LN Hotel Five

LN Hotel Five, Guangzhou: A Michelin Key Selected Boutique Gem

LN Hotel Five in Guangzhou, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently garners praise for its intimate luxury, exceptional service, and prime riverside location. Guests frequently describe it as a boutique hotel that offers a memorable and comfortable stay, often exceeding expectations for a smaller property.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for LN Hotel Five is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently rating it highly. It's often referred to as a "great hotel," "small but luxury and romantic," and "beautifully designed with excellent service." Review platforms show high scores, with Agoda users giving it an average of 8.4/10, noting outstanding staff performance (9.4) and comfort (8.8). The hotel's selection by the Michelin Key further reinforces its reputation for quality.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the hotel for several standout features:

• Service: The staff receives exceptional feedback, described as "first-class" with "VIP service" and a "friendly with great attitude." They are noted for being "dedicated and attentive," providing "personalized service and prompt assistance."
• Location: Its position overlooking the Pearl River in the central Yuexiu district is a major draw, offering "unobstructed view of the river." It's considered "just right location to everywhere," with easy access to major attractions.
• Design: The hotel's aesthetic is frequently highlighted, featuring a "sleek exterior" and "beautifully crafted, boutique spaces" with "Art Deco architecture and refined luxury." The interior blends soft colors, marble, and dramatic black accents.
• Amenities: Popular amenities include a stunning rooftop bar offering Pearl River views, a private library, and a fitness studio. Rooms often feature large bathtubs and complimentary capsule coffee machines and premium tea bags.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at LN Hotel Five are generally described as "spacious, luxurious, and impeccably clean." They are "meticulously designed" with a "harmony of soft colours and clean marble lines," incorporating traditional touches. Guests appreciate the comfortable beds, plush linens, and modern amenities, ensuring a restful sleep. Each of the 55 rooms includes a flat-screen TV, mini-fridge-bar, tea/coffee making facilities, a safe, iron, and air conditioning. Bathrooms are well-appointed with walk-in showers, separate toilets, hairdryers, and bath sheets. Some rooms offer balconies, though one guest found them "overrated." While largely comfortable, some guests have noted that the decor and furnishings in certain rooms reflect their age after a decade of use, feeling "dated and tired."

4. Dining Experience

The dining experience is a strong point, particularly the breakfast. Guests praise the "pretty good breakfast with great service", often highlighting the "alacarte buffet breakfast" with "great porridge and egg varieties." This selection includes both classic Western options and 16 types of local traditional Chinese dim sum. Breakfast is often described as "delicious" and "superb," though it is available for a surcharge. The on-site restaurant, Tea 5, serves "exquisite" and "tastes good" Cantonese, Chinese, and international dishes for lunch and dinner. The rooftop bar is a popular spot for evening beverages and enjoying the city views.

5. Service & Staff

The service at LN Hotel Five consistently receives glowing reviews, with staff performance rated at an impressive 9.3 by guests. Reviewers frequently mention the staff as "exceptional," "friendly," "helpful," and "attentive." They are noted for going "above and beyond" to provide "personalized service and prompt assistance." The security staff at the entrance are often singled out for their warm greetings, creating a welcoming and "intimate" atmosphere. The front desk staff are also described as professional and accommodating, with butler service available to assist with travel needs.

6. Location & Accessibility

LN Hotel Five boasts an "excellent location" in the heart of Guangzhou's central Yuexiu district, strategically placed within the arts district. Its proximity to the Pearl River allows for "unobstructed views" and easy access to the Tianzi Wharf for river cruises. The hotel is ideally situated for exploring major attractions such as Beijing Road Pedestrian Street, Haizhu Square, Sacred Heart Church, and Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street. Accessibility is a significant advantage, with Tuanyida Square tube station just 300 meters away, and Beijing Lu Station also within an 8-10 minute walk, offering convenient transport throughout the city. The area around the hotel is also rich with local shops and dim sum restaurants. However, some guests have noted that the road in front of the hotel can be noisy during peak tourist season due to its proximity to Youjiang Wharf.

7. Value & Pricing

While positioned as a luxury boutique hotel, LN Hotel Five is often perceived as offering "affordable luxury" and "unbeatable value" for its category. With an average room price around $131, it is considered a premium option but still good value compared to the city's overall average. While many amenities are complimentary, guests should be aware that the cooked-to-order breakfast incurs a surcharge (CNY 138 per person), and drinks at the rooftop bar can be on the pricier side, often exceeding RMB100.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring criticisms include:

• Housekeeping: A few guests have suggested that housekeeping service could be improved.
• Room Condition: Some rooms, particularly those with balconies, have been described as showing their age, with furnishings and decor appearing "dated and tired" after a decade of use.
• Noise: The area in front of the hotel can experience noise, especially during tourist season due to Youjiang Wharf.
• Breakfast Repetition: For longer stays (e.g., five nights), the à la carte breakfast, despite its quality, can become repetitive.
• Room Lighting: A minor complaint mentioned is that the room lighting can be a bit dim at night.
• Minor Issues: Isolated reports include slippery bathroom floors when wet and non-functional wall switches.
• Lack of Pool: The hotel does not feature a swimming pool.
• Disposable Amenities: In compliance with local government policies, the property no longer provides disposable amenities to guests.

Sources

1. trip.com
2. agoda.com
3. booking.com
4. michelin.com
5. klook.com
6. slh.com
7. trip.com
8. hotels.com
9. agoda.com
10. guangzhoutophotels.com
11. expedia.com