Crowne Plaza City Centre Changsha

What People are saying

Good location - good value

Mark T on 12/11/2017 16:43

This place ticks all the right boxes for a medium level price. All the facilities are OK and the cleanliness and size of the rooms is good. The hotel is a bit tired with a 1990s kinda atmosphere, but all OK if you don't mind this. Unfortunately the whole hotel does smell of cigarettes, as no smoking areas are not monitored or enforced - ash trays were placed next to the elevators on non-smoking floors.

Location is excellent - right above the local metro station with a good bus service out to the Yuelu Academy if you are after a bit of local culture and a nice hike. We stayed here a couple of nights prior to going to Zhangjiajie. If you are after dinner, head diagonally across the big intersection of the hotel to a big shopping centre that has plenty of options including take away and a good choice of clean restaurants.

Centrally Located and Good Hotel

tengkin on 05/11/2017 06:50

Crown Plaza Changsha
Duration : 13 – 23 Oct 17
Room : 2322

The reservation

Generally acceptable standard and it was confirmed, months ahead of the travel. They had sent me maps of the hotel vicinity and also my interest as follows :

The flower & bird market.

The Chinese name :长沙市花鸟鱼宠物大市场
The Address:芙蓉中路一段332
If you take a taxi, it's about 15 minutes' from our hotel to there

The above was from Sugar of the front desk
The flight

Going to Changsha from Singapore was via SilkAir

Landing at 11.30PM is already challenging, and adding to the problem that aircraft was sitting for a long time on the apron of Changi Airport. Not sure, if it is just an excuse due to too short a turnover time given or that the Changi Airport was that busy. I, actually landed well past midnight

The return leg was also late at take off and so, it is also a late arrival in Singapore.

I, am convinced that somehow SilkAir may be pulling a fast one on the passengers as on both occasions, the pilot says that he would make up the delay, but he did not.

Foodwise on the return leg were Hunan oriented, the main dish was covered with chilli for most parts. The flight starts after midnight and ends at about 5.05AM, and the meal was served, about an hour after departure. No sure, if they should serve before landing as breakfast would be a better idea.

Changsha immigration and custom

It is past midnight, on arrival, the immigration and custom were fast. The luggage took a while. Actually, we were the only flight at that time.

On the return, I though the immigration and custom were confusing. They had checked double time, which I deem as unnecessary and that the gate description seems to confuse the passengers. I believed that it is because they had cordon up a portion of the departure hall for additional holding room.

The taxi from airport to the hotel

Just after emerging from the restricted area, there are people asking as to where you are going. The taxi queue is on the extreme right. There are some officials on duty.
There seems to be some confusion at the taxi queue as some taxi are not taking passengers and that the officials seems to be doing things that is illogical, like waving some taxi away.

I, was actually held up at the queue and there was a taxi that is out of the queue lane and he was asking me, if I need a taxi to some place. Then, suddenly, the official ask me to take the taxi.

All is actually well and the taxi goes by the meter and I though the price was what it should be, especially at almost 2AM taxi ride. On hind sight, maybe those taxi driver that asked me after the restricted are are not trying to make a fast buck out of the tourist as they may, just have some place to go so that they can actually get home from there. I, say this, because, I have seen honesty in all my encounters in Changsha and they, even return a change of one yuan, both by the taxi as well, as by restaurants. I, guess, Changsha, just have honest people.

The hotel check in

Pretty fast and it is by a gentleman. I, was assigned room 2322 and I thought it was probably one that has the best view. It faces south east, directly over the flyover and you can literally, see McDonalds and Bread Talk, that is diagonally opposite the road.

The elevator

Although they have many elevators, they are slow and at times, they will just bypass you for no reason. You have to insert the room card to press the number that corresponds to that of your room.

After a while, I got smart, when I noticed that if someone else, insert the card, I can simply press the button for my room. This is a security flaw. It allow people to access floors without the room card, by simply following someone into the elevator and press the floor button, after the earlier person do so.

The staircase

Within view and just a few steps from the elevator lobby. The space around the flight of stairs is really large. The largest that I have ever seen. So, it is an added advantage should there be an emergency, there is ample space for the guest to get down the building.

