Kempinski Hotel Chengdu - Reviews - Chengdu

Situated in the heart of the city of Chengdu lies the expansive hotel of Kempinski. Chengdu is a good place to visit if you want to experience China; world-famous food (Sichuan - very spicy) and one of the best Panda reserves in China there is a great deal to see. You are still faced with the constant problem of pollution and economic boom but it is less oppressive thaa other cities. The Kempinski makes a well positioned base.
Visually a great hotel, one is impressed by the busy and light lobby area - filled with the hustle and bustle of business men and women going about the business of creating wealth, you saunter up to the desk where a number of people will push in in front of you - the desk staff seem happy to serve these aggressive people before you - nevermind, quite normal in central and western China where civilised behaviour is yet to become widespread.
Having reached the check in you are surprised that the hotel has no record of your booking, despite them sending you a confirmation letter and a very helpful guide to how to reach them from the airport.
Showing the deskstaff the letter they sent does not really help them and they flaff around not really knowing what to do.
After 10 minutes of the staff umming and ahhing you suggest that they might like to see if a room is available.
"Yes, but a lower grade than the one you booked."
"Fine, just let me go and get some sleep please"
"The room rate is the same"
"What? For a smaller room?"
"Yes. So sorry."

I take the room, either that or go to another hotel.

So in the room I am pleased by the layout and amenities available. They really are nice. Unusual bathroom layout - you have a glass wall between the bath and the bed room - but no matter, it is kind of fun.

So somewhat mollified I start to do my work. Go to set up my laptop to notice a very dangerous looking plug with burn marks around it - unplug that.
The internet connection is good but the connecting cable has a loose wire so I keep losing the connection.
Go to iron my work suit and I find a good impression of "extreme ironing" the legs are bent on the board and this makes using a hot iron...well...unwise. I end up ironing my suit and shirt on a towel on the floor.

Trying to sleep? Forget it - there is a construction site outside the window that goes on till nearly midnight!! Not the hotel's fault I know but just to cap off a pretty rotten experience.

All in all a pretty poor showing for a room that is costing my company RMB950 per night ($127).

Good Points
1. Location is great
2. Visually nice
3. Interesting room layouts
4. Comfortable and clean
5. Great food
6. Good pre-arrival information

Average Points
1. Good veiws
2. Friendly staff

Bad Points
1. Fire hazards
2. Slow lifts
3. Inefficent desk staff
4. Poor customer service
5. Awful record keeping

Final comment -

If you have a bit of cash spare and fancy a comfortable night then this is fine (once the building has stopped next door) but frankly for the price you could find better in Chengdu.