Subtropical Guangzhou is known for the verdant tropical gardens that are found all over the city. This is also one of China’s most prosperous cities. The Pearl River, the third-longest river in China, runs through the city and many of the hotels have made the most of the river views, occupying the top floors of the city’s skyscrapers.
If you’re wondering where to stay in Guangzhou look no further than this complete guide to best places to stay in Guangzhou. We’ve found some of the best hotels in the city, close to shops and restaurants with access to the city’s efficient transport hubs so that you can dig into all the best things to do in Guangzhou.
Looking for more ideas for your trip? Check out our other hotel & accommodations guides and our China Travel Guide for recommendations on when to visit, where to go & what to do!
Best places to stay in Guangzhou
Guangzhou is a large and interesting city with plenty to do wherever you choose to stay. Every area has shops and restaurants, parks and museums.
All of the city’s neighbourhoods are efficiently served by trains and subways making planning a Guangzhou itinerary a cinch.
Below, we go over some of the best areas to stay in Guangzhou for travellers including:
- Tian He
- Hai Zhu
- Yue Xiu
- Li Wan
Tian He
✓ Best area to stay in Guangzhou for luxury travellers
Tian He boasts some of the best luxury hotels anywhere in Guangzhou. If you’re used to your home comforts and don’t mind paying for them this area is undoubtedly the best choice for where to base yourself in Guangzhou. The skyline of Tian He is dominated by the Canton Tower. The viewing deck of the 604-metre tower offers visitors panoramic views of the city.
Pay a visit to the Guangdong Museum, also in the area. It contains 160,000 Chinese bronze and ceramic artworks, wood carvings and fossils.
If all things botanical is more your cup of tea take an afternoon stroll in the South China Botanical Gardens. The tranquil gardens, sprawled over a large area contain green houses, a lake and a wide variety of plants.
Most of the hotels in this part of Guangzhou have made the most of views of the river which runs through the district. The hotels are comfortable, some luxurious, and are all conveniently located close to shops, restaurants and bars. They are also close to subway stations so getting around Guangzhou from the hotel is easy.
Attractions in & around Tian He: Canton Tower, Guangdong Museum, South China Botanical Gardens
Recommended hotels in Tian He
Park Hyatt Guangzhou
Stay in five-star luxury on the banks of the Pearl River, and experience Cantonese culture and cuisine at the Park Hyatt Guangzhou. Choose to mingle with the other guests in one of four restaurants or opt for one of the many private dining rooms, each with its own distinctive décor and fantastic views of the city below. Enjoy the luxury and comfort of the spas, steam room and Jacuzzi’s available on site or take to the fully equipped gym and large indoor pool.
Every room is a work of art, a luxury space, with floor to ceiling windows that offer magnificent views of the city. Each has a Nespresso machine and a minibar. The large rooms are kitted out with plug sockets of various types. The toilet and bathroom are separate. The bathroom has a rain shower and a tub. The hotel is close to many cultural spots such as the opera house and library. It overlooks the Canton Tower.
Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou
The luxury Four Season Hotel Guangzhou occupies floor 74 to 98 offering the occupants panoramic views of the city. This modern hotel is imbued with every luxury that you could ask for, and the floor to ceiling windows ensure that the rooms are always filled with natural light.
The hotel is built on the banks of the Pearl River and is surrounded by shops and restaurants. When it comes to dining, you’ll be spoiled for choice with restaurants ranging to Italian cuisine to traditional Cantonese and Japanese offerings. The public spaces are filled with beautiful, understated contemporary furnishings and modern artworks.
The hotel boasts a spa, fitness facilities and a sparkling pool. The bedrooms here are large and modern, and the bathrooms are fitted out with deep luxury marble tubs, ideal for a soak at the end of the day. All rooms have mini bar facilities.
H’Elite Hotel
The H’Elite Hotel is comfortable, modern and in the Central Business District. It is close to the Metro railway station so it is very convenient. There are several restaurants in close proximity to the hotel so if you don’t want to eat in the hotel you have plenty of alternatives to choose from. There is also a shopping mall a couple of hundred metres away.
There are a variety of rooms available in different sizes and at different prices so you can choose the one that suits your budget. All rooms are air conditioned and equipped with cable television. They have large bathrooms and complimentary slippers and toiletries. The hotel also has an air purification system for fresher cleaner air.
