Sheraton Guilin China [Master Thread]
#61
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: NJ, USA
Posts: 2,837
We were there in July and also previous years
nice hotel with very good location, I’m only gold now so not really upgraded
Pool is great and a good size for swimming
breakfast buffet in dining room is extrnsive
The lounge was closed for renovations when we were there in July, but previously it was quite pleassnt
Other than the Shanghai La , I would recommend this hotel first although I think the Sheraton has a better location
nice hotel with very good location, I’m only gold now so not really upgraded
Pool is great and a good size for swimming
breakfast buffet in dining room is extrnsive
The lounge was closed for renovations when we were there in July, but previously it was quite pleassnt
Other than the Shanghai La , I would recommend this hotel first although I think the Sheraton has a better location
#62
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
Spent a night there it was ok. Didn't get upgraded to anything special as gold. I was just there for one night arriving late and leaving early so my time was limited. Nothing amazing but a reliable place to sleep.
#63
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO, TPE, HNL
Programs: UA GS 4MM, RCC life member (paid), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, CLEAR
Posts: 1,824
We plan to make our first visit to Guilin in early November, but I read a lot of very recent bad reviews on TripAdvisor how the hotel is dated and unpleasant, with the reviews average no better than 2 stars:
Reviewed 3 days ago "Not the Sheraton hotel you know",
Reviewed 6 days ago "Great Un-met Potential"
Reviewed 1 week ago: "Certainly not 5 star"
Reviewed 2 weeks ago: "Not recommended"
Reviewed 4 weeks ago: "Poor service not up to Sheraton standards"
Reviewed June 3, 2018: "Damp, dark, dated, and depressing"
Reviewed May 18, 2018: "Terrible"
These reviews really give us very bad feelings and wonder if we should just forget about Starwood/Marriott in this trip. But the earlier reviews on this thread seem to indicate Sheraton Guilin is passable. With the negative reviews we can perhaps lower our expectations, but we do not want unpleasant experiences that do not meet a decent standard. I wonder if those who have been there recently can offer some insights and guidance, which will be very much appreciated.
Reviewed 3 days ago "Not the Sheraton hotel you know",
Reviewed 6 days ago "Great Un-met Potential"
Reviewed 1 week ago: "Certainly not 5 star"
Reviewed 2 weeks ago: "Not recommended"
Reviewed 4 weeks ago: "Poor service not up to Sheraton standards"
Reviewed June 3, 2018: "Damp, dark, dated, and depressing"
Reviewed May 18, 2018: "Terrible"
These reviews really give us very bad feelings and wonder if we should just forget about Starwood/Marriott in this trip. But the earlier reviews on this thread seem to indicate Sheraton Guilin is passable. With the negative reviews we can perhaps lower our expectations, but we do not want unpleasant experiences that do not meet a decent standard. I wonder if those who have been there recently can offer some insights and guidance, which will be very much appreciated.
Last edited by PanAmWT; Aug 6, 2018 at 5:21 pm
#64
Join Date: Jan 2016
Programs: Marriott AmBE ; AA EXP; Amtrak Select Executive; Hertz PC
Posts: 151
We plan to make our first visit to Guilin in early November, but I read a lot of very recent bad reviews on TripAdvisor how the hotel is dated and unpleasant, with the reviews average no better than 2 stars:
Reviewed 3 days ago "Not the Sheraton hotel you know",
Reviewed 6 days ago "Great Un-met Potential"
Reviewed 1 week ago: "Certainly not 5 star"
Reviewed 2 weeks ago: "Not recommended"
Reviewed 4 weeks ago: "Poor service not up to Sheraton standards"
Reviewed June 3, 2018: "Damp, dark, dated, and depressing"
Reviewed May 18, 2018: "Terrible"
These reviews really give us very bad feelings and wonder if we should just forget about Starwood/Marriott in this trip. But the earlier reviews on this thread seem to indicate Sheraton Guilin is passable. With the negative reviews we can perhaps lower our expectations, but we do not want unpleasant experiences that do not meet a decent standard. I wonder if those who have been there recently can offer some insights and guidance, which will be very much appreciated.
