The Garden Hotel

Our agency guide Sarah met us with the The Garden Hotel shuttle at the train station.  When I walked in the lobby my breath was absolutely taken away.  There was a majestic Christmas tree in the center of the lobby.   Behind the registration area is a massively tall wall filled with decorative carvings gold in color.

We were checked in and shown to our suite.  We had planned to stay at the Victory Hotel which is the second choice for families.  It is the most economical . Due to our family being "considered" large by China hotel standards it was more economical for us to stay at this absolutely magnificent 5 Star Hotel.  Our agency has a contract with the Garden and receive a greatly reduced nightly rate with comes with a complimentary breakfast buffet.  As those who know us we are very frugal, low key people.  It is doubtful that we will ever stay anywhere as beautiful as this hotel in our entire lives.  I must add here that Asian people must love their bodies much more than this American woman does.  When you enter the bedroom you see the bathtub/shower.  The only thing separating the two is a piece of glass.  The bathtub/shower and toilet all have see-thru glass doors.  The toilet door does have a small frosted area.  There is an electric shade that can be lowered for privacy.  As is normal for Chinese hotels the beds are very small.  Here are some photos for you.

After getting settled a little in our room we met our guide for dinner.  We ate at a noodle shop which was located by walking left from the hotel and a few blocks down on the left.  Nothing like carcasses hanging in windows to let you know you are NOT in the US anymore!  The dinner was very tasty.  I had pineapple fried rice and the serving was very large. Billy had a pork dish and the girls noodles.  Daddy bought the girls each a rose from a vendor on the way back to the hotel.  These were promised to them due to their great performances in their Nutcracker and Violin/Choir concert before we left.

Next post will cover our adventures on Friday!