Hotele Romantic w: Liaoning, China

The hotel's online advertising built up too much anticipation, leading to a significant gap between expectation and reality. I arrived at 10:30 PM, and the lobby was completely dark. The room was spacious and the bed was comfortable, but the shower drainage was poor; water flowed from the shower enclosure directly into the toilet area. Since it was late and I was only staying one night, I didn't bother calling for service. The vanity area was also uncomfortably close to the bed with no privacy screen. As for the hot spring area, the water activities were fun and my child enjoyed them. However, the scrubbing area and lounge were very mediocre. If you're looking for a good scrubbing experience, I'd advise against it. There wasn't even any water available to drink in the scrubbing area. I finally found some hot water in the main hall, but the air conditioning wasn't sufficient, so I was constantly sweating. Free drinking water wasn't readily available everywhere. The dinner voucher from Ctrip was useless since I arrived so late. When I asked if I could use it the next day, I was told no, it was only valid for the same day – what's the point of giving it then? Overall, the indoor areas felt dim and disorganized, while the outdoor areas were clean, tidy, and interesting.

The best hotel of our trip, absolutely loved it! The design is just incredible. **Location:** Since I was traveling with my 12-year-old, convenience to attractions was a key factor. I hadn't really researched it when booking, but after staying, I found it super convenient for getting to the nearby Forest Zoo (I'll write a separate guide for that later), Lotus Mountain, Haida Tunnel, Cross-sea Bridge, and Xinghai Square. **Environment:** Built on Lotus Mountain with unique architecture, so the views and scenery are unparalleled. **Facilities:** The room and amenities were all very complete. The only downside was that there was an event in the sky garden one night, so we couldn't enjoy the night view, but otherwise everything was great. **Pool:** I went for a swim every day. It was great for exercise and I could also use the steam room, which was very relaxing. **Gym:** Lots of equipment, but not many people actually working out – more guests were there for a holiday. **Shuttle service from the foot of the mountain:** Very convenient! Although the journey isn't far, it saved a lot of time and effort. There were always hotel guests waiting there. **Hotel photoshoot (3 retouched digital photos, requires 24-hour advance booking):** We did this on our last morning, and it was incredibly efficient! Started shooting at 9 AM, finished by 9:20 AM (we couldn't shoot outdoors due to the weather). We then waited 5-10 minutes to choose the photos. Every shot was beautiful, and I reluctantly paid extra for 10 more. **Breakfast:** Very extensive, and the specialty sea buns and 'dirty' buns were absolutely delicious! **To sum it up:** You get what you pay for!

This time, I brought my family and kids to Dalian, and we decisively chose to stay at the Shangri-La Hotel, Dalian. This five-star hotel, highly praised by previous generations, truly lived up to its reputation. The accommodation experience throughout our trip far exceeded expectations. From its prime location and excellent room amenities to the meticulous and thoughtful service, everything left a deep impression. It's truly a Shangri-La! The Shangri-La Hotel is situated in the core business district of Renmin Road, boasting a unique geographical advantage. It's close to Zhongshan Square, very near the subway station, and surrounded by a wide array of restaurants and shopping malls. Taking a taxi to popular attractions like Donggang and Xinghai Square is incredibly convenient, saving time and effort for both leisure and business. Its transportation advantage is truly outstanding. As a long-established five-star hotel in Dalian, despite its age, it's evident that the overall maintenance is superb. The cultural ambiance is remarkably rich! Upon entering the lobby, you're greeted by a grand and steady decor with elegant style and soft lighting, creating a fantastic atmosphere. The concierge staff were warm and enthusiastic, proactively helping with luggage and being very polite. From the moment we stepped into the hotel, we could feel the five-star hospitality standards! Lisa, the Guest Relations Manager, provided professional and efficient service. Even during the peak tourist season with large crowds, she managed everything in an orderly manner, processing check-in quickly. She also thoughtfully prepared welcome fruits and snacks, showing great attention to detail. The guest rooms are spacious and bright with excellent lighting. High-floor rooms offer panoramic views of the city. The bedding is soft and thick, providing an exceptional sleep experience. After a day of exploring, lying down allows for complete relaxation and washes away travel fatigue. The rooms are cleaned spotlessly, with great attention to hygiene details. The bathroom features a wet/dry separation, stable hot water supply, and high-quality toiletries. The room's soundproofing is excellent, making for a very quiet night undisturbed by outside noise. The hotel facilities are comprehensive. The indoor heated pool has clean water and a comfortable environment, and the gym is well-equipped. The buffet breakfast is a major highlight, with a rich variety of dishes, including both Chinese and Western cuisine. There are freshly made noodles, local specialties, fresh fruits, and various pastries and breads. The ingredients are fresh, and the flavors are excellent, satisfying different dietary preferences. The restaurant staff are friendly and responsive, making for a great dining experience. The most impressive aspect was Lisa's thoughtful service. She is genuinely warm and friendly, responds quickly to requests, and communicates smoothly. Even our child really liked her!