Reviewed 3 days ago "Not the Sheraton hotel you know",
Reviewed 6 days ago "Great Un-met Potential"
Reviewed 1 week ago: "Certainly not 5 star"
Reviewed 2 weeks ago: "Not recommended"
Reviewed 4 weeks ago: "Poor service not up to Sheraton standards"
Reviewed June 3, 2018: "Damp, dark, dated, and depressing"
Reviewed May 18, 2018: "Terrible"
These reviews really give us very bad feelings and wonder if we should just forget about Starwood/Marriott in this trip. But the earlier reviews on this thread seem to indicate Sheraton Guilin is passable. With the negative reviews we can perhaps lower our expectations, but we do not want unpleasant experiences that do not meet a decent standard. I wonder if those who have been there recently can offer some insights and guidance, which will be very much appreciated.
#66
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,045
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,980
Can anyone recommend a half-day tour along the Li River? Is there anything that leaves from near the hotel? It looks like the club lounge here has closed; are Titaniums given any other perks besides breakfast here now?
How much is a taxi from the airport to the hotel? Thanks!
How much is a taxi from the airport to the hotel? Thanks!
#68
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
Can anyone recommend a half-day tour along the Li River? Is there anything that leaves from near the hotel? It looks like the club lounge here has closed; are Titaniums given any other perks besides breakfast here now?
How much is a taxi from the airport to the hotel? Thanks!
How much is a taxi from the airport to the hotel? Thanks!
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,482
I recall all public Li River cruises take all day, or 3/4 of a day. They all depart in the morning and arrive Yangshou around 1-2pm. Then, it takes one hour or more to get back to Guilin by land. There are lots of boats but they all run on similar schedules. You might be able to arrange a private boat tour for half a day.
#70
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,980
I recall all public Li River cruises take all day, or 3/4 of a day. They all depart in the morning and arrive Yangshou around 1-2pm. Then, it takes one hour or more to get back to Guilin by land. There are lots of boats but they all run on similar schedules. You might be able to arrange a private boat tour for half a day.
I may just stay at the Hampton Inn since it is also city center.
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,763
Thanks, that's what I am seeing, too. I wonder how much it costs to get back if it is just one-way. Seems kind of like a weird tour offering to just leave you somewhere. Anyone know what the Titanium perks are here?
I may just stay at the Hampton Inn since it is also city center.
I may just stay at the Hampton Inn since it is also city center.
Our impression of Gullin is, most every place, from tour operators to restaurants is trying to rip off tourists, whether you are westerner or Chinese from other places.
As far as I know there is no tour that go both ways by the boats - it is the same route, and slow. Why would anyone would go both ways on the water? Besides if both ways by boat, then the distance to flow down would be very limited.
This is a fairly OLD Sheraton, primarily getting its business from the local people who host wedding banquets or other celebrations there and tour groups. I doubt you can expect much of elite recognition.
#72
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, UA Silver
Posts: 2,272
I would go straight to Yangshuo from the airport and skip Guilin. I don't recommend the Li River cruise on a big boat.
I prefer going on a bamboo raft. Not the famous part but still gorgeous and more relaxing. Any of the motor boat spots get noisy.
I also strongly recommend the Zhang Yimou night show. Stunning
I prefer going on a bamboo raft. Not the famous part but still gorgeous and more relaxing. Any of the motor boat spots get noisy.
I also strongly recommend the Zhang Yimou night show. Stunning
#73
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,980
The boat is for one way but you are being transported back by bus. That is basically how all the packaged tours run, the only difference is how far down the river the boat goes. Arrange a private sailing if you feel you could not spend a whole day on this activity, and it certainly would not be cheap.
Our impression of Gullin is, most every place, from tour operators to restaurants is trying to rip off tourists, whether you are westerner or Chinese from other places.
As far as I know there is no tour that go both ways by the boats - it is the same route, and slow. Why would anyone would go both ways on the water? Besides if both ways by boat, then the distance to flow down would be very limited.
This is a fairly OLD Sheraton, primarily getting its business from the local people who host wedding banquets or other celebrations there and tour groups. I doubt you can expect much of elite recognition.
Our impression of Gullin is, most every place, from tour operators to restaurants is trying to rip off tourists, whether you are westerner or Chinese from other places.
As far as I know there is no tour that go both ways by the boats - it is the same route, and slow. Why would anyone would go both ways on the water? Besides if both ways by boat, then the distance to flow down would be very limited.
This is a fairly OLD Sheraton, primarily getting its business from the local people who host wedding banquets or other celebrations there and tour groups. I doubt you can expect much of elite recognition.
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,482
You were ripped off. You can walk up to pier and purchase a one way boat ticket, but that's not a tour.
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,980