Xiongchu International Hotel

I have stayed in this hotel around seven times in as many years on trips to Wuhan. The location is suitable due to access to the Universities and the frequency of taxis when required. I have always found the staff helpful, albeit English can be an issue (however some staff speak excellent English). The hotel is a "business hotel" and offers services on its four and fifth floor to guests and members of the community who can afford it. Mercifully those with such tastes access a lift away from Reception and off the main concourse of the hotel and the main bedrooms are on higher floors of the hotel. The dining area on the ground floor is spacious and there is free Budweiser (Anhauser Busch have a brewery in Wuhan) on draft if you want a quiet, free, beer or two. I enjoy the buffet which caters for all tastes. If you want an omelette or something Western the chef will cook it in front of you, otherwise some of the Chinese food (which is chilli rich in this part of China) can be more challenging for the less experienced Chinese traveller. I have always found the rooms comfortable and well equipped although some are starting to show signs of wear and tear. The front of the hotel looks over an undeveloped area part of which has been given over to allotment type growing (very common in Wuhan and throughout China), although crossing a six lane carriage way is at best daunting. Wuhan is a bustling, busy, sadly rather polluted city but I always enjoy my visits and people are friendly and hospitable. The Provincial Museum is fascinating as is the Yellow Crane Tower. The entrepreneurial garage culture with everything from flowers to car valeting is a a vision of the modern China - I'm looking forward to my next visit and stay at this hotel.