Shuge Arts Hotel

LOCATION   Took a bus and had difficulty in locating the hotel due to incorrect map directions and a photoshop photo showing a sleek, modern ground floor structure. The hotel is actually on the 5th-8th floors of an old building. The dirty, unkempt elevators unmask the age and tiredness of the hotel.   LOBBY   Despite the dreary infrastructure, the hotel premisis has been upgraded, renovated and designed with elegant finesse, modern style and practical features offering relaxing ambience, distressing environment complete with aroma fragant scenting, library (English and chinese books), chinese tea set and table and a garden path on the verandah. We were pleasantly surprised by the lobby and lounge, which had minimalistic interior décor with earthly elements of stone and wood balancing the charcoal color.    SERVICE   The desk clerks were professionally trained, polite and friendly.   ROOMS   Standard rooms are clean but showing the wear and tear of the aging building. The bathroom towels are soft and fluffy.    TIPS   DO not use the b**king.com map, which is inaccurate. We followed the map which mislead us to a site 15 minutes away. (This problem recurrent in China) Although the standard room was cheaper on the B**ing.com website, the executive room was cheaper as a walk-in. We regretted not changing to the executive room, which was larger, more comfortable and more delicately designed.   PROS   Breakfast was simple but filling and a plus compared to other similar priced accomodation which did not provide breakfast LIBRARY! With lots of books to pass the time….. Have a traditional chinese tea ritual Laundry basket provided in rooms with slippers WASHING MACHINE another necessity for travellers Shopping mall (Well Links) and night market downstairs with metro 650m away makes life easy   CONS   The hotel sign on the building is in chinese Poor, if any, wifi reception The shower drain blockage meant we showered in a pool No milk at breakfast for 2 days despite catering confirming having ordered several days ago (the supermarket downstairs on 2-3F has plenty of milk?) , so I had cereal with soyamilk Rooms not separate smokers from non-smokers, the lobby toilet has a smokers smell The pillow was hard and high No juice at breakfast   SUMMARY   Fantastic accommodation to relax and unwind within the midst of citylife!