subject: Chinas White Swan Hotel Is A Hotel Full Of Babies [print this page] The Shamian Island in China has historical value and hence is a common destination in many student travel programs in the region. It is a popular destination for tourists as well because of its location. But the island is known for a lot more. First of all, it is connected with Gonzhou Island by a threadbare connection of landmass and it has become one of the most tranquil places in the region. However, its popularity has soared over the years not only for those living in China doing gap year jobs but also all those who travel to the country for philanthropic purposes.
The location of Shamian Island (it is close to the American embassy) makes it an ideal spot for offering world class hotel services to all those who are from the United States. This is why, on a spot overlooking the Pearl River and facing the White Swan Pool the White Swan Hotel was built, which is even today a pinnacle of five star services in the region. For a long period now, the hotel has catered to all guests including those arriving in China for Chinese learning programs or gap year programs. It has catered to tourists and other visitors who are on China tour as well.
Locally and amongst the international community which has sought residence at the White Swan Hotel, the name White Stork Hotel has become more popular. This is something that the hotel management (obviously, but not vehemently) denies. Most of the time, when one would visit the hotel, one would see that it is flooded with parents and young babies. As an article in the New York Times suggests, There is usually a crush of baby strollers in the lobby. On the lower level there is a childrens playroom that has been sponsored by the world renowned toy maker, Mattel.
The visitors will vouch that there is a tremendous amount of noise of crying babies, and the evident cribs which are found in large numbers on every floor. So what is it about this hotel that attracts so many parents with babies? The answer is even simpler to guess. The hotels proximity to the American Consulate is one of the main reasons; the luxury hotel is located just a little way from it and all Americans who have come to adopt Chinese babies stay at this hotel with their newly adopted babies while their visas are processed at the embassy. The number of adoptions run in thousands and hence the different environment of the hotel. The hotel even operates on baby time when all maintenance activities cease during baby nap time. The White Swan/Stork Hotel is truly just one of its kind.
