Zhejiang Xizi Hotel in Hangzhou

The hotel garden is indeed beautiful, and you get great views of West Lake and Leifeng Pagoda. However, after checking out, I came back for my luggage. I'm a woman traveling alone with three pieces of luggage, and the male and female staff on duty just watched and didn't offer to help me take them to the car parked right outside the lobby. My suitcase even tipped over while I was pulling it, and they still just stared blankly. I really don't understand that kind of service. One-star review.

The room was clean and tidy. Toiletries, a mini-bar, a coffee machine, daily fruit, and snacks were all provided. The staff were friendly and enthusiastic. It's very convenient to go to West Lake and take a hand-rowed boat. I will definitely stay here again!

I highly recommend Zhejiang Xizi Hotel for tourists to West Lake. A one- or two-night stay is ideal—especially if you're traveling with older family members. This hotel will be a smart choice. The hotel operator is local, but because it regularly hosts state-level events and government delegations, you'll find the bilingual service acceptable. The biggest perk is that you can enjoy an uninterrupted 1.5-kilometer stretch of West Lake all to the hotel guests, without battling the crowds. If you plan ahead, be sure to reserve the hotel's private boat for a relaxing one-hour tour around the lake—it accommodates up to 20 people and is comfortable. The hotel's Chinese restaurant serves delicious local dishes, and many Hangzhou residents come here just for the food. One thing to keep in mind: on weekends, outside vehicles and taxis are restricted from entering the area, so a short stay works best if you don't plan to venture out much.

The environment is beautiful, and the location is excellent, making it convenient for getting around. The service is attentive, and they even offer a shuttle service. It was very convenient for us, as we were traveling with an elderly person. My suggestions are: The room amenities could use some improvement. The two bedside lamps can't be controlled separately; it's all on or all off. I also recommend enhancing the smart home system for guests' convenience. As for the restaurant, the menu selection is limited, and the prices are a bit on the high side.

The guided tour service was excellent, and the room facilities were comfortable and well-equipped. The seasonal dishes at the restaurant were delicious, and the breakfast offered a wide variety, with the congee being perfectly cooked. The accompanying garden is ideal for a stroll in a peaceful setting. There are also several spots along the lake perfect for morning exercises.

The hotel boasts an excellent environment, offering a secluded and tranquil corner of West Lake all to itself. There's a private path that provides quick access to the vicinity of Majiazhuang Pier and the foot of Leifeng Pagoda. While Building 8, where I stayed, has slightly older facilities, the view from the window is superb, and the attentive service more than makes up for the age of the amenities. The staff's kindness and smiles were truly heartwarming; it's clear why this is a well-established hotel, a quality many new luxury chains struggle to match.

I highly recommend the hotel's boat tour. You don't have to queue at the public piers, and the environment is much more comfortable. It costs 297 RMB per adult (including service charge), and children under 6 are free. The travel photography service is also excellent, located opposite Building 8. Photographer Domi's posing instructions were spot on.

There's absolutely nothing to fault, I'd come back again and again. I had an upset stomach for a day while in Hangzhou, and I ended up spending it at the hotel. Even being sick, I didn't feel sorry for myself in such a lovely environment.
Facilities: We stayed in building eight. The front desk mentioned the facilities might be a bit older, but I didn't notice it at all. The bathroom was very spacious and luxurious.
Cleanliness: The staff came to tidy up every so often, which was excellent.
Environment: It felt like living in a park.
Service: Excellent.

This place truly fulfilled my expectations for spring!

Compared to Xizi and West Lake, I personally prefer Xizi, because:
1. Xizi is just the right size; West Lake is so big you'll walk until your legs give out.
2. Xizi's paths feel designed for pedestrians, while West Lake's roads feel like they're for cars.
3. Spring in Xizi is a vibrant, limited-time palette of colors, whereas spring in West Lake is just an abundance of green.
4. From Xizi, you get an unobstructed view of West Lake, but from West Lake itself, your views are often blocked.
5. Xizi pays attention to the little details, while West Lake is rather conventional.
6. Xizi tells stories with a personal touch, like recounting cherished family treasures, while West Lake's exhibition hall feels like a generic 'been there, done that' experience.
7. The air in Xizi in spring smells of sweet water, and surprises await around every corner. In West Lake, the air is full of midges, catkins, and Photinia flowers – where does it all end?
8. When leaving Xizi, ride-shares pick up quickly. Leaving West Lake means endless traffic jams, so make sure to allow plenty of time.

