My best friend's family and mine, two families with four kids in total, checked in at Club Med LWS White Ark for a weekend getaway. We booked two deluxe rooms in advance, and the overall experience was fantastic. It offered both the healing scenery of tea mountains and perfectly solved the exhaustion of traveling with kids. Objectively speaking, it's truly ideal for friends traveling together.
First, let's talk about the rooms. At around 55 square meters, they felt very spacious. The bathroom had a separate large bathtub, which was great for the kids to soak in after a tiring day. The hotel also provided children's bathrobes and small toiletries, thoughtful details.
The main reason for coming here, however, was the all-inclusive package and the G.O (Gentle Organizer) childcare. The biggest headache for two families traveling with four energetic kids is usually keeping an eye on them, but the Mini Club literally freed up all the parents. Kids aged 4 to 10 were managed by age group, with professional G.Os leading them through tea-themed crafts, bubble parties, an indoor water park, and a ball pit. Lunch and afternoon tea were also supervised. The 'brothers and sisters' (staff) at the Mini Club were incredibly patient. We entrusted our four kids to them for an entire afternoon, finally allowing the adults some alone time to try out rock climbing, badminton, or aerial yoga. This adult relaxation time, without having to constantly worry about the kids, is a huge advantage that regular B&Bs or hotels simply can't match.
Regarding dining, all three meals were all-inclusive buffets, so no extra spending was needed. The choices catered to both adults and children, with sections for hot Chinese dishes, seafood, desserts, fried chicken and fries, and even baby food. Even picky eaters could find something they liked. Afternoon tea offered cakes, fruit drinks, and local dim sum, and the evening bar had free-flow drinks. After dinner, there was an evening stage show arranged by the G.Os, which was very interactive. Our four kids cheered throughout the show and even got to take photos with the staff afterward. While the food flavors weren't mind-blowing, they were consistently good, and the variety was plentiful. Not having to drive out to find restaurants saved us the hassle of self-driving, and having meals uniformly arranged for a group made things worry-free and convenient.
The resort environment was the biggest highlight. Nestled deep within the Wandan Tea Village, the overall design was a minimalist Song-style garden, with clean pathways and seating areas everywhere. There was a small outdoor playground, and the indoor water park was heated, so playing in July was not cold at all. Besides family-friendly activities, there were also mahjong rooms and quiet tea areas. Our two families took turns looking after the kids, allowing others to chat and relax, striking a great balance between activity and tranquility. The resort isn't too large, so you don't have to walk far. Pushing a stroller or walking with small children was effortless, and there was no need to rush for a schedule – it was pure relaxation. The resort's location was also good, just a 30-minute drive from Hangzhou city, avoiding long journeys and making it perfect for a short two-day trip. Compared to ordinary tea mountain B&Bs in the vicinity, Club Med was just so much more convenient.
Objectively, there were a few minor flaws: the lack of non-slip slippers, and the need for a short wait during peak breakfast times on weekends due to high occupancy. Some popular activities also had larger crowds. However, these are minor issues that don't overshadow the overall excellent experience. It's incredibly well-suited for multiple families traveling together and for those with children. A big thank you to concierge Anderson for helping us solve various problems during our stay, and to Sherly for her enthusiastic service, which greatly enhanced our trip. Our four children were reluctant to leave, and we're already planning to return next month.
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