Chimelong Penguin Hotel Review: Family Stay in Zhuhai

A stay at the Chimelong Penguin Hotel places you a few minutes’ walk from the gates of Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in Zhuhai, a setting that blends themed accommodation with park access. This review draws on verified guest ratings, pricing data, and dining details to help you decide if this 5-star property suits your family or couple getaway. Over 23,000 reviews on Trip.com give it a 9.4/10 score—a figure we examine alongside other platforms and firsthand accounts.

Last checked: 2026-07-09

Hotel name: Chimelong Penguin Hotel · Location: Fuxiang Bay, Hengqin New District, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China · Star rating: 5-star · Guest score: 9.4/10 from 22,750 reviews · Distance to Ocean Kingdom: a few minutes’ walk · Theme: Penguin-themed rooms and design

Chimelong Penguin Hotel Reviews

Guest rating and score breakdown

The hotel’s most-cited rating comes from Trip.com, where 23,577 verified guests give it a 9.4/10. By contrast, HotelsCombined reports a smaller sample of 27 ratings at 8.2/10. The disparity likely reflects platform differences in review collection and verification; the large Trip.com base suggests broad satisfaction among a mostly Chinese-speaking audience.

What guests praise most

Multiple reviewers highlight the hotel’s proximity to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom. One HotelsCombined guest wrote of a “buffet meal at the penguin restaurant, very close to the park.” A traveler on TripAdvisor noted that rooms are “nice and big.” The penguin design theme is frequently mentioned as a hit with children. A travel blog described the colorful tower as visible from “half a mile away,” adding to the resort’s visual appeal.

Common criticisms from reviews

Dining emerges as the weak point. A TripAdvisor reviewer called the restaurant “a mess,” and other snippets mention crowded buffet lines during peak hours. Check-in times also vary by platform: Guest Reservations lists 14:00/12:00, while Trip.com states 15:00/11:00—a discrepancy worth confirming before arrival.

The bottom line: Guests consistently praise the location and room size, but dining logistics and inconsistent check-in times are recurring friction points.

Chimelong Penguin Hotel Prices

Typical nightly rate range

Standard rooms vary by season and platform. TripAdvisor lists a range of roughly $125–$168 per night. On HotelsCombined, the cheapest snapshot was $194, with a note that prices start from $123. Trip.com shows starting rates from $144. These figures suggest a base price around $120–$200 for a standard room, with higher rates during school holidays and Chinese national holidays.

Factors affecting price

Seasonality strongly influences rates. A 2020 YouTube review noted a package that included a room, theme park tickets for four, and meals, costing roughly $500 per night—a price that bundles admission and dining. Promotions like Klook’s summer offer (free breakfast for Polar Room guests staying July–August 2025) can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

The pattern: Base rates are moderate for a five-star near a major theme park, but bundled packages often deliver better value for families.

Chimelong Penguin Hotel Photos

Room design and theming

Photos on booking platforms show clean, spacious rooms decorated with penguin motifs—bed linens, wall art, and even penguin-shaped lamps. The design is playful without being overbearing, aiming to please children while remaining comfortable for adults.

Hotel exterior and lobby

The 2,000-room property is housed in a large, colorful tower. According to a travel blog, the building stands out “from half a mile away.” The lobby features a large penguin statue and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the grounds. Corridors are adorned with Antarctic-themed murals.

Dining and buffet areas

The main restaurant, Emperor Penguin All Day Dining, seats around 1,600 guests and has a section where diners can eat next to live penguin exhibits—a feature that shows up in many guest photos. Buffet counters stretch along one wall, with both Chinese and Western options. A separate restaurant offers a la carte Chinese dishes.

What to watch: While the themed decor is widely loved, some guests note that the lobby and hallways can feel crowded during peak check-in times.

Chimelong Penguin Hotel Buffet and Restaurant

Buffet options

The hotel’s signature buffet at Emperor Penguin All Day Dining offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A YouTube reviewer quoted approximate prices: breakfast about $18, lunch $32, and dinner $42 per adult. Children under 3 or under 1.0 m dine free (one per paying adult) per Klook’s policy. The buffet features grilled meats, seafood, noodle stations, and a dessert corner. The penguin-viewing section near the glass enclosure is a unique draw.

Restaurant offerings

Beyond the buffet, the hotel has a dim sum restaurant serving Cantonese specialties and a coffee shop with light snacks. Room service is available during limited hours. For dinner, some guests prefer to walk to the restaurants inside Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, though that requires a park ticket or a separate evening admission pass.

The trade-off: The buffet is convenient and entertaining for children, but reviewers suggest it can be chaotic at peak meal times. Book early to avoid long lines.

Chimelong Penguin Hotel in Chinese

The hotel is known in Chinese as (Zhuhai Chimelong Penguin Hotel). This name appears on official signs, Chinese-language booking platforms, and local directions. Typing or saying “ ” will help you find it on taxi navigation or map apps.

Location and Getting There

The hotel sits within the Chimelong resort complex in Hengqin New District, Zhuhai. Trivago gives the address as , Zhuhai, China. The main entrance to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom is a few minutes’ walk—guests consistently note this convenience. Direct buses from Zhuhai city center and the Gongbei border checkpoint (to Macau) run to the resort, taking about 30 minutes. The nearest airport is Zhuhai Jinwan Airport, roughly a 50-minute drive.

Alternatives in the Chimelong Resort

The Chimelong resort has several other hotels. The most direct competitor is the Chimelong Spaceship Hotel, a newer property with a sci-fi theme but slightly farther from Ocean Kingdom. It has a similar 5-star rating and family-oriented amenities. Other on-site options include the Chimelong Circus Hotel, which is located next to the circus theater and often more budget-friendly.

The comparison table below shows how the Penguin Hotel stacks up against its sister property.

Best For Segments and Our Pick

Families visiting Ocean Kingdom will find the Penguin Hotel’s proximity and child-friendly theme a clear win. Couples seeking a whimsical, convenient base for a weekend getaway will also enjoy the atmosphere, though adults might prefer the quieter Spaceship Hotel for a more stylish setting. Solo travelers will appreciate the walkability to the park and the free child policy on dining, but the hotel’s family orientation means quieter corners are rare.

Our pick: For a stress-free family trip where your kids can see penguins at breakfast and be at the park gates in three minutes, the Chimelong Penguin Hotel is the best choice within the Chimelong resort. Just confirm your check-in/out times with the hotel directly to avoid surprises.

Sample One-Day Itinerary

Morning: Check in at 15:00, but arrive earlier to leave bags. Head to Emperor Penguin All Day Dining for a late breakfast (approx. $18 per adult). Spend the morning at Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (hotel guests get early entry). Lunch: Return to the hotel buffet ($32) or grab a meal inside the park. Afternoon: Continue at the park or let kids nap in the room—easy because it’s so close. Dinner: The hotel buffet reopens at 18:00 for dinner ($42). Reserve a table near the penguin exhibit. Evening: Watch the park’s night parade or the circus show (walkable). Next morning: Enjoy a buffet breakfast (possibly included in your package) before check-out at 12:00.

“"Rooms are nice and big. But the restaurant is a mess."”

– TripAdvisor reviewer, guest reviewer

“"buffet meal at the penguin restaurant, very close to the Park."”

– HotelsCombined reviewer, guest reviewer

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