Banyan Tree Hangzhou

We make an annual two-night trip to Hangzhou, and this time we chose the Banyan Tree. I had an impressive experience at the Shanghai Banyan Tree back in 2015, but every property has its own unique style. The Hangzhou resort is nestled inside the Xixi National Wetland Park—a tranquil oasis amidst the hustle and bustle with an exceptional ecological environment. The moment we stepped into the lobby, our eyes were treated to a breathtaking, expansive view that we instantly fell in love with, making it feel like a home away from home for the next two nights. Walking into the guest room brought another pleasant surprise: the mini-fridge was fully stocked with complimentary drinks. The room was spacious, and both the bathroom and living room felt very grand. Stepping out onto the balcony, we were greeted by the delightful fragrance of sweet osmanthus. I just wanted to sit on the terrace, sipping tea and enjoying the floral scent while basking in the heavenly outdoor sunshine. The hotel's night view is equally enchanting, with the lake mirroring the scenery to create a serene and picturesque atmosphere. The breakfast buffet offered a great variety, and what made it even more delightful was sitting by the lake amid the scent of osmanthus, accompanied by a few clever little white ducks hoping for a treat. With such an idyllic lake view, a wonderful day truly begins with a wonderful breakfast. Since it happened to be the osmanthus-blooming season and we had a few sightseeing spots to visit, we didn't have as much time as we would have liked to just relax and enjoy the hotel. In fact, the fragrance of osmanthus all over the property was already intoxicating, with lush osmanthus trees everywhere. Aside from the slightly inconvenient location—driving is recommended—we were completely satisfied with our stay at the Banyan Tree Hangzhou. The service also deserves praise; staff were responsive to every request. We didn't even have time to try out the pool or wellness classes, so two nights felt a bit too short. It's no wonder the hotel is always so popular.

I stayed at the Banyan Tree and I just had to say a few words! From the moment you step through the door, the entire place just makes you completely unwind. The room decor, the view outside the window, and that just-right quietness literally weave the word "vacation" into every single detail. The service was also exceptionally thoughtful—never intrusive, but they are always there when you need them. Soaking in the bathtub and having a cup of tea at night made me feel like all the accumulated fatigue from daily life was completely ironed out. I genuinely feel that every penny was well-spent, and staying here gives you memories to cherish for a long time. The front desk service was fantastic, and Olive was extremely attentive and welcoming. The vacation photography service was also wonderful!

This hotel is fairly well-located, not too far from Xixi Wetland, Longjing Village, and Lingyin Temple. The surroundings are quite nice and great for taking photos. However, the hotel is definitely getting too old, and its design and facilities are way outdated.

Great stay at this hotel in Hangzhou! The service was exceptional, especially our Banyan Host, Olive, who took care of us throughout the entire stay. The hotel surroundings are beautiful, impeccably clean, and the rooms are very spacious. We had a wonderful experience.

The highlight of my stay was definitely the service; every single shuttle driver and restaurant staff member was warm and polite. The environment is also lovely, filled with the refreshing and intoxicating scent of sweet osmanthus. The only downside—which is just a personal preference rather than a fault of the hotel—was the villa's high ceilings combined with the antique decor. Being a bit of a timid person, I found it slightly spooky at night.

If you are considering a hotel around Xixi Wetland and looking at a budget of around 3,000 RMB per night, here are a few things you need to know about the Banyan Tree Hangzhou. 1. Booking Policy: Once you book via Trip.com, cancellation is not allowed after 30 minutes. Even if you book far in advance, you will still be charged a 50% cancellation fee. We only got them to cooperate through mediation by the 12315 consumer hotline, and even then, they only allowed a date change. This is quite rare for a 5-star hotel in China. Pay close attention to this and make sure not to book too far in advance. 2. Facilities & Dining: The facilities at the Banyan Tree now can only be described as resembling a rustic guesthouse (nongjiale). Occupancy seems very low, and the lazy uncles at the entrance completely ignore guests. If you want to grab dinner at night, you have to head out to a deserted area—there are only two restaurants, and some are closed on weekdays, serving only simple burger-style meals. The breakfast is barely on par with a 3-star hotel. 3. Signage & Service: Poor signage. The receptionist had an impatient attitude. The front desk area is tiny, the lobby lacks any fresh flowers or greenery, and the whole place gives off a vibe like it's about to go out of business. 4. Departure: After checking out, as our car drove out of the courtyard, the uncle standing at the entrance just stared blankly with zero reaction or traffic guidance. 5. Cleanliness: The corners of the room were not cleaned properly and were covered in dust. @ The Bright Side: If you live in a bustling city every day, are looking for absolute peace and quiet where you can escape from everyone, and don't care about service details, the Banyan Tree Xixi is a good choice. The rooms are spacious and quiet.

The hotel room was very spacious, with a large balcony. It featured two oversized bathtubs and a traditional Chinese decor throughout. The hotel service was excellent, and they even offered electric shuttle carts to take guests to nearby restaurants. The hotel's courtyard had a touch of classical Suzhou garden style.

Honestly, I'm not that picky, but my stay at Banyan Tree Hangzhou really set a new low for hotel service. It was raining outside the lobby entrance, and nobody offered an umbrella. My wife and I managed to stay dry all day at the scenic spots, only to get drenched at the hotel. To make matters worse, there were bugs in the complimentary oranges! It was truly infuriating, I don't even know what else to say. The scenery, though, was admittedly one of the few highlights.

The service here is truly exceptional, nothing to complain about. The facilities are decent, especially considering it's a 16-year-old hotel – they're actually quite good for its age. Of course, choosing Banyan Tree means trusting their service, which has always been top-notch. From the front desk receptionists, the Western and Chinese restaurant staff, to the gondola operators, the electric shuttle drivers, and the housekeeping team, their service-mindedness is consistently excellent.