I visited Crystal Orange Harbin Exhibition Centre as an inexperienced female solo traveller. As a westerner who had never been to China. I was a bit concerned of the lack of international reviews, however with the Ice and Snow Festival selling out international hotels fast I jumped at this affordable option.
Location: I was meeting a University group most days and they were staying more central. This hotel is not close to much so a taxi or didi is essential each day (especially in the cold) cost between 10-15 yuan depending on traffic and took about 10 minutes to the International hotel near the big prism roundabout and the underground outlet malls. About 100 yuan from the airport.
Check in: I paid in advance from my travel agent and at the time of this review there was no room deposit.
Staff: the staff do not speak English, but were lovely and accomodating, they made me feel very welcome and the app translating worked perfectly fine for communication.
Food: I didn’t get breakfast included but paid before I dined. At this time of review it was 68 yuan for a buffet breakfast. There were some western options, mainly Chinese options but all tasty and changing slightly each day. There is no lunch or dinner service however robots were dropping off food from delivery services throughout the evening. The drinks in the room fridge ( coke, sofa water and water ) are complimentary.
Room: My room was 1009. It was quite luxurious however the tiles can be slippery. With the Winter Harbin air quality no one gets a great view but I had big windows that looked over a small park and got to know the local dog walking routine. They clean the room each day if requested and kept my stocked well with fresh water. The room was warm and had a humidifier. Very spacious and clean with a HUGE shower and a HUGE bath. Perfect after a day in -25c. The tv did not work and I couldn’t figure out the sound system but it did not bother me. The room was non smoking. But as it shares the HVAC with smoking rooms it does smell of cigarettes which I did not enjoy. The little fridge doesn’t keep things very cold so I just put it in the open window and soon my lemonade froze. There is a kettle but no milk which is not common in China and I just bought my own. The internet will not work with a vpn, and it was a bit hit and miss, I did have my roaming which worked fine (Telstra 4G)
Safety: the reception is open 24/7 and there is a guard at the gate. I was a bit unsure not seeing any females or children but there was plenty at breakfast. It is predominantly a business hotel as it’s near the exhibition centre. Harbin is pretty safe all round.
I may come again if they were able to make the non smoking rooms more isolated to the smoking rooms and if they didn’t have smoking in the lobby or on the elevator and hallways. But if that doesn’t bother you then it’s a good choice and a good price.
Super tip.. there is a ramp to the left of the stairs. You cant see it straight away, but don’t feel like you have to take your luggage up the million stairs.
