Hotel Restaurants: Raising the Bar in Guangzhou’s Dining Scene

Hotel Restaurants: Raising the Bar in Guangzhou’s Dining Scene
By Jessie Chien , eChinacities.com

China is seeing the world’s highest number of hotels under construction and room openings projected for the next two years. With Guangdong province having the highest number of hotels in China (along with Zhejiang and Jiangsu), it’s no wonder that while living in Guangzhou, a new hotel seems to spring up every other month. But it’s not just any hotel, it’s the 4-star and 5-star high-rise hotels that are becoming an increasingly popular sight in the Guangzhou skyline.

Market researchers are concerned at the rise of oversupply and overdevelopment. However as a resident of up-and-coming Guangzhou, no complaints can be made. With an international array of cuisine already available in this city, the establishment of new hotels only means one thing to a curious epicurean: more options in Guangzhou’s growing dining scene. These hotels offer a luxurious dining atmosphere, excellent service, and Western food that will live up to any expat’s palate. Though reservations, much like other places in the city, are often unnecessary, phone lines are open to take them.

1) Bene Italian Kitchen, SheratonView In Map
Everyone knows the Chinese love a good buffet. And if perhaps Bene’s 118 RMB lunch buffet was created with the Chinese in mind, it’s certainly found fans with a more international audience. An open kitchen showcases its various handmade pastas and pizzas. By far some of the best Italian dining in the city, it’s also got a nice selection of antipastos. Bene is also open for an a la carte dinner option.

Add: 3rd Floor, Sheraton Hotel, 208 Tianhe Lu, near Tiyu Xi Lu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
地址: 广州市天河区天河路208号3楼 粤海喜来登酒店
Tel: 020 6668 8888 ext. 6830/6832
Opening hours: Lunch, 11:30-14:30; Dinner, 18:00-22:30


G, Grand Hyatt

2) G, Grand HyattView In Map
Anyone who misses a truly Western dining experience can set foot in G restaurant and almost forget you are in Guangzhou. A full menu features a wide array of appetizers, main courses, sides and desserts. The dining room is relatively quiet and roomy. Service is prompt and friendly, and portions are fairly generous for the fine dining scene.

Add: 22F, Grand Hyatt Guangzhou, 12 Zhujiang Xi Lu, near Huaming Lu, Zhujiang New Town, Guangzhou
地址: 广州市天河区珠江新城珠江西路12号22楼广州富力君悦大酒店
Tel: 020 8396 1234
Opening hours: Lunch, 11:30-14:00; Dinner, 17:30-22:00


The Churchill Bar

3) Churchill Bar, The Ritz-CarltonView In Map
If Ron Burgundy owned a bar, this would be it. Rich mahogany bookcases surround the room, with pictures of Winston Churchill adorning the areas where the flat screen TV does not cover. A wide mahogany bar, rising to the ceiling with scotch selections, is the centerpiece of the room. Nestling into claw-foot armchairs, it’s an easy place to settle down and unwind. The hidden secret is The Churchill’s build-your-own burger menu. Request a burger, and you will be handed a half-sheet of paper for you to simply check your meat, bun, cheese, toppings and side selections. The juicy burgers are the best in town. Though the food sometimes does take awhile, it is definitely worth the wait. The Churchill also offers a cigar menu, for an after-dinner treat.

Add: 3rd Floor, The Ritz-Carlton, 3 Xing An Lu, near Xian Cun Lu, Tianhe District
地址: 3楼广州富力丽思卡尔顿酒店, 广州市天河区兴安路3号
Tel: 020 3813 6688
Opening Hours: Sun-Thurs, 17:30-midnight; Fri-Sat, 17:30-1:00

4) Robata Bar & Grill, SofitelView In Map
The restaurants at the Sofitel are as flashy as the lights that adorn the hotel on Guangzhou Dadao. Contemporary Japanese décor line the walls of Robata, and comfortable seating and open kitchen areas make for a very inviting feel. Robata offers an authentic Japanese charcoal grill, a sushi bar and a sake bar. And though at first seemingly out of place, an Argentine wood fired grill also provides for menu options. If it seemed unfitting at first, one taste of any of the selections off the grill can make all auras of inconsistencies fade. If the dinner experience weren’t enough, the desserts may top it off- after all, a French Hotel chain can’t do without excellent desserts.

Add: 6th Floor, Sofitel Hotel, 988 Guangzhou Dadao Zhong, near Tianhe Bei Lu, Tianhe District, Guangzhou
地址: 广州市天河区广州大道中988号6楼广州圣丰索菲特酒店
Tel: 020 3883 8888 ext.3341
Opening hours: Lunch, 11:30-14:30; Dinner 18:00-22:00

5) Prime Steakhouse, The China Hotel, A Marriott HotelView In Map
Perhaps already considered a grandfather on this list of newcomers, The China Hotel still offers one of the finest dining experiences on its 4th floor steakhouse. With various cuts of Australian prime meat, including Australian Wagyu, seafood and pasta dishes as well as tasty sides, the menu certainly shows no sign of aging. Plus with an outdoor poolside dining area, it’s proximity towards the adjacent Sapphire Bar and generously-poured martinis don’t hurt, either.

Add: 4F, China Hotel, A Marriott Hotel, 122 Linhua Road, near Jiefang Bei Lu, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
地址: 广州市越秀区流花路 122 号: 4楼中国大酒店
Tel: 020 8666 6888 ext. 3468
Opening Hours: Lunch, 11:30-14:00; Dinner 18:00-23:00

In 2012, many new hotels are scheduled to open in Guangzhou, and without question a few more notable bars and restaurants will be added to Guangzhou’s esteemed dining options. Here is a quick look at four hotels soon to splash onto Guangzhou’s scene:

1) W Hotel, opening September 2012
The W Hotels are known around the world for catering to a younger, more chic crowd. Expect a swanky lobby, modern bar and thumping music as some of its main attractions.

2) Four Seasons, opening mid-2012
Located on the top 30 floors of the 103-story IFC building, the Four Seasons won’t let any other hotel outdo its world-renowned name. A restaurant at this chain will likely garner one of the better views of the city.

3) Jumeirah, projected opening 2011, probable 2012 date
Owned and operated by a Dubai-based luxury hotel group, the Jumeirah name is slowly spreading with hotels opening in London, New York and earlier this year in Shanghai. The Guangzhou chain is opening on the top floors of the 50-story GT Land Plaza.

4) White Swan Hotel, re-opening late-2012
As Guangzhou’s first five-star hotel, Chinese-owned White Swan Hotel opened in 1983 and was heralded as the tallest building around town. Now dwarfed by its New Town cousins, the White Swan is making an effort to stay with the times. A 600 million RMB renovation is underway, with an expected re-opening later next year. 

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Keywords: Hotel restaurants Guangzhou new hotel openings Guangzhou hotel dining Guangzhou 5 star hotel restaurants Guangzhou

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