Holy Palace

Reception didn't speak english. But check-in was easy. Room with outlook at the river was nice. Bathroom small and not clean. Buffet breakfast was good. The centre was due to a big fire in 2014 complete rebuild. Many shops and small restaurants. Every evening the local people are dancing at the city square. Nice to see.

By any standards this hotel is appalling. We stayed here for three nights recently, because the hotel we were due to stay in, in the old town burned down in January this year. Yes, to be fair the room was spacious and the beds not too hard, but the hotel only heats the water and turns on the air conditioning and WiFi when guests check-in and then only for what seems about half an hour, to give an illusion of hospitality. There is also a zero service culture in reception and the dining room, with staff transfixed to their mobile phones and seemingly oblivious to guests. The dining room was in a filthy state, as were the staff uniforms and on two occasions we saw a large rat scampering under the tables. Hot food was never served hot and food scraps littered the tables and floor. I could go on but it gets worse, so I recommend that you avoid this hotel at all costs..

Lots of potential here - amazingly big rooms, easily the biggest hotel room I've ever stayed in and so nice to have a settee in the room (although not strictly speaking necessary). Supposed to be a 4 star hotel but the room was very cold!! The air conditioning did not heat it up and the water was warm at most! This for me is the biggest dissapointment! In another establishment it wouldn't be a problem and almost expect it but not when it's quoted as 4 star....the bed turn-down service (unnecessary and incidentally only done on 1 of my 2 nts)does not make up for being permanently cold!.. I used 2 duvets and was comfortably warm once in bed. Hard bed though as seems standard for China. Reception area freezing in evening as doors kept permanently open, and, as the business centre is right next to the reception meaning that too is so cold I had to sit on my hands whilst waiting for the slow (standard for china) internet to refresh. Communicating with staff was impossible as not even very basic English..in a 4 star International hotel I hoped there would be at least 1 member of staff on reception that spoke a little English. Lots of giggling instead! Location good as right on the edge of the old and new town. I could not recommend this hotel because of the cold factor! (And it wasn't even that cold outside!) p.s Almost opposite is a small local eating place called 'Back to Food' which I can recommend. Good quality tasty fresh food run by helpful couple who'll do their best to try to understand what you want!