The Seaview is a 4 star hotel. It is in a great location located on the #1 subway line that goes to Hong Kong in one direction and to the Shenzhen Airport in the other. Within walking distance of the hotel is a Walmart, multiple restaurants, a movie theater and a large park. The general area is safe and clean and has a lot of trees and greenery.
It really caters to Chinese guests but the front desk staff can speak basic english and you can get by with English. The staff is helpful and generally check-in/check out is quick. Problems are usually addressed quickly.
The buffet breakfast is very poor. It is usually very crowded and difficult to find a seat. None of the salt and pepper shakers work (not kidding - I think they are for show on each table). The food is basically cheap food. There is an egg station but the cook always seems overworked and will not cook your order unless you stand over him and watch him. No meat or cheese and fruit slection is the same everyday (watermelon, canteloupe, bananas). The coffee tastes like paint remover. This is by far the worst issue with this hotel. The same restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and is better at those times. The new "Hua Ting" restaurant is okay but only serves Chinese food in an upscale setting. The "bamboo bar" is okay for drinks but has poor selection of food.
Rooms in the "New Building" are modern, spacious and well appointed. Deluxe rooms in the main building are old, musty smelling, small and very dated and cost more! all rooms have good free internet. Beds are large and comfortable with a high quality western style mattress. All rooms have an in room safe and refrigerator.
Water is not safe to drink or brush your teeth with. The hotel provides 2 tiny bottles of water a day. You will have to buy more or if you can catch the maid, they will give you some extra.
No swimming pool or store. They do have a business center that can book the minibus to the HK airport (very convenient).
The hotel gym is nice. It is spacious and has edequate equipment including a Sauna. It is open long hours and staffed.
Overall, the Seaview is ok but depends on the price you pay for the room. The Crowne Plaza across the street has a much nicer rooms, a great breakfast, a swimming pool with a sandy beach, a large bar with live music and a micro brewery and a good Thai restaurant. And it only costs a few hundred RMB more.
- Seaview Hotel Shenzhen
