Ocean Hotel

Couldn't recommend!

We got here after a hot days travelling from HK. Checked in and the receptionist asked if she could take a deposit, I said fine, how much? She said 1000RMB (£80 ish), I gave her a credit card which her colleague took away. A moment later she said the card was not working so I asked how much she was trying to take? 20400RMB! The total cost of our 18 night stay! I'm glad I gave her a card with a low limit (not the card I would have settled the bill with) as I would have paid the full amount before having even seen the room. The discussion went along the lines of, Me: you said the deposit was 1000RMB, how much is it? Receptionist: 1000RMB. Me:How much are you trying to take? Receptionist: 20400RMB. Me: I don't want you to take 20400RMB before I have seen the room, I will only pay a small deposit. Receptionist: That's fine, we will take a small deposit of 1000RMB. Me: Thankyou. Receptionist: OK, we will charge you 20400 RMB now. Me: What? Confused!!! Eventually they took a small deposit under duress (after we said we would find another hotel, thanks), and we found our way to the noisiest room with the hardest and most uncomfortable bed I have ever slept in.
Room service telephoned us at gone 1am to question our breakfast room service, then were knocking on the door at 1.30 am to double check our name. We then were woken at 7am by a maid, however, breakfast (disappointing) was delivered spot on time at 9.15.
I was expecting to be ripped off by hawkers and taxi drivers but not a large hotel complex. I almost asked if I wanted to eat in the hotel restaurant if I would need to pay the bill before sitting down to eat, but didn't have the inclination or energy!
We originally booked for an 18 day stay but left for another hotel after only five days.
Reception didn't seem to know what was going on with the shuttle bus to the canton fair, 'Pazhou Bus' got too easily confused with 'Pizza Hut' (at 9am?), the fact that we were in the city with 250000 other people for the fair was a complete surprise and caused utter confusion!

Unique Quality: 'Fawlty Towers' service coupled with 'camping without a ground mat' comfort.
All in all, the most badly organised, rip-off, clueless, uncomfortable establishment I have ever stayed in, and all this for $250US per night (fair rates), you would be better off sleeping in the gutter (probably more comfortable than the bed, I can still feel it now!).
Hope this helps somebody!