While the Snow and Ice Festival were spectacular and freezing, the hotel is in dire need of a thorough remodel! This was not a typical Shangri-La property. The carpets are worn, the bedding is old, and the public spaces are dated. The restaurants were fair. I believe that this is the nicest hotel in Harbin, but it is not very nice. The club level was decent, and it was a nice place to warm up between sight seeing activities. The staff was very helpful and nice. The hotel was too warm and we were unable to adjust the temperature. Our room was too small to add a roll-a-way, so we had to upgrade to a junior suite.

Good property in a city with limited choices. Rooms were a bit tight which was surprising but overall, good. The hotel has a spa/gym and Western/Asian restaurants. Good location. 30 minutes from airport, 10 minutes from Ice/Snow Festival. Less than 10 minutes to St Sophia Church. Ice restaurant is fun from a novelty standpoint though hot pot dinner there was very good.

I'll get this out of the way first since it is our only criticism. The rooms were too warm but truth be told, we found this to be true everywhere we went in Harbin...restaurants, cars, shopping centers. It was below freezing outside so I guess everyone made up for it by heating up the inside. Just be prepared for that when you go.

Now, on to the good stuff. We have stayed at Shangri-la in Singapore and in Bangkok so we are familiar with what to expect. I have always believed that a hotel is a hotel and a room is a room. Our room was adequately sized, exceedingly clean and supplied everything we could have expected. It is really all about the people and this is truly where this wonderful Shangri-la excelled. Everywhere we turned, people smiled, greeted us, often by name, and made sure that our every need was attended to.

The restaurant where breakfast was served was simply amazing. I would go down for coffee almost an hour before my wife would come down. I would be seated at the table of my choice and presented with the morning paper and coffee (which never seemed to empty). The variety of items available was enormous...Chinese, American and English items, pastries, waffle station, fresh noodle and dumpling station, omelet station and a wide variety of fresh fruit.

We were there for my wife's big birthday milestone. The morning ambassador, Jessica, came to our table and checked on us. When she found it was her birthday, Jessica told my wife about how Chinese have a special noodle dish for breakfast. She then went and personally saw to the preparation of the dish then served it to her. It was quite wonderful.

Also, before we departed the U.S., we made a reservation at the Ice Palace, the hotel's seasonal ice restaurant and bar. Hansen at the front desk, wished her a happy birthday on arrival and confirmed our reservations (without our asking). We had a wonderful 'hot pot' dinner in the Ice Palace with everyone wishing her a happy birthday and presenting her (and I) with a birthday dessert. Everything was quite amazing. Where in the world can you have a steaming hot dinner, have the steam rise, turn to snow and fall on your table.

We especially want to say a greatful thanks to Hansen at the front desk, Jessica, the adorable morning ambassador, at the breakfast restaurant, as well as the ever-smiling doorman who would escort us to the elevator and ask about our day.

Should we return to Harbin, we would not consider staying anywhere else. We were treated and friends and valuable guests and that is what it is all about.

I'll get this out of the way first since it is our only criticism. The rooms were too warm but truth be told, we found this to be true everywhere we went in Harbin...restaurants, cars, shopping centers. It was below freezing outside so I guess everyone made up for it by heating up the inside. Just be prepared for that when you go.

Now, on to the good stuff. We have stayed at Shangri-la in Singapore and in Bangkok so we are familiar with what to expect. I have always believed that a hotel is a hotel and a room is a room. Our room was adequately sized, exceedingly clean and supplied everything we could have expected. It is really all about the people and this is truly where this wonderful Shangri-la excelled. Everywhere we turned, people smiled, greeted us, often by name, and made sure that our every need was attended to.

The restaurant where breakfast was served was simply amazing. I would go down for coffee almost an hour before my wife would come down. I would be seated at the table of my choice and presented with the morning paper and coffee (which never seemed to empty). The variety of items available was enormous...Chinese, American and English items, pastries, waffle station, fresh noodle and dumpling station, omelet station and a wide variety of fresh fruit.

We were there for my wife's big birthday milestone. The morning ambassador, Jessica, came to our table and checked on us. When she found it was her birthday, Jessica told my wife about how Chinese have a special noodle dish for breakfast. She then went and personally saw to the preparation of the dish then served it to her. It was quite wonderful.

Also, before we departed the U.S., we made a reservation at the Ice Palace, the hotel's seasonal ice restaurant and bar. Hansen at the front desk, wished her a happy birthday on arrival and confirmed our reservations (without our asking). We had a wonderful 'hot pot' dinner in the Ice Palace with everyone wishing her a happy birthday and presenting her (and I) with a birthday dessert. Everything was quite amazing. Where in the world can you have a steaming hot dinner, have the steam rise, turn to snow and fall on your table.

We especially want to say a greatful thanks to Hansen at the front desk, Jessica, the adorable morning ambassador, at the breakfast restaurant, as well as the ever-smiling doorman who would escort us to the elevator and ask about our day.

Should we return to Harbin, we would not consider staying anywhere else. We were treated and friends and valuable guests and that is what it is all about.