The staff were incredible, really friendly and accomodating. They helped us navigate the Chinese mobile apps like Ali Pay and WeChat, and just went out of their way to be as helpful as possible. The children's playroom was AMAZING, and all hotels everywhere should have one like this!

The only small thing was the pool, which we needed a swimming cap to use and we didn't know that till we got to the pool. But this is more of difference in social etiquette/expectations that we will be prepared for next time as guests in a country, rather than a negative per se. Apparently you could buy swimming caps at reception, but at that point it was too late! For other foreigners, male children are not allowed in the women's changing room after the age of 2, so this is something else to plan for.

It is my first time in Harbin and I would highly recommend Shangri-la. Do note the there are two Shangri-la hotels in Harbin. This one is closer to the city and metro station 上海街 is just across the hotel. The other hotel branch is located at a newer district, large compound but further from city centre. You do get what you pay for with this hotel. Their attention to details is impeccable! Of course, I did come with higher expectations since they are an international hotel chain. Their staff here really showcased great hospitality. Ladies, I really love the hair dryer in the hotel. It is a local brand Laifen which in my opinion better than Dyson. Another small detail feature was the USB charging pot right next to the toilet seat. They also provided alcohol wipes for us to sanitised anything we want. We chose the river view room that is over looking the Ice and Snow world ferris wheel. We got the access to the horizon lounge too. They prepared a telescope at level 15 lounge for us to check out the view. Again, alcohol wipes are provided to sanitizer the lens before using it.

Designed and built like a typical large American hotel, you would expect all relevant facilities and interior features down to shower faucet and flooring. Generous breakfast, mostly with Chinese and Pan-Asian dishes. Lunch and dinner buffet options are also available. Great Chinese restaurant onsite for sit-down lunch / dinner with business partners. Great riverside park nearby for strolling and jogging to beat the jetlag. If you don't have UnionPay credit card, there are ATMs on site to draw cash from your MasterCard and Visa.

I got the impression that in some rooms smoking is allowed. I booked a non-smoking room but still I felt the cigarette smell (though not heavy but for me it is very important). Maybe it came from other rooms or maybe because my room used to be a smoking room before and the smell stayed. Don't expect everybody at the reception desk or in the restaurant to speak English. Rather, there will be only one person in the shift and that person will be invited to come to communicate or you will be communicating through some kind of online translation app on their phones.

The location is relatively convenient, close to the river. The staff are warm and friendly. The bed is comfortable.

The facilities are outdated, the room's hardware is old, the room is too small, there are long waits for breakfast seating, the breakfast is repetitive with no variation, and one has to stand in the bathtub to shower.

Rooms and staff was great, most especially their restaurant manager, Brian Lu who spoke very good english, he was accommodating most especially during our Christmas Buffet Dinner, we were a large 15 pax group and he was able to make arrangements a day prior :)

Upscale hotel with charming staff and good facilities. We had a horizon room with club access, definitely worth it. I do have one suggestion. That some benches in the luggage trolley area would be useful in order to put on ice spikes onto our boots for the ice festival. They could damage the flooring if I wore them indoors.

great helpful staff, especially the concierge Bruce and the buffet manager who even speaks French. The location is great, very close to the river and short drive from major touristic locations.

the bathroom a bit old.

Room was nice, right size, fairly clean and very good view over the river. Bed was big and comfy

The bathroom looks bit the age. Is a bit old and small, and wasn’t propelled cleaned. Pillows were far too soft.

This hotel is on the bank of the Songwa river, which is an excellent location to explore Harbin. Nice facilities and friendly staff make staying here a very pleasant experience.

The rooms with the river views are much nicer that the street view, so ask for river view

Everything in order.

We used Horizon lounge and when we came to dinner one evening at 18.30 the food was gone and it lasted long before new supplies arrived and we could proceed with dinner. Number of people with good English language should improve.