Overseas Chinese Friendship Hotel
Located close to Tian He Park the Overseas Chinese Friendship Hotel has a nearby subway station so it is an ideal hub for your travels around the city. The hotel restaurants serve both Chinese and western cuisine. It has chess and card rooms and a tea art house for the entertainment of the residents. There is even a dancing and karaoke hall.
The hotel also has a gym, a massage facility, sauna, billiards room and beauty parlor. It is modern and well equipped. There are a variety of rooms available, all decorated in a warm comfortable style, each with a clean and modern bathroom. The hotel also offers a decent breakfast to kickstart your day.
Hai Zhu
✓ Top area to stay in Guangzhou for shoppers
If you love shopping look no further than Hai Zhu Square. The shops are full of traditional gifts and gadgets. The area surrounding it is full of restaurants, pubs and nightclubs. There’s also plenty of street food available. The surrounding markets sell clothing jewelry and shoes, and anything else that may take your fancy.
Visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral, one of the few cathedrals anywhere on earth that is constructed completely from granite. The Church was built in 1888 in the Gothic style. It has unusual twin spires. The mass is in English and you may enjoy the tranquil ambience of this historic building.
Attractions in & around Hai Zhu: Hai Zhu Square, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Canton Tower, Guangdong Museum
Recommended hotels in Hai Zhu
Langham Place
Within walking distance of the Pazhou International Exhibition Centre, the luxury Langham Place is also very close to the subway station. It’s the perfect place to stay in Guangzhou if you’re looking for a hub from which to operate whilst exploring the city. The hotel also offers a free shuttle service into the city centre. It has a swimming pool, a bar and free parking.
All the luxurious rooms have both shower and bathtub. They are bigger than you would expect and boast both sitting and sleeping areas. The hotel has five restaurants to choose from. It serves an excellent breakfast and offers 24-hour room service.
The Paco DT Hotel
The Paco DT Hotel has an on-site restaurant and free parking. Close by you’ll find the Art Museum, the Opera House, a museum and a Taoist Temple. There are several restaurants in the area surrounding the hotel so you can always find somewhere that serves the food that you most enjoy.
The rooms are clean, neat and contemporary. They are equipped with cable television. The staff are helpful and friendly, and they speak English. The hotel serves a really good hot and cold breakfast.
Iway Apartment Hotel Pazhou Branch
Light and bright with modern décor the Iway Apartment Hotel Pazhou Branch is very close to the Pazhou Complex Centre. The apartments are all air-conditioned and have a sleeping area, a kitchenette and a lounge. There is free parking and a garden. There are several restaurants close to the hotel so if you don’t feel like cooking there are plenty of alternatives.
Each comfortable room has large windows that let in the light and a big clean and modern bathroom. This hotel makes a perfect base for the Canton Fair as it is within walking distance of this annual event.
Yue Xiu
✓ Best place to stay in Guangzhou for those who love structural design
Located to the west of Tian He, Yue Xiu lies in the historic centre of Guangzhou. This ancient district once housed the old city walls of Guangzhou. Although the area has been nearly completely revamped, it’s still one of the top choices for where to stay in Guangzhou thanks to its central location.
There are a handful of popular attractions that make Yue Xiu a great pick for your stay in Guangzhou. The Buddhist Temple of the Six Banyan Trees or Liurong Temple, built in 537AD has a rich collection of Chinese relics.
While in the area, be sure to also visit the Sun Yat-sen or Zhongshan Memorial Hall, an octagonal building designed by Lu Yanzhi and built in 1929 in memory of Sun Yat-sen a revolutionary leader.
You can also take a walk up which was once part of the old walled city, Yuexiu Hill. It’s now the largest park in Guangzhou and is full of luxuriant trees and beautiful flowers.
Attractions in & around Yui Xiu: The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees, Sun Yat-sen or Zhongshan Memorial Hall, Yuexiu Hill
Recommended hotels in Yui Xiu
The Garden Hotel Guangzhou
Located right next to a metro station the Garden Hotel Guangzhou is one of only three hotels that has been awarded the Platinum Five Star, considered the highest hospitality award in China.
