Chateau Star River Taiyuan

I stayed during my business trip. Room and bed were very good. Breakfast buffet was great. All extra services, food, and drinks cost way too much in my opinion. Even in a high class hotel like this it was very difficult to find someone who speaks decent English.

The lobby that welcomes you when you enter then hotel is plain ans simple wonderful. I like very much the giant columns, choice of tiles and decoration. The style is repeated throughout the hotel which by the way is big. There is some walking to do to go to the restaurant but I didn't mind, especially when I discovered the great variety of food they serve including asian and western. If you go for the buffet you can eat til you drop food from many places around the world. As a Norwegian, I was surprised to see fresh salmon that they would cut to make sushi for you. The room is very spacious, more than you need but it gave a good feeling staying there. It included a small "living room" and in my case a view to the fantastic garden/pool area behind the hotel. Wi-fi was free, strong and stable. The only negative, if anything, is that the door to the balcony was locked and the carpet was a bit dirty. When you use carpets in the rooms it is important to keep them clean so one would like to walk barefoot. Try the hotel if you have a chance!

Unlike the dingy, grey hotels you find in China this one, at least on the surface, appears to be in fine form. The lobby is beautiful with a massive chandelier and abstract art littered all over the place, as well as lots of tall plants and couches. The staff were very polite and thorough and helped us to our rooms, which were equally incredible. The carpet was a little dirty and the balcony locked, but hey, it was eleven at night (and accidents happen, we were on the 15th floor or thereabouts.) There are about ten chargers littered all over the room so if you bring a lot of tech with you this would be a great place to stay. The toilet was magnificent and the beds lovely and comfy. I did not try the room service or restaurants that they offer, but there are plenty of places to choose from nearby.