Cordis, Foshan, Lingnan Tiandi

I had planned a lovely weekend getaway, but it was a nightmare from start to finish, with one problem after another. It started with my own oversight – I booked the wrong check-in date. After contacting Trip.com to amend it, I discovered that the complimentary room upgrade I'd had with my original booking was gone. I first asked the hotel, and they told me to contact the platform. Trip.com customer service was quick to respond, adding a note to my order saying "upgrade if available" and stating they would try their best to coordinate. The hotel has over 300 rooms, and it's off-season, so it's highly unlikely to be full. This was something I was supposed to have, yet I had to ask both parties and follow up myself. It really left me feeling disappointed with the hotel's service attitude. Things got even more ridiculous once I got into the room. Despite staying in a hotel, it felt more like an apartment. There was an induction cooker, but no kitchenware whatsoever, and the edges were covered in grime. The electrical outlets were in such poor condition that I didn't dare use them. The most absurd part was the bathtub – it was damaged and hadn't been repaired. I had specifically asked the front desk if they had bathtub liners, and they said they'd send one up to the room, but no one ever did, even up until I checked out. Even if I had gotten a liner, seeing that broken-down tub, I wouldn't have dared to use it. Who knows how many germs were lurking inside? The induction cooker and bathtub were completely useless; it would have been better if they weren't there at all. And then there was this classic hairdryer – pure nostalgia, except it was broken! I'd honestly suggest to the hotel that if they embraced a 'shabby chic' aesthetic, they might just go viral. I thought those issues were bad enough, but the most infuriating thing was the mirrored door in the bathroom. Every time I walked past it or entered/exited the living room, I'd think someone was in the bathroom, only to realize it was my own reflection. It truly scared me at night, to the point where I was afraid to get out of bed. What kind of anti-human design is this? And the air conditioner! The vent blew directly at my face, and the airflow couldn't be adjusted at all. It blew on me all night, and I ended up catching a cold. From beginning to end, the facilities were old and broken, the hygiene was concerning, service promises weren't kept, and the design was bizarre and frightening. I truly can't understand how Trip.com rated a five-diamond service and hardware like this.

I really loved the room's balcony, which offered a comfortable view directly overlooking the Ancestral Temple. It's also within walking distance to Lingnan Tiandi, which is great for a stroll. The hotel breakfast was delicious, and there's a pool too. It's perfect for a relaxing getaway.