This used to be swiss hotel but now it's newly renovated holiday inn express. The front desk can speak good English, good enough to communicate. Our room was surprisingly no cigar smell although we asked for a non-smoking room we knew there is no such room as "non-smoking" in China! It was well deodorised and fumigated. Breakfast is just a typical chinese food but they have milk and cereals and bread.

I thought I had booked the other Holiday Inn in Hefei but found the taxi taking ,me here. Having returned mainly for the breakfast I was not pleased to learn this one didn't know what French toast was, let alone offer it.

I requested they booked me into the one I intended (which they were willing to do) and the girl on reception asked me to spell what I wanted then disappeared. She came back to tell me they couldn't do maple syrup but the chef would cook the French toast for breakfast and give us honey. She put on such a disconsolate face that I had to relent. We stayed.

As so often happens in life, unexpected surprises arise from errors. This was one of the best. I think we were upgraded to executive because the room was on the 23rd floor and was enormous. The entire hotel is spotless and the toiletries more than ample, in fact the disposable razor was the best i have ever had in any hotel. Most attempt to tear your facial skin off but I swear this could be used twice. There was HBO for western films on the TV along with BBC news - and a stocked minibar!

Aircon worked very well and there was little to noise to disturb sleep. As a smoker it was a boon to be able to light up in the lobby bar and also a section of the restaurant. The staff mostly spoke reasonable English and they were very keen to please.

In the morning we went down for breakfast and there was a substantial array of food for both eastern and western guests and voila! A plate full of French toast and honey was produced - the chef had even made some for any other guests who fancied it. Maybe it will become a regular feature.

In conclusion, I have no compunction in recommending this hotel to any visitor to Hefei. Wonderful staff and reasonably priced. I think both the Holiday Inns try to outshine the other and there is little to differentiate but as an inveterate smoker this one pips the other.

I will definitely be back because of the staff, although their english is poor, who is friendly. There are 2 lady staffers can speak good english. I forgot their names. Room is great with big window and at anytime, you can have good chat with the staff or bala. Hefei itself is terrible but the hotel make my day that i could enjoy more than going outside. Danny