4-Star Hotels in Shandong, China

My business trip stay at Hilton Garden Inn exceeded my expectations. The front desk staff, particularly VV, was efficient and welcoming during check-in, always smiling and quick to assist with any requests. The room was spacious, and the ergonomic office chair was comfortable even after long hours. The bedding was soft and plush, and the blackout curtains provided excellent soundproofing. The complimentary breakfast buffet offered a wide variety of options, including hot congee, pastries, and fresh fruit. With a 24-hour gym, free high-speed WiFi, and complimentary parking, this international chain offers incredible value for money at its price point. Five stars!

This is no doubt that No 8 Courtyard Homestay is beautiful place to stay. As international visitors to China it was exactly as we hoped for when we booked. Authentic traditional Chinese accommodation with modern hotel facilities in a fabulous location. It’s very quiet despite the proximity to the busier areas nearby. However, we were very disappointed to find the Homestay misrepresents information about smoking that was important to our accomodation choices and selection on Trip.com. As the photo from the website below shows, No Smoking in Public Areas, there is a Smoking Area. The smell of cigarette smoke was very evident on our arrival in both the courtyard, and the internal reception area. We questioned the hotel receptionist who explained smoking is permitted in certain areas, including the Courtyard that guests enter and exit every time to go in or out of the Homestay. The Courtyard is an outdoor public space and the Homestay smoking area (as per the photo of the ashtray in the Courtyard below). It’s unavoidable. While the reception area is internal, the receptionist explained guests are asked not to smoke if they are smoking. Furthermore, the Homestay provides hotel style ashtrays as the entrances to the elevator and we pointed out there was a cigarette butt in the ashtray, evidence of smoking despite the information on Trip.com. There were no visible ‘no smoking signs’. This meant that we would not enjoy the beautiful public spaces of eitber the Courtyard or the Reception area without cigarette smoke or other guests smoking. The receptionist suggested to us we find another hotel, at nearly 10pm we found this was unsatisfactory. She offered for us to stay and pay one night (of our 3 night booking) but this was a problem for our itinerary. The following day we were offered to change to a room with its own courtyard which we did. However, we would never have booked this accommodation if the correct information about smoking by the Homestay was on Trip.com. As hotel guests have to trust 100 hundred percent that the information on the website is accurate and we reiterated this when the manager came to meet us. The filters for non smoking on Trip.com are very good. But, the Homestay allows smoking in the outside public areas, and internal public areas are only managed if the staff ask the guests not to smoke. The reception told us that does not stop the guests from smoking and they can’t control that. The manager said the Homestay would review its smoking policy. Regardless of this, It is necessary for the Homestay not to misrepresent information but to provide accurate information on their booking platforms.

Excellent location, close to May Fourth Square with many shopping centers nearby, including Hisense Plaza. We had a huge steamed seafood feast that was both delicious and affordable – we practically had to be rolled out! And those fruit-flavored beers? Absolutely incredible, better than any other drink. The combination of fruitiness and low alcohol content is simply superb!

The positive attitude and service performance of the staff ranging from front desk, concierge/security to breakfast restaurant and house keeping is excellent. The classic hotel personal service with a modern twist makes the stay a memorable experience. On my check-in, Ms Xiao Jiao and Ms Xiao Cong gave me and explained briefly the leaflet on the hotel’s suggested tourist attractions in Yantai. They also enthusiastically exchanged small RMB notes with me. They also gave me a piece of mooncake of my choice (and during my check-out too). The restaurant staff is attentive, replenishing food and drinks and attending to requests promptly. Due to my lack of command of Mandarin and accent, the chef cooked the wanton instead of the mackerel dumplings for me, he immediately served me the dumplings when he realised the miscommunication. The next morning, after serving me the mackerel dumplings, he, I think, recognised me, suggested I could add soup and condiments to the dumplings. I find their fleshly cooked dumplings are even better than the dumplings from the most famous dumplings restaurant in Yantai. The concierge staff on 2 days helped me book taxi using her phone app, paying in advance on my behalf as booking via internet cannot be settled in cash. The concierge/front desk lent me umbrella without question. After a delayed and tiring flight, Mr Xiao Gao brought me to my room and explained the mechanics of the switches in the room. There was a hand-written welcome note from Ms Liu, with 2 cups of white fungus/goji drink beside it. The drink together with the note and fruits in the room, not only soothed my dry throat but also lifted the mood. House keeping provided fruits, white fungus/goji drink and dried chrysanthemum/rose flowers (to prepare for drinking) and 4 bottles (500 ml) of water daily, with up to 14 bottles at the lift lobby on my floor, and guests can also request house keeping for more bottles. On my check out day, during my breakfast, they left at the door handle, a bag of goodies, fruits and bottles of water and souvenirs (4 key chains with various types of sea shells), together with a hand-written farewell/bon voyage note from Ms Liu. Well done The Center Hotel staff, you are a pride to the hotel, the hospitality industry and Yantai!

