The Astor Hotel Tianjin

The location is superb, facing the Haihe River, with a garden across the road behind it, and the Ritz-Carlton on one side of the garden. From the hotel, it's about a 20-minute walk to Da Kuo Seafood and Kiessling Restaurant, one for seafood and the other for Western cuisine, both renowned in Tianjin. Across the road from Kiessling is Xiaobailou (White House). From Xiaobailou, heading north, you'll find Wudadao (Five Avenues), with numerous century-old Western-style buildings all around. In the evening, a stroll along the Haihe River is delightful – with twinkling lights, a gentle breeze, the quiet flow of the river, and gulls soaring over the water. It's truly enjoyable! The Astor Hotel has a history of 163 years, with Sun Yat-sen, Zhou Enlai, Puyi, Wanrong, and many other famous figures having stayed or visited. The grand hotel also boasts a considerable museum with many old artifacts, well worth seeing. The interior of the hotel is very well-designed. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary photoshoot with a few photos in Republican-era style makeup, and anywhere you stand makes for a great shot. The room is grand, the bathroom is huge and has a bathtub where you can set up a pad to watch shows while soaking – they've really thought of everything for their guests. Although the room rate was expensive during the Spring Festival, it was still excellent value. I suggest staying on weekdays for even better value for money.

For my trip to Tianjin, I specifically booked a stay in the annex building of the Astor Hotel. It's a century-old hotel steeped in history, featuring a wooden revolving door, a Victorian-style lobby, and sliding-door elevators and room decor. Opening the window to see the sparkling Haihe River felt like stepping back in time – a truly wonderful experience! Lobby manager Ye Wanjun and front desk staff Wang Songya provided warm and attentive service, and the room attendant was very thorough in his explanations.

This hotel and its rooms have a wonderful Republican-era charm. The lobby's old-fashioned wooden revolving door and the push-pull elevator are truly unique, making it a great spot for photos. The in-room facilities are a bit dated but still perfectly functional. The creaking of the wardrobe door when opened and closed truly makes you feel like you've traveled back to the early Republic of China. Manager Yan at the front desk was incredibly thoughtful. I left in a hurry and forgot my complimentary souvenir, so she specifically called to ask for my address and offered to mail it to my home. Thumbs up! The night view from the rooftop terrace is also fantastic. I've attached a photo and a picture of the souvenir – don't forget to grab yours if you stay there!

The Astor Hotel, a shining star in China's hotel history, continues to impress with its exceptional service and facilities. This venerable establishment has truly stood the test of time, maintaining its luxurious standards even as new hotels emerge. The only minor drawback was that our twin room only had one nightstand.

This trip to Tianjin, staying at the Astor Hotel, was truly wonderful! Employee Li Zirui picked me up from Tianjin Station. Her warm demeanor and the clean vehicle instantly gave me a great impression of Tianjin. Upon arrival at the hotel, Lobby Manager Joanne and Indian employee Naveet welcomed me. I was amazed that Naveet, who's from Mumbai, spoke excellent English and fluent Chinese! He also efficiently brought my luggage to the room. I'm thankful to the hotel for upgrading me to the Mei Lanfang Suite. With a record player and books and paintings by the legendary master Mei, I could feel the musical beauty in the room. The attention to detail was impressive. Despite being a century-old hotel, the facilities are quite new, and the rooms even feature comfortable and cozy King Koil mattresses. I also visited the Astor Hotel Museum, with nearly 3,000 exhibits. It felt like stepping right into Tianjin's vibrant history! I saw the famous old elevator, the historic staircase, and the vintage revolving wooden doors. If you come to Tianjin, you absolutely must see the night view along the Hai River. The Astor Hotel's location is excellent, right by the Hai River. That night, I walked to Daguangming Bridge to photograph the night scenery. Even though it was cold, the scene was unforgettable. I enjoyed the buffet breakfast at the second-floor restaurant, and later had coffee and pastries in the afternoon. Overall, the Astor's food was delicious, and the service was very friendly – even southerners like me found it palatable!

This hotel itself is a national AAA-rated scenic area, and it even has a museum dedicated to its history. It was a very interesting and charming stay! The facilities aren't old at all, and the service was excellent! Great!