White Swan Hotel

Conghua

1 South Street, Shamian Island, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510960, China

 

99%

of people enjoy staying here

4.5 our of 5 stars 12 Opinions

Excellent
 
2
Very Good
 
4
Average
 
0
Poor
 
0
Terrible
 
0

Our Members Say

  • MikeM2 profile photo
  • Reviews: 9

5 out of 5 starsUser Rating

Free prawns at the White Swan Hotel

I have stayed here on four separate visits to China - it is a very good hotel - I have no negative comments

On my last night we were eating traditional Chinese food - the family at the next table had ordered 'Drunken Prawns'

While you eat your starters the live prawns get to swim in a glass bowl of rice wine - then the waiter starts to heat the dish on a small cooker - when the wine is hot enough they set it alight to flambe the prawns

One prawn objected to this treatment and 'leaped' out of the flames across the gap and landed on our table

Needless to say I was not surprised ! The waiter recovered the prawns and it rejoined its friends for dinner

  • Opinion of Price: more expensive than average

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  • THLIN profile photo
  • Reviews: 341

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

One of the best in the world

I did not really stay there, but I did enjoy my little visit. The hotel locates in the best location in the island, next to USA embassy. You can admire the scene of Pearl River (Zhu Jiang) in the day while you are having your breakfast. They also offer the best quality bakery in town.

  • Opinion of Price: most expensive
White Swan Hotel

White Swan Hotel

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  • chihiro75 profile photo
  • Reviews: 27

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

Very nice very expensive

The White Swan is very expensive and not too well located, but it's a very nice hotel with all the amenities, a pleasant swimming pool, squash courts, gym, etc. A lot of the customers seem to be Chinese tourists from the provinces who are here on vacation, no expense spared. It seems to be more of a leisure hotel than business, probably because of the location. The big reception area is extremely kitsch, with a waterfall and all, the shops downstairs are expensive but they do have nice things, although again on the tacky side. The best thing about this hotel were the restaurants, the first one we went to was the one on the first floor where they have very good dim sum in the morning (more refined than at the Taotaoju, but the latter is still a lot more fun, see tip), the second is the main restaurant which is quite posh, it's better to reserve, most of the customers are the new Chinese elite -- young and prosperous, and the food is wonderful. The room was a the usual 5 star modern international hotel room with nice views on the river, well provided bar and all the amenities. The service is very well intentioned, but not very smart.

It seems that the White Swan has some kind of deal with adoption agencies which is why you see so many middle aged Westerners with Asian children in the hotel, sometimes a whole group of them at the coffee shop, sort of like a tour group with a guide.

  • Opinion of Price: most expensive
  • Related to: Business Travel, Luxury Travel

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  • francischris profile photo
  • Reviews: 82

5 out of 5 starsUser Rating

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Quiet & Tranquil Location on Shamian Island

The rates vary depending on whether there is a trade exhibition.The range could be from 800 yuan to 3000+ yuan.I understand from the staff that the rates are fixed daily depending on the occupany for that day,so i supposed it's best to walk in around late afternoon to check the room rate.
Rooms have spectacular river or island views.

Unique Quality: Located on the historic Shamian Island,which was once the foreign consulates and foreign trading companies.Easily accessible ,as there is a subway station,called Hwang Sha or translated literally Yellow sand.Breakfast is great with a fantastic view of the Pearl River from the Cafe.The surrondings are good for short stroll among the old colonial buildings and giant Banyan trees as old as 180 years.The ground floor is interpersed with chinese Figure cravings ,Chinese Screens ,antique potteries n vases all tagged with sale prices.It's interesting to leisurely browse through the wide range of wares for a understanding of price levels of Chinese Art pieces as well as Chinese Culture..
The sunlit 3 storey atrium Lobby has a beautiful Chinese graden with a waterfall falling into a pool full of fat &colorful carps.

  • Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
White Swan Hotel Photo: Chinese Landscaped Carps Pool & Garden

White Swan Hotel Photo: Chinese Landscaped Carps Pool & Garden

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  • UKDaisy profile photo
  • Reviews: 241

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

Can be overcrowded

Mentioned as one of the Leading hotels of the World. It is a beautiful hotel can become overcrowded around the public areas. When I was there, there was a group of about 40 Western couples who had flown over to Guangzhou to adopt Chinese babies and were staying at this hotel. I was told that the couples would need to spend 10 days in China to see if they bond with the baby. And I was told that this hotel is one of their usual hotels that the adoptive parents stay at. So in the public areas, they would congregate with their pushchairs ready for an outing. In fact, there are so many potential adoptive parents that come and stay at this hotel, that there are many baby goods shops around the hotel.

