A Dreamlike Moment at The St. Regis Qingdao

【Location】: The St. Regis Qingdao is situated in the heart of Shinan District, boasting a prime location. Just a 1-minute walk from the Third Beach and approximately 1km from May Fourth Square, it’s also within 3km of the First and Second Beaches, making it ideal for tourists. For business travelers, the hotel is adjacent to the Haitian business district, with MixC Shopping Mall just 1km away, perfectly catering to both leisure and business needs. 【Room Facilities】: I stayed in a Badaguan Sea View King Room, which at 45m² felt slightly compact for this tier. The room features a parallel layout with the bedroom and bathroom arranged longitudinally, and a walk-in closet on the bedroom side. The décor leans toward minimalist luxury, with cream-colored panels and turquoise accents in the bedroom. However, over time, the cream has faded to a lighter wood tone, giving off a somewhat "budget hotel" vibe, which detracts from the premium feel. The bathroom is fully clad in marble, also adorned with turquoise accents, and includes a floor-to-ceiling window facing the sea, paired with a freestanding circular bathtub—simple yet elegant. The room is well-equipped with a Dyson hairdryer, smart toilet, SMEG kettle, and heated towel rack. The window offers a stunning view of the Badaguan Scenic Area, with mist rolling over the sea at sunset, creating a magical atmosphere. 【Public Areas】: The public spaces at The St. Regis Qingdao are underwhelming, with limited square footage and unremarkable décor, though the atrium and floor-to-ceiling sea views salvage some appeal. The Drawing Room lobby lounge stands out for its beautiful design. The hotel features a gym and an "infinity" pool, which looks picturesque but suffers from poor water quality—even during my early morning swim. 【Dining】: I tried the St. Regis Bar and the hotel breakfast. The bar’s cocktails were exceptional, with creative mixes—highly recommend the "African Dance." The breakfast buffet offered a decent variety, with above-average flavors; the pan-fried dumplings and zucchini-egg buns were particularly delicious. 【Service】: Service at The St. Regis Qingdao is generally good, with standard procedures followed across departments. However, there were lapses like delayed luggage delivery and slow room service responses, falling short of the expected standard for this tier. Like its counterpart in Changsha, the evening ritual here is only held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays—a step down from the original St. Regis Beijing. 【Verdict】: The St. Regis Qingdao has no major flaws, but beyond its high-rise sea views, it lacks standout features—largely due to the brand’s cookie-cutter design. That said, it remains a comfortable stay.