5-Star Hotels in Shantou

Stumbled upon this guesthouse online and decided to check it out before the May Day holiday rush. I was initially worried it might be a 'seller's show' (looks better in pictures than in real life), but it turned out to be 100% accurate to what was posted! Overall, a great experience. **Environment:** The guesthouse is set up like an estate, offering good privacy, so you're not disturbed by non-hotel guests or road noise. **Facilities:** The infinity pool in the room seems to circulate filtered seawater, which was very clean. It's perfect for taking photos at night when the lights are on, but it does shut off at 12 AM. There's also an outdoor pool on the first floor facing the sea. The minibar and fridge drinks in the room are complimentary, and all the amenities are of good quality. **Service:** The hotel staff were incredibly attentive. Right after booking, I immediately received a call from the owner. After adding them on WeChat, they confirmed my arrival time and whether I wanted the pool pre-filled, etc. Throughout my stay, I felt that all the staff had a great attitude. This is also a pet-friendly establishment. If you bring a pet, they provide a pet amenities kit with pee pads, diapers, disposable bowls, chew toys like Boryeongdan, and more. I brought my own dog bed, and they mentioned they also offer small beds. However, there's an additional cleaning fee for pets, which I didn't see on the booking page and only found out about upon arrival.

The hotel has a lot going for it. We enjoyed the fresh renovations and the breakfast was good. I don’t think it’s worthy of 5 stars though because they have extremely cheap and uncomfortable mattresses. The mattress was so light and springy that any movement from the other side of the bed would make you wake up and you can feel the springs and hear them. We tried flipping the mattress over as instructed by hotel staff but the hard side of the bed was equally uncomfortable. We booked the Urcove for the next night because Hyatt has a high standard for mattresses and we can count on a good night’s sleep. One thing to keep in mind for these hotels in China is they are pretty much all unwilling to enforce no smoking rules. Even with air filters throughout the hotel we could smell the cigarette smoke everywhere.

Came to Shantou for a short family vacation, and choosing the Oriental Century Hotel was absolutely the right decision! The moment we stepped into the lobby, we were immediately impressed. The ceiling was incredibly high and spacious, with a black grand piano in the center. The marble floor was gleaming, giving the place a very grand feel. There were also photo-op spots with a strong Chaoshan flavor, featuring bamboo chairs paired with red lanterns, printed with interesting local proverbs. Further inside, we even saw Lu Ye Ye's floral shop, and the entire hallway looked very tasteful. The hotel also has a Yinxin Bureau exhibition area. Having previously watched 'A Letter to Grandma,' seeing these preserved old overseas Chinese letters firsthand really moved me. The sea-view king room we stayed in was quite spacious, with a full wall of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the inner bay – the view was truly incredible. The vintage bedside lamps created a lovely ambiance, and the room was equipped with a capsule coffee machine. The bedding was soft and very comfortable, and there was a lounge sofa by the window where we could sit and quietly gaze at the sea, feeling incredibly relaxed. The bathroom had a Dyson hairdryer, and the bathtub even came with a disposable tub liner – many small details were very thoughtfully considered. In the afternoon, we headed to the outdoor pool on the 5th floor. The stairwell was adorned with a row of golden glass fish decorations, both exquisite and photo-worthy. The pool faces the sea directly, with lounge chairs by the side, making it incredibly pleasant to enjoy the sea breeze. The pool water looked sparkling clean. The buffet restaurant was elegantly decorated, and the dining areas were neatly organized. The breakfast selection was very rich, making for an absolutely fantastic experience. Whether it was the environment, the facilities, or the staff's service, everything was top-notch. This stay was truly wonderful and comforting!

