I tend to shy away
from the big western branded hotels in China.
To me, they all have a similar feel to what I’ve been staying and
working in my entire life. There’s a
familiarity that I have been running away from while in Asia. Sheraton brands (the 4 Points being one of
them) have received a casual brush to the side in recent years from my over-judgmental
mind. I’m afraid I may have been
mistaken to do so.
The location of the
Four Points by Sheraton Guangdong Heshan is what drew my attention to the property. I wanted a weekend getaway that would wrap my
aging body in comfort after a long day hiking the nearby Dayanshan (Wild Goose
Mountain) and admittedly it was due to the lack of competition in the area that
led me here. I have to say, I may be changing
my mind on western brands in Asia and adding them to my “try this one” list in the
future.
Building:
Location: It’s just
about perfect for what most people will come to this property for; literally
backing up to the mountain with the entrance to the park a short 5-minute walk away. Other than that, it’s hell and gone
from anything else and transportation to and from without your own
set of wheels would be difficult. There
are also no restaurants, markets, or shops in the area which makes finding
alternatives to the hotel’s fare nearly impossible.
Facilities: The building itself
is just a few years old and it benefits greatly from its new construction. But the development, although nice and
simple, is just that… simple. It’s
bland. I learned to appreciate this during
my stay, however. Everything is clean,
easy to navigate, big and comfortable.
The indoor pool was greatly refreshing and the fitness center was far above
average for a 4-star property. Restaurants
were decent and the lobby bar was inviting.
Ample (and free) parking throughout.
There’s also plenty of areas and playgrounds to keep the kids busy. Bad note however: The mineral pools which would be an AWESOME facility
to enjoy after hiking, were closed and filthy dirty. What a shame!
Amenities: In the
rooms, the provided toiletries were above average; just fine for a night or
two. The soft robes and even softer
slippers made the choice of climbing into the amazing Sheraton beds or staying
in the robes a tough one. Towels, solid
fixtures, quality TVs and furniture round out a solid package.
Décor: As is my
common complaint with properties such as these.
It’s boring. The colors are
mute. There are massive open spaces
where the interior designers had to put “something”… I suppose. So, a small bookshelf with fake books here, a
strange decorative fountain there. I’m a
fan of minimalism, but the property would have done better to embrace it.
Instead, there are uninspiring paintings
and small framed artwork above the beds that were put there because….. they had
to put something.
Service
Staff: International
brands such as Sheraton have excellent training programs and management standards
for all their staff. This is what you
pay for. From the front desk who walked
me through all the paperwork and health checks to the restaurant waiters who
did their best to accommodate my tastes, I was happy with what I got. This is not a full-service property and it
doesn’t market itself as one or pretend to be one. The staff know where they stand and they deliver
that standard like a well-oiled machine.
Food: A bit
expensive. Because there are limited
choices unless you actually drive into the Heshan urban core (a good 15-20-minute
car ride away), then you’re stuck on the property. A $14 hamburger and $5 beers are too much. The Chinese restaurant on the 2nd
floor looked quite nice and had excellent reviews, but as a solo traveler
that wouldn't do for me. The dinner buffet
looked slightly less than impressive for the $27 price tag they were asking. Even the breakfast buffet in the
morning was just, OK. Not bad (I have
seen much worse), but not memorable either.
Cleanliness: With a
new property and management company with a good reputation in the Asia markets,
I expected cleanliness to be on a high level and it was. The simplicity of the décor actually helps
in this regard and everything is easy to quick to clean and move on to the next wing
or room. All of the common areas seemed
free of clutter. Although the mineral
pools were filthy, the area was actually closed to guests so I can give them a
pass on this.
Experience
Comfort: Sheraton spends
a lot of money marketing and providing arguably the most comfortable beds in
the hospitality industry; to my taste which is ultra-soft. True to this, I did not want to leave my bed in
the morning. In addition, the rest of
the room felt great too. It wasn’t too
big or too small… it felt just right. A
great HVAC system and nice thick sliding doors to the patio added to perfect
and quiet night’s rest. Nicely done!
Uniqueness: It’s not
unique at all. That is my biggest complaint
about a property like this… you feel like you’ve stayed there a million times
before. The building is a duel wing property
with common areas on the lobby level.
There’s no breaking the mold whatsoever.
Value: What the
hotel lacks in uniqueness, it makes up for in value. I stayed on a Saturday night and even though
these are tough times in China with the virus and all, the property was far
from empty. Still, with 2 breakfasts,
free parking, and a quiet location, it knocks the value proposition just over
the fence. However, a $14 hamburger will
keep it in the park.
Rojo Rating:
Location: 8
Facilities: 7
Amenities: 7
Décor: 4
Staff: 7
Food: 7
Cleanliness: 8
Comfort: 9
Uniqueness: 2
Value: 8
Total: 60/100
I went into this property with low expectations based on my previous
experiences (and there have been many) at western branded hotels in China. Four Points by Sheraton Guangdong Heshan did
a fine job of perhaps changing my mind on these hotels. Or at the very least, forcing me to see them
in a different light.