Oakwood Premier Guangzhou

The Oakwood Premier Guangzhou is a 39-floor concrete and glass high-rise, a mixed use building with apartments and separately run offices. Brown interior designs, Chinese paintings, and dark furniture create a classic look in the reception area. The 15th-floor lobby features two floors of windows by the 24-hour front desk, fresh floral arrangements, and a whimsical chandelier that hangs above a sitting area. The ambience is overall pleasant, although the outdoor pool that’s set under a low-hanging ceiling can look a little dark and uninviting.

This four-and-a-half-pearl apartment hotel is best suited for travelers who are in town for the long term since there are kitchens in every unit with an optional grocery store delivery service. In general, it's geared toward business travelers more than families with youngsters, but there is a DVD library and a playroom with toys to keep little ones entertained. It’s also a great pick for guests visiting the Canton Fair as the hotel provides a free shuttle service between the two locations.

This location in Tianhe is on a street that’s lined with tons of shops and apartments. Ample shopping is within walking distance at the Grandview Mall and TaiKoo Hui Mall, eight and 11 minutes away on foot, respectively, which includes shops like Burberry and Coach. Guests visiting the Canton Fair, which is 30 minutes by car, often stay here since the hotel offers free shuttle service there. For sports fans, it’s a 15-minute walk to the Guangzhou Tianhe Sports Center Stadium. Within 10 minutes by car is the Guangdong Museum and Guangdong Opera House. The drive to the Guangzhou East Railway Station, with express service to Hong Kong, takes 15 minutes. Transfers and limousine car service are available for an extra charge to the Baiyun International Airport, which is one hour away. Free parking is available in an on-site garage -- a nice perk.

Each of the apartment-style rooms at the Oakwood Premier features floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the spaces with natural light. A clean, contemporary style pervades with blond wood dressers and desks, tufted headboards, and beige velvet upholstered chairs. Rooms are modern with high-tech touches such as free Wi-Fi, MP3 players, flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and digital safes. Bathrooms have metallic-tinted tile, digital controls for walk-in steam showers, TVs imbedded in mirrors, and some also have bathtubs. Free toiletries include everything from a razor to a toothbrush. Past guests have occasionally complained about spotty housekeeping practices. 

The hotel offers studios, one, two, three or four bedrooms, for guests staying in town long term or vacationers who appreciate the modern fully stocked kitchens and laundry machines. Studios have up to 78 square meters of space with great city views from corner Executive Studios. One Bedroom Apartments offer sitting areas by beds and up to 108 square meters of space. Two, Three, and Four Bedroom Apartments have separate living rooms and dining tables with bathrooms in each bedroom. 

The Oakwood Premier Guangzhou is an apartment hotel, and as such, it doesn’t offer the same facilities as other luxury properties in the area such as a full-service spa. However, it does have an outdoor pool, though it sits under a low-hanging ceiling that blocks the sunlight. But a wooden planked deck provides a spot for sunbathing on lounge chairs. The 24-hour modern gym is equipped with treadmills, free weights, and other equipment for a proper workout; it also has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city when blinds are open. Business travelers (which account for most of the guests here) can use the four meeting rooms, fitting between four to 100 people. 

The Oakroom restaurant can be rented for 120-person cocktail parties. When not closed for private parties, the 16th floor Oakroom restaurant and bar serves buffet breakfasts, lunch, and dinner -- though breakfast costs extra. Private dining in apartments is provided on request, and groceries can be delivered. 

There’s also a children’s playroom that appeals to families. It's set with toys and two computers for older kids. And guests can borrow DVDs from the hotel's library. Two Apple computers are available in the lobby. Wi-Fi is provided at no additional charge throughout the hotel, though the signal can be spotty. The hotel provides free parking and free shuttle service to Canton Fair