The room

Spacious room, good quality bathroom expendables that includes a reasonable size of mouth wash. The bed is comfortable, but unfortunately, no matter, how you adjust the airconditioner, it can never go below 21.5 degree centrigrade. There are reading lights on both sides of the bed, as well as table lamps and standing lamp. Overall, it is still a challenge to read. The lighting in the bathroom is slightly better.

Note that they have lots of pillow in the room. Four on the bed and many others in the drawers. They are all too soft. So, if you have exacting requirement, then, contact the house keeping.

TV channels were extensive and inclusive of English channel and of course – Channel News Asia.. There is an international power plug on the writing desk, so you can leave the adapter back home.

Storage space is adequate and they come in all sizes and shape. I, like the luggage rack. It is so long that it actually fits my check in luggage as well my hand carry luggage with a small overflow.

They have effective day and night curtains. Reasonable sound proof. The security door chain is hard to activate as it is sunk deep into the wood.

There is a basket in the closet that says that shoeshine is complimentary. On the last night, while I was there, I thought, my shoes need a brush. A lady turn up with a back pack. I thought, she must be on the way home, so I felt bad to interrupt her.

Evidentally, it was a house practice. A practical solution. This lady told me, that there is no such service for the shoes as there is a sponge canister for the purpose. So, Mr Management, please remove the placard that says free shoe shine. It is misleading.

The same lady taught me something. Never use the bathroom scale in the room – you guess the reason.

There are 2 smoke hood in the room and these are standard issue. They were provided by the Department of Fire Safety. I could not find them at commercial complex as I want to buy them for my house.

No turnover of the bed at twilight, so no fresh towels or replenishment of bathroom expendables.

The bathroom

There is a shelf for the handphone. Unfortunately, it was of a size of a Gen 1, phone. It is just too small and they emboss the picture of a mobile phone, in case, you have doubt about the usage. Then, there is a magazine rack at the back of the cistern with a magazine, to remind you . Both the handphone rack and the magazine rack are the first that I have ever seen and indeed shows that the management cares. The basin area is standard

The bath enclosure

On the glass door is a warning sticker that the floor may be slippery and that falls can happen. The fault lies with the design of the bath enclosure. There is a bathtub, which is acceptable and normal. The shower rose is just ahead of the bath enclosure door. If you use the shower rose, the entire floor would be wet. Anyone that wants to use the bath tub or the shower rose will have to step on the wet water left behind by the previous user. So, in short, it is wet and dangerous and I believe that it is the reason behind the warning sticker.

There is a two inch high barrier to block any water from the bath enclosure. Be careful and don’t trip on it. The good side of it is that no water from the bath enclosure will seep to the bathroom proper.

There are 3 large bath towels in the bathroom.

House keeping

Actually good, save a few lapses. Twice, my cups were not washed. Can’t believe it. If they actually look at the pantry area, the cups should be missing. I had used the glasses and place them in the toilet. Not a serious problem, I accept human failure.

The breakfast

On the 8th floor and on most days, the wonderful staff Cherry, was on duty and this 25 year old single lady was helpful in making my breakfast memorable and also pointing out the city sights. Another great staff was that 22 year old single lady from Henan. Helpful girl.

The breakfast menu were generally Chinese orientated and to a good extent, Hunan, influenced. By my standard the skins of the dumpling, “pau” were thick and coupled with the low salt fillings, it may not go well with Asian guests. There are lots of cooked food, like fish and vegetables. I, simply liked the pig blood, which are rarely available.

There is a noodle station. Freshly cooked and the noodles may be Changsha variety and also the generic ones. You, choose, the soup base and the condiments. At the egg station, service is slow, but the standard is acceptable.

Fresh juice and fruits, like mandarin oranges are available. For me, the coffee is just too diluted and luke warm only. I, note that the coffee machine breaks down often. I, also noticed that cheese are not replenish and fresh orange juice are usually empty.
Overall, a good breakfast and the staff were good people,

Front office staff

Polite and nice people and I go to them for advice on place of interest and changing of notes to smaller denomination.

