Name: Astor
Address: Taier Zhuang Road No 33, Tianjin, Tianjin, Tianjin, 300040, China
Rating: 9

Elevator/lift

Currency exchange

Newspapers

Garden

Reception desk

General

Room service

Minibar

Bathrobe

Slippers

Toiletries

Rooms

Safe-deposit box

Telephone

Services and amenities

Cafe

Restaurant

Meals

In-room internet

Wi-Fi in the hotel

Internet

Conference Hall

Business

At the hotel

Room amenities

Tianjin Binhai International Airport

Astor

Tianjin

Like many, we stayed here recently for the overall historic experience - there aren't a lot of 150+ year old hotels in China (15 years is considered "old"). And it was a good overall experience - you got to see the space more and "live" in the room, getting a bit more of the atmosphere. But don't expect over-the-top service or tremendous luxury - this is a state-owned hotel operation primarily marketing to tourists taking selfies...

- Our room in the old wing was solid - clean, good linens, spacious. Lots of marble in the batrhoom; room a good mix of old "Victorian" style but clean and well kept overall. Minor complaints would be the inconsistently flushing toliet (my wife called to have someone look at it, and was just told it was old and that's how it was) and the lack of the view - we looked out directly at the roof of the courtyared atrium - barely any light in the end.  
- Limited hours on the bar and western restaurant - Bar is officially open only Friday and Saturday (but on our Saturday stay was closed due to post-holiday workday swap); didn't look into restaurant hours specifically but seemed to be closed most of the time....courtyard cafe though seemed to be open for tea, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks etc fairly wide hours.  
- Hotel service was mixed - did seem proactive to great me as a foreigner in English which isn't always a given in China...but also some hassle like our 4 pm checkin was greeted with a request to wait "just a few minutes" to confirm the room; we finally pressed 15 min later for it to be solved and somehow was instantaneously resolved.  
- The hotel also has a museum in the basement about the property's history and role in Tianjin overall. Unlike many museums in China, it does acknowledge foreigners by name and their contributions so that was a solid plus. Of course it's not the deepest history, but fun to see some of the artifacts - old menus, room equipment, etc.  That said - can also get much of the context from searching on YouTube for an old 3-part CGTN/CCTV Intl. series on the hotel's renovation.  
- Breakfast was fine - it's not a big space so can get somwhat crowded; food quality and service seemed average-ish.

Overall, I'd recommend staying here once - it's a unique experience. But - given the prices aren't that much different from the major branded newer hotels (the St. Regis 2 km away was practically the same price, let alone Westin, Shangrila, etc) - it's hard to recommend the Astor House for a second stay or beyond. The "character" in the end is somewhat obscured by the tourism feel; the Taj Palace this is not (in terms of really distinctive luxury atmosphere)...

Charming historic property; maybe not the best value?

So I stayed on the other side of this hotel with 11 stories and my friends stayed on this side of the hotel. They said there were stains all over the carpet. Well my experience really wasn't great either. The bed was as hard as a rock and pretty small. The thing that made me the most angry is that, we spent over 1,000 on a suite and the wifi was absolutely horrible. We called the front desk and they said "I know about the wifi, we can't fix it". So you allow guests to stay at your crap hotel with your horrible wifi and you expect us to pay this much? Insane.

Not worth it

Although it’s not as luxurious as some of the city’s newest hotels, there’s an undeniable character to the place that’s hard to find elsewhere in Tianjin and even in China. Rooms in the historic wing feature four-poster beds, parquet flooring and bundles of charm. Breakfast is just average though, despite its friendly and efficient staff.

Very charming

I spent two weeks teaching in Tianjin and this was the hotel the school booked for me. I had expected a Luxury Collection Hotel, but they are no longer participating in that chain. That's not a problem in terms of cleanliness or quality of the hotel, but if you're a Marriott member it might influence your decision.

My room was very large, clean, and well-appointed. The walk-in closet area was smartly designed and featured a tea kettle, ice bucket, and coffee machine. The full-length mirror was also very useful! The bed was a little more firm than I generally like, but the bedding was just heavenly. The bathroom was enormous and just about everything in it was marble... it was very important to lay down towels after stepping out of the enormous tub or spacious shower. I really loved the room.

The only problem with the room is that it was at the end of the hall and I think some of the cleaning staff stored items on the other side of the wall the head of the bed was up against. During the day and until at least 8 or 9pm it was not uncommon to hear things banging against the other side of the wall. This was difficult when trying to get over colossal jet lag.

The breakfast offered is outstanding, an enormous selection of both Chinese and western options is provided. The pastries were especially out of this world. I'd normally do one plate of Chinese options (omg, the dumplings) and one plate of western items. By the end of my stay the staff always welcomed me with a fresh cup of coffee.

Many of the staff did not speak much English, but they always did their best to show the greatest and most generous hospitality, being quite patient with me (Canadian living in the United States). Microsoft Translator did a good job on communicating specific details, like requesting a late checkout, which they were always happy to assist with.

The location was also lovely, right along the riverfront. There were so many places to walk around to: great scenery, tasty coffee shops, two different metro stations. If I return to teach and this is where they'd like to put me, I'll happily return... just maybe get a quieter room.

