The Oct Harbour, Shenzhen - Marriott Executive Apartments

I'm staying here for several months, so I may add an update later. The room is clean and looks like the photos, with a very nice view, and the hotel staff are kind. The managers also personally followed up when I had a problem with my breakfast takeaway and found a solution. They normally don't allow guests to take breakfast out, but I needed to because I had to work early. If something comes up during your stay, talking to them may help make things feel more like home. OCT harbour is right next to the hotel, and the area is pleasant and quiet at night. It's not in the city center, but you can get around by car service or subway in 20-30 minutes. Didi App is an option for car service. There are lots of different restaurants nearby, and it's fun to walk around and shop at night. It's also less crowded than the city center.

The service was good and the location is convenient, with lots of restaurants nearby in a trendy area. My room was very large, but it had little character and the decor didn't feel warm or cosy. The atmosphere was quiet to the point of feeling boring. For platinum members, there was no upgrade. Nansan Marriott feels cosier and costs less. Good place and service, but expensive and dull.

There are plenty of upscale shops and restaurants here. Most of the food is Asian, though there are a couple of Italian choices and a fully vegetarian restaurant too. The options range from decent to good, but the prices are pretty high by China standards.

The rooms are a good size, with a washer and dryer and a compact, functional kitchen, and the gym is fantastic. There are lots of shops and restaurants close by. The main drawback is that almost none of the staff speak English, which makes even check-in and check-out challenging.