The Westin Chongqing Liberation Square — Hotel in Chongqing

As I was in Chongqing for a few days, I managed to drop by to look around the hotel. The location is a stone's throw away from the Liberation Square monument. Do note they only just opened 2 weeks ago.

After speaking to the front desk staff, Richard from their Sales Team came and introduced himself and would bring me around the hotel to look around and take pictures. I was much delighted and thanked him profusely for the nice gesture. Hey, I'm a nobody and not even a paying guest so that is a big deal.

Unfortunately I only own a simple point and shoot digital camera hence pardon the quality of the photos.

I managed to view the following:

Lobby Lobby Lounge Seasonal Tastes (all day dining) Westin Executive Club Superior Room Deluxe Room Studio Suite Renewal Suite (Executive suite)

Everything else (including the spa and gym/pool) as I understand is still in the midst of testing or constructing hence was not viewable.

All rooms are equipped with automatic toilets which is probably very rare in China. Superior and deluxe rooms are generally available on every floor. Deluxe is slightly bigger than Superior and has a separate desk. Studio Suite is basically 1 giant room with no partition separating the living/dining area and the bedroom area. Renewal Suite is partitioned in that aspect, hence this would make it the Executive suite. Interestingly I saw 2 shower heads (and rainforest shower heads) in the Studio Suite's shower area. I guess this makes showering together with your kids or partner easier? The LCD TV in the Deluxe room can also be turned to face the desk area. I'm not sure about other room types but the 2 Studio suites on the floor I viewed shares a common entrance which is good if you want 2 Studio Suites together for family or friends.

Seasonal Tastes is nicely laid out with all the food stuffs in the middle with the seating surrounding it. I didn't have a chance to try it but the spread/layout looks impressive.

Westin Executive Club was very spacious, so was the Lobby lounge. With all the space available, I believe they can put more seats in the lobby lounge area if they wanted to. So is the lengthy Lobby.

I wanted to try out their Afternoon Tea (2pm-6pm) package in the lobby lounge but unfortunately the menu wasn't ready for the public hence I just ordered from the lounge menu. The club sandwich was tasty enough for me.

As far as the elevator access is concerned, the front and back entrance is on the 3rd floor of the building and the lobby is located on the 51st. You do not need to change elevators to get to your rooms if you already have a room key. There are altogether 6 elevators serving all floors and 2 serving only between 3rd and 51st floor (for people checking in or out I guess).

If I'm ever in Chongqing again, will definitely have a stay to experience both the hardware and software. I'm sure most staff are new so there are bound to have teething problems. I'm also not sure how their english speaking ability would be as I can converse in basic chinese (putonghua/mandarin). The facilities and rooms that aren't open yet would probably be ready in the later half of the year.

The Studio Suite should be the standard suite at...

This is one of the best Westin hotels I had ever stayed so far. Upon my check-in, the front desk staff provided me with two room options: one is an upgraded standard suite on 35th floor, but it is not smoke-free; another one is a corner room on 45th floor (non-smoking). I tried the suite first, but it didn’t work out because I am very sensitive to the remaining smell of cigarettes. I immediately requested to change to the corner room on 45th floor. I was very glad for this decision.

Since the room is located on a corner, there are windows on both bedroom and bathroom. I got sufficient natural light and great river view, I can see the river from each window literally. The room is spacious and gracious. It features a Westin’s signature Heavenly bed, a Japanese style toilet from Toto and a high quality TV set from Bang & Olufsen. The room decoration is very modern and chic, with a good use of wood. The lighting design is excellent, you can adjust to a different light (bright or relax) for different mood or need. Even the lighting control panel is a bit complicated, but you will get used to it once you know the gimmick. I have also tried the gym and swimming pool, they are all excellent.

I was really impressed by the housekeeping and refreshing services during my short stay. The housekeeping staff really pay attention to details. The bed has four pillows, the staff can always remember which pillow I chose, and never mess it with others. The hotel offered me welcome fruit plate which contains a variety of seasonal fruits. I only ate a banana on the first day, the next day, I found two more bananas on the new fruit plate. I really appreciate this kind of attention to details.

If there are still something need to improve, I may expect better dining experience from Food & Beverage. I had a light meal on the Club lounge during the Happy Hours on May 30, I found a small piece of walnut shell from my chocolate and walnut cake. This was a disappointing end for a wonderful meal. I had already told the waitress. Also, I feel the concierge staff on 3rd floor are not very helpful and informative. They can’t provide enough information for traveling to Wulong. Another day, when I asked a girl about the opening hours for the Yangtze river cable car, she could not tell either. I had to advise the bellman instead, and...

The location of the hotel is in the centre downtown near Liberty Square, which is easy to access via taxi or LRT of public transportation. Nice concierge to welcome guest and guide us to the elevator

Pros: 1.The quick recognition of SPG Gold Elite is definitely a plus with the room updating to a river-view Junior Suite. In advance prepared fresh fruits won my favor to a great extent. 2.Nice room equipped with B&O TV set and Herman Miller Embody chair is definitely impressive among the same level hotel all over China Mainland, alongside with the water-proof LCD TV in bathroom of luxurite and auto-flush Toto toilet. Besides, it is hard not to mention the double Hermes scarf decorated as the art work on the wall of washing room which is of great creativity and luxury. The amenities of infinite swimming pool and mini gym is all well designed and the equipment of Technogym is all in good shape and condition which facilitates the workout in the morning. The concierge and front desk service is in a consistent high standard which is rare in China Mainland's other International brand hotel. Whereas the service staff at lobby bar at night is less devoted and of fewer hospitality.

Cons:The main problem lie in the food& beverage sector, 1.The welcome drink of apple juice is not worthy of 250 welcome points. 2.In the first night in the lobby bar, I ordered one old fashioned cocktail. The recipe of the bartender is ok, but all those undissolved refined sugar still lied at the bottom when I finished the drink is really spoiling the taste. It's like very sour at first sip but sugar water of last drop. In my opinion, a cube sugar such like Taikoo Sugar which is easier to dissolve should be considered as an alternative. 3.In the next morning, I order room service food including Benedict eggs, Chongqing noodles and yogurt cereal.Honestly, the Benedict eggs cannot really meet the expectation. To be more specific, there is no sign of any beacon or chicken slice on top of the bread which seems a little disappointing. However, the Chongqing noodles pricing 28RMB a bowl is really of a great taste which I strongly recommend. The service at lobby bar which mentioned above.

In all, it is really a refreshing experience in Chongqing Liberty Square Westin. Topnotch is definitely the word for this fabulous...