White Swan Hotel

I booked an Executive Room, and it was unexpectedly perfect! Service: I was escorted from the front desk on the first floor to the Executive Lounge on the third floor for check-in. It was quiet and efficient; I just sat comfortably and waited. The staff on this floor were noticeably a cut above – all tall, beautiful, and with lovely voices. They could all provide service in three languages, and their Cantonese was perfectly modulated, soft and soothing, truly melting your heart. While I was in a blissful daze, the staff even arranged a room upgrade and late check-out for me – super happy! 🥳 On the night of check-in, they gave us a welcome gift and a handwritten card as a small anniversary present. 🥰🥰🥰 Perhaps due to the late check-out service, the room card's magnetic strip had a slight issue, but it was resolved quickly and smoothly – excellent job! Every staff member I encountered, at all levels, had genuinely radiant smiles, not forced at all. The entire team is well-trained, and the salaries and benefits must be good around here – truly living up to the 'White Swan' name. ☺️ Dual Executive Lounge Privileges: By the time we checked in, it was past afternoon tea, so we enjoyed the evening cocktail hour. There was a variety of basic mixes, and they could even make non-alcoholic versions for ladies and children. Besides small snacks, there were various Western appetizers, nuts, cookies, and cheese to pair with red wine. Vegetable salads and fruits were also available, along with Chinese dishes like chicken wings and braised ox tongue – you could easily have a full meal! 🤣 Unfortunately, we only had a little bite before heading to the pool. Cleanliness: All mirrors and metal surfaces in the room were sparkling clean, the bathtub was spotless, and the bedding was soft and comfortable. Facilities: The heated infinity pool has an accompanying hot tub and changing rooms with showers. The large towels were clean and soft. Right next to it is the spa, separated for men and women, with both dry and wet saunas. There are attendants to guide and introduce you, so you won't feel lost. What's particularly worth mentioning is the landscaping. The gardeners have meticulously trimmed and maintained all the flowers and trees. The plants are thriving and blooming, with no obvious signs of being haphazardly planted and replaced when they die. Especially those very old staghorn ferns – their blossoms smell wonderful, giving a full tropical vibe. The Koi pond's water quality is excellent, and the fish are healthy and lively! The White Swan finally showed me the true meaning of 'feeling at home.' When checking out, the staff member bid me farewell with 'see you next time,' and I genuinely look forward to it.

This time, I stayed in a suite at the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou. The room was incredibly spacious, about 90 square meters, with a well-divided living area that included a living room, a bedroom, and an exceptionally large bathroom and toilet. Each section offered expansive views of the Pearl River. The hotel's bedding was exquisite, providing great relief after a full day of exploring Guangzhou. Coupled with a soak in the huge massage bathtub in the room, it significantly enhanced the overall stay. Room service was meticulous, with quick responses to all requests. The turndown service in the evening was thoughtful and attentive, including a complimentary box of cookies. While the facilities showed signs of maintenance, they weren't as modern as those in newer luxury hotels. A special thanks to Mr. Yan Zixuan at the front desk for his considerate, professional, and warm service. The hotel's public areas are located on the 1st to 3rd floors. The iconic pavilion and landscape in the lobby attract many visitors taking photos. Due to the hotel's large size, there might be a slight wait during peak check-in times. Dining is an undeniable highlight at the White Swan. Guests can pre-book dim sum at Yu Tang Chun Nuan to experience authentic Cantonese flavors. The actual experience confirmed its exceptionally high culinary standards; it truly lives up to its reputation as a time-tested pinnacle of Cantonese cuisine, though the prices are accordingly high. If you wish to purchase the famous Sachima from the hotel's bakery, it's best to go right when they open at 9 AM, otherwise, they might sell out quickly on holidays. I bought a loaf of bread from the bakery before leaving, and it was delicious too. Overall, the White Swan Hotel offers a complex experience that is hard to replicate. It's an iconic landmark of Guangzhou. For many 'old Guangzhou' residents, the White Swan doesn't win on cutting-edge design or ultimate hardware, but it strongly conveys the historical depth and unhurried charm of Guangzhou.

I'd heard great things about the Yu Tang Chun Nuan restaurant for a long time, so I booked a river-view room at the White Swan Hotel to try it out. First, the positives: The river view is unparalleled, the room layout is logical, and you get priority booking at Yu Tang Chun Nuan. The public areas have a grand and opulent style, a completely different aesthetic from the state guesthouses I've stayed in before. Now for the negatives: I waited over twenty minutes to check in, which was a concerningly slow process. While the hardware has been updated, it still falls short compared to newer five-star-plus hotels. For example, having only one USB charging port by the bed is truly unreasonable. Furthermore, the service and cleanliness were okay, but not excellent. When I asked the front desk if they provided bathtub liners, the staff proudly told me that if I was concerned, they could clean the tub again right in front of me, implying the hotel doesn't provide liners. Then, when I was getting ready for bed, I still saw tiny bugs on the counter. While I personally don't think it's a big deal, as these tiny bugs are indeed hard for housekeeping to completely eliminate, the front desk's confidence made the situation feel rather absurd. (On a side note, when I asked about bathtub liners at another state guesthouse previously, the front desk replied that the hotel typically doesn't provide them, but I could choose to have a staff member clean it in front of me, or they could purchase one and bring it to me later, and help me set it up if needed.) Objectively speaking, compared to my other experiences in Guangzhou these past two days (like at Lei Garden), the White Swan's service is a significant step up. However, perhaps the overall expectations and standards for service in Guangzhou aren't that high, so there's still considerable room for improvement in some areas. Take the bathtub issue I mentioned, or when I asked for a bottle of water at checkout, I was told to go to the concierge myself (there were no other guests queuing behind me at the time). In similar situations previously, it was common for the front desk to either get it for me directly or call the concierge to have it delivered. Even hotels of Hilton's caliber typically shouldn't make such errors, let alone the renowned White Swan. I hope to have a better experience on my next visit.