Conceirge and transportation

Helmed by Rolf Zhao, this man has the experience and will craft a tour plan well. I am impressed by his arrangement for me to visit Shaoshan and Liu Shaoqi Residence. The transport cost is RMB800/= and guide fee, RMB150/=, plus bus tickets that were paid to the tour guide as she prepaid them for us.. The guide transportation is free as she is a registered guide. Her mobile is 158 0732 3806

This petite lady is a graduate of Changsha university. Totally honest and humble. Note that she only speak Mandarin. Imagine, that she is a walking historian that can recite Mao Zedong poem and knows, the said person family as well as his history from cradle to grave and beyond. Nice having a guide to tell you, without being biased, including, what happened to the descendants.

I, took the hotel vehicle, a Camry to the Airport at RMB300/= Good choice with my many luggage. Imagine, the first thing, the driver did was to fetch a trolley for us. He is the same driver that drove us to Shaoshan. I am fortunate to have his service and can the management tell him that I appreciate the service as well as that of the guide.
One gentleman, quite elderly, named “Zhao” should also be commended for the advice and assistance. He can be seen regularly at the ground floor elevator lobby area.

The check out

Done by a beautiful and polite lady named Shana. She deserved the mention as she track our requirement and make sure that we are not duly inconvenience in the hotel service, like the hotel car.

Honesty in Changsha

I am impressed. Taxi driver would even return a one Yuan change and that restaurant would return 4 Yuan, when there is a change in vegetable. Elsewhere, it is the same level of honesty. So, on hindsight, no need for the 100 Yuan to small notes change at the Front Desk . Taxi driver even told us that the museum is closed, so we should change the destination.

Security at Metro Station.

Pouch and bags are checked and you may be asked to drink the water you carry for obvious reason. I, thought, in places like Chengdu, they have water scanner, but they were not available here.

General safety of Changsha

I, thought that it was good. North West of the hotel and if you start from the hotel south exit, you will see the best of local life. You will see how a community works with the support of services available. Just walk till Zhongshan Road, then turn right to the roundabout and using the underpass to La Nov shopping centre, then southwards using Wenyun Street to WuYi Ave and you will be a happy person, like me.

Food Court

There is one that is on the ground of the hotel and in the south easterly direction. Great food at cheap price. I, ate there and also the ala carte restaurant, right of it.

Roof of hotel

The highest floor houses the club facility and they have a plastic roof. Great skylight, but when it rains, you can hear loudly, the rain hitting the plastic. Should improve it or change it to glass.

Business center

For airline check – in, it is free, otherwise, there is a payment.

The hotel exit

It has two exits, the North Exit and the South Exit. Obviously use the South Exit to the subway as there is an elevator going up and down. The North Exit can also access the subway, but you have to walk and it can be dangerous on a wet day or not so good for the elderly.

For getting a taxi, use the North Exit. There is always a few taxi waiting.

Ground floor of the hotel

Some commercial activity, like bridal. I am impressed by the single trunk, cut out and pollished to become a long table. Good numbers of seats are around. Really impressive and never seen before. This table is so long that my hall won’t fit it in my house. It should be written as my bucket list, but I have to buy a house that has a really large space, somewhere, in the patio or elsewhere.

Plastered on the wall are Chinese poems. I, felt that the ground floor is not adequately utilized despite the space.

The lobby

Lack of sitting space, although, I am impressed by the huge painting. The coffee and tea dispenser don’t work most of the time and the quality dispensed is poor.

Overall impression

A good hotel with superior service and probably in the best possible location.

Is it family friendly : Yes

Would I recommend it to you : Yes

Decidedly “average”!

David W on 29/10/2017 19:48

Obviously a good location if you have business in Changsha.

But, a very average “kitchen” and a “lobby bar”, that is loud and
poorly serviced, ruins it for me.

The rooms are nice enough but this hotel just screams “business” and overall does not provide even a hint of quiet comfort that most of us need on these long business trips.

Great Location

travelhelper666 on 03/10/2017 04:43

Great location. Changsha is quite dirty so coming back to a good hotel was good except the spa facilities were broken and not expected to be fixed for a month according to a staff member. Was not impressed.

Nothing special, nothing wrong with that

Kninsh on 10/07/2017 10:48

I stayed here for 3 nights waiting to go down to Yangshou via train. The service is great, hotelrooms are clean and the location is superb. I don´t know why you would want to stay in Changsha for more than a couple of days, but if you do, i guess this hotel is a good base!