The Ritz Carlton Hotel Guangzhou — Hotel in Guangzhou City

For the brand name of Ritz Carlton, this was a really underwhelming experience.

Note: Booked through Amex FHR and Gold status.

Getting in: My DiDi driver got shoo-ed away by front staff so I had to carry my luggage in the Ritz. Even before I entered, none of the staff bothered to help.

At reception: They had trouble understanding English. They did not have my Marriott status on the booking even though it's attached to the receipt. They also did not read the benefits or said anything about my status until I asked about it. And funny enough, they were confused when I asked about my benefits because they did not know enough English. Fwiw, I booked through Amex FHR.

Facility: Lobby is beautiful. Gym is lacking with low KGs of dumbbell, unnecessary weight machine, and really stuffy. The pool, they require a head cap, is a old classic look. Definitely expected something more upscale

Room: We got the river room and we can only partially see the river if you stand at a angle. The grapes were great and the bathroom water pressure was amazing. No upgrade available.

Biggest problem: However, the A/C was loud af and a ringing noise woke us up at 6am. Room 2018? has problems. Called the frontdesk and they got someone to come up in a few minutes. The guy showed up, saw the problem and left. I had to chase him down at the floor after 5 minutes of waiting for something to happen. It's 6am and I need sleep. I suggested another room and they were able to get me another room (wrong configuration), however this caused a slight problem that it's not worth by energy to explain.

Breakfast: Mid at best with all the breakfast buffets I've ate at. Their rice rolls took FOREVER, had no flavor and the skin was plastically. Any street stall can make rice rolls better at a faster time and more silky. Noodle station were all carbs and veggies. Tht meat options (other than eggs, bacon) were lacking. The best was the porridge station.

I've stayed at the Waldorf in Bangkok, Kimpton Bangkok, Regent in Phu Quoc, Hyatt Hakone and Conrad in Tokyo. This was the first Marriott (and last) and probably the worst 5 star hotel experience I've had in Asia.

Seeing other people's Ritz Carlton experience looks night and day versus...

Planned a short break and decided to come back to Ritz-Carlton Guangzhou for a 3 day 2 night staycation for some really lazy R&R. In short, another excellent stay as always. All level of staffs were pleasant and friendly plus always doing their best to please and make guests feel at home. Those whom I have met before could even recognise me and remember my name (and my bad for forgetting some of their names). Special mention for the Club Lounge team who were splendid and superb, always going the extra mile to ensure guests are comfortable and well taken care of. A big shout out to the team, Juno (team leader), Noah, Judy, Jason, Claudia, Ella, Lydia, Susie, Lisa and Jessica for doing a great job in making us feel so ever welcome and at home while we were there. Kudos to Lili (whom I always enjoy chatting with), the ever hardworking hotel manager for ensuring all staffs are doing a great job and a hotel well managed.

For everything else, food all-round in the hotel were maintained at high quality, rooms were clean and well maintained, beds were super comfortable, amenities well stocked and the nice touch of a note from the new Hotel GM - Mr. Dale Parkington in welcoming us back again. Thank you very much Mr. Parkington and congratulations to you for having a great team!

Honestly, there really isn't much negatives to pick on. Bonvoy Titanium Elite membership was also well recognised, I booked two rooms for this stay and as a suite was available, we were duly provided with the complimentary upgrade and Juno was even able to organise inter-connecting rooms for this stay.

As of now, I am just looking forward to our next stay in December which I have already planned as a surprise anniversary celebration with my wife stay. I just can't wait and I am sure both my wife and daughter...

Bright sides:|1. The gentleman from concierge kick-started my wonderful stay with his sunshine and his fluent English. He and the team received and arranged my luggage to my room impeccably.|2. Wendy, the Lounge staff, owned and immediately resolved my concerns over the additional room amenities with the effort from every team player behind. A perfect example of lateral service when she was asked to demonstrate the room facilities even though she wasn't an expert in this. She is literally friendly, too.|3. Lucky, the LIMONI intern, conducted restaurant guide wholeheartedly with her magnificent knowledge over the menu and the restaurant.|4. The fresh graduate who is the floor supervisor protect the privacy of the companies information.|5. Super view from Suite 3608. It's tranquil and without any disturb from mosquitoes throughout the stay.|6. fruit provided are all sweet and juicy.|7. Super comfy bedding. ||Down sides: |1. Scale along the toilet bowl shall be removed professionally,|2. female hair found on floor in a male-occupied room.|3. stains on windowsill and painted walls.|4. mirror not wiped completely. Only a square spot in mirror at the bathroom stall is clear while I was taking shower. The rest of the mirror went with water vapor condensed. |5. It is not desirable to use batteries for remote control that are not durable. I have to replace the batteries from another remote control myself. The remote control next to the bathtub did not function, either. And the male intern from housekeeping could not solve the problems regarding the batteries by asking help from others, either.|6. Kettle boils without stop.|7. Dusty vent and lamp. |8. Loose plugs next to the working desk. It went on slow...