Hangzhou Xixi Bieyuan Resort Hotel

I spent four nights at this resort hotel while attending a conference. As others have noted, the Hotel is quite some distance from the downtown area, but what you lose in convenient access to downtown shopping and the tourist areas, you gain in the quite special wetland park areas surrounding the hotel. The hotel is in the middle of wonderful lakes, waterways and the lush green of the park and it feels like you have entered a quite different world than the grey hustle of Hangzhou. My room was fabulous. It was very large. There was a sectional sofa in a sitting area beside the king-sized bed. The washroom was wonderful, with a huge tub and shower area, and all the usual amenities. There was a dressing area with lots of closet space. The television had a range of international channels (including about 6 broadcasting in English), and there was a kettle for tea or coffee. It was very nicely decorated and very comfortable. The hotel is very new and well-designed. There is a bar area facing the small pond at the back of the hotel. There is a very nice restaurant. The breakfast buffet, which is just off the main lobby area, was wonderful with a range of sushi, dim sum, western, and Chinese breakfast items. Several of us intentionally moved up our morning alarm times so that we could spend some extra time at the breakfast - it was that good. While the hotel is some distance from the core of the city, it was quite easy to take a taxi in (and they are quite inexpensive). The big advantage of staying here is that you feel like you are a thousand miles from the city. Everything is lush and quiet. By the way, there is a very nice fountain in front of the hotel, and in the evenings they turn on a light-show that paints the fountain in coloured lights. IIt is worth wandering out to take a look at in the evening - quite beautiful. While there is a pool, it was closed all of the time that we were there. Overall, a very positive experience. The staff were very pleasant and efficient, and the hotel was quite special. I would certainly go back again.