i LOVED this hotel. The rooms were beautiful, the staff courteous and professional. The breakfast buffet was amazing and all for about $130/night. Its surrounded by great shopping, and an awesome seafood restaurant just down the block. I would not stay anywhere else while in Qingdao.

Had a couple of nights in one of the Executive Suites.
Got a deal at just over 100USD /night.

Service was excellent, room was sensational dining was a pleasure.
Rooms are massive, bathroom was bigger than many standard hotel rooms.

I will definitely go here again.
probably the best hotel I've stayed at.

Cheers

We had the pleasure of 9 nights at the Crowne Plaza in Qingdao. We chose this hotel based on a tripadvisor review. We stayed on the Club Floor which included a daily breakfast (EXCELLENT!) and laundry service. Our room was LARGE with a separate living room and bedroom.
The hotel is contemporary in design and SPOTLESSLY clean. The staff are polite and professional. The location is close to the large modern shopping centers.
The hotel restaurants were over priced with mediocre quality....But, the breakfast was excellent. There is a terrific Chinese restaurant across from the hotel called Victoria...we ate there several times.
Qingdao is a lovely city with friendly people and home of the 2008 Olympic sailing competitions. The taxi drivers are certifably INSANE! The city has polluted air. Go east, outside of town to explore beautiful seaside villages and pretty beaches.

I have traveled to Qingdao 5 times in the past year and have stayed at both the Shangri-la and Crowne Plaza hotels. On the whole, the staff, rooms and lobby lounge at the Shangri-la are nicer than the Crowne Plaza, but the Crowne Plaza club level rooms are the best overall value.

The king suites at CP are large, comfortable, and well furnished. Amenities include free soft drinks from the mini bar, a daily laundry allowance that allowed me to return home with a suitaces of CLEAN luggage at no extra charge, a decent breakfast buffet and a generous happy hour of drinks and quick bites in the early evening. The club lounge has a good meeting room (although privacy is somewhat limited as those sitting outside in the lounge can hear everything). The hotel is right next door to Jusco, a large mall that should have anything you need, and a quick walk from many restuarants and shops (hotel food is only so-so and why visit China if not to explore?).

The downside? Too few elevators (it can be a loooong wait), a bit impersonal (they will know you in the club lounge after a few days, but the hotel on the whole is a bit big and anonymous) and no really comfortable public lounge space. Also, the standard rooms are a bit worn down. I would reccommend the Shangri-la over the CP if you are staying in a standard room.

Happy travels, and feel free to post questions and I will reply.