Ascott Guangzhou

The rooms are spacious and newly furnished with quality appliances, including a Siemens fridge, washing machine, kettle that keeps water warm, dishwasher, and clean utensils. One housekeeping issue stood out: the same roll of hair stayed in the corner of the carpet in room 1209 for a few days. Smoking in the service apartments would be better avoided, though secondhand smoke seems to be a citywide Guangzhou problem and puts me off returning to the country. The hotel is near a main road, so impatient drivers honk, but it was bearable and outside the hotel’s control. It would also help to make the entrance more wheelchair friendly. Breakfast had the usual staples and not a huge range, but there was something for everyone and they made an effort to change some dishes each day. I liked the dining room atmosphere. It wasn’t crowded, and people from different countries respected each other’s privacy. The location isn’t perfect, though there’s an upscale mall nearby. We booked three rooms, but got one before check-in, one at 2 pm, and the last at 4 pm. I understand there can be constraints, but please sort that out on your end instead of telling me about the problem. Even so, Ascott Residence made my stay in GZ pleasant.

The place was clean and organized, but I’m still waiting for the 1,000 CNY deposit they said would be refunded. I didn’t use any of the hotel facilities. My colleague booked separately at the same time and hasn’t had his deposit returned either. We’ve contacted management in Chinese and English and received no reply. Really disappointing.

Two malls are just a short walk away, which made the location very convenient. I stayed for a week and had a lovely time. The staff were polite, and Jase Yuan deserves a special mention for helping us buy medicine for an allergy.

Taikoo Hui is right across the street, and there’s a convenience store two minutes away behind the hotel by the main road. The car drop-off and pick-up are nearly at the door, with two steps and a side ramp, though the area isn’t fully sheltered. Taxis line up near Taikoo Hui’s north entrance by Mandarin Oriental, and a Didi was always available within a minute. It’s about a 30-minute Didi ride from Baiyun Intl Airport. Shipaiqiao MRT station, south of Taikoo Hui, is a five-minute walk. Beijing Road Pedestrian Street is about 15 minutes away, Yong Qing Fang around 25, and Shamian Island about 30. I had a 1 Bedroom Premier for two nights, with early check-in around noon. Room 501 looked over the pool. There’s plenty of space, with a separate living room, kitchenette and master bedroom. The fridge is large, and the washing machine is cleverly tucked away. It is a service apartment, and the room felt a little dated, though still comfortable for two. There’s no luggage rack. The bathroom water temperature, control and pressure were excellent, with a walk-in shower and handheld head offering four spray settings. The windows open outward, air conditioning can be controlled in both the bedroom and living room, and there are lots of power outlets. I also found two spare pillows hidden in the cupboard and plenty of hangers. A solid base for exploring Tianhe.