Zhejiang Xizi Hotel · Wangzhuang · West Lake Famous Garden Reviews

## Xizi Hotel Review: A Truly Unforgettable Hangzhou Stay For our National Day trip to Hangzhou with my parents, I narrowed down our hotel choices to the State Guesthouse and Xizi Hotel. The State Guesthouse was my initial preference, but the prices hadn't been released yet, and I worried about availability, so I opted for Xizi. It turned out to be the perfect choice! **The Hotel:** Situated right below Leifeng Pagoda, the hotel complex consists of several buildings. We were assigned to Building 2. While I'd read online that Buildings 6 and 8 were preferred, Building 2 was lovely as well. We had direct access to West Lake, could see the Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon, and the scenery was breathtaking. It truly felt like sleeping right on West Lake. **Our Stay:** We checked in during the National Day holiday, and the roads around the hotel were restricted. This meant taxis couldn't drop us directly at the hotel; we had to be dropped off nearby and take the hotel's shuttle. To avoid this hassle, I pre-booked the hotel's airport transfer. The hotel's vehicles have special access during restrictions, so we were dropped off right at the hotel entrance. The room had a very 'state guesthouse' feel but was also quite modern. Fresh fruit and snacks, along with mosquito repellent, were replenished daily. The hotel offers a 24-hour shuttle service for getting to the breakfast restaurant, various hotel entrances, or even for a leisurely tour of the hotel's public areas. Do note that food delivery services cannot enter the hotel grounds; you have to pick up orders at the main gate. **Dining:** Breakfast was served at the Yaoyuan Cafe, just a two to three-minute walk away. Sitting by the window, enjoying breakfast while admiring the beautiful views, was wonderful. The breakfast spread wasn't extensive, not quite up to five-star standards, but it was decent. We also had dinner once at the Peony Hall. Every dish we ordered was excellent, especially the West Lake vinegar fish, which surprisingly had a flavor reminiscent of crab – absolutely delicious! **The Scenery:** Staying at Xizi means you barely need to leave the hotel. The grounds themselves are like a vast park, offering exclusive views of West Lake's stunning scenery. It's so peaceful and undisturbed. From a distance, you can see the crowds, which only emphasizes the tranquility and serenity of our private West Lake experience. We stayed for three nights and it wasn't enough – you truly need time to soak it all in. From the hotel, it's just a five to six-minute walk to Leifeng Pagoda, and across from it is Jingci Temple. Taiziwan Park (highly recommended!) is about a 10-minute walk away. A five-minute stroll from the hotel's west gate brings you to the Majiawan Pier, where you can take a boat trip along the Wuguitan route. Su Causeway is also nearby. Near the pier, there are many public bus stops (including the 1314 bus) that can take you to Lingyin Temple, Ma Jia Bu, and more. Intime INN is approximately 3 kilometers away, about a 10-minute taxi ride. **Hotel Guided Tour:** I booked the guided tour in September and was really looking forward to it. We joined the tour on the day we checked in. Despite the hot weather, we enjoyed exploring and learning from the guide's excellent commentary. The guide shared the history and stories of Wangzhuang, which was fascinating. We were even lucky enough to receive a fan with the guide's calligraphy, which I absolutely love. **Travel Photography:** The hotel offers complimentary clothing and makeup for travel photography. The photoshoot was quick, and the photographer was very experienced. While the editing wasn't top-notch, the scenery was so beautiful that it hardly mattered. It's a wonderful memory to cherish. **In summary,** Xizi Hotel is truly worth revisiting. Every step of our stay became an unforgettable memory of Jiangnan.