Cleanliness: terrible. Didnt notice the urine stain around the toilet bowl until second day. Informed the counter but can only clean the next day. Didnt dare to use the toilet for the entire 4 days. Beside the urine stained toilet, the staff didnt bother to put my pillows in place. Tea bags wasnt refilled until i feedback to the counter. Very slipshod cleaning work. Counter service: Excellent. Helped me contact rider when my parcel went missing. Bathroom: would prefer if theres hook inside the bathroom. Feels very cold coming out after shower to retrieve towes. Room: No soundproof at all. Wont recommend if you are a light sleeper. Lighting is good and bright.

We were satisfied with the room, had plenty of parking, and enjoyed a delicious breakfast. We ate at the restaurant that evening; the prices were reasonable, the portions were generous, and the food was tasty. The complimentary hot spring bath had excellent water quality. Our itinerary was to climb Qianshan Mountain on the first day, stay here that night, and then soak in the hot spring on the second day – perfect!

Unfortunately, this hotel turned out to be the worst of my entire two-week trip around China. The staff was friendly, but they didn't speak any English. Overall, the hotel didn't seem particularly foreign-friendly. Simple requests like a fruit bowl or an adapter to charge phone baffled them. When I checked in, I found a clump of long black hair on the bathroom floor. I had to ask them to wash the floors again. The hotel didn't offer any apologies or compliments for this situation. Breakfasts were the most disappointing part. This hotel was the only place in China where I had a bad meal😭 The noodles and even the stewed cabbage were swimming in oil, everything was overly vinegary and garlicky, and there were no fruits, vegetables, or desserts. I ate there only twice in five days, and both times I suffered from severe heartburn. The positive moments are an ideal location and comfortable beds and pillows. I slept well there, even though the room's windows overlooked the highway and not the park as stated when booking.

Facilities: A bit old-fashioned. Cleanliness: Very good. Environment: Loved it, a perfect family-friendly hotel. Service: Good. The hotel's own activities are suitable for young children. It's very close to the beach, so getting to the sand is super convenient. My kids' favorite activity every day was walking to the beach. After they got tired of playing, we'd head back to rest, and from our room, we could hear the sound of the waves. It truly felt like 'facing the sea, with spring blossoms all around'.

Had a wonderful experience! The front desk staff, Xiao Jia, helped us upgrade our room and even offered us more options when she saw we had two children with us! We're very grateful! Although many people complain about the twin elevators, to be honest, we had a good experience; they weren't time-consuming at all and were quite efficient. The kids loved it! All the service staff were very friendly and greeted us warmly. We'll definitely recommend this place to friends. One minor suggestion for improvement: the self-service laundry room only open until midnight, which isn't very convenient.

The front desk staff were very welcoming and even gave us a small gift, which we really appreciated. A big shout-out to the hotel's front desk! The room attendant was also incredibly friendly and did an excellent job cleaning; the room was spotless and very tidy, and she even helped organize our clothes. The food was good, and the hotel offers great value for money. I'll definitely consider staying here again next time.

The overall stay exceeded our expectations! The environment was quiet and elegant, and the garden-style hot spring area was meticulously maintained. The hot spring water was natural and genuine, warm and soothing. After a soak, I felt completely relaxed, and all the fatigue from my journey vanished. The room was clean and spacious, the bedding was soft and comfortable, and the private hot spring tub offered great privacy, which my child absolutely loved. The staff were warm, polite, and provided attentive and thoughtful service. The facilities were comprehensive. This place is perfect for both family trips and relaxing getaways. It offers great value for money, and I'll definitely choose it again for my next trip. Highly recommended!