“Ok. Not Great, but Ok”
We spent 6 nights there when adopting our second Chinese child. Since Chinese rooms tend to be small we had adjoining rooms in all hotels except this one. Here, we had a suite with 1 1/2 baths, a bedroom, and a living room. The floor plan was my favorite thing about the hotel. We were in some nice but small rooms the first week and this gave us a chance to spread out. We didn't really need the 1/2 bath but after being on the road in smaller rooms it was a luxury, more mentally than because we needed it so much. The main bath was larger than normal and the main bedroom was a good size. The view was cool, too-I think we were about 30 floors up. It felt like an apartment, not a hotel room. The folding bed was uncomfortable but, in fairness, it wasn't a real bed.
The breakfast was good, except that we had to go to the top (not the bottom) and had to change elevators on theway up. Once in the breakfast room we had to negotiate stairs; our new little one wanted to sit in his stroller and this was difficult. The view from the revolving restaurant was terrific, esp. since we got it each morning for breakfast, and not during an expensive dinner that might have taken place after dark anyway. My daughter enjoyed the fact that the breakfast room is a revolving restaurant. We did not like the Japanese restaurant in the hotel. We went to one in 2005 at the China hotel a few blocks away and enjoyed it. I thought we'd repeat the memory on this trip but it wasn't good at all. We did not venture out much from this hotel on foot, except to note that a KFC and Pizza Hut were next door (and I do mean next door). Very convenient. I like Chinese Pizza Huts more than American ones, though Chinese KFCs aren't as good; we tolerate it since we tend to miss American food so far into a trip. We had internet access in our room but there was a technical glitch setting it up. My wife handled it since she's the computer person; I don't remember the technical reason but it was a minor problem.
Another reviewer said it best-the hotel was "tired." It looked to me like an upscale business hotel that was in need of new paint and new carpet. It wasn't a dump, mind you-I've been in much worse-but it lacked the polish that I suspect it used to have. The Poly White Rose in Wuhan, the China Hotel in Guangzhou, and the Regal Airport in Hong Kong looked much fresher. I can't comment too much on the location since our only real destination in this city was Shamian Island, which we could get to in about 20 minutes by cab. Cabs were easy to find and very cheap, even for all of us. We were far from the American Consulate, which apparently moved off Shamian Island since 2005. Keep this in mind if you need to visit the Consulate during your trip. This hotel is not convenient for the Consulate.
One unpleasant memory involved their security guards, of all things. My kids were looking at fish in a fountain behind the lobby and their (bored?) security people talked to us rather angrily. I didn't realize small children looking at fish was that big of a deal. It scared my 3 year-old (the one we had just adopted, who was emotionally stressed anyway) and he slipped when he tried to back away and he bumped his head and started crying. The injury was no big deal-a minor bump-but I resent the attitude they had. My kids were harmlessly looking at fish and I'm no Capone; when I grew up I never went to the Principal's office, not even once. If I'm your focus then your security people have too much time on your hands. That left a sour taste in my mouth, especially after we'd just finished enjoying good service in Wuhan.
Basically, not too bad but I recommend the China Hotel (a Marriot), which is nearby and (as of 2005) a fresher choice. I have not stayed in the White Swan but I've been in the lobby several times and have heard good things about the rooms (price issues aside) and Shamian Island is a family-friendly atmosphere. I'm checking "no" for the Asia International because the carpet and furniture were worn but mainly because of how rude the security men were to me and my kids over something so innocent. I don't need that. You probably don't, either.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
