Best Hotel in Guangzhou: A Comprehensive Guide for Foreign Travelers

Guangzhou’s skyline along the Pearl River, featuring the Canton Tower (left) and the skyscrapers of Tianhe district (right), is where many top hotels are located.

Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, is a vibrant metropolis known for its Canton Fair and rich Cantonese culture. It’s one of China’s most popular destinations for international visitors — ranked the fourth most visited city by foreign tourists in 2024 (via Ctrip Index).

In recent years, Guangzhou has seen a strong rebound in tourism: in the first quarter of 2025 alone, the city hosted 498,000 overnight foreign visitors (a 31% year-on-year increase). Major events like the biannual Canton Fair draw huge crowds of overseas travelers (the 137th session in spring 2025 attracted nearly 289,000 buyers from 219 countries) (PR Newswire).

With such global appeal, Guangzhou’s hotel scene is fully geared to serve foreign guests—from world‑class luxury towers to comfortable budget stays. In fact, the city now boasts 26 five‑star hotels (the most in South China), reflecting Guangzhou’s status as a business and travel hub.

When searching for the best hotel in Guangzhou, it’s important to consider your needs: do you seek ultra‑luxury, proximity to business venues, cultural atmosphere, or budget-friendly comfort? Many experts note that Guangzhou’s top hotels combine modern luxury with local Cantonese hospitality.

Forbes Travel Guide has awarded Five-Star ratings to multiple Guangzhou hotels (the guide’s highest honor) — for example, the Four Seasons and Ritz-Carlton have each maintained Forbes Five-Star status for years. Rosewood Guangzhou was newly awarded a Five‑Star in 2025. Forbes Travel Guide

Travelers also consistently praise Guangzhou’s hotels: the Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou carries a perfect 5.0/5.0 guest rating on TripAdvisor (over 8,700 reviews), while long-time favorites like Shangri‑La Guangzhou and The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou score 4.9/5.0.

In short, Guangzhou offers a wealth of excellent accommodations. Below, I provide a complete guide—broken down by traveler type—to help foreigners find the best hotel for their visit. Each hotel’s name is given in English and Chinese, with address and insider tips for context.

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Luxury Hotels for Leisure Travelers

If you’re looking for top-notch luxury, Guangzhou has several five-star hotels that rival those in any world city. These hotels offer lavish rooms, international dining, spas, and sweeping skyline views—perfect for leisure travelers seeking comfort and indulgence:

Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou (广州四季酒店)
A towering luxury hotel occupying the 74th–98th floors of the IFC skyscraper in Tianhe. Renowned for its panoramic views of the Pearl River and impeccable service, it has earned Forbes Travel Guide’s Five-Star rating for multiple years running. Four Seasons Press Room
Address: 5 Zhujiang West Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (广州市天河区珠江新城珠江西路5号).

Rosewood Guangzhou (广州瑰丽酒店)
An ultra‑luxury hotel in the 530 m‑high CTF Finance Centre (Guangzhou’s tallest building). Dubbed a “mansion in the sky,” it offers spectacular vistas from its sky lobby and rooms up to the 108th floor. Rosewood Guangzhou was recently recognized as one of the world’s tallest five-star hotels and received a Forbes 5-Star award in 2025.
Address: 6 Zhujiang East Road, Tianhe District (广州市天河区珠江东路6号).
Pro tip: Don’t miss the high‑floor bar with skyline views.

The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou (广州富力丽思卡尔顿酒店)
A classic luxury hotel known for its elegant design and riverside location in Pearl River New City. The Ritz‑Carlton has been rated Forbes Five-Star for 10 consecutive years.
Address: 3 Xing’an Road, Pearl River New City, Tianhe District (广州市天河区珠江新城兴安路3号).
Pro tip: The Pearl Lounge offers a lovely afternoon tea with views of the Pearl River.

Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou (广州文华东方酒店)
An award‑winning 5-star hotel attached to TaiKoo Hui mall in Tianhe, convenient for high-end shopping and dining. With a 5.0/5.0 traveler rating on TripAdvisor, guests rave about its spacious rooms and personalized service.
Address: 389 Tianhe Road, Tianhe District (广州市天河区天河路389号).
Pro tip: The hotel’s location is steps from a metro interchange, making city sightseeing easy.

Jumeirah Guangzhou (广州卓美亚酒店)
A newer luxury boutique hotel (opened 2019) occupying upper floors of the GT Land tower in Zhujiang New Town. It offers a more intimate 5-star experience with Middle Eastern flair, given Jumeirah’s Dubai heritage. Jumeirah Guangzhou was officially rated as a 5-star tourist hotel in 2023.
Address: 12 Zhujiang West Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (广州市天河区珠江新城珠江西路12号).
Pro tip: Enjoy the serene sky lobby and the on-site Chinese restaurant inspired by Shamian Island’s heritage.

