One of the most unusual places I stayed at in China. Hai Tian Grand Theatre Hotel is located directly within the Qingdao Grand Theatre complex, and staying in what is essentially part of such a distinctive architectural landmark is an experience in itself. The whole area feels especially impressive in the evening, with its contemporary architecture, broad open spaces and the sea just nearby.
Shilaoren Beach is about 550 metres away, roughly an 8–10 minute walk. Unfortunately, we arrived shortly after a typhoon, and a storm warning was still in effect, so we were unable to swim. Even so, we went down to the sea several times simply to walk along the coast.
During the Qingdao International Beer Festival, the location was particularly convenient. One of the festival venues is only about 450 metres from the hotel, so in the evening we could simply walk there within a few minutes.
Convention Center metro station is around 600 metres away, about a 7–10 minute walk at an easy pace, which makes it convenient for exploring other parts of Qingdao. The hotel is also located in Laoshan District, making it a good base if you are planning a separate trip to Mount Laoshan.