Compared to the old way of having to go to the Consulate and waiting in line for hours, standing room only no less, the Chinese Visa Application Centre offers a more efficient and comfortable experience.
As soon as you enter the suite, the person at the "reception desk" gives you a number based on whether you'd made an appointment online in advance or not, and briefly reviews your documents. Then you sit in the waiting area until your number is called up. Just allow yourself enough time for the trip, sit back and relax.
The counter person who handled my application was friendly and efficient, no complaint.
Compared to my experiences of getting visas for other countries, this is fairly painless.