After having read other comments on tripadvisor etc. I must have been lucky or perhaps I'm not as fuzzy. If a place has been in use for some time it can't look like it's just opened yesterday.. Considering this, I had a very satisfactory experience in my 9th floor room with views on Forbidden city and Tian An Men Square.
Everything's within easy walking distance and on the road to the hotel are countless tiny foodstalls preparing delicious stuff like fried mushrooms with spring onions.
Guangdong Guest House is one and only garden style four-star hotel in Guangzhou city center. It is an official residence for all official state visits and host to personalities from all over the world. It is within walking distance of the MTR station, noted Beijing Road Shopping Street, ancient Six Banyan Temple and the Chinese Export Commodities Fair as well as easy access to the most famous tourist sites, Railway Station and International Airport and Metro station.