Location: Right in the heart of Chaotianmen, directly opposite Raffles City. It's incredibly close to the subway station! Seriously, you walk out the door and you're in the station in five seconds. Line 1 is gold, as anyone who knows it will tell you – every stop is a tourist attraction. Chaotianmen is just across the street, and a right turn takes you to the Two Rivers cruise. You can even walk to Hongyadong.
Facilities: I was initially a bit worried that voco might be sharing a building with others, but once inside, I discovered voco has its own three exclusive elevators. The elevator interiors are just as pictured, solely for voco guests. They're quick, quiet, and safe. The rooms are spacious, utilizing a lot of open-plan design, and the decor is young and vibrant. The full smart home system is a huge plus. The amenities are really thoughtful – four different tea flavors, a three-in-one charging cable, and even a shoe-shine cloth.
Dining: The standard breakfast options were decent, but what really stood out was how fresh the ingredients were. The hotel put a lot of effort in, with little surprises every day like cotton candy, red bean soup, panda egg tarts, and even football-themed character interactions. In-room dining is available, and the prices are very reasonable for room service. The welcome fruit was also super fresh!
Service: This deserves special praise. The whole hotel gives off a relaxed, lively vibe, and the team works together really well. The owner is also very generous. Requests for extra toothbrushes/bathrobes were met in seconds, and the housekeeping staff cleaned the room impeccably every day. No matter when or where I encountered any staff member, they always greeted me with incredible energy and cheerfulness. When sharing an elevator, they'd always hold the door for guests, ask if they were going to a public area, and let them exit first. The breakfast/afternoon tea staff were also super friendly, and the owner is truly generous. I had two small children with me, and the room rate only included two breakfasts. I nervously asked how much it would cost to add an extra person (PTSD from my last stay!). The server said they'd ask if adding another adult could be complimentary. I was so surprised I quickly said no need, no need. This was a world of difference compared to a certain long-standing five-star hotel in Chengdu where they measured children's height with a ruler.
Other: The laundry room was well-stocked with laundry bags, and even had a sewing kit. The restaurant provided dental floss instead of toothpicks – a testament to their attention to detail. If you're debating between Chaotianmen and Jiefangbei, I can personally confirm that Chaotianmen is the way to go. It's the subway's starting station, so you always get a seat no matter where you're going.
A very satisfying stay, truly excellent value for money. The awards in the lobby are well-deserved.
Original TextTranslation provided by AI