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Best Hotels for Business Travelers and the Canton Fair

For business travelers—especially those attending the Canton Fair or meetings—location and business amenities are key. Guangzhou’s business hotels offer conveniences like proximity to convention centers, executive lounges, and English-speaking concierge services:

Shangri-La Hotel, Guangzhou (广州香格里拉大酒店)
The top choice if you’re visiting the Canton Fair. This 5-star hotel is adjacent to the Canton Fair Complex in Pazhou, Haizhu District, literally a few minutes’ walk to the exhibition halls. It features shuttle services, extensive meeting facilities, and an oasis‑like garden setting on the Pearl River bank.
Address: 1 Huizhan East Road, Haizhu District (广州市海珠区会展东路1号).
Pro tip: Book a Horizon Club room for access to the executive lounge—quiet space for networking with free breakfast and evening cocktails.

Langham Place, Guangzhou (广州朗豪酒店)
Another great option in Pazhou, very close to the fairground. This modern hotel is known for its bold architecture and spa. It was upgraded to official 5-star status in 2022.
Address: 638 Xingang East Road, Haizhu District (广州市海珠区新港东路638号).
Pro tip: The hotel connects to the underground mall and metro, which is useful during busy trade fair days.

The Westin Pazhou (广州海航威斯汀酒店)
Uniquely located inside the Canton Fair complex, with direct access to exhibition halls. It’s extremely convenient for exhibitors with equipment or those who want to maximize time at the fair.
Address: 650 Xingang East Road, Haizhu District (广州市海珠区新港东路650号).
Pro tip: Book early during trade fair dates—this hotel fills up fast due to its location.

Conrad Guangzhou (广州康莱德酒店)
A luxury business hotel in Zhujiang New Town (Tianhe), popular with corporate travelers. It’s situated by the Pearl River and offers easy access to the IFC Mall and offices in the CBD. The Conrad features upscale, understated decor and excellent meeting facilities.
Address: 222 Xingmin Road, Zhujiang New Town, Tianhe District (广州市天河区珠江新城兴民路222号).
Pro tip: Many consulates and corporate offices are in this area; the hotel’s concierge can assist with local business services and translations.

Crowne Plaza Guangzhou City Centre (广州中心皇冠假日酒店)
A reliable upscale hotel in the older downtown (Yuexiu District), convenient if you have meetings in the old business district or need to visit government offices. It has a reputation for being foreigner-friendly (English-speaking staff, Western breakfast options).
Address: 339 Huanshi East Road, Yuexiu District (广州市越秀区环市东路339号).
Pro tip: The hotel provides a free shuttle to the East Railway Station—helpful if you have business in Hong Kong or Shenzhen via high-speed train.

(Note: Many of Guangzhou’s luxury hotels in the Tianhe CBD—like Four Seasons, Ritz‑Carlton, Park Hyatt, etc.—also cater superbly to business travelers, with meeting rooms and executive services. They are within the Zhujiang New Town financial center, close to corporate offices.)

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Hotels with Historic Charm and Scenic Locations

If you value cultural atmosphere and location over cutting-edge modernity, these hotels give you a sense of place—whether nestled in a colonial enclave or along the Pearl River—while still providing high comfort:

White Swan Hotel (白天鹅宾馆)
A landmark 5-star hotel on Shamian Island, a historical European‑style island in the city. The White Swan opened in 1983 as one of China’s first five-star hotels. Wikipedia It features a beautiful lobby with an indoor waterfall and koi pond, and its riverside location affords lovely views of the Pearl River.
Address: 1 Shamian South Street, Liwan District (广州市荔湾区沙面南街1号).
Pro tip: Take a stroll around Shamian’s tree-lined streets—the hotel’s neighborhood is full of colonial-era architecture, quaint cafés, and the Pearl River promenade.

The Garden Hotel Guangzhou (广州花园酒店 / LN Garden Hotel)
A famous luxury hotel with history, it remains a top hotel known for its grand lobby and lush courtyard garden in the middle of busy downtown. Wikipedia
Address: 368 Huanshi East Road, Yuexiu District (广州市越秀区环市东路368号).
Pro tip: Enjoy dim sum brunch at the hotel’s Furusato restaurant—it’s popular among local elites, so you get an authentic Cantonese dining experience.