However:
1. The food in West Lake feels better than in Xizi...
2. There was a note on the table about tea-picking activities on weekends, but the staff said this year's events had already finished, which was a bit confusing. It would be great if special activities during the stay could be indicated when booking on Trip.com...
3. There's no need to reserve for the cultural tour; just gather in the lobby at 4:00 PM. The duration depends on the guide; mine was 40 minutes.

I always make it a point to visit Hangzhou every year, and seeing the lush greenery by West Lake is always such a beautiful sight!

Even with the bustling crowds around West Lake, you can still find a sense of peace and tranquility here. The Xizi Hotel is definitely worth considering for your stay.

**Room Facilities:** The dark, reddish-brown furniture gives the room a grand and elegant feel. Welcome fruits and local snacks are neatly arranged in compartments. The bathroom has both a shower and a bathtub, though overall, it feels a bit dated.

**Value for Money:** The room rate is quite steep, but considering the hotel's stunning views, excellent service, and prime location, I still think it offers good value.

**Breakfast:** The selection is incredibly rich and varied, and having breakfast right by West Lake is a lovely experience. There's a mix of Western and Chinese options, plus local Hangzhou specialties. You can definitely eat your fill, but it's best to go early, as after 9 am, you'll need to get a number and wait for a table.

**Bed:** Just average.

**Cleanliness:** We were initially given a room on the first floor which felt quite damp, and it seemed no one had stayed in it for a while. After discussing it with them, they moved us to a second-floor room, which had much better sunlight.

**Parking:** They have a dedicated parking lot.

**Room View:** Our room was quite far back, so the view was mostly of the mountain behind the hotel.

**Location & Transportation:** The location is incredibly convenient. Leifeng Pagoda is right next door, and you can see its full panorama from the hotel. Across the street are Jingci Temple and Prince Bay Park. Bus 1314 stops right outside and goes directly to Lingyin Temple and other attractions. If you exit through the west gate, you're very close to 'Viewing Fish at Flower Pond'. We chose to take a boat from Majiawan Pier and explored Yuangu Bay, Turtle Pond, and Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon, experiencing a different side of West Lake. However, since the hotel is quite large, it's a bit of a walk to the main entrance.

**Service:** The staff proactively shared information about the hotel with us – truly a testament to its renowned reputation. We interacted most with the shuttle bus drivers. When we mentioned it was our first time staying there, both the drivers and security guards enthusiastically told us about the hotel's features. A special shout-out to shuttle driver Xiao Mu, who waited patiently in the pouring rain for us to finish taking a night photo we wanted. There's also a building manager service for Building 2, responsible for managing the entire building, including check-in arrangements and turn-down service. The staff here are very thoughtful and attentive, and they even offered us some complimentary incense.

**Swimming Pool:** There's a separate, heated indoor pool.

**Gym:** The gym is located in a separate area.

**Complimentary Activities:**
1. At 4 PM, a hotel guide takes guests on a tour of the entire hotel, providing explanations of sites like Pearl Spring and the G20 banquet hall (which isn't accessible outside of booked events, but it's very grand). We learned about the origins of the estate, saw the self-picking Longjing tea garden, and a quiet spot for playing music. The highlight was Building 1, offering a perfect view of Leifeng Pagoda and the building's harmonious composition. The tour lasts about 40 minutes.
2. A travel photography session. Each room receives five photos, which isn't really enough. If you want photo editing, it's an additional 5 RMB. Choosing more upscale costumes costs another 100 RMB. If you truly want some good photos, you might need to spend an extra 200 RMB or so. The photographer does guide you, but the pace felt very fast, and the overall shoot didn't feel very thorough, with the photos not being particularly outstanding. This is just my personal experience, though.

Moved from West Lake State Guest House to Xizi Hotel. This hotel is right below Leifeng Pagoda, a classic state guest house offering a different view of West Lake.

The check-in staff was very friendly and attentive, and the room was well-equipped, cozy, and comfortable.

West Lake was packed with people over the weekend, so I just stayed at the hotel. After breakfast, I took a stroll along the hotel's lakeside, enjoying the beautiful West Lake scenery all to myself – truly a paradise.

The large lawn where the G20 group photo was taken, the pavilions, and the bridges over flowing streams – every step offered a beautiful view.

The hotel breakfast had a queue and offered a wide variety, but it wasn't very refined. Maybe I'm just too picky, haha.