Shantou Marriott Hotel is situated in Shantou's Zhugang New Town, next to the High-speed Railway Station, proudly stands 38 stories tall on the shores of Shantou Inner Bay, offering enchanting sea views from its elevated position above the clouds. With 315 ingeniously designed rooms and suites, the hotel beautifully showcases the rich cultural heritage of Chaoshan. The hotel features Man Ho Chinese Restaurant, sea-view Lobby Lounge, and all-day dining Shantou Kitchen offering a fusion of authentic Chaoshan flavors and international cuisine. With over 3,400 square meters of flexible banquet and conference spaces and a well-equipped fitness center, Shantou Marriott Hotel ensures a unique and high-quality experience for guests.
"Overall, a very pleasant stay. Here are the pros:
**Pros:**
1. The Shantou Marriott felt quite new, and the staff provided excellent service. They were very prompt and attentive, assisting with both arrival and departure.
2. Check-in was incredibly smooth. The front desk staff member was highly efficient and quick. The hotel even called a day in advance to confirm room preferences and offered a small dessert upon check-in, which was a very thoughtful touch.
3. The breakfast experience was excellent. There was a wide variety of food, and the ambiance was lovely. Table clearing was particularly prompt; staff were quick to clear empty plates and cups as soon as they saw them. Achieving this during peak hours is quite challenging and demonstrates a very high standard of service.
4. Room service was very responsive, and the staff were warm and attentive.
**Areas for Improvement:**
1. No bottled water was available in the fitness center, and the water dispenser was empty. This was truly a poor experience.
2. Surprisingly, elderly guests entered the gym with young children without any staff presence to accompany or stop them. These guests and children were walking among operating treadmills and exercise equipment, which poses a significant safety risk.
3. The changing room presented several problems. First, there were no towels, and no one told me they were only inside the lockers. After showering, I couldn't find a towel, which was quite awkward, and I couldn't reach any staff. Second, the sauna wasn't powered on when I entered, and with no staff guidance, I had to turn it on myself and wait 30 minutes for it to heat up. After the sauna, there was no drinking water, bottled or from a dispenser. Lastly, the L-shaped lockers lacked a middle shelf; my towel was at the bottom and slippers in the middle, causing the slippers to fall onto the towel when the door was opened.
4. The service and amenities in the entire fitness center felt as if they were designed solely for extreme cost-cutting, with no consideration for the user experience. This is the first time I've encountered such an issue at any Marriott hotel I've stayed in. When I requested two bottles of water at the fitness center reception, the staff clearly showed their displeasure and told me to get water from the swimming pool's dispenser, which, unfortunately, had no disposable cups available.
5. The entire swimming pool completely lacked any sense of relaxation. While I can accept it being crowded, it was chaotic. There were no towels or drinking water. What's worse, on Sunday, I couldn't get a locker because they were reportedly all full.
Overall, the guest rooms and breakfast were the most satisfying aspects, and the general service demonstrated the expected professional standards. However, the experience at the wellness center was, without a doubt, the worst I've had at any Marriott hotel. I hope for prompt improvements."