Guangzhou Hotel Reviews

Guangzhou is another place in the PRC which grants you landing Visa. I took a Coach direct from the Hong Kong Airport to Guangzhou which will take approx 3.5 Hrs to reach Guangzhou. The bus stops midway and we are asked to alight and complete immigration, an agent from CTS or the Coach operater will assit you in getting forms filled and the Visa processing (this was true for me as an Indian for other nationals please check about this facility!!). After the Visa processing/Immigration you board another coach and you will be in Guangzhou in an hour and half or so. Nothing great about the Guangzhou markets no bigger deals like Shenzen, if wishing to shop try Shenzen, a better option. Getting in and out of Guangzhou is smooth from Hong Kong. Try the KCR for returning to Hong Kong the train. Journey is great ! It drops you straight at Hunghom station. Taxis are cheap and of course some off them ricketty! Avoid taking taxis outside Exhibition grounds (Panyu etc.) as these guys will rip you off! Instead go down and take the Metro nearest to your Hotel and board another taxi. The Metro is great with okay coverage.

The highlight of our visit to GZ was our visit to the Museum of the Mausoleum of the Nanyue King dated back to more than 2000 years ago and discovered in 1983. It was very impressive to see the relics excavated and the layout of the tomb. From there, we walked over to the Yue-Xiu Park closed by. We sat near a pond to have our lunch bought at 7-11 and then we spent the rest of the afternoon checking out the Five Ram statue and the Chung San Memorial hall, etc. This is a worthwhile place to visit if you are in GZ.

The location is not convenient but accessible if you can spare the time. There is a Netbar across the street 2 Yuan/hour after midnight, otherwise 6 Yuan. One can catch Bus No. 2 (fare 2 Yuan) from a bus station after a 10 minute walk north which will take you to Beijing Lu, a big hub for shoppers. Return bus is No 194 (fare 1 Yuan). Bank of China is a 5 minute walk away (east) for currency exchange. The hotel location is out of the tourist tracks so one must feel his/her way thru in order to feel relaxed and confident as English is spoken next to none.

Didn''t spend much time in Guangzhou, but I have to say that the new airport there is a stunning, sprawling example of architecture. The design although immense is laid out well, and the service was very good. Like most huge airport facilities you don''t want to be walking challenged. While in China this time I had great memorable experiences. Spent much of my time in Guangxi Province, in and around Nanjing, Guilin, Yanqian, Yangmei, and other spots. These places are interesting, the people are fantastic, and the variety of activities were fulfilling.

This was the last stay of a two week trip into China. Visited Shanghai, Mt. Huangshan, Guilin, HangZhou, Kunming, and finally Guangzhou. Needless to say the shopping and food were the greatest in Guangzhou. Lots of shopping on Peking Road- easily accessible by taxi.

Taxis are excellent in Guangzhou. You very rarely get a driver who cannot read your business card. Definitely eat at the Banana Leaf in the World Trade Centre, a very short walk from the hotel. Food and entertainment are both excellent. The Western Clothing Market near Guangzhou Railway Station is a great place to pick up western fashion labels at a steal. Look for the building called the Gold Elephant.

For the Executive travellers looking for good night spots, check out the street along Holiday Inn Hotel in the city centre, there''s about 5 upmarket disco/pubs, worth the travel there.

There will be a new international airport soon. The hotel has a shuttle that runs every half hour, but not during early morning or late evening hours...it''s 1/3 cheaper to take a cab than a hired car. This hotel is located in an island enclave, a pleasant 3-4 block isolated community. If you prefer proximity to pedestrial shopping streets and more restaurants, one may prefer a more centrally located hotel.<br> <br> There is a China Charity Gift store nearby, entrance inside office building, that may help fill your for-who shopping lists and benefit a good cause as well. For print film developing and photo finishing, the photo shop a block away is fast and cheaper than that at the hotel. This may be true for laundry as well; last time I was here, hotel laundry appeared more costly than the States.

I recommend for the shopper to visit the area Computer City and other shopping Centers like TEEM Plaza. If you are looking for an MP3 player the selection is like Heaven and the merchants are willing to bargain. Electronics are less expensive in China but found I was limited to Battery Models because of the different current in the USA. In China the Electric is 220V the USA it is 110V. Keep in Mind, Buses and Taxis are plentiful but not so much during rush hour and when it is raining. They will be busy. I took for shopping Buses # 54 and 89. Enjoy your Trip.

