Down south on the Pearl River, Guangzhou moves fast, with high-speed trains, a 2,200-year backstory and flavours that travel the globe. Once known as Canton, this city was a major port on the Maritime Silk Road. These days, people make their own pilgrimages for the food: prawn har gow, fluffy steamed buns, char siu pork and wonton noodles at street-level prices. 

When you’re done eating (if that ever happens), there’s the Canton Tower reaching into the clouds, Zaha Hadid’s Opera House, colonial lanes on Shamian Island, and riverside bike paths lined with banyans. Whether you’re here to haggle, graze or gawk, Guangzhou’s got a hotel for it.

Where to stay in Guangzhou

• Tianhe / Zhujiang New Town: Skyscrapers, swish hotels and more bubble tea shops than you’ll know what to do with. Tianhe is fast, flashy and made for city-first stays.
• Yuexiu: Temples, tea shops and proper old Guangzhou vibes. You’ll find culture on every corner and enough snack stalls to fuel your sightseeing.
• Liwan / Shamian Island: Slower pace, stately 19th-century mansions, riverside strolls and the famous Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street. A good shout if you’re into cafes, leafy streets and early nights that prepare you for the next day’s adventure.
• Haizhu (Pazhou area): Morning tai chi by the river, dumplings that locals queue for, and views back across the water to the bright lights. Haizhu keeps your travels grounded.
• Baiyun District: Where things slow down and the air smells like the mountain pines of Baiyun. Handy if you’re craving a quieter base and a lower price tag

How much are Guangzhou hotels?

Guangzhou is one of China’s biggest cities, but hotel prices don’t always act like it. Most nights clock in around AU$170, but where you stay (and when) makes all the difference. During Chinese New Year, Golden Week or Canton Fair season, prices spike. The rest of the year, you’ll find stays that suit both dumpling chasers and design lovers. Want to pull back on price or dial up the experience? Traveloka helps you filter fast.

• Hostels and backpackers: From AU$10 per night. Whether it’s bunks close to cheap dumpling shops or close to metro stops, hotels in Guangzhou can be a solid pick for solo travellers, students, or those who want to save their yuan RMB to eat their way through the city.
• Budget guesthouses and local stays: From AU$30 per night. Expect family-run spots with compact, no-fuss rooms, that make up for space on cost. Look for ones near metro lines or on food streets like Beijing Road or out at Baiyun.
• Mid-range hotels: From AU$60 per night. Near malls in Tianhe, Zhujiang New Town  or leafy lanes in Liwan, with decent breakfast spreads and excellent transport links
• Luxury stays: From AU$175 per night. We’re talking rooftop pools, room service char siu, Cantonese Michelin-starred fine dining, and all sorts of spa sessions to wind down at the end of the day.

Top-rated hotels in Guangzhou

• The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou: In the heart of Zhujiang New Town, this one’s all about Cantonese fine dining (it’s got five restaurants in total), skyline swims, spa time, and a Ritz Kids program. A polished stay with perks for business travellers and high-flying families alike.
• Rosewood Guangzhou: China’s tallest hotel with head-turning views and high-altitude everything: a spa that earns its five-star status, a 25-metre indoor pool, a whisky bar 107 floors up, you name it. A good pick if you want dim sum with your skyline.
• Fraser Suites Guangzhou: Right above OneLink Walk and a block from Taikoo Hui, this serviced stay ticks off full kitchens, big-city views through floor-to-ceiling windows, and a pool to dive into post-dim sum. Handy for long hauls or short stays when you want to feel right at home, fast.
• Baiyun City Hotel, Guangzhou: Just off Huanshi East Road, this five-star local stalwart pairs old Guangzhou with a city-centre postcode. Think Cantonese banquets at Baiyunxuan and skyline views from the 30th-floor Italian restaurant. Great if you want a classic local stay that doesn’t skimp on convenience.

Tips for finding the perfect hotels in Guangzhou

• Dial in with Traveloka filters. Want a rooftop pool, late check-out, or breakfast that’s more than just toast? Sort it in seconds.
• Dodge the spike. Chinese New Year and Golden Week send prices soaring. Travel off-peak and you’ll save enough for that extra serve of har gow.
• Pick your patch. Fancy skyline bars? Go Tianhe. Prefer temple strolls and street eats? Yuexiu and Liwan bring old-school charm.
• Stay near a metro. Guangzhou might be China's third-largest city, but it’s still massive. The metro is your secret weapon - so use it.
• Read the reviews. Star ratings don’t tell you if the pillows are sad or the breakfast is all grease. Fellow travellers will.

Travelling to more than just Guangzhou while in China? Check out our hotels in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing.