I have nothing but good things to say about my experience at this hotel, which I reserved, sight-unseen, over the internet because the price was attractive and I liked the classic Chinese architecture in the internet pix. I spent two days in Chongqing in mid-September 2008, both nights at this hotel. I’m a 69-yr-old Canadian male, and was traveling alone.

Economy: At 712 CNY ($115 CAD) for two nights it was as good as any other 3-5-star hotel in which I stayed during 2 weeks in southern and southwestern China.

Quality: Attractive lobby. The rooms were impeccably clean and well-appointed, the beds (“soft” in Chinese terms, i.e., not just a bare box-spring) were firm and comfortable, internet and buffet breakfast included.

Service: Staff had limited English, but all that I needed, including help getting a train ticket when I left. One morning I arrived 15 minutes late for breakfast, and the staff rustled up something for me from the food that had already been put away.

Convenience: Taxi to and from the main train station, across the river to the north, was 14-16 CNY metered. Less than 1 km walk to the nearest line-1 monorail station, cost 1 CNY to go downtown. I walked one way to the city centre, about 3 non-strenuous km.

Surroundings: Varied, which I liked. It’s just 5 minutes to the Chongqing People’s Great Hall, and across a broad plaza from it, the Three Gorges Museum. All around are buildings of many vintages and qualities, and a richly varied street life of ordinary Chongqing people – outdoor markets, shops, etc. I felt completely safe and comfortable everywhere I went.

If I return to Chongqing, and I hope that I will, I’ll return to the DLT.