive into the hotel driveway. The doorman on duty, 刘枭翰, very kindly went to the entrance to the hotel driveway to wait for the Didi, and directed him into the driveway so I need not wait along the hutong itself. He also lifted my luggage into the boot. Congratulations on your excellent service staff!