Overview
Last Christmas, taking advantage of a weekend, I embarked on a southern journey and visited the long-awaited, newly opened Guangzhou Haixinsha Edition Hotel. I must say, the hotel truly surprised me in many ways! From its strategic location to its innovative design style, and from the high-quality facilities to the meticulous service details, every aspect reflected genuine care and dedication.
The hotel’s location is outstanding: it is situated on the small island of Haixinsha, surrounded on all sides by water, directly facing the Guangzhou Tower and overlooking Zhujiang New Town across the river. This prime setting offers splendid views of the bustling banks of the Pearl River both day and night, making it a Guangzhou hotel with panoramic Canton Tower view.
The hotel provides a shuttle service via electric cart to the main building, although if you are not carrying large luggage, a short 300-meter walk will suffice. The hotel area is located on the eastern side, including Building 9 (the main building) and several other structures facing the river.
Known for its exceptional design, the Edition brand does not disappoint here. The hotel’s design draws inspiration from Guangzhou’s Lingnan culture and the historical legacy of the Haixinsha Asian Games. By repurposing the island’s original architecture, traditional and modern elements are seamlessly blended to create a modern interpretation of Lingnan style.
Upon entering the lobby, you are greeted by a central corridor flanked symmetrically by the front desk and concierge areas. The striking interplay of vibrant colors creates an artistic ambiance. Additionally, the public spaces – starting with the lobby – feature Lingnan elements such as blue brick walls, Manchurian windows, and intricate lattice screens, all reimagined in a contemporary design language that is both stylish and rich in cultural heritage.
On the top floor of Building 3, a platform initially intended for bird-watching transforms into a perfect spot for panoramic views of Guangzhou’s Zhujiang New Town. From this vantage point, one can clearly appreciate landmarks such as the Haixinsha venue, the Conrad, Zhujiang New Town, and the headquarters clusters around Pazhou.
In Room
For this stay, I was upgraded via a suite voucher to Room 402, a river-view suite located in Building 3, covering an area of 50 square meters. Although the room is not very spacious, it is arranged in a one-bedroom suite layout. The interior continues the hotel’s modern Lingnan aesthetic with a predominantly light color scheme, complemented by wooden furniture and distinctive regional decor. Notable features include the Manchurian windows that epitomize Lingnan architecture and a carpet inspired by Cantonese embroidery – details that truly resonated with my taste.
This refined design further exemplifies the character of a Modern Lingnan boutique hotel in Guangzhou.
Despite its compact size, the room is well-equipped with high-end amenities, including a smart toilet, Dyson hairdryer, and Nespresso coffee machine. Premium toiletries by Shanghai Tang, with their rich fragrance, enhance the bathroom experience. Upon arrival, a selection of welcome fruits is neatly arranged on the table, adding an elegant touch. As with other Edition properties, the minibar offers a complimentary first round featuring several locally distinctive soft drinks.
What delighted me most was the room’s balcony. Accessible from the bedroom, it faces directly toward the Pearl River and Guangzhou Tower, offering expansive views and an unparalleled scenery. In the evening, sitting on the balcony, enjoying the gentle river breeze and the dazzling light show on Guangzhou Tower, is simply delightful.
Dining
Breakfast is served in the all-day dining restaurant on the first floor. Upon entering, a staff member guides you to your seat and inquires about your coffee and tea preferences. The restaurant boasts an elegant ambiance and is divided into several distinct zones to cater to different dining needs – including a dedicated breakfast area, a seating section for Chinese cuisine orders, several private dining rooms, and an area resembling a lobby bar for afternoon tea and drinks.
Although the breakfast menu is not overly extensive, the dishes are exquisitely presented with thoughtful touches throughout. I particularly recommend the Cantonese dim sum, which is authentically prepared and available in a wide variety. Moreover, breakfast is served from 7:00 AM until 11:30 AM, making it especially accommodating for guests who enjoy a leisurely start to their day.
While the Edition brand typically does not include a lounge, this property enhances guest experience by offering an evening cocktail service at the Trend Bar on the second floor of the main building, available from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Facilities
The wellness center is located on the second floor of the hotel. Owing to the building’s limitations, the gym is relatively small – roughly the size of two hotel rooms – and its equipment is somewhat limited. Additionally, the gym’s overly saturated color scheme makes the space appear exceedingly bright, lacking the ambient lighting found in other upscale facilities.
There is only one outdoor swimming pool, which is not temperature-controlled and can be rather chilly during the winter months. Positioned on the roof of the annex building, the pool is fairly spacious yet clearly divided into shallow and deep sections. The shallow area, however, is not suitable for swimming and is instead furnished with lounge chairs and decorative plants to optimize the space.
Overall, my experience at Haixinsha Edition Hotel was extremely satisfying. As the only Edition property I have stayed at so far, I am confident that with the brand’s expanding presence in the country, there will be more opportunities to experience its distinctive neighborhood culture.