Crowne Plaza Chongqing New North Zone by IHG

Not quite a 5* hotel but one of the best in Chongqing. The hotel has all the markings of being in China. Though well presented, the staff vary from being helpful to down-right obnoxious as you often experience in the Chinese service-industry. The rooms look very fancy but lacked finesse and good cleaning. Smoking is allowed throughout the hotel which is a horrible experience. Many areas of the hotel are not consistently staffed so they have a great cake stand but everytime you must go to find someone to purchase the cakes. The pool has a lifeguard which is a guy in jeans and outdoor clothing who sits there sleeping most of the time. Real lack of professionalism. Front desk staff were not familiar with the facilities available at their own hotel with one person advising me that there is no sauna and then upon finding out there is one he said it costs extra. it was clear he did not know what he was talking about so I just headed down and the facilities are good and included with the room. A small sauna and steam room in both changing rooms. There were several occasions like this. Unlike other 5* hotels, there was no sense that they wanted to make your life easier. Absolutely no flexibility, really pathetic at times. Don't come here with the expectation of a true 5* expressed with refined service and ease of access. There is no concept of self-thought, often they would identify an easier way to do something that would make my life easier with regard to making a payment or signing something to the room and I would have to painstakingly point it out to them. I.e actually if I just sign it to the room it will be easier for all of us, then they would smile awkwardly and be like... this is how we do it here. Really dumb and annoying. The food at the hotel is excellent. I was impressed especially with the food brought to me via room service in the small hours of the morning (after a long check in process where they seemed unable to extend my stay by one day without cancelling everything and restarting doubling the time for everything) in the form of a double-decker sandwich with fries and Chongqing style wonton soup. All excellent, especially the baked cheesecake I ordered for desert. The room was also of very high standard but lacks the polish expected from a 5* hotel. As you can see in my pictures, there were broken appliances, dust in the corners, and a mirror which had clearly seen better days. That being said, the bed was incredibly comfortable and the pillows were simply amazing. The lack of finesse in both the service and the presentation means this place cannot be considered 5* but it is still an enjoyable location to stay and very comfortable with excellent food.

Hallways and room smelled like smoke all the time. Absolutely disgusting!! Developed a smokers cough during stay and I dont even smoke! Thought about sleeping on the balcony just to get some fresh air...if there is such a thing in china! Worst hotel I have ever been to simply because of the smoke!