Shenzhen Southern Inn

This is a perfect hotel if you have your own car and you’re here on business. It’s not a good place for tourists if you want to explore Guangzhou as it’s a bit too far from any public transport and taxis are only available if someone arrives. Staff are friendly yet a bit shy of foreigners and only one member of staff speaks English, most understand Cantonese. Rooms are comfortable although a bit grimy. Of all the hotels I have stayed in in China that offer rain showers, I have yet to find one where the shower doesn’t spray water all over the bathroom. All in all, if you need somewhere to stay whilst on business that is out of the city centre then this is a good choice.

Even though I travelled with a native Chinese speaker, the hotel was difficult to find as taxi drivers did not seem aware of it, check in was slow and check out even slower. None of the staff spoke English (which wasn't a particular problem for us) and there was no western cuisine - not even coffee in the rooms. The signposted Lobby Bar was not a bar, simply a lobby! Breakfast on the first morning was cancelled so we had to go out of the hotel to find something to start the day (absolutely criminal in my book!) yet no refund was offered. We ate in the restaurant in the evening which provided excellent value - even though we had to avoid the vomit of one of our fellow diners who remained slumped across his table, victim, perhaps, of the generous three-for-the-price-of-two bottles of TsingTao beer. Rooms were fine with all expected amenities and free internet. Good value but don't expect too much quality.