Gaoyao Regent

convenience and easy go to main street also quiet for good sleeping as it stay at hill top but that was acceptable(5-10min to main street). But seem not so many tourist so that just my team + 1-2 more group here. however, room & overall environment was not bad, ok for short staying

The hotel sits atop a ridge overlooking the city of Zhaoqing on the opposite bank of the Xi River and with its back to Gaoyao. It has a cavernous foyer that leads to a restaurant that could be measured in acres but always seems to be close to empty. It also has what is quite possibly the quietest "night club" in existence. In fact, with its isolation and apparent lack of guests throughout, I thought I might have ended up living out a Chinese version of "The Shining". I think the hotel is rated at 4-star which, judging by the jaundiced wallpaper, cement-slab beds and non-existent mini-bar, seems a bit of a stretch. The front desk staff were friendly enough but spoke no English and any questions I had needed to be answered with a phone call to a translator, who himself was not a tower of strength in the language department. The "Do not disturb" sign was more honoured in the breach than in the observance by the housekeepers, not an uncommon phenomenon in China. The location is a long taxi ride from Zhaoqing, where the markets and most of the tourist sites are, but there is a ferry service that plies a route across the Xi Jiang from a dock at the foot of a steep hill from the hotel. For 1Y, you can cross on boats which apparently leave only when thoroughly overloaded which is about every five minutes. There is nothing of interest close to the hotel (not even eateries or decent food shops) so getting across the river is a necessity for most travelers. Most rooms have a balcony, the door to which can be unlocked by the staff if you're willing to sign a release form. Its contents I can only guess at because it was in Chinese characters--perhaps no jumping, abseiling or serenading from said balcony? I'm neutral on recommending this place for other travelers. On the one hand, it is close to the river and the room and stairway are big enough to bring my unfolded kayak inside. Being far from Zhaoqing is a problem but the ferry, which is kind of fun in itself, make it not such a big deal. It has a great view. And I did see some other guests eventually.