Review: Hyatt Regency Hangzhou, China

WHAT’S IT LIKE Guests can escape the frenzy of Hubin Road when they enter the calm, cool oasis of this luxury hotel. Staffers circle round the lobby to ensure that everyone is well taken care of, but the English-fluent front desk staff is to be commended for the friendly service.

International travelers will find this to be their perfect home in Hangzhou. It is also a pleasure to realize that this hotel is situated just in front of the main water show that takes place each evening with dancing fountains and lively music.

DINING There are so many options to choose from at this excellent hotel. It all begins with the plentiful buffet that serves three meals a day on the ground level. Its outdoor terrace is popular in seasonal weather and is the home to weekend barbecues. Cooked-to-order meals are served from the live cooking stations, which were the first of their kind in Hangzhou.

Also notable is 28 Hubin Road, the award-winning Chinese restaurant that has regularly topped the list of numerous travel rankings and dining favorites worldwide. It is decorated with attractive regional antiques, which are actually used in the daily service. For example, an old wine cart sits at the front of the restaurant and a vintage door is now used as the clever table top of one of the private dining rooms. A separate restaurant entrance is the perfect indication that this is a popular venue for local diners. Behind the reception desk is a pastry and gift shop selling local crafts and delicacies to those that want souvenirs to take home. Plans are in place to sell more hotel-branded goods in addition to local specialties like Hangzhou tea and cakes.

AMENITIES An indoor swimming pool and kids play area is connected via a glass sky deck to the hotel and sits atop the entranceway with views of the pool. It is especially striking at night when the lights dazzle swimmers or the lakefront water show provides entertainment.

A fitness center and beauty salon are also available. Ample meeting space encourages group events for conference or social functions. Recently renovated meeting space is one of the main draws. This hotel has one of the best positions along the lake, immediately in front of the water show and within the heart of Hubin Road’s entertainment area.

ROOMS Guest rooms are sleek and modern with pillowtop, Grand Beds (a signature of Hyatt properties in China), and large glass desks with free wireless Internet and speaker phones.

International power outlets are placed by the desks and bedside while flat-screen cable TVs face the beds. Minibars, safes, full-length mirrors, and large closets with robes and slippers come standard. Marble bathrooms are complete with deep soaking tubs, oversized glass showers with strong water pressure, and makeup mirrors.

Pharmacopia toiletries provide a pleasant scent, and a stash of toiletries like toothbrushes and razors remind American guests of the care taken in Asian hotels. Views vary wildly between lakefront rooms and those that face an adjacent office building.

Rooms on the third floor feature their own garden terraces, and higher floor rooms can also take advantage of views of the indoor swimming pool. The top two floors comprise the Regency levels, which come with special turndown service and access to a club lounge with free breakfast and evening snack and cocktail hours.

Guests are also invited to take advantage of the main restaurant breakfast, but it would be a shame to miss coffee on the top-floor terrace and Zen garden overlooking the lake (the most striking feature of the Regency Club). CONCLUSION This is an ideal option for international travelers that want to be in the heart of shopping and dining while also maintaining one of the best lakefront positions in town.