Guangzhou is a very "debatable" city. I like Guangzhou quite a lot - it's still got plenty of old-fashioned quarters, however some may say it's one big concrete jungle. Generally, it's a safe town just like any other Chinese city. The area around Shifu is lively and nice, just as well the area around the White Swan hotel (Shamian) has a fancy/neat Colonial charm.
The new TV tower should be open by now and the view should definitly warrant a trip there. Time starved, go to one of the parks, around Liuhuahu or Yuexiu park or even up Baiyun mountains.

Romantic get-aways, I can only recommend the Intecontinental in Huizhou, a resort with great facilities and surroundings nestled in the middle of nowhere. Around 2 hours by car from Guangzhou downtown.

I used Guangzhou as a starting point for mainland journeys when living in Hong Kong, so if you have more questions, don't hestitate.