Over the October holiday, my little clan of three joined four other families for a nearby getaway vacation. Instead of fighting the crowds at the airports and train stations, not to mention shelling out extra cash for inflated tickets, we drove 90 minutes out of Beijing to stay for three nights at the Hyatt Regency Jing Jin City Resort and Spa. The idea was simply to get out of town and relax for a few days at the pool and hot springs.
Staying for three days at a nearby resort might seem like an odd choice, especially considering how isolated this resort is, but with a beautiful golf course (for those so inclined), a large indoor pool, outdoor hot springs, bowling alley, squash courts, bicycles, table tennis, fitness center, billiards, and a fabulous spa, there is plenty to keep you occupied. And if that is not enough for the kids in your family, there is also a host of activities for them. Reina and her friends enjoyed making pottery, art, deserts, and playing supervised games. In the heart of all this fun for families, there is even a kids’ restaurant that caters to children by serving up fresh kid-friendly options that are reasonably priced and proportioned appropriately.
Although the kid’s restaurant is convenient while enjoying the recreational facilities, for breakfast and most meals we ate at the Glass House (international buffet) and in The Garden, the on-site Chinese restaurant. There is also a Japanese restaurant that our friends enjoyed, but we didn’t have a chance to try it. We opted to eat dinner most nights at the The Garden since they had private rooms that include sofas in one corner. The food was great, reasonably priced, and the kids could read books and play on the sofas after they finished eating while the parents were able to eat at a leisurely pace for a change, all without disturbing other diners. We also found that if several families dined together at The Garden, the meal was less expensive than the buffet.
On one night, the parents with younger children utilized the resorts in-room baby-sitting services for three hours so that the adults could all meet at the outdoor hot springs where we had reserved a private hot tub. It was nice to have some time away from our children where we could all discuss important adult things like, well, our children.
But as far as I’m concerned, the crown jewel at the resort is the Balneum Spa. Arriving early for the 90-minute signature body massage, I was treated to a 30 minute soak in their private hot spring before receiving a fantastic massage that combined the best of both Swedish and Chinese massage techniques. I found the time spent in the hot spring really helped my muscles relax and get me prepared for the heavenly massage.
Of course, like any hotel resort, the price of the spa treatments can be a ding to the wallet. But until the end of November, at least, the Hyatt has made it easier to enjoy the spa, golf, and restaurants by including RMB1,000 in vouchers per night when you book the Explore package for RMB1,488 a night. The Explore package includes their spacious hotel room, breakfast buffet for two and the aforementioned vouchers. This is one of several specials they are currently running and you can get all the details by contacting Alexandra Stockmann (Sales Manager) at alexandra.stockmann@hyatt.com, or by simply visiting the hotel’s website here.
All in all, we had a great time at the Hyatt Regency and I’m sure we will return a time or two during the coming winter. The resort was not without its quirks, but when members of our party noticed a problem, such as the pool being too cold, management was quick to resolve the situation. It’s treatment like that which will ensure it gets repeat customers.