4-Star Hotels in Liaoning, China

We had to scramble to Jinzhou due to medical emergency from overseas. We happened to book this hotel in a great hurry and it was truly the only thing that helped us preserve our sanity at a very fraught time. It was also our first time using trip.com as I could not find much options in Jinzhou on ***********, my long time app of choice. I was worried about how things would turn out since I didn't know if I could trust trip.com or fully research my options as we had to rush to pack as well. As it turned out, I'm 100% sure that no other hotel in 4th tier Jinzhou city could have given us the experience, comfort and ambience that Manxin Hotel did. I don't say that lightly as a seasoned international traveller who's stayed at many types of hotels/guesthouses/motels over the years, it takes *a lot* to impress us enough to earn my praise and endorsement in a review. Manxin Hotel felt like a small boutique hotel feel with 3 floors of rooms. It was only opened in Jan 2024, so it really feels nice and new with a high ceiling foyer /lounge area. The rooms are huge with huge floor to ceiling windows. Although it's next to a train station, the triple glazed windows amazingly cut out most of the noise. The beds were very comfortable, with great toiletries, great Laifun hairdryer and free drinks replenished daily. Even the tea bags they provided were of great quality. We stayed in the hotel for 2 weeks so we were very happy to be able to use the complimentary washing machine service which saved me the hassle of having to hand wash my clothes daily in my room! There were some drainage issues in the shower but the hotel staff did try to sort out the problem. There's also a spacious gym available for those who are fitness fanatics. The hotel breakfast had great variety with quality coffee (not easy to find good coffee in China). They even had a singer in the foyer 3 nights a week. Though I usually love listening to live music, the singers were students who were not quite able to deliver a performance befitting the old world charm and ambience of the hotel foyer. Any hotel can have the best of facilities but often fall short on the service front. Since we were staying there for 2 weeks, we often had to deal with the hotel staff on a daily basis. We found them to be very competent, sincere, friendly, understanding and helpful for the most part, willing to do all that they could to assist us during our time of considerable distress and strain due to our family emergency. Even the housekeeping staff and the lady clearing plates in the breakfast area were warm and helpful! As foreigners , we would sometimes need help with paperwork, scanning, photocopying, and other assistantance communicating with the outside world to make arrangements for international medical evacuation, WeChat/Alipay tutorials etc. We will always be grateful to the staff for all their efforts to assist in our time of need. In particular, we would like to thank Sales manager XY Yang and duty manager Hong for their tireless assistance and consideration. If we were to go to Jinzhou again, Manxin hotel would absolutely be our only choice.

Now that my trip is over, I still want to review my stay. I chose this hotel because it was already in my favorites when I decided to visit Dalian. I picked it primarily for the scenic views, and indeed, the hotel's location and the room's view were quite good, and the staff service was okay. However, there were a few aspects that were rather mediocre. Firstly, the mattress and pillows. After a five-hour drive, I didn't get that comfortable, refreshing feeling when I lay down. The mattress even felt like it had a springy texture. For someone like us, who just wanted to relax at the hotel and explore a bit, this significantly impacted our travel experience. We stayed for four consecutive days, and every day felt like an endurance test; I even considered switching hotels for the last two days. Secondly, the shower. The overhead shower didn't work, so my 6'3” partner had to use the handheld showerhead, which was quite low, even for me. More importantly, the water temperature was unstable; for all four days, it kept fluctuating between hot and cold. Since showering isn't exactly the time to call for assistance, I just had to bear with it, dodging the water when it got too hot or too cold. Thirdly, breakfast and meals. Given the hotel's somewhat secluded location, I suggest they improve their dining options. On our first day, we had planned to enjoy a nice dinner, but there really weren't many choices. Also, for a resort hotel, breakfast ending at 9 AM is far too early. Even budget hotels like Hanting and Atour now serve until 10:30 or 11 AM. There were also some minor issues, like running out of complimentary water in the room. When we asked for more, the water provided wasn't the same brand as the original. Honestly, how much cost can they save by doing that? But it certainly detracts from the guest experience. I had initially hoped to make this hotel my go-to choice for future Dalian vacations, especially since it has its own small beach. I hope the owner collects guest feedback and focuses on optimizing the actual experience, especially considering the price point. This stay was definitely not as comfortable as the two days we spent in Shanhaiguan.

The front desk service at Atour was an absolute delight! The staff were warm and welcoming, and checked me in within minutes. Any requests for amenities were handled promptly and efficiently. Their genuine care and attention to detail truly made me feel valued. The hotel's minimalist yet elegant design, combined with its impeccable cleanliness, further enhanced my stay. This isn't your typical run-of-the-mill service; it's truly thoughtful and personalized. My entire stay was comfortable and worry-free. I highly recommend it to all travelers – it's a place worth returning to!

Shenyang was the second stop on my Northeast China free-and-easy trip, and I booked this hotel. The lobby seems to be on the 7th floor. The hotel's location is prime, right in the city center. I expected it to be noisy, but it was surprisingly quiet. The breakfast had a great variety, which is a big plus. The hygiene and environment were also good. Downstairs, you're right on the pedestrian street, and you can simply walk to the Marshal Zhang's Mansion and the Imperial Palace. I forgot to take photos of the hotel itself, so here are a few pictures of the surrounding area.

The location is super convenient, within walking distance to Zhongshan Square and the subway station, which makes getting around a breeze. The room was clean and comfy, with soft bedding and good soundproofing. The front desk staff were friendly and check-in was very efficient. The breakfast spread was extensive, offering both Western and Chinese options. Overall, it's great value for money, highly recommended for both business trips and city breaks.

This hotel was the most satisfying for our self-driving trip. The free parking lot had plenty of spaces and allowed for easy in-and-out access, so we didn't have to worry about finding a spot for our car. The entire room was equipped with brand-new smart devices that were easy and convenient to operate, and the hot water was instantly available and maintained a stable temperature. The surrounding area had a dense concentration of night markets and restaurants, making it very convenient to go out for food in the evening. The room was clean and tidy, and it would be hard to find a better option at a similar price point.

For an IHG budget hotel, having self-service laundry is a real bonus! And they even had stir-fried rice cakes for breakfast. Even though they were so hard I couldn't chew them, I still have to give a shout-out for offering local specialties like that. P.S. Poor me, I only got one fried egg 🍳.

The view is amazing! You open the window and there's the ocean right there (I highly recommend watching the light show from your room at night). Going downstairs takes you straight to the beach, and it's convenient to get anywhere from here. The location is absolutely superb. The decor is elegant and understated, and the bed is super comfortable. The staff thoughtfully provided food to feed the seagulls and tools for beachcombing. I'll definitely stay here again next time I'm in Xinghai.

A good hotel is key to a successful trip! This hotel is very close to Xinghai Square, and across the bridge is an amusement park. The paths are flat, perfect for strollers or 'baby walkers' (though the area right outside the hotel entrance has cobblestones, which can be a bit bumpy for strollers). The room environment is excellent. We are a family of five – four adults and one child – and stayed in the 'Star Blue' room, which was perfectly spacious. It had a 1.8m bed downstairs plus a tatami mat upstairs, and even a single sofa that could be used for sleeping. The space felt generous. There's also a private little courtyard where you can hang kids' clothes to dry (as long as it's not raining). The hotel has a laundry room with a dryer, so no more bringing dirty clothes home!

The hotel boasts an excellent location, just minutes' walk from the subway station and shopping district, making travel incredibly convenient. The rooms were clean and tidy, the bedding was comfortable, and the front desk staff were warm and attentive. It's great value for money, and I'd definitely stay here again next time!