Guangdong Victory Hotel (广东胜利宾馆)
Located on Shamian Island in two elegant 19th-century buildings, this hotel is a solid 4-star choice for those wanting colonial charm at a moderate price. Rooms have classic decor, and some overlook Shamian’s quiet streets or gardens.
Address: 53 Shamian North Street, Liwan District (广州市荔湾区沙面北街53号).
Pro tip: Request a room in the East Building for closer proximity to the river and better views.

LN Hotel Five (广州五号酒店)
A boutique hotel on the banks of the Pearl River, noted for its rooftop bar with panoramic river nightscape views. This stylish hotel blends modern design with hints of Old Guangzhou in its decor. It’s smaller and more personalized—great for couples.
Address: 277 Yanjiang Middle Road, Yuexiu District (广州市越秀区沿江中路277号).
Pro tip: Head to the rooftop Bar 5 around 7–8 PM to catch the Pearl River light show and Canton Tower illumination while enjoying a cocktail.

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Budget‑Friendly and Long‑Stay Options for Foreigners

Guangzhou also has plenty of options for travelers on a budget or those planning extended stays (like expats relocating). The key for foreigners is to choose reputable hotels that accept international guests and provide a good location:

Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich (广州圣丰索菲特酒店)
Often available at very reasonable rates for a 5-star, this hotel in Tianhe offers French elegance and excellent facilities without the price tag of newer hotels. It’s top-rated for value (TripAdvisor 4.8/5.0 from 7,000+ reviews).
Address: 988 Guangzhou Avenue Middle, Tianhe District (广州市天河区广州大道中988号).

Holiday Inn Shifu Guangzhou (广州十甫假日酒店)
A 4-star hotel in Liwan’s old town, right next to the famous Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street and near Xiguan heritage sights. Staff speak good English, and the rooftop pool is a bonus.
Address: 188 Di Shu Fu Road, Liwan District (广州市荔湾区第十甫路188号).
Pro tip: Explore the nearby Qingping Market and Lychee Bay Park for an authentic local experience.

Baiyun Hotel (广州白云宾馆)
A long-established 4-star hotel in the heart of downtown (on Huanshi East Road). While a bit older, it’s well-maintained and known for reliably welcoming foreign guests. It’s adjacent to the Friendship Store and Ouzhuang metro, convenient for getting around.
Address: 367 Huanshi East Road, Yuexiu District (广州市越秀区环市东路367号).

Oakwood Premier Guangzhou (广州方圆奥克伍德豪景酒店公寓)
Perfect for expats or families needing serviced apartments with hotel services. Oakwood Premier offers studio to 3-bedroom apartments with kitchens and is located in the Tianhe CBD near malls and supermarkets.
Address: 28 Tiyu East Road, Tianhe District (广州市天河区体育东路28号).
Pro tip: They offer free shuttle service during Canton Fair and weekly housekeeping, making long stays hassle-free.

YHA Youth Hostel Guangzhou
For backpackers, there are a few youth hostels; one recommended is on Shamian Island or those near Yuexiu Park. These offer dorms and private rooms cheaply. While not luxury, they provide a chance to meet fellow travelers. Ensure you book a hostel with a license to host foreigners—YHA-affiliated ones are usually safe bets.

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Final Tips for Foreign Travelers

Foreigner‑Friendly: Not all smaller Chinese hotels can legally host foreign nationals. All the hotels listed above accept foreign guests (they will register your passport with local authorities). When venturing outside this list, double-check that a hotel can accommodate foreigners.

Language and Service: In the top hotels, you’ll find English-speaking staff, Western breakfast options, and familiar amenities. Guangzhou’s top hotels consistently rate high in service— the city was noted for its hospitality and diverse cuisine offerings for international visitors (Ctrip Index). However, in budget hotels or local areas, English may be limited—having hotel staff write addresses in Chinese can help with taxis.

Location and Transportation: Guangzhou is vast, so consider what you’ll do during your stay. Tianhe / Zhujiang New Town is modern and convenient for business, dining, and the metro; Liwan / Shamian offers historical charm; Haizhu / Pazhou is ideal for trade fairs. The metro system is efficient—staying near a metro stop is a plus. Many of the best hotels are within walking distance of Metro Lines 1, 3, or 5, which connect to major sights.

Canton Fair Season: If visiting during the Canton Fair (spring or autumn), book early and expect higher rates. Hotels often provide free shuttles to the Fair and have bilingual support desks for fair attendees.

Guangzhou’s wide range of hotels means every traveler can find their “best” fit. By choosing from the reputable options above, foreign visitors can enjoy the city in comfort and with peace of mind, whether they’re here to strike business deals or explore Cantonese culture.

Safe travels, and 欢迎来到广州 – Welcome to Guangzhou!