What is your Priority Club status?
A: My Priority Club status is Diamond.

Were you (or for multi-stayers are you generally) happy with the hotel/stay?
A: Yes, I was very happy with the hotel stay. I was very satisfied with the stay overall.

Which room did you book and which upgrade did you receive?
A: I initially booked the cheapest room and applied my CSU (Complimentary Suite Upgrade) vouchers. I was initially upgraded to the second-best 70sqm suite. However, I called them on the day in the afternoon and was able to get their largest 75sqm suite as an upgrade.

How are the rooms?
A: The rooms were very impressive. They were modern and featured dark marbled bathrooms, which is a premium touch. The level of smart technology in the rooms was great, including electric window blinds that could be controlled via a smart assistant. It's worth noting that only the largest suite had a bathtub, and washlet toilets were only available in the suites. The windows offered a view of the river, which was excellent.

How is the executive lounge?
A: This hotel, like most newer Holiday Inns in China, does not operate an executive lounge.

What was good and what was bad?
A: The hotel was definitely a five-star property, and the service level was excellent. The breakfast was amazing. Level 3 featured excellent Cantonese food from one of the most reputable Cantonese restaurants in Guangzhou, called "Guangzhou Restaurant." They were very generous to Diamond members, offering all three amenities (Bonus points, Fruit Plate + Drink vouchers, and Breakfast) as opposed to only 1 according to IHG SOP. The property had unique metal statues placed throughout, including in the lobby, on the 2nd floor, and in the rooms, which added a unique touch for a Holiday Inn-level hotel.

On the downside, the hotel's location was somewhat remote, with not much to do in the immediate vicinity unless you were visiting the nearby media arts industry. It was 1.4km from the nearest metro station, so calling a taxi was necessary to go downtown. The hotel's smart assistant was only available in Chinese, and the gym was relatively small.

Q: Value for $ or Priority Club Points? Would you return?
I booked the room at a rate of $85 USD with 5000 points included. I would consider returning if I needed to stay in the area again.

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