Staying here feels like going to work—Shenzhen Bay Nanyou UrCove Hotel

Even though I’ve gradually come to accept UrCove’s peculiar habit of attaching itself to office buildings, the Shenzhen Nanyou UrCove still managed to shock me. While other hotels might just open a lodging within an office building, Nanyou UrCove goes a step further by making guests sleep in what feels like cubicles.

The first floor is indistinguishable from an office building, with guests treated the same as employees sporting access cards—swiping everywhere to get through, from the entrance to the elevator lobby. The reception is on the 40th floor, where three small islands on the right handle check-ins, eerily resembling a corporate front desk. A door nearby leads to a rooftop garden, conveniently catering to colleagues who enjoy puffing away. On the left, there’s a café open to the public called "Meng Guan," offering a cozy vibe. During quieter morning hours, it doubles as the breakfast spot for guests.

Upgraded to a sea-view room, the view required peering through a forest of buildings to catch a glimpse of the distant sea and mountains—perfect for a tired office worker lifting their head for a momentary escape. The room was tiny, with a compact layout, but it had the standard UrCove setup, albeit with subtle downgrades, like swapping out Peet’s coffee capsules. At night, every roar from the street below echoed just as loudly in bed, with zero soundproofing.

The most unbearable part? The elimination of one of the few perks budget hotels usually offer—a gym. The front desk explained that the contracted fitness center had gone out of business, so now the hotel only provides beds for rest? At least the DIY laundry room remains, crammed into a dim corner.

And then there are the same office-building annoyances. Elevators take forever, often arriving the moment you look down, silently closing before you notice. The Wi-Fi is abysmal, constantly dropping, forcing you to find the perfect spot to stay connected.

The café breakfast wasn’t anything new—after all, I’ve experienced UrCove serving breakfast in the most unexpected places. But here, there was a twist: an attached art space with walls covered in paintings for sale, beneath which an array of dishes was laid out, making it feel like a meal could spiritually enlighten you. Three specialty menus were also available, allowing you to pick or try them all.

In the end, the overall stay was actually passable. The extra gripes stem from the overwhelming "office vibes," which couldn’t help but remind me of my own corporate grind.

Room details:
Room number: 3730
Official name: Superior Sea View King Room
Size: 26 sqm

Mattress: Mlily
Bedding, textiles, and bathrobe: Canasin
TV: TCL
Smart system: Xiaodu

Toilet: Electric
Hair dryer: Tonney
Amenities: Large Portico Verbena series

Electric kettle: Tonney
Capsule coffee machine: Nespresso
Coffee capsules: Capsule (2 provided)
Tea bags: Ten Fu’s Tea
Bottled water: Bama Platinum Spring (UrCove custom edition)
Minibar: Complimentary