Highlights

• Attentive, friendly and professional staff.
• Excellent view into North Korea and over Yalu River.
• Comfortable rooms and facilities.
• Easily Dandong’s best hotel.

Experience

After an exhausting North Korea tour, both physically and mentally, the Crowne Plaza was a perfect place for an overnight recovery.

We arrived in the morning and checked in. The check-in was fast and the reception was very friendly. We were escorted and introduced to our room and the facilities. They also took a last minute reservation for the Jade Garden restaurant on the first floor.

As our main purpose was to relax, we enjoyed the room and the view. Internet and television worked well.

The next morning we partook in the buffet breakfast at The Waterfront. We were seated immediately and found the buffet to be well stocked with a variety of food, including local Korean specialties. The food was excellent and often refreshed. Service was a bit slow to come around for coffee and remove plates, but this may be due to the high occupancy rate and how busy the restaurant was.

It was easy to hail taxis from the hotel and everything was very close by.

After sightseeing, we came back to check out and enjoy a last coffee in the room. Check out was fast and efficient.

Location

Right on the Yalu River, the location is prime. With views deep into North Korea and overlooking the river, you could sit at your window and just enjoy observing the surroundings.

Near the Yalu River bridges, everything is a close taxi ride including the center of town and the airport.

Room

We stayed in a King Bed Guest Room which was very large and well laid out. The bathroom had a large window for natural sunlight and could be closed with a shade if preferred. Everything in the room was new and very clean. The bed was extremely comfortable with high quality linens and down pillows.

The large bathroom had a separate bath and shower. Marble walls and gold accents completed the look.

There was also a useful desk and seating area.

Service

Service was a very pleasant surprise. Having experienced other Crowne Plazas around China, I had an expectation that they exceeded.

Everyone from the reception to the cleaning staff were friendly and welcoming.

It’s unusual for staff to think ahead for you and add convenience and value to your trip. The desk manager suggested and helped reserve a table for dinner before I even needed to consider options! Providing solutions for tired customers is a great way to make an impression.

Activities

There is a spa and pool available. The pool area also had a large hot tub in the corner of the room. Large windows allow for natural light in the tall ceiling room. The pool is ideal for laps and there are chairs available for lounging around.

To exercise, there is a well equipped gym and fitness center.

There is also an outdoor badminton and tennis court.

The Club Floor Lounge is a nice retreat with a view.

The hotel also arranges sightseeing tours to the major destinations. Just ask at the desk.

Dining

They have several options for dining as listed below:

• The Waterfront: The main restaurant for breakfast and quick meals. Well planned out stations allow for easy access to the available choices.
• Churrascos: Randomly, a Brazilian restaurant is available for dinner.
• Jade Garden: We enjoyed a delicious meal of Chinese cuisine here. The service was extremely attentive and we had one server assigned to our table. She would adjust the plates as we ate so that our table layout was always the most optimal for two diners. The presentation and quality of food was also exceptional.

Summary

For a city hotel with a corporate branding, Crowne Plaza Dandong stands out for their excellent service, well maintained rooms, and great location/view. If planning to visit, a room with a river view is a must.

The only downside is that they do get busy and the breakfast service may be a bit slow.

Whether visiting for work or pleasure, this hotel has all the features to satisfy both visitor classes. It is simply the best hotel in Dandong.

I had a great time and will be staying there next time I visit Dandong.

Have you stayed at or heard about the hotel? Please share your experiences in the comment section below!