Staying at the White Swan Hotel during my trip to Guangzhou was an absolutely incredible experience! As a classic landmark five-star hotel in Guangzhou, the lobby's 'Hometown Water' Lingnan garden scenery is elegant, and the koi pond and waterfall create a fantastic atmosphere. The river view room offered a superb vista, with floor-to-ceiling windows directly facing the Pearl River's night view. I could even enjoy the cruise lights while taking a bath. The room details showcased exquisite Cantonese craftsmanship. The service was gentle and attentive, with prompt responses from both the concierge and front desk. The Michelin-starred Yu Tang Chun Nuan's morning tea was astonishingly delicious; the shrimp dumplings were springy and tender, and the char siu pastry was flaky and fragrant with savory filling. Located on Shamian Island, it's within walking distance of popular '网红' (internet-famous) areas, offering a peaceful retreat amidst the bustling city. Whether it's the food, accommodation, views, or service, everything was impeccable. This is definitely my top choice for accommodation when visiting Guangzhou.

The dim sum and general service were mostly up to the standard of a state guesthouse, which was excellent. My only minor regret, though understandable, is that the lobby is open to the public, leading to a lot of foot traffic and visitors.

Guangzhou White Swan Hotel (Negative Review): I booked two nights at this hotel just for the dim sum breakfast. It took three phone calls to finally make a reservation at the restaurant, and the staff seemed impatient, offering no proactive information or explanations. When I asked if there was a difference between breakfast and dinner, I was told there wasn't. So, given my schedule, I booked dinner. However, upon arriving tonight, the restaurant informed me they don't serve dim sum breakfast items in the evening. When I raised this issue with the restaurant manager, I admit I said, 'That person's Mandarin wasn't good to begin with (and they were impatient).' Later, the front desk called my room, and the person, laughing, asked me to 'explain the specific situation at the time, are you complaining because you think our staff's Mandarin is poor?' This absolutely infuriated me. I had no intention of complaining or leaving a bad review; I repeatedly stated that I was merely providing feedback for them to self-correct and that no follow-up was needed. To receive such a retaliatory call made me completely rethink my perception of your company's service, far beyond what I expected. Check-in was smooth, and the room was satisfactory. Other staff members were also very attentive and polite. I do not require any compensation or apology, please do not call me again. I hope no one else has to experience such treatment and accusations.

The White Swan Hotel is consistently excellent. The environment is top-notch, and the service is superb. Both during check-in and check-out, it was raining, but the doorman was constantly there with an umbrella and helping with luggage, everything was handled perfectly. The swimming pool water was very warm, and my daughter had a great time swimming. The cookies in the room were incredibly delicious.

Stayed in a room on the 17th floor with amazing river views from two floor-to-ceiling windows! The staff were also very nice. A special thanks to the breakfast staff on the first floor – they helped us find my child's clear aligners which were left in the restaurant. The hotel is right by Shamian Island, and it's super convenient to get to Beijing Road and Yongqing Fang. Both the North and East gates are accessible by taxi, but I personally found the East gate more convenient. On a Friday afternoon, the North gate can be a bit congested and requires taking an elevator to the second floor, whereas the East gate is already on the second floor, making check-in a breeze.

This is an older hotel, but its location on Shamian Island is excellent. They even upgraded my room to a river view, so I could see the Pearl River – and that's about all the good things I can say. The room facilities are outdated. They still use a bathtub for showering, and the shower curtain doesn't cover properly, so the floor gets completely wet after a shower. The bathroom is small, there's no space around the sink for my toiletries, and nowhere to put my clothes while changing. Honestly, all it would take is a small stool to fix that. My biggest complaint, however, is the terrible soundproofing. I could clearly hear the conversations from the next room, which seriously affected my sleep. Also, the hotel lobby is grand, but for some reason (maybe high occupancy), it felt like a bustling market or a tourist attraction – packed with people and noisy. It lacked the quiet, comfortable, and relaxing atmosphere you'd expect from a five-star hotel, which felt a bit cheap. A hotel isn't a tourist spot, and even if guests want to take photos, the hotel should remind them not to disturb other guests.