When my sister came to Guangzhou a couple of years ago, we stayed at the brand-new Shangri-la Hotel that’s walking distance to the exhibition center. I only paid US$250 ++ a night. But due to the world-reknowned Canton Fair, this is the time of the year that hotels double their rates, I didn’t want to pay US$600 a night at the Shangri-la so I thought of looking for an alternative hotel that’s also near the convention center.
I found this hotel on Agoda, their site showed nice photos, smaller hotel but the reviews were good and they also provide shuttle to the convention center.
When the taxi driver couldn’t find the address of the hotel and after seeing that there are only two hotels in sight, The Shangri-la where Aileen and I stayed before, and a new one, The Westin, I already knew that the hotel that I booked could be bad. With some anxiety, I lowered my expectations.
Finally, after driving around an area that looked like Avenida, we found our hotel right beside a big hospital. We didn’t want to get off the taxi anymore because we knew we just couldn’t possibly live in this abode even for two days.
There’s a smiling old bellman that opened the taxi door and carried our single luggage and led us to the hotel reception. since I have already fully paid the room on-line, they asked for a deposit of RMB500 in cash. Edmund was hesitant to give. He wanted to give his credit card instead. I told him cash is better.
Our room was spacious and not that bad. But maybe we are just maarte (he he he) so we unanimously decided to transfer to a better hotel. I called up American Express Travel Service based in the US and they got us a room at the Ritz Carlton Hotel for US$449 a night + taxes, with two buffet breakfasts, room upgrade and guaranteed late check-out.
It was well worth our money. The minute we entered the lobby and into our room, we already felt so relaxed and comfortable.
The View from our full window
River view
We have two large beds. When we were newly married, the two of us could fit in a twin bed para kaming sandwich.
Laging magka patong,
After 25 years, the bigger the bed the better and the farther away the better. “Ang sikip naman, sweetheart, umusog ka nga, ang sikip”. Baka ten years from now, separate rooms na kami meron na lang intercom… ” Sweetheart, have you seen my pustiso?”
There’s a small walk-in closet. Edmund and I could play hide and seek.
There’s boutique on the ground floor in case you want to bring these home, RMB 1,600 for the set.
Complimentary tea, cups not included. They’re RMB 4,500 a set!!!
I totally ignored this candies until the last day. Masarap pala, sayang sana hinakot ko na lahat.
The bathroom is so nice. it reminds me of the bathroom at the Sheraton Hotel in Singapore. About 20 years ago, I joined a group of handicrafts and furniture exporters from the Philippines. We attended the Singapore International Furniture Fair. They all stayed in some decent hotel and shared rooms, I, alone, stayed at this grand and very new Sheraton on top of a hill.
They have very good food. I ordered room service- LAKSA, the famous seafood dish laden with curry, other spices and coconut milk. I wasn’t able to leave the toilet the following day.
When I get back to the Exhibition, the Filipinos asked where I was the day before. I said I had LVM.
One gay designer said “Hayyy, ang sarap mag-tai sa Sheraton Hotel, sana ako rin”.
The Ritz- Carlton Hotel is near the river. It has a stunning view at night. China’s electricity rates are 80% cheaper that what we pay to Meralco. Kaya sa kanila, they can decorate their whole building with lights. Tayo dito, puro tipid, ang dilim dilim, madadapa ka sa dilim.