It has an outdoor pool and a fitness centre. The hotel boasts several restaurants offering a variety of international and Chinese cuisine. It also has five cafes and bars which offer lighter meals, drinks and coffee. There is a wine cellar and a tranquil garden, known as the “Oasis in the City”.
The rooms all have cable television, minibar and a safe. It offers a 24-hour butler service and gym. It has an outdoor swimming pool and tennis and squash courts. There is of, course, also a spa in which you can relax after a hectic day in the city.
The hotel is minutes from the Trade Fair Centre. It is close to restaurants, shops, plenty of entertainment and essential transport links so getting around is easy.
Yimi Mix International Apartment
The Yimi Mix International Apartment Hotel offers rooms in a variety of sizes to suit your lifestyle and budget. Larger than expected the modern bedrooms with warm wooden panelling are hung with contemporary art. Blackout drapes ensure that you sleep well. Each apartment has a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave and stovetop. The modern bathroom is slickly finished and includes a tub and a washing machine making it a real home from home.
It is within walking distance of the Palace Museum, a wholesale market and Shamian Island to name but a few of the landmarks close by. The hotel is linked to a mall and underground station so its just a skip and a hop to get wherever you want to go.
Ibis Hotel Guangzhou Yuexiu Metro Station
If you’re looking for a hotel at a reasonable price the Ibis Hotel Guangzhou Yuexiu Metro Station may be just down your street. Part of the large Accor group, when you book into an Ibis Hotel you’re assured of comfortable room and a hearty breakfast before you head out for the day. The hotel is equipped with a gym.
Having opened in 2017, this is one of the newest hotels in Guangzhou. It is located close to a subway station and is also close to Yuexiu Park and the Canton Fair Liuhua Pavilion.
Li Wan
✓ Top-rated place to stay in Guangzhou for the nostalgic traveller
Li Wan is on the west bank of the Pearl River and there are many historical sites to choose from in this area. Pay a visit to Liwan Lake Park and while in the park visit the ancestral temple of the Chen family and get a view of the lovely architecture, carvings and sculptures on show.
Take a trip to Lychee Bay. It is a series of creeks that end up in the Pearl River. The park has many historical relics and old architecture and you’ll find plenty of cultural activities in the area as well as a couple of museums.
The Xiguan culture museum in the park is well worth a visit. It is a traditional home which has been restored and offers insight into the cultural background of the people who live in the area.
Attractions in & around Li Wan: Lychee Bay, The Xiguan Culture Museum, Shamian Island
Recommended hotels in Li Wan
White Swan Hotel
The White Swan Hotel boasts large bedrooms and suites with all the understated luxury finishes that travellers would expect from a five-star hotel. Attention to detail includes the goose down duvets and pillows. Enjoy stunning views of the beautiful Pearl River from the floor to ceiling windows in the bedrooms and shared amenities.
The bathrooms boast a marble bath with jacuzzi, double wash basin and rain shower.
The hotel has four restaurants offering International and Chinese cuisine. It also has two trendy bars, where you can enjoy a quiet evening with cocktails and snacks. It has a state-of-the-art gymnasium and a peaceful spa, the perfect end to a busy day. There is also a sparkling outdoor pool right on the banks of the Pearl River.
The Guangzhou Planet Hotel
The Guangzhou Planet Hotel is a modern, cleverly furnished hotel with quirky touches that include aliens in the lobby. The overall décor is, however, well chosen, arty and interesting.
The unique rooms are comfortable with the look and feel of a futuristic space pod. International and Chinese cuisine are available in the hotel restaurants. The hotel also boasts wellness facilities which include hair and beauty treatment salons, a spa and a jacuzzi.
The area surrounding the hotel is full of restaurants, bars and shops. While here, take time to walk around the Liuhua Lake Park which is just a couple of minutes down the road. The Global International Shoes Trade Centre and the China Fashion Trade Centre are also within easy walking distance.
Vadim Apartment
Great value for money, the Vadim Apartments are well equipped with large comfortable rooms and a kitchen that contains an induction stove top, microwave oven, washing machine and refrigerator. The rooms are tastefully furnished and have all of the mod-cons to keep you comfortable and entertained. The rooms offer an excellent view of the city.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants in the area, and there is a metro station close by.
