West Lake State Guesthouse

The Xihu State Guest House covers a vast area, with mountains, lakes, and gardens everywhere you look – it truly lives up to its name as a state guest house. It's essentially a private, large botanical garden. This is our go-to hotel every time we visit Hangzhou; having the garden to ourselves makes me feel like it's mine! [chuckle] The Ziwei Restaurant, as always, hits the spot and is incredibly delicious 😋. If I could only do one thing in Hangzhou, it would be to stay at the Xihu State Guest House and dine at Ziwei Restaurant.

The hotel's location and environment are both fantastic. The staff are all very enthusiastic, and the breakfast is great too. The *shaobing* (sesame flatbread) and *dingshenggao* (victory cake) are freshly made, and the orange juice is freshly squeezed!

The room wasn't huge, but the overall conditions and service were excellent and very thoughtful! They even upgraded us to a family room so the kids could sleep comfortably. The pool water was amazing! The gardens were also incredibly beautiful, making it possible to enjoy West Lake without even leaving the hotel.

The service was fantastic, very attentive and thoughtful. The room was clean and well-maintained, perfect for a family looking for a relaxing getaway. We really enjoyed having tea and chatting in the courtyard, feeding the fish, and taking in the scenery. It was a wonderful experience!

The Hangzhou Xihu State Guest Hotel, renowned as the 'First Garden on West Lake' for its unique historical heritage, prime location, and exceptional service quality, stands as a truly unique high-end hotel in Hangzhou. My stay at the State Guest Hotel was absolutely worthwhile; the hotel's environment and service are indeed top-notch, and every staff member is incredibly warm and welcoming.

Hangzhou Xihu State Guest Hotel truly lives up to its reputation as the number one garden on West Lake. There were so many pleasant surprises! Having stayed at numerous five-star hotels, Xihu State Guest Hotel offered the best experience by far. The service was incredibly thoughtful, making you feel right at home. Both the garden environment and the room's hardware showcased top-tier Chinese aesthetics. If you're visiting Hangzhou's West Lake, you absolutely must experience Hangzhou Xihu State Guest Hotel. **Environment:** Every time I come to Xihu State Guest Hotel, I'm struck by the fact that it's truly a place where leaders can enjoy the West Lake. There are very few tourists inside the grounds, allowing you to peacefully appreciate the beauty of West Lake and the garden within. This creates a stark contrast to the bustling crowds on Hubin Pedestrian Street and Su Causeway across the lake. The concept of "changing scenery with every step" is vividly embodied here. The garden boasts a vast variety of green plants and trees. In early autumn, some trees have already turned yellow, while others remain green. There are also vibrant red maples, combining to create a myriad of shapes and colors, making for a truly beautiful sight. Strolling through it is a great pleasure. The State Guest Hotel complex consists of eight buildings. Building No. 1 houses the presidential suite, and Building No. 7 is the closest to West Lake, offering lake-view suites. Building No. 8 was newly built for the Asian Games; it's very minimalist yet grand, showcasing Chinese aesthetics to their fullest. Each building has a distinct style. The hotel provides electric shuttle buggies for transport within the grounds, or you can choose to walk and explore. It possesses both the majestic grandeur of a royal garden and the gentle subtlety of a Jiangnan water town. It perfectly blends traditional Chinese aesthetic charm with modern, minimalist elegance, exhibiting a truly exceptional design. The section of West Lake on the State Guest Hotel's side is separated by Su Causeway. The water quality and clarity here are noticeably better than on the other side. The lake's surface is like a mirror, reflecting the clear blue sky, making it exceptionally pristine. **Transportation:** Guests staying at Xihu State Guest Hotel have access to dedicated six-seater business vans. You just need to book upon arrival. The prices are very reasonable, and the vehicles are new, clean, and luxurious. A trip to Lingyin Temple costs only 30 yuan, which is incredibly friendly! Master Zhao and Master Bai drove us many times, providing excellent service and demonstrating superb driving skills. The ride was almost entirely smooth with no jolts, and the braking was seamless. For airport transfers, there's even a Mercedes option available, offering ample space and a fantastic experience. **Room:** This time, I stayed in Building No. 8. The room was spacious, and the housekeeping was impeccable. Lying in bed, I could hear virtually no noise, only the birds chirping and the scent of flowers outside the window, which was incredibly relaxing. The bedding was extremely comfortable, making you just want to lie down and rest. It's truly a perfect place for mind and body rejuvenation.