Bavaria Regent Hotel Hailar

I booked this hotel based on the previous glowing review, and if anything think he somewhat undersold it. The hotel is just gorgeous: the lobby is big and starkly empty, but the rooms are beautifully appointed and spotlessly clean. I stayed in a standard room, but had a chance to view some of the suites and the private dining rooms. The higher end accommodations were quite nice, although to my mind the regular rooms are more than sufficient. The breakfast was good and the gym and pool (who would think to bring a swimsuit to Hailaer?) were of a very high standard. I was told that the fitness facilities are going to be expanded, in order to cater to membership-buying locals. I stayed for two weeks in the tourist off season, and certainly had the benefit of some extra attention. Hailaer relies heavily on summer tourism, and in the depths of winter the hotel was only about 25% full. Even then, it was clear that this is the “nice” hotel in town — while I was there, a few corporate retreats (BMW and Bosch) came and went. I suspect that it gets packed out in the tourist season. This hotel is very well run. The staff were particularly attentive and professional, and there was always someone at hand who could speak English. I occasionally remained in the room during the day, and saw the attention that went into housekeeping — including a daily visit by the floor manager to each room. When I mentioned to the general manager that my flight out was at 9 pm, he immediately offered to let me keep my room until the evening. I didn’t even need to ask. Again, I had stayed for two weeks in the off season, so this is not probably not typical, but was very much appreciated, and to my mind representative of how the hotel takes the extra step to show guests that their business is appreciated. I am bringing a small group to Hailaer in the summer, and we will most certainly stay here. The only possible problem with this hotel is that it is bit out of the center of town--not much, maybe a ten minute taxi drive from Genghis square. That ride will set you back all of 8 yuan, but the distance is not insignificant when the temperature outside is 30 degrees below zero, and you wish to wander out at night for a bite to eat. There is in fact a good collection of restaurants and shopping on the street adjacent to the hotel, but it can be easy to miss if you start off in the wrong direction. The location is convenient to the long distance bus station (still a taxi ride, but a short one.) Like most hotels in Hailaer, this one has trouble with foreign credit cards. Have cash just in case.