Shangri-La Hotel in Guilin

The overall stay was okay but not somewhere I would rush back to. The service from the majority of the stop on reception was poor. Despite requesting a non smoking room, my parents were given a room that stank of smoke. It took them nearly 4 hours to get a room that was appropriate.

Initially we were promised a new room in 30 minutes. However, the room they were given was ‘clean’ without a door that locked and plug sockets that didn’t work. Their initial response was to use extension leads in place of the plugs (see photos attached) and repair the door which still wasn’t done by the time they moved rooms for 3rd time.

To get the room changed, again, my husband had to to go reception and request an upgrade with access to the club lounge to the inconvenience caused (as we lost our first afternoon). The hotel permitted this request but honestly their attitude leaves a lot to be desired and they clearly don’t like foreigners as they were talking about us and didn’t think we could understand.

The facilities were okay. The gym and indoor pool were great. The spa is expensive given that there are many local spas just a few minutes away in a taxi. The outdoor swimming pool had no water in it so we couldn’t use it.

The buffet restaurant was good. The palace restaurant was very chaotic and not somewhere I would choose to eat again.

We liked Guilin but we’ll be staying somewhere else next time unfortunately.