The hotel's location is super convenient, really close to the high-speed rail station, making travel a breeze. The room was clean and tidy, the bedding was comfy, and the soundproofing was excellent. The front desk staff were warm and efficient. We had stable 24-hour hot water and smooth Wi-Fi. Overall, it was a great stay with excellent value for money. I'll definitely choose this hotel first for my next trip.

Fantastic environment! Free laundry and drying facilities were a huge plus. The cleanliness was impeccable, and the bathroom had a great wet/dry separation, so no dampness at all. Plenty of hangers were provided, and the air conditioning was fully adjustable. I especially want to commend the hairdryer! Power outlets were conveniently located on every wall for charging. It was also very quiet at night, perfect for enjoying the night view.

Staying at this hotel: The front desk staff were warm and attentive, the hotel was clean and hygienic, and it was very quiet at night. Parking was convenient. The hotel is located in the city center, with a park right outside the door. The surrounding environment is elegant, making it a great place for morning exercise. It's less than 300 meters from the beach, and the sports center and beach are just across the pedestrian street and Weigao Plaza. Dining is very convenient, with food stalls everywhere along the pedestrian street and Weigao Plaza!

I recently completed a weekend stay at the Lanou International Hotel and would like to provide detailed and constructive feedback, particularly as I have stayed at this property several times in the past. While the hotel continues to benefit from an excellent location and a generally comfortable environment, several aspects of this visit fell considerably below the standard I previously experienced. To begin with, the condition of the bathroom facilities has noticeably deteriorated. Fixtures that were once in good working order now appear significantly worn, with visible signs of ageing and inadequate maintenance. The shower fittings, tiling, and general bathroom infrastructure all seem overdue for refurbishment. This decline was unexpected, given the hotel’s formerly reliable standards. Secondly, the professionalism and attentiveness of the staff—especially during the breakfast service—have diminished. Staff members frequently appeared disengaged, and the overall service felt disorganised. Routine tasks such as clearing tables promptly, maintaining a tidy service area, and interacting with guests courteously were not consistently met. This impacted the overall dining experience. Additionally, the hotel appears increasingly ill-prepared to accommodate international guests. The breakfast selection is limited in terms of food variety typically expected by international travelers, and basic utensils such as knives and forks were often unavailable or had to be specifically requested. This lack of consideration for diverse guest needs detracts from the hotel’s appeal to a broader clientele. I hope this feedback is taken constructively. The hotel has strong underlying strengths and has provided much better experiences in the past. With improved maintenance of facilities, enhanced staff training, and more thoughtful catering to international guests, the Lanou International Hotel could readily return to the higher standards it once offered.

The environment here is quite beautiful. I booked the Atour hotel next to Fisherman's Wharf. The whole hotel is very new, and the public areas even have a pleasant scent. The staff are quite enthusiastic, but the bathroom drain in the room had a bit of a problem, which wasn't perfect, and even after telling the front desk, it wasn't fully resolved. The hotel's location is relatively out of the way, so dining options aren't very convenient, and food delivery takes a long time. However, its advantage lies in the pleasant surroundings. It's worth mentioning that the hotel also offered a complimentary travel photoshoot. The front desk said someone would arrange a time, and the photography business seemed quite popular, as it was hard to get a slot later in the day. The staff were very enthusiastic, even when it was really hot and I didn't feel like shooting anymore, the photographer kept encouraging me to take more pictures. The staff were also very helpful when I was selecting the photos.

Pros: 1. Great location, right at the crossroads, and only a 15-minute walk to the Olympic Sailing Center. 2. The breakfast was excellent and varied; we stayed for three days and never had the same meal twice. 3. The front desk staff were very welcoming and even offered us water. Cons: 1. The carpet in the hallway leading to the guest rooms had a strong, unpleasant smell, almost like laundry detergent. 2. The door in our room closed very loudly, with a noticeable ”bang” every time. However, my child's room didn't have this issue.