I can recommend the "Tang Lee Food Art" - restaurant, which is located in the Liwan Park at HuangSha Road.

Guangzhou is a fascinating city, with layers from many different generations over thousands of years. It is China''s third city and worth getting to know. Its parks are stunning, especially Yieu Xiu, and walks along the Pearl River show some of Guangzhou at its best, both the 21st Century and the ex-Colonial at Shamian Island. Guangzhou is re-inventing itself again and there is a real buzz to it.

The hotel is located on Shamian Dao (Sand Surface Island) and it is like an oasis in a large, polluted, bustling cement jungle. The island used be owned by the French and the British and there are wonderful old colonial builidngs across the island in various states of repair. The street have been gentrified and look beautiful with large bronze statues and gorgeous manicured lawns and pathways. Whilst the rest of Guangzhou races at a million miles an hour, the island is calm and relaxed and reminded me of a bygone era. It is also very safe and be circumnavigated in about half and hour. It''s also right near the swish and modern subway so getting around is easy. The food choices on the island are exceptional and incredibly affordable and only a few metres from the White Swan Hotel.<br> <br> A new restaurant has recently opened called Vietnamese Cuisine which is absolutely outstanding. It looks like it should be on the Left Bank of Paris and it has been fitted out beautifully with authentic Vietnamese waterwheels, photos and handicrafts. The food was nothing short of spectacular and the service was amazing - as was the price. If you go you must try the King Prawns in XO sauce - a main only costs about US$5 and it is large and simply mouth-wateringly delicious. I had to order another 2 dishes of other delicacies just to sample the food. The menu is presented beautifully and the choices are huge. Another great find on the island is the Deli Store just outside the White Swan. Prices are great and the choice is good too. I had the home made ice cream for dessert - very nice and affordable.

For shoppers -- stuff are cheaper at Dongmen than at the mall next to the railroad if you know how to haggle but the assortment is not as extensive. Tailored suits are a great buy. Copies of your favorite shirts, dresses can be made from your sample in a day but suits will take at least 3 days even if they assure you it will be done in 2 days. Insist on at least one fitting for suits because the local tailors'' sense of proportion and fit is on the baggy side. Cabs are really cheap, don''t bother sweating in a bus. Chinese food is excellent especially Mongolian lamb.

The Bai Yun Airport is a good place to to use as a base for travelling to/from the cites in Southern China. The flights are on-time and very affordable.

You can get low-cost flights to all parts of China at the Bai Yun airport. Service is frequent and mostly on-time.

Guangzhou is a very nice place to visit. The pearl river trip at night is good and excellent value. Cloud Mountain and bird sanctuary very good. Shopping is excellent. To speak a few words of chinese is helpful, but not essential.

Beware folks - drivers in China are reckless. Watch where you going, if you are not careful, you can easily end up in a road accident. The other is the limitless spitting incidents that I witnessed. You can easily find the remaining residue on pavements, roads etc. I actually had my luggage wheels going over one of them. Very unfortunate indeed.

We normally spend most of our time at the Zoo, our little boy''s favourite. It was not as well-kept this time as it used to be earlier. The animals did not seem to be very healthy, though it was great mingling with the ever-friendly locals there. We did a bit of shopping at the pedestrian market, the prices have gone really up, but it''s still a bargain compared to prices in HK - plus the sales staff are very obliging and pleasant to speak to, unlike their counterparts in HK or Shenzhen.

Dreadful. Is this one of the worst cities in China or what? See comments on China Hotel above. If you business allows it I strongly suggest taking a morning train from Hong Kong and an evening one back and avoid staying in Guangzhou altogether. Starbucks have opened an outlet near The Garden Hotel (another dreadful hotel) this Starbucks is a little oasis in the desert of Guangzhou.

Across the street about 100 m to the left when you walk out of the hotel is a club called Baby Face. If you want to see the desperately trendy young people of the New China and their ways of conspicuous consumption you have to go there. The place next to it is also fun.