Beautiful Property along the Riverfront

Centrally located, interesting design, relatively dated facilities, spacious rooms, fast and smooth internet connection. The breakfast buffet was also rich and the service was good. All in all, it is a good and affordable hotel for business travelers.

Spacious rooms - good service

Date of stay: November/December 2018
Accommodation Type: Deluxe Room
Traveller type: Business

Overall Rating: 8.8/10
Cleanliness: 10/10
Amenities/Facilities: 9/10 
Location: 10/10
Room comfort and quality: 7/10 
Service: 8/10

8.8 Luxury Hotel on the decline

After my stay at The Astor Hotel in Tianjin sometime back in November-December 2017, I looked forward to another comfortable stay in 2018. But unfortunately, I was disappointed when I revisited the hotel in November 2018. 

PROS 
- Both rooms I’ve stayed in are generally clean and tidy. One is a corner unit which explains why it’s so spacious, but the 2nd room I was moved to, the one next to the elevator on level 6 was definitely more inferior in its sound-proofing and smaller. 
- Apart from the ballroom staff, the staff at the hotel reception and the ground level restaurant are actually friendly and helpful. 
- The hotel lobby still look as grand as before, with a air of festivity welcoming Christmas with a tastefully decorated tree with other fine touches. 
- If you’re staying in a room facing the river and pier, the view is beautiful and romantic. 
- The beds in general are comfortable, and sleep quality would have been way better if they fixed the issue with the air conditioner. 
- Breakfast? Impeccable. The spread caters to western tastebuds but also offers the local delicacies. 

CONS 
- Since we were there for an event, the ballroom staff were exceptionally non-responsive and slow-moving. In fact, they didn’t seem to appreciate or value the fact that the event was actually bringing them income. Or maybe upper management does but the people running the grounds are just disillusioned employees clocking hours. 
- As a foreigner, I don’t get why the air conditioner in the rooms are kept at 25 degrees celsius? Even though it may be freezing outside, it doesn’t mean that the cold is going to keep us cool in the rooms. I was practically perspiring during my sleep and woken up by the stuffiness and heat. 
- The bathrooms and the carpet are definitely looking more worn out than a year ago. 
- The bathroom: the wooden legs holding up the basins look like they are rotting, in definite need for replacement. Perhaps the reason why the bathroom also had this unpleasant musky smell? 

The hotel’s heritage, the historical value of the hotel gave it its charm but unfortunately it seems like age is catching up from the inside. 

The hotel facade, lobby, restaurants didn’t give away the fact that the hotel was supposedly started in 1863. But the interior furnishings of the 2 rooms I’ve stayed in are beginning to reveal its deterioration. Or maybe the hotel only takes care of the more expensive rooms? 

While I reminisce my stay in The Astor Hotel in 2017, I certainly hope it wouldn’t stay only as reminiscence but that rejuvenation works for The Astor Hotel are in the pipeline and would happen soon enough. Please bring back the majesty and splendour to the hotel! 


8.8 Luxury Hotel on the decline

I went Tianjin for a business and I was staying in Shangri La hotel, near the river then I heard about the Astor hotel which has historical museum. It’s not really far from the Shangri La, after finished my meeting, I visited there by walk, It takes about only 15 minuets, the Hotel has two buildings Old & New, But I entered from the old door which established in 1863, inside there is an Old lobby that makes you feel that you are in 18th century, the management of the hotel still kept the Old antiques such as hanged telephone, piano, Almirahs etc. & the most interesting things I enjoyed oldest Otis elevator which is still in the normal operation, in old lobby I met an handsome Indian guy his name is Chenwen, ( Navneet ) he helped me to show the entire hotel & shared the history of the hotel,I was amazed by his knowledge. I strongly recommend to those are traveling to Tianjin please do not miss this historical place !

Hotel with Historical Museums 

This hotel has its goods and bads but overall I was more than pleased .  The OLD part is really that, OLD, but its also kinda neat.  I would say If you want LUX, then stay in the NEW part as it really is LUX!  I tried 3 rooms, and I have to say the staff is very accommodating!  Hotel has a museum  and lots of old furnishings..

Historic hotel with fabulous new addition

We chose to stay at this hotel due its historic significant.  Big mistake: the sheets, towels are not even clean (not white), the wall papers are coming down in the bathroom, the smell in the bathroom is horrifying (I believe due to the pipe design).  It's not a clean hotel to stay. 

This hotel is poorly managed and it can not complete with a professionally managed hotel.  Chose another hotel if you would enjoy luxury and tidiness of a hotel.

The most horrifying smell of a bathroom!

The city of Tianjin certainly has many colonial buildings, this hotel is an example of a colonial building, inside you can breathe an atmosphere of old times. It is located along the river, check in very fast, wonderful room, dark parquet floor laid out with fish slick, wonderful and very comfortable balcony bed, unique points of pain the air conditioning that has not been able to cool the room and the bathroom with the faucet a little dated. I found breakfast at a height of 5 stars, it is served in a magnificent room, also since there are few rooms in the hotel the atmosphere was very quiet and without resuscitation absolutely congruent compared to the standard hotel

Astor

Main amenities of the hotel

Location

Available rooms

Location

Description of the hotel

What other amenities are there?

Policies

Check-in terms and conditions

Additional information

Payment