Qingdao Yihai Garden Hotel (May Fourth Square)

The staff were lovely, and breakfast was a good buffet with nice coffee. Our room looked out at a spectacular lightshow across several buildings.

My room was spacious, with a comfortable bed and pillows, a good shower, and a free mini bar. They also brought welcome fruit to the room. The AC wasn’t running, though. Staff said it doesn’t turn on when it’s cool outside, and my room stayed over 80°F for most of the night. They kindly brought me a fan. The gym was good, but getting everything set up took a while because it usually opens at 9 a.m. and I needed to go at 6. I appreciated them accommodating me. A solid four stars. I’d stay again.

The service here was excellent. At breakfast, Xu Ruoxuan was always smiling and genuinely kind. When we asked for rice, she went to the kitchen to get some for us. She also checked in enthusiastically in the room to see if we needed anything before we asked. She even reheated the cold dumplings we’d bought and brought them to us. They were delicious. The hotel is truly friendly and nice.

For a five-star hotel, the price is reasonable, and the rooms are spacious. The whole place is non-smoking, so there’s no cigarette smell. Rooms can feel a little dry, but there’s a small air purifier. Morning cleaning seems to happen around 9-10 a.m., so keep that in mind if you’re sleeping in. The staff are helpful. If you’re heading to the pier, you can pick up free seagull snacks in the first-floor lobby. Mix Mall is walkable; Section 54 and Haecheon View Tower are a bit of a walk, but taxis are cheap, so I’d take one.