Renovated in 2023, the Howard Johnson Sandalwoods Resort Shuangyue Bay Huidong Huizhou is a great choice for accommodation in Huidong. From the hotel, Huizhou Pingtan Airport is approximately 57km away. Huizhou Pingtan Airport is the closest option for those who prefer to fly, approximately 57km away. With multiple attractions nearby including Dusit Thani Sandalwood Water Park, Enjoy the Sea International Coastal Resort Area and Sunrise · Seven Stars Accompanying the Moon Sea Spring Bathhouse, guests will find plenty to keep themselves occupied. After a long day of sightseeing, guests can retire to the comfort of the hotel. For those driving themselves, parking is provided on site. This hotel is particularly popular with those traveling with families.
"Overall, it was a decent stay and a pleasant experience. My family and I stayed in room 13009 from August 22nd to 24th. It seems our room was upgraded (the front desk staff didn't mention it). My family and I booked separately; they had booked a Deluxe Seaview Room, which was slightly more expensive than my Full Seaview King Room. Coincidentally, even though we checked in at different front desks, we were assigned rooms on the same floor, right next to each other, which was great :)
Pros:
1. The guest room was on the 30th floor, offering an excellent and expansive sea view. The view was definitely a major highlight. It's a shame the weather was unstable and mostly cloudy during our stay; I'm sure the view would have been even more stunning on a clear day.
2. The room had high ceilings, giving it a spacious feel. Although the decor was simple, the floor-to-ceiling windows allowed for plenty of natural light, making the room bright and comfortable. The cleanliness was also satisfactory. Rooms facing the sea can be prone to humidity, but the air conditioning was sufficient, and a dehumidifier was provided (I recommend keeping it on for extended periods) to effectively maintain dryness and prevent any stuffy, damp feeling. The in-room amenities were also very thoughtful, including charging cables, essential oil patches/eye masks, anti-noise earplugs, and a coffee machine with Starbucks coffee capsules, which tasted very good.
3. The hotel's recreational facilities were abundant and clean. The design of the pool connecting to the beach was excellent, making it very suitable for families with children for a short vacation. You wouldn't get bored even with a three-day, two-night stay.
4. The hotel's exterior design was aesthetically pleasing, and the lobby had very high ceilings, creating an open and spacious atmosphere.
5. The hotel offered a ”little butler” WeChat service, with prompt responses and immediate assistance from staff. In the mornings, they would even proactively ask if we needed any items replenished, which was commendable.
6. There were many restaurant choices and convenience stores near the hotel, all within walking distance.
Cons:
1. The hotel is a bit old, but still within an acceptable range. However, maintenance is clearly lacking, especially the outdoor balcony of the room, which was quite dilapidated and not thoroughly cleaned. This made us completely unwilling to spend time there, wasting the beautiful sea view and significantly diminishing the overall experience.
2. The prices at the hotel restaurants and vending machines were on the high side.
3. The staff's service level was mediocre; not terrible, but certainly not enthusiastic either. The service was just basic. Especially during check-in at the front desk, it felt like dealing with a government office, lacking a friendly touch.
4. It would be better if the TV channels included Hong Kong channels.
5. The water pressure in the shower was a bit weak; both the toilet space and the toilet itself were a bit small, uncomfortable for adults.
Minor incident:
Upon entering the room, we found that the TV remote control was not working. We requested assistance through the 'little butler' and also asked for an extra pair of slippers and toothbrushes. Soon after, a female staff member in a white uniform delivered the items, but only brought a pair of reusable plastic slippers. We explained that we wanted disposable slippers, and she repeatedly emphasized that we hadn't specified, stating that typically when we just say ”slippers,” they understand it as plastic slippers... She wasn't impolite, but her incessant way of speaking was a bit uncomfortable. We had no intention of arguing and simply replied, ”Understood, thank you,” to send her off.
Later, another staff member in a different uniform (I've forgotten the color) came to fix the TV issue. Her service attitude was remarkably different. She was smiling and polite, and noticing that our Mandarin wasn't fluent, she proactively switched to Cantonese to communicate with us and warmly asked if we needed anything else. The next day, when we encountered the shower water pressure problem, she was the one who came to follow up, and her attitude remained sincere and dedicated. We met her again during check-out, and she chatted with us kindly for a while, which was very heartwarming. Although we don't know her name, we genuinely want to commend her service – she was the most polite and enthusiastic staff member we encountered at this hotel, and her attitude truly made us feel at home."