Bohai Pearl Hotel

Breakfast was tasty, though it was crowded whenever we went. The elevators were very fast, and the hotel feels old. In our room, the refrigerator was dated, but the kids enjoyed playing tag on the floor. The beds were comfortable and the bathroom was nice, but its toilet leaked while we were there, and a few days later the sink did too. The air conditioning was weak, and the big window seemed a little risky for children. The room itself was fine, but I don't think the hotel deserves four stars.

I pretty much only went to the food court at the top, with its lovely view. The hotel is beautiful and the nearby walkway has shoes, clothes, and little shops; downstairs there are clothes, knick-knacks, and food all over. My one complaint was the ceiling air conditioning. It wasn't very powerful in the August heat, and opening the window would have helped, but it was noisy.

The location is the one real plus, with plenty of little supermarkets and cafes nearby. Breakfast comes with the stay and was decent, and they ask for a 100 yuan deposit at check-in. Beyond that, this place looks much better from the outside: the walls and carpets are stained, and the furniture looks like it's from the 1990s and badly worn. The rooms don't have a wardrobe or a safe. The air conditioning barely cools things, more like a ceiling fan. They call it a four-star hotel, but that rating seems to belong to ten years ago.

The hotel was comfortable enough, and it's near the station in a busy area. But a strange young Chinese girl kept knocking on my door, which I found really unpleasant. A friend in Dalian told me this apparently happens often. That's unfortunate, but I suppose that's just how it is. It felt like they were saying, "Don't underestimate the Japanese!"