Huanzhi Mercure (Guangzhou Tianhe Stadium TaiKoo Hui)

There’s so much here that I could have stayed on the premises and been happy. It has its own nightclubs, restaurants, shops, and karaoke bar, among other things, and the location was very convenient. The staff were terrific, the food was really good and seemed fresh, with lots of variety from breakfast through to the main dining hall. The suites were a great size and the beds were comfortable. It does show some wear, though, and the room windows are frighteningly thin, especially high up. They’re so thin it feels like a coke bottle could break them. Great place.

The breakfast buffet is appalling, and the carpets are dirty. The hotel is very old and hasn’t been upgraded since it opened. Stay away if you’re looking for a 5-star hotel.

I had a good first visit to Guangzhou as a solo traveller, and this hotel would be a good choice for a long stay. My room was spacious, clean, and smoke-free, and the staff were friendly and helpful. Jack Lee, the manager, made things especially easy for me. I’d bought a gift for my friend in Guangzhou, but he couldn’t collect it, so Jack arranged a courier to pick it up and deliver it to him. I really appreciated that kind help. Thank you again for the hospitality, Jack and his team. (Thank you for the wonderful service during my eight-day stay at the hotel.) Agnes Choo (Singapore)

The breakfast is poor, with basic-looking food that doesn’t seem worth the price they charge. The rooms themselves are nice, but the noise makes them very hard to sleep in. On the 40th floor, you’re right by the restaurant and can hear plates, cups, and spoons clattering. Its reception is out in the lobby, so phone rings carry straight into the bedroom. There’s no door closer to stop the doors slamming, and the heavy wooden doors make a loud bang when they shut. You can hear other guests’ doors closing every few minutes all night and into the morning. Noise gets straight into the rooms. It seems the owner or builder cut costs on soundproofing. The rooms aren’t cheap, and the breakfast quality is very bad for the price.