Is there another country that has undergone as great a transformation as China has over the last few decades? I don’t think so. It really is astonishing to see the emergence of 21st century cities, complete with shiny skyscrapers, where previously farmers planted rice. 

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Guangzhou, formerly known as Canton, is one of the poster children for this metamorphosis. Located a short distance up the Pearl River from Hong Kong, this city of 8.5 million is the thrusting capital of one of China’s most dynamic provinces. But is it a destination for the luxury traveller, I hear you ask. It certainly is, for reasons I’m about to explain.

For a start, Guangzhou is perfectly located for a leisurely stopover on your next trip to or from Europe. China Southern operates shiny new Boeing 787s on direct flights from Auckland to Guangzhou with easy connections to major European hubs such as London and Paris. And you won’t incur the hassle and expense of a Chinese visa if your stopover is less than 72 hours. The second big reason to schedule a Guangzhou break is simple. It gives you an opportunity to spend a luxurious few nights in one of Asia’s very finest hotels – the Mandarin Oriental, Guangzhou. 

The location is certainly a winner – in the centre of the business district, adjacent to the best shopping malls and just 15 minutes’ walk from Guangzhou’s most popular shopping district. There are many good restaurants in the vicinity too. However, we weren’t here just for the shopping and dining. Our first priority was to test the luxury factor of the  hotel’s suites.

The first thing that struck us was the sheer size of our accommodation. Our suite was a capacious 120sqm – well up to the standards of top-class international suites. In passing I should note that even the hotel’s standard rooms come in at 60sqm, which is by far the biggest in Guangzhou. You may be visiting a populous city but you’ll never feel crowded in this class of accommodation.  The fit-out was a tasteful blend of classic and contemporary, with dark parquet floors and floor to ceiling glass that let in plenty of light as well as affording stunning views of the city. It gave us the feeling of being lords of all we surveyed. At the touch of a button we could control the drapes, adjust the lighting and turn off the entertainment system – all without budging from our super-soft  king-sized bed.

The marble and granite bathroom was another highlight, split into His and Hers areas, with a freestanding tub, wet and dry areas, and a massive ‘rainforest shower.’ Once again we felt the benefit of staying in a large suite, with no suggestion of cramped quarters. With bathroom accessories and silk bathrobes on request, it would be tempting to spend several hours simply luxuriating in a state of déshabillé.

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