Grand 0773

Clean, spacious and nice rooms. The hotel itself is really convenient and a good location as all sights of Guilin are reachable within walking distance. Ideal for low budget travelers. The chinese breakfast served was excellent (western food available).

Nobody in the hotel spoke a word of English. We called to book transportation from the railway station (advertised as free) muy they didn't understand and asked us to send an email, what we did. Nobody replied our email, let alone sent someone to pick us up (hence, we had to pay a taxi). The hotel is dirty and old, sheets and towels were stained and everything smelled like cigarette. The sheets even had cigarette holes. The bed was a scam, and instead of being a proper king sized bed, they joined two regular twin beds, which were really hard and unpleasant. Wifi didn't work. Common areas were hot, dirty and smelly. Breakfast was terrible. Staff was absolutely helpless. Note that they give only one key per room which is also the only card that turns the power on, so forget leaving your electronics charging or the A/C programmed to a certain temperature. No safe or minibar. Wouldn't return.

If you don't speak any Mandarin at all I would strongly recommend that you stay away from this hotel. We had a very difficult time communicating with the staff even for something as simple as calling a taxi for us. After insisting (I speak very limited Mandarin) they did get us a taxi but instructed the driver to take us to the wrong location. They also could not offer any assistance to find a good restaurant. The rooms were very basic. The internet in our room did not work but the signal was strong enough from the room next door. We stayed on the side of the main street and the traffic noise was loud. Others in our party stayed on the other side of the building and their room had a strong sewage smell. All that being said, the location is ideal, just a few minutes walk to Elephant hill, the river and the Sun and Moon pagodas. If you are looking for a very inexpensive way to spend one night it would be OK. For longer stays I would look elsewhere.