White Swan Hotel

I really love this classic State Guesthouse. The White Swan Hotel has a deep-rooted history, and the staff are all very professional and well-qualified. For dinner, we went to the Jade Garden restaurant on the third floor. We got a table right away without waiting, around 5:15 PM. There was a live guzheng performance for 45 minutes, and hotel guests get a 15% discount on food, plus a 15% service charge. Our meal for two cost 1075 yuan. We stayed in a river view room. The blackout curtains worked great, so no sunlight came through in the morning. The shower had excellent water pressure, making for a comfortable wash. What was unpleasant, however, was the service at the bakery on the first floor. A tall female staff member, upon hearing I wanted to buy a Napoleon cake to send home, immediately told me it couldn't be shipped. She claimed they'd had incidents where customers complained about expired food after shipping, blaming the delivery person. I told her that if I chose to ship it, I would accept the risk of spoilage and she needn't worry. She insisted I call SF Express to confirm if they would ship Napoleon cakes. I made the call, and the courier arrived quickly to pick up the package. Plus, SF Express offers next-day air delivery. It's not necessary for the bakery staff to play the role of a know-it-all when it comes to potential disputes with couriers later on. If I couldn't ship it, I'd just eat it myself. Why make a customer who has traveled so far so unhappy? Why create so many hurdles just to sell a cake? I really don't understand. Her well-intentioned advice, which crossed professional boundaries, was unnecessary. A simple reminder would have sufficed. If I couldn't ship it, would she have refused to sell it to me? It's such a simple process: the customer wants to buy bread, you scan the code and take payment. This was truly bizarre.

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.

The room facilities are a bit old, especially the lack of power outlets, and many of them are aged and difficult to charge devices. I couldn't find the entrance light, or perhaps there isn't one at all? The mini-bar offerings were also just average. The upside is that the service was quite good, and the location and surroundings are absolutely superb. The view from the window alone is worth 500 [currency unit], and the Shamian architectural complex is right downstairs. The restaurant also served delicious food. Overall, I would choose to stay here again on my next visit.

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.

I absolutely loved it! Unlike typical chain hotels, this place exudes a rich, time-honored elegance. Aside from the daytime crowds of tourists, the location and environment were perfect. Just strolling around the neighborhood was delightful, and it's within walking distance to the Pearl River night cruise pier. My stay was too short to experience much of the service, but I'll definitely stay here again next time I'm in Guangzhou.

An incredibly satisfying, classic hotel. A sister version of the VIP building. Downstairs is an old walking street, making it super convenient for dining, shopping, and enjoying morning tea. The shampoo products were surprisingly good!

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.