Furunli Shiyu Hotel sits on Haipo Road in Shibei District, Qingdao, a kilometer from the railway station — Zhanqiao Pier, Zhongshan Road pedestrian street, and the old Guangxingli quarter are all walkable, and Zhongshan Road metro station is close by.
The hotel is a converted century-old courtyard house and has real character — the local German-colonial architecture is felt from the lobby onward. Some rooms are tatami-style. Staff are polite and greet guests coming and going, and there are plenty of restaurants and skewer joints nearby.
Who it's for: travelers who want to stay in an atmospheric historic building right in the middle of old Qingdao, near Zhanqiao Pier and the train station, and who don't mind compact windowless rooms in some categories.
Hygiene is a recurring, serious complaint — mosquitoes (especially on the first floor), stains on the tatami, unpleasant smells, and slow-draining showers. Soundproofing is also weak — the pedestrian street outside and footsteps from neighbors can disturb sleep. Given the wide spread in reviews, it's worth confirming the exact room category (especially whether it has a window) and floor when booking.