Hua Ling Grand Hotel Urumqi — Hotel in Ürümqi

I visited this hotel for a total of 3 nights over a couple of weeks. Each time I arrived late and left early. So to be perfectly honest I cannot give a thorough review of the Hotel and Amenities.Check in was smooth, checking passports and health codes delays things, but it is a necessary requirement at the moment.My rooms were spacious, comfortable and well appointed. I had views over the suburbs and one over the nearby buildings.Breakfast was good quality buffet on the occasion I was able to eat. A wide variety of food options to suit all types of travelers. Do not anticipate a big plate of Bacon if you are expecting a Western full breakfast however.Swimming pool was closed according to a disappointed travel companion.Downstairs bar area was often unattended. But there is a shop in the parking area just outside to the left, selling basic soft drinks and beer and snacks, if you cannot get bar service.Check in staff were friendly. Bed comfortable, but others in my group complained "too hard" or "too soft" that really is a personal preference.Location, there is a huge shopping complex literally outside the hotel, cross the car park and enter a huge complex (you will be on the 5th floor) that caters for almost any need that I could think of.Restaurant area and night spots were a 10 - 15 minute ride away in a taxi. But there was what looked like a night market and Plaza at street level outside the hotel. I never got to check it out.If I stayed at Urumqi again I would probably choose a cheaper place closer to the airport. When all I needed was a bed the extra travel time and cost is not worth it. If staying several days I would choose this hotel again. That is honestly all I...

are two security guards who are trained to make sure no unwanted person enters.||Grand Mercury Hotel has one of the largest lobby/reception hall I have seen. The rooms are fairly big size with modern shower. The windows cannot be opened and therefore no balcony. However, the view of the Urumqi city is fantastic. Nearby famous place is Red High Park. There is a big mall of over 500 stores and anything one wants, one can get it. For quick bite there are couple of restaurants on the main road.||The Hotel itself has Chinese restaurant which serves good menu. Price wise, North Americans and Europeans will find it reasonable but the rest will find price stiff.||The disappointing thing I experienced was poor English at the reception. Three girls were there to serve the clients but none spoke English. When I could not understand what they were speaking, I asked for the Manager. He spoke 25% English. Very poor marks for a 5 stars hotel (they claim).||Another bad point is that the hotel is built some 100 meters on the hill. So to catch a taxi from the nearby main road, one has to walk down or walk up to the hotel when taxi drops at the main road. Probably taxi cars are not allowed except by receptionist calling for them. Well then taxi is very expensive. Local taxis from the road-side are much cheaper and you get as many as you want.||My recommendation is 50-50. Price per regular room is in the vicinity of US $100/-. That is OK but lack of English language was...

Location-wise, the hotel is not in the Central Area with the mall but it is not far either. Best part is the wholesaler market for dried food just around the corner. It is debatable whether it is the best wholesaler market but its proximity was definitely a plus for some last minute shopping! The hotel is actually surrounded by many wholesalers! Right outside the hotel there is a night market for food and a market for fruits. ||Service - nested within the hotel is a massage center where I did 2 massages before and after my tour. My masseur was good and the price is reasonable. But most importantly I am would like to give praise to Chris, the manager. On the day of departure, I realised left my spectacles at the massage Center while on the way to airport. My driver helped me to connect with the hotel and a search was conducted to check if the specs was in my room, before I recalled that it was as in the massage room. The staff found it and we tried to get a cab to send it to me at the airport but no cab was available at that point. In the end it was sent to me via speed post to my hotel in Beijing where I would spend some time. The fact that it was settled almost immediately once we realised that the cab option is more expensive and we couldn’t get one, alleviated my anxiety quickly. Although it was meant to be delivered in two days’ time, I got it the very next day in Beijing at a...