Zhuhai Guotai Hotel — Hotel in Zhuhai

After crossing Gongbei Port the hotel could be seen in the distance and was just a short walk. Compared to Hong Kong the rooms were large and everything was provided. Rooms were clean and serviced daily. It was only a short taxi ride to the ferry terminal to Hong Kong in Zhuhai. Many other attractions like the Replica Park which has a realistic reconstruction of the Yuan Ming Yuan are within a pleasant walking distance, although those that are not used to walking could catch a cab for a few dollars. This city is made for walking.|The big let down at this hotel is the appalling restaurant service. Whether the staff were afraid of foreigners I do not know. One night it took 2 hours to finish our meal, some of the time we had to call the waiters to remind them that we were there. They were oblivious to our needs. Fair enough there was a language barrier which we were willing to be patient with. But it was easier to ignore us. The meals were nothing special and a tad overpriced.|Would I stay there again? Definitely yes. Would I eat there? Definitely no. Much more exiting fare can be found throughout the city including the Gongbei Shopping Mall.|A big plus is the Health Spa on the second floor. Sex is not an option. Just plain pampering at a fantastic price. A hour long massage could be had for ¥80 (about $A15). Professional experience with lots of options, cupping, hot stones, bath etc all at a bargain basement price.|As we were leaving staff rushed outside to ask about 2 rubber coasters which went under our cups in our room. We had already notified cleaning staff the day before that they were missing from our room, possibly misplaced during cleaning. Communication was obviously not carried through to the next shift. 2 well used coasters missing you would think would be an insignificant issue as they possibly could be brought from the markets for just a few RNB. We were made to feel like criminals as we loaded our luggage into the waiting taxi.|A word of warning to foreigners going to the Gongbei underground market. If a shop assistant ushers you out the back of the shop to see more goodies you will find yourself locked behind a door with the store owner who will demand ridiculous money for your purchase. It is scary and menacing. Most people would pay up to be released. You cannot get out till you pay.|Quite often there are stalls offering the same goods at a fraction of the price. |My overall opinion of the Guotai Hotel is positive due to it's...

The room was clean and comfortable, large and inviting, had a great view, but with one serious drawback for me...I booked a non-smoking room, and the room smelled slightly of smoke. And the ash trays clearly confirmed my suspicions...So what's up with that?||||The crew, from the front desk to the restaurant, to the man who stood at the door, were all most eager to please, but never have I seen a four star hotel at a major border crossing that did not have one person available that could understand more than a few words of English...again not as represented...But as an American speaking English, sometimes we have learned to expect more than this. After-all, it is a luxury hotel in a major thoroughfare...So again, some simple improvements could make a great hotel even better.||Convenient to the border, a good menu. Might I recommend the four meat appetizer as a meal for meat lovers like myself. And don't let the expensive prices on certain steaks fool you...They are not better than the appetizer based on my experience...And by the way, one thing you will learn about almost all restaurants in China, is that when you ask what is best or most popular, they will almost always point to the most expensive thing on the menu. And more times than not, this is simply not true...Oh and about the massage. no matter how clear I tried to make it that I only wanted a normal massage, be prepared to be offered more, but again, that just seems to come with the territory and is possibly not the responsibility of management, even though I was under the idea that the one who suggested it, was probably getting a cut of the action...Maybe stick to the spa, which I also tried. But there had only a steam room which again was a little difficult to negotiate because it was not on the menu...Other than these things, it is nearly...

A plus is its location to the Macau border near Gong Bei Checkpoint. For travellers who transit to Macau may want to spend a night or 2 in beautiful Zhuhai. The rooms are fairly clean and have the necessary little things a traveller might need. The restaurant on the first floor names itself "Western Style". They bring along a set of western cuttlery and porcelain. The chef may once have seen a western cooking show on TV. But luckily there is a Mc across the street and a KFC next door for those who are looking for some western taste. This is clearly not an upper scale hotel and caters mostly to Chinese customers and for those smoking or non-smoking room is about the same. The staff speaks some basic English and is fairy helpful. But if a real problem arises some knowledge of Chinese language and tricks of the trade might be helpful. There are quit rooms towards the side alley which are recommended given the busy thoroughfare on the main entrance. All in all one gets what is being paid for. In China always have hotel name and address printed on paper to show to the...