On each floor of the guest rooms, there is a concierge, ready to welcome you to your room.

The rooms are spacious and clean. The fixtures and furniture look old, but have been kept to a very good standard.

  • Opinion of Price: N/A
  • Related to: Family Travel, Luxury Travel, Business Travel
White Swan Hotel

White Swan Hotel


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  • pkfops profile photo
  • Reviews: 77

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

On Shamain Island

On my first trip to China I stayed here.

The Accomodations were just fine though I've learned to shop around for better rates.

It was a good choice for a first timer as most of the guest were westerners.

These days I like to get the full Chinese experience as I avoid the western tourist.

Unique Quality: It has a nice lobby and the lounge has a good view of the river.

Very friendly and efficient staff. House keeping picked up my laundry every evening when I returned from my day of touring. I never had to call them.

  • Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
  • Related to: Luxury Travel
White Swan Hotel Photo: A Pond and Water Fall in the Lobby

White Swan Hotel Photo: A Pond and Water Fall in the Lobby


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  • zubric profile photo
  • Reviews: 11
White Swan Hotel. Great...

White Swan Hotel. Great location on Shamian Island on the Pearl River. You can sit here over a drink for hours and just watch the river puslate with life.

  • Opinion of Price:

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  • FrankWills profile photo
  • Reviews: 5
The White Swan Hotel was the...

The White Swan Hotel was the one I picked from travel information. I think I made a good choice at $99.00 US a night.
Great view of the Pearl River
Paid $99.00 US @ night for a double

  • Opinion of Price: more expensive than average

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  • kimberbakos profile photo
  • Reviews: 184

1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

White Swan Hotel

We paid $120/US dollars for our room and we were part of a tour group. I thought this was pricey for the size of the room.

Unique Quality: The lobby is breathtaking! The rooms were quite small, especially for the price. With a crib set up in the room, there was no where to move. If you are staying for more than just a couple of night, you would definatly want to upgrade to a suite. The rooms only have single beds, so if there are more than two people, you will need another room. If you don't like babies, this isn't the place for you! The WS is the hotel of choice for adopting parents awaiting visas from the Consulate next door. It is even famous for the 'Red Couch' pictures of the babies.

  • Opinion of Price: most expensive
White Swan Hotel

White Swan Hotel


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  • Yubert profile photo
  • Reviews: 1268

1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

White Swan Hotel

I believe the room rate ranges from $90 to $180 per night for a deluxe suite. And the apartments are around $250 per night. We got a discounted rate of $60/night.

Unique Quality: One of the first 5 Star hotels in China. Service was impeccable. They have a hall monitor on every floor and greets you as you step off the elevator. The hall monitor also remembers you and what room you're in so the next time you step off the elveator, she'll
point you to the right direction to your room.

They have two (2) outdoor pools, one with a waterfall and kiddie pool.

They also have a business center, currency exchange (24 hours!), post office and health center.

And FREE shuttle to-and-from the airport and train station. Leaves every half-hour.

  • Opinion of Price: about average
White Swan Hotel

White Swan Hotel


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Yubert profile photo

 One of the first 5 Star hotels in China. Service was impeccable. They have a hall monitor on every floor and greets you as you step off the elevator. The hall monitor also remembers you and what room you're in so the next time you step off the elveator, she'll
point you to the right direction to your room.

They have two (2) outdoor pools, one with a waterfall and kiddie pool.

They also have a business center, currency exchange (24 hours!), post office and health center.

And FREE shuttle to-and-from the airport and train station. Leaves every half-hour. 

236 members live in Guangzhou

 

Questions and Answers

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Q: Shenzhen to Guangzhou "I am traveling with my family to Guangdong as a tourist. We ware staying for 5 days. We plan to enter Shenzhen, then to Guangzhou..."

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A: "The best way is by train. Trains live with schedules. Trains have toilets. You can get up and walk around. You can get food on a train. I can't think of a better way..."

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