Heilongjiang Jingu Hotel

It's a smoking hotel! They have a fake "no smoking" policy, but they "allow smoking under special circumstances". They told me this when I asked why did my room smell like smoke. On the day we arrived, I moved to another room that was not as nice because the smell was so strong in my original room. Turns out, it was for nothing. People smoke a lot more late at night, and this was winter, so the smoke stays in the ventilation system and moves from room to room. They have ash trays and a couch by the elevator on every floor. People that don't smoke in their rooms come out to the couch to smoke. Their front desk people are hit or miss. Two dots and not one because their doorman was a delight.

Inside the hotel, on the second floor, is a restaurant called Pizza Market. The Tripadvisor morons wouldn't let me request a listing for the restaurant so, this will have to do. The restaurant serves fancy versions of American foods - burgers, pizza, pasta, salads, steaks, and so on. The food is actually pretty good. By Chinese standards, though, the food might be a bit pricey (the Gas Station Burger, which you should definitely try, was 48 RMB and my bowl of cream of spinach soup was another 20-something), but definitely worth it. And, no, you don't have to be a guest at the hotel to eat there.

Recently had the opportunity to visit Harbin, China and stayed at this fabulous facility. It is located on a beautiful cobble-stoned walking street with trees all along it and fabulous night food stalls, music and many shops and restaurants. The walk down the street is just excellent - I recommend it (now back to the hotel). The service throughout our stay was superb. Staff always smiled and were so polite and helpful as well as so obliging. The service staff were so helpful, polite and ever so efficient. The breakfasts were awesome, so much and such variety and I recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Harbin. I will go back there, but, book as early as possible as it fills quickly