Xiangchang Business Hotel, Futian, Shenzhen, China (A Bad Review!)

Sometimes, when traveling, you come across a hotel so disappointing that it becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons. My stay at the Xiangchang Business Hotel in Futian, Shenzhen, was one of those rare and regrettable experiences. The hotel, despite its prime location near landmarks like the Ritz-Carlton, the Sheraton, and the Shenzhen Exhibition Center, offered an experience so poor that it warrants a cautionary tale for future travelers.

The trip to Shenzhen started with its own set of obstacles. Unable to secure a train ticket from Zhongshan to Shenzhen due to sold-out trains on a busy Sunday evening, I had to explore alternative transportation. After some scrambling and a detour through Guangzhou, I managed to board a nearly empty bus for just 75 RMB—a remarkably affordable price for the journey.

Arriving in Futian around 11 PM, I was ready to settle into my hotel room and rest after a long day. Unfortunately, my first impression of the Xiangchang Business Hotel set the tone for a deeply disappointing stay.

Upon entering the hotel, I was greeted by a maze of elevators, hallways, and semi-outdoor terraces that made navigating to my room unnecessarily complicated. The lack of signage and a confusing layout exacerbated the problem. The building itself housed not just the hotel but also various businesses, including a dental office, a tailor, and a health clinic, which gave the place a disjointed, unwelcoming feel.

Finally arriving at my room on the 15th floor, the problems became glaringly apparent. For the hefty price of 400 RMB per night—a rate that could secure a stay in a much nicer hotel elsewhere in Shenzhen—the room was shockingly subpar.

• Smoking Room: Despite multiple communications with management to ensure a non-smoking room, I was given a smoking room. The stench of cigarettes permeated everything, from the curtains to the bed and eventually my clothes and skin.
• Broken Fixtures: The chain lock on the door was broken, and the bathroom fixtures were old and poorly maintained. The faucet leaked, and mold had taken root in the corners of the bathroom.
• Filthy Carpets and Furniture: The carpets were visibly dirty, with debris and fingernail clippings lodged in the cracks. The furniture was stained, dusty, and felt sticky to the touch.
• Minimal Amenities: There was no safe in the room, the minibar was filthy, and the complimentary toiletries were of low quality. The desk appeared to have been taken from another room and hastily added, barely fitting the space.
• False Advertising: The hotel advertised free breakfast, but instead, guests were given vouchers worth only 12 RMB—insufficient even to buy a coffee at McDonald’s.

Adding insult to injury, the Wi-Fi was so weak that it was essentially unusable, a major inconvenience for a business traveler like myself.

Hoping to resolve the issues, I met with the hotel manager, who showed me four other rooms. Unfortunately, all were similarly dirty, smelled of smoke, and failed to meet even basic standards. When I inquired about upgrading to a better room, I was told I would need to pay significantly more. One cleaner, non-smoking room was reserved "for special people," which the manager refused to explain further.

This lack of flexibility and disregard for guest satisfaction cost the hotel a month-long booking. The manager’s apparent adherence to revenue-protection policies over guest experience sealed the deal: I was leaving the Xiangchang Business Hotel after just one night.

The problems didn’t end with the room. Throughout the night, I found evidence of what can only be described as a “sin hotel” atmosphere. Cards advertising adult services were slipped under my door, and the hotel was surrounded by a nightlife scene that included a nightclub frequented by Shenzhen’s wealthier patrons. While this might appeal to some, it was far from the professional and restful environment I had expected and needed for my business trip; a month in length.

By morning, I had made arrangements to move to another hotel just a block away, the Zhongshu, which offered a cleaner room, better amenities, and a genuinely included breakfast—all for a lower price. The stark contrast between the two properties highlighted the importance of proper research and setting realistic expectations.

If you’re considering staying at the Xiangchang Business Hotel in Futian, Shenzhen, my advice is simple: don’t. The location might be convenient, but the poor cleanliness, management indifference, and overall state of the property make it an unsuitable choice for anyone seeking even a modicum of comfort.

For a similar price, countless other options in Shenzhen offer vastly superior experiences, from international chains like the nearby Ritz-Carlton to well-maintained local hotels like the Atour.

Sometimes, you get what you pay for—but in the case of the Xiangchang Business Hotel, what you get is far less than what you pay for. This experience will serve as a reminder to prioritize quality and reputation over location alone when booking accommodations.

Rojo Rating:

• Location: 6
• Facilities: 2
• Amenities: 1
• Décor: 3
• Staff: 3
• Food: 0
• Cleanliness: 1
• Comfort: 2
• Uniqueness: 3
• Value: 4

Total: 25/100