Homestays in Shandong, China

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.

The overall stay experience is excellent, the rooms are cleaned meticulously, the bedding is soft and comfortable, and the sound insulation effect is excellent. The front desk staff is warm and efficient, the location is excellent, the supporting facilities are perfect, the price is full, and the next trip is still the first choice.

This stay far exceeded our expectations, and I simply have to give a huge shout-out to the hotel and its concierge team! We were two families traveling together – two dads with three kids, including two little girls. What truly blew us away was the concierge service. Every morning, the concierge would beautifully braid the two little girls' hair, and each day they'd have a different, professionally done, and intricate style. One of the things the kids looked forward to most each morning was going to the concierge to 'get their hair done.' This level of thoughtful attention was genuinely touching and went completely beyond what we'd ever expect from hotel service. The hotel's check-in process was also incredibly accommodating. Official check-in was at 3 PM, but the concierge informed us in advance that if our room was ready, we could communicate and check in earlier. We arrived about two hours early that day, and to our delight, we were able to check in without a hitch. For families traveling with children, this kind of flexible and considerate arrangement is absolutely invaluable and made our trip so much smoother. The family room design was another pleasant surprise. The slide in the room became the kids' paradise; all three of them had a blast playing on it every day. We stayed for six days, and the kids barely touched the TV because the room itself was so engaging and entertaining, they never got bored. For families with kids, this kind of design is a massive bonus. Furthermore, we stayed in the 'Up'-themed sea-view room, and the view was absolutely unbeatable. With the living room and two bedrooms, you could see the ocean from three sides. Whether we were relaxing in the living room or waking up in the bedroom, a vast sea view greeted us. Watching the sunrise, sunset, and the endless expanse of the sea and sky every day filled our entire vacation with immense happiness. From the service and room design to the scenic experience, our whole family was extremely satisfied with this stay. If you're a family traveling with children, I would wholeheartedly recommend this place without a second thought.

Entertainment & Public Facilities 1. Recreation zone equipped with a pool table (billiard table), card-playing tables and long work desks for travelers’ office use. 2. Lounge area with soft sofas, home theater, small bar counter, tea corner and free drinking water station. 3.  fitness equipment available for light workouts. 4. Free Wi-Fi covers all areas; personal lockers are provided inside bedrooms for valuables storage, wrispbands are convenient.. and the view is outstanding!

Absolutely blown away by Longting Vineyard! It totally lives up to its SLH (Small Luxury Hotels of the World) reputation; the experience was just incredible. The entire estate is surrounded by sprawling vineyards, and the Southern French architectural style creates such a beautiful ambiance – every photo op felt like a professional shot. Our room, named after a grape varietal, was exquisitely designed and elegant, with so many thoughtful soft furnishing details. The rattan furniture and vintage lighting really added a touch of class. The room itself was spacious, and stepping out onto the balcony from the French windows, you're greeted by lush greenery. Our butler even upgraded our room type, offering distant views of the mountains and sea, which made the mornings and evenings incredibly therapeutic. The bedding was comfortable, and the bathroom facilities were high-end, ensuring a quiet and private stay. The staff – Molly, Xinyue, and Emily – were so warm and attentive. Check-in was efficient, and they thoughtfully provided guidance on various vineyard experiences. Spending our leisure time wine tasting and strolling, away from the city noise, made this the perfect choice for a getaway to Penglai. We'll definitely be back!

Stayed for three days, and here's my summary: The location is excellent, with scenic spots right downstairs, making it super convenient to get around. The sea view is stunning, much better than the photos. The room was clean and odor-free, well-decorated, and laid out efficiently. The soundproofing was also great. The concierge service was enthusiastic and always responded promptly to any requests. They checked in with us daily to see if we needed anything. It’s perfect for friends looking for a sea-view room for their get-together. Highly recommended!

I was surprised to get a two bedroom appartement. Spotless with a kitchen with gas stove (not many cooking utensils and no microwave). Location is practical if you are about to take the ferry to Korea (20 minutes walk). But well served by public transport (n° 6 stop will take you into the historical town and further to the beachrs). Qindao is a facinating town with its German past History and heritage, namely the now famous Tsing Tao beer.

✨Here are a few different styles of rave reviews for you to choose from: Version 1: Heartfelt and atmospheric (most recommended) I was truly amazed by my stay this time! The arched window in the room was absolutely beautiful. Girls! This sea-view room is simply divine! 😭 The arched window creates such a fantastic vibe in photos; every shot looks like it's from a blockbuster movie! Waking up to the sea view in the morning and cozying up in front of the projector to watch a film at night filled me with such happiness. The room was spotless, equipped with all the appliances, making for a super comfortable stay. The beach is right downstairs, so getting out and about was incredibly convenient. The owner was also super nice. I'm definitely booking this place again next time!

The guesthouse is located by the roadside with parking, making it suitable for those driving. The courtyard has beautiful landscaping, perfect for taking photos. The rooms have underfloor heating, so the temperature is just right. The breakfast selection isn't extensive, but the food is quite tasty and enjoyable. The guesthouse is conveniently located near Hongmen and Tianwaicun, easily accessible by foot or bus.

First of all, the decor is great; I loved it at first sight, and the room matches the picture perfectly. It's very clean, the room is spacious, and it's soundproof—not noisy at all. Downstairs is the Shandong University Night Market, with tons of delicious and cheap food to choose from, including supermarkets, fruit shops, restaurants, and more. In short, buy it without hesitation, no complaints!!!