The room was spotless and every detail was thoughtfully considered. There's a sensor light that turns on after you switch off the main lights, which is great for avoiding bumps in the dark. The disposable amenities and bedding were also of excellent quality. At 8 PM, there's an intangible cultural heritage experience where you can follow an instructor to hand-make red peach kueh. From kneading the dough to pressing the patterns, it was really fun, and the instructor taught very meticulously. Afterwards, they even steamed our creations and delivered them to our room – the service was incredibly thorough. If you want to experience Chaoshan's late-night snack culture, this place is just 500 meters from Zhujiang Road Food Street, an easy walk. Many of the restaurants I've saved in my favorites are located there.

The experience at Shantou White Swan Hotel far exceeded my expectations! From the concierge's warm welcome and pick-up to the efficient check-in process handled by Ms. Win at the front desk, every detail showcased five-star service. The room was spacious and elegant, offering breathtaking panoramic sea views. Breakfast featured a rich variety of options, with the Chaoshan粿条 (guǒtiáo, a local noodle dish) and Cantonese dim sum being authentically delicious. The pool water was crystal clear, and the gym facilities were comprehensive. Overall, it was simply perfect. I would definitely choose this hotel again when my friends from overseas visit.

The guy who received us was very enthusiastic. He took the initiative to help us carry our luggage from the parking lot. He led us to the hotel front desk to check in. While we were waiting, he handed us Laohuang water, which is unique to the Chaoshan area. It is sour and sweet with a slightly medicinal taste and a very unique taste. I looked at the name tag of the guy and found out that his name is Chi Sentao. I give him a big thumbs up. The next day, I saw the yellow fermented black beans being prepared. After learning about it, I learned that the hotel rotates the Chaoshan Three Treasures to prepare tea every day. The hotel's landscaping area is indeed large. It is worthy of being a resort hotel. It is very close to the park and can be reached on foot. It is worth mentioning that the park tickets are paid by face recognition. We can go in and out through the facial recognition channel as many times as we want and don't have to worry about getting the tickets wet. The only drawback is that the vacation is shorter. Next time I will stay a few more days to enjoy the environment.

👍🏻👍🏻 I highly recommend this hotel! The room was clean and comfortable, the service was attentive and thorough, and the environment was quiet and elegant. Overall, my stay was very satisfying, making this a trustworthy and highly recommended quality hotel. The biggest surprise was the hotel slippers – they were incredibly good quality, soft and thick, much better than those in many other hotels, which instantly boosted my impression. The breakfast also exceeded expectations; it had a rich variety of delicious options, far better and more pleasant than many other hotels. The overall value for money is excellent, so I definitely have to give it a good review and recommendation!

I frequently travel to Shantou for business, and this was my first time staying in Chenghai. I was pleasantly surprised to find such a great hotel here. It's centrally located, making it convenient to get around, and there are plenty of dining options nearby. The room type was also good, and I had a very comfortable stay. The housekeeping staff were polite and enthusiastic, and the front desk staff were attentive, friendly, and highly professional. They made me feel more at ease and comfortable than any other hotel front desk I've encountered, especially Ms. Chen Xu and Ms. Zihan, who proactively communicated and helped resolve any issues. The breakfast was also good, and the best part is that it's served for an extended period, accommodating different people's needs. The only minor drawback is that the sofa covers or slipcovers in the lobby could use an update.

Huge shoutout to the shuttle bus service arranged for the concert! 👍 It was stress-free, safe, and super convenient! A big thank you to driver Master Liu and assistants Xiao Lin and Xiao Chen for ensuring our smooth journey! The experience was fantastic! The front desk staff, Jzhyo and Kem, also provided excellent service and even allowed us a late check-out!

I have to rave about this hotel! First off, the views are absolutely stunning; you can take amazing pictures anywhere. The hotel has its own infinity pool, and even though it rained on our first day, my child still had a blast. Then there's the service. We originally booked a room on the first floor, but my child's rhinitis flared up, so we explained the situation to the hotel. They immediately moved us to a higher floor and upgraded our room for free. This was during summer vacation when the hotel was practically full, so getting a free upgrade at that time was incredibly generous of them. As for breakfast, it's served individually, with each person getting their own portion, which is clean and hygienic.