Amanfayun in Hangzhou

The service attitude was excellent, and they even arranged a dedicated pick-up and drop-off, which was very thoughtful. The SPA clear wooden barrel bath (pre-booking required) was incredibly comfortable; I highly recommend trying the Longjing tea bath. The teachers at Fayun Cottage's daily traditional Chinese cultural activities were all very patient. Fresh fruit was delivered to the room every day, and we could also call to request more if needed.

Our stay met expectations. The hotel's location is excellent, and the service was prompt. The environment is incredibly quiet and peaceful. The rooms are charming, converted from old traditional houses, which was very pleasant.

We arrived late in the evening. A front desk staff member, holding a small lantern, led us along the dimly lit, winding paths of Fayun Ancient Village. He guided us through the village, sharing interesting anecdotes about the hotel and information about nearby attractions. It truly felt like stepping back into ancient times, creating a warm and familiar atmosphere. The slow, unhurried pace brought a sense of calm to my mind. I particularly appreciated the absence of televisions in the rooms – it made me realize how much noise and distraction we encounter in our daily lives, often depleting our remaining serenity and leisure without us even noticing. Occasionally disconnecting and returning to nature and culture can help us reflect and introspect. I must also mention that all our luggage arrived before us, and the hotel staff were consistently attentive, always asking if we needed any assistance. This meticulous and enthusiastic arrangement, along with their precise planning, speaks volumes about the team's strong collaborative spirit and their impeccable, 'over five-star' service culture – truly top-tier and unparalleled.

I'd give it a 90 out of 100 overall.
If it were a 3,000-a-night hotel, it would definitely be a perfect score.
But since it's an Aman, it can only get 90 points.

First, the pros:
Everything, from food to boutique purchases, can be delivered directly to the room.
The housekeeping attendant, who did the turndown service, even remembered my name.
The service was excellent, but I do have one minor nitpick (more on that later).
The uncle who taught us how to make wontons during a small activity remembered we liked chili sauce and even told others to make sure to send it with the room service.
The overall service process felt very natural.
When we checked out, they gave us a personalized luggage tag.

Cons:
The welcome fruit included a banana with a rotten, black end.
The spa tends to upsell you on treatments, a bit like those hundred-dollar massage parlors outside.
The room included a complimentary wooden tub bath, but the therapist tried to recommend paid add-ons.
(My nitpick):
The wontons we ordered for breakfast the next day didn't come with chili sauce.
The biggest deduction:
The spa "complimentarily offered" a private massage for women.

Overall, it was still very good.

The room was very spacious, clean, and tidy. The butler was very generous; hearing we were making tea, they sent over 10 bottles of mineral water. However, for a nearly 10,000 RMB room rate, this should probably be provided for free anyway. As for other services that might deeply impress, we didn't really experience any. It felt like standard high-end B&B service. I had high expectations for Amann's service, given the expensive price and its reputation, but after experiencing it, it felt pretty much the same – not bad, but not particularly good either, just a very ordinary experience.

Aman Experiences: Of the four Aman hotels I've stayed at, Aman Shanghai is the most recommended, while Aman Kyoto is the least.

1️⃣ Aman Summer Palace, Beijing: The rooms feel a bit dated, and the service isn't as good as at Aman Shanghai. However, the hotel has a back entrance leading directly to the Summer Palace, great for morning runs.

2️⃣ Aman Yangyun, Shanghai: Picturesque scenery, warm service, and even little animals for kids to play with. The restaurant food is excellent; breakfast fruits are fresh, and there's a delicious, authentic small-pot rice noodle dish.

3️⃣ Amanfayun, Hangzhou: This hotel was restored and renovated from Fayun Ancient Village within the West Lake Lingyin scenic area, surrounded by a 'cluster of temples.' Lingyin Temple, the first famous temple in Jiangnan, is about a 10-minute walk away. Since the hotel is converted from an ancient village, the lighting at night is dim, and the decor is rustic... There are also many mosquitoes. The swimming pool is very old and outdoors... After Evergrande's collapse, the hotel staff are currently self-managing, and there are many plump stray cats around. The kids had a great time petting them...

4️⃣ Aman Kyoto, Japan:
I arrived at Aman Kyoto with high expectations, but was sorely disappointed.
The hotel is situated in a narrow mountain ravine, with trees in front of the guest rooms and a nearly dry stream behind them.
The rooms are very small. Ground floor rooms can be opened to the outside, but it's just woods and scattered rocks; second-floor rooms just look out onto the trees near the entrance.
The room design is already dated. The wooden bathtub's wood has turned black, and it even broke one day, rendering it unusable.
What I found most unacceptable was that the hotel's bedsheets were very old and had a hole in them. The bedding wasn't changed at all during our three-day stay, so we had to live with the torn sheet for three days.
Pros: The hotel breakfast tastes good, but the cooking methods and ingredients are pretty much the same every day. By the third day, I could barely eat any more...

The room facilities definitely show their age, but the experience was wonderful. The butler service was very attentive and responsive to all our needs. The dining was excellent; both Lan Xuan and the steamed dishes restaurant, as well as breakfast, were superb. It's also very conveniently located close to the Lingyin Temple scenic area.

## Amanfayun Stay Review

**Pros:**
* Superb location, just a 5-minute walk to Lingyin Temple/Feilai Peak, boasting unique and precious scenic resources.
* The rooms beautifully preserve the ancient village aesthetic, with wooden structures and Zen-inspired furnishings creating a serene atmosphere. The bedding comfort was also top-notch.

**Cons:**

1. **Privacy Concerns:** The hotel's pathways are open to the public, leading to numerous non-guests passing through in the mornings and evenings. Views from outside the guest rooms are only partially screened by trees, which significantly undermines Aman's core promise of 'hidden luxury and privacy.'

2. **Outdated Facilities:** The room facilities are notably old. The showerhead couldn't regulate water temperature, forcing me to take a cold shower late at night. We had to contact the front desk the following day for maintenance.

3. **Lack of Proactive Service:** For butler service, guests need to proactively request contact information, and the response mechanism for basic needs felt passive. This is a significant deviation from the 'invisible' or 'seamless' service one expects from a luxury hotel.

**Summary:**
In conclusion, while the historical charm and location are definite highlights, the lapses in privacy protection, facility maintenance, and service details fall short of 'top-tier luxury' standards. I hope the brand can better understand and address the specific needs of its core clientele.

Amanfayun Hangzhou is a serene retreat, a tranquil oasis amidst the hustle and bustle. Despite its urban location and proximity to tourist attractions, a profound sense of peace and quiet immediately envelops you. The hotel's design is deeply imbued with Zen aesthetics, with thoughtful touches like sutra-copying kits on the desk and mala beads provided during turndown service, all testifying to their exquisite hospitality. The semi-buffet dining experience was excellent, and the spa facilities were equally impressive.

very good place