The Sofitel Hangzhou Yingguan Hotel, a part of the Sofitel luxury brand under Accor Hotels, offers a high-end experience for travelers looking to indulge in Hangzhou’s scenic beauty while enjoying modern comforts. The property is relatively new, and while still refining its service and facilities, it shows promise with its opulent design and focus on luxury.
Location: Convenient for Business and Leisure
Located in the bustling southern area of Hangzhou, the
Sofitel Hangzhou Yingguan provides easy access to some of the city’s key areas.
Its proximity to subway stations allows guests to explore the city with ease,
while the surrounding new developments create an interesting atmosphere that is
very new in contrast to the vast majority of the city. You can easily reach
popular sites like West Lake and the Grand Canal, as well as various business
districts.
The hotel’s modern surroundings and urban vibe make it a
good choice for business travelers, while leisure guests can appreciate its
connection to Hangzhou’s diverse cultural and shopping experiences. The district is still developing and in a
short amount of time there will be even more amenities in the area.
Room Experience: Spacious, Elegant, but With Some Rough
Edges
The rooms at the Sofitel Hangzhou Yingguan Hotel are
spacious and filled with thoughtful amenities. From the luxurious king-sized
beds to the well-stocked minibars, the hotel offers plenty of creature comforts
to ensure a restful stay. High ceilings and large windows allow natural light
to flood the rooms, adding to the sense of space.
The hotel boasts a chic, modern design, with rooms featuring
wood paneling, large flat-screen TVs, and a mix of marble and wood flooring.
Guests can enjoy top-tier features like electric toilets, separate shower and
bath areas, and privacy windows between the bathroom and bedroom—an
increasingly popular design in luxury hotels.
However, being a newly opened hotel, there are still some
cleanliness and fit-and-finish issues. Minor details like glue residue on
corners or cheap-feeling switches detract from the overall sense of luxury.
These are expected teething problems for a new hotel and should improve as the
property matures.
Facilities: High-End Amenities with Room to Grow
Sofitel Hangzhou Yingguan provides all the expected
facilities of a five-star hotel, though some areas still need refinement. The
spacious lobby, while impressive, feels somewhat disjointed with its random
seating areas and difficult access to certain amenities like the restaurant on
the second floor.
The fitness center and spa offer high-quality equipment and
services for guests looking to unwind, though these spaces may feel smaller
compared to other luxury hotels. The on-site restaurants provide a range of
Cantonese and international dishes, though some diners have noted the high
prices relative to portion sizes. For example, a hamburger priced at 128 RMB
seems small for the cost, leading some guests to question the value offered by
the dining services.
Dining: Decent Food, but Expensive
Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options, including
Cantonese cuisine at the restaurant named "Baguette" and a bar that,
while well-designed, tends to be rather empty. The food quality is generally
high, but the prices can be steep, especially considering the portion sizes. As
mentioned, the high prices for standard fare, like the aforementioned
hamburger, might not sit well with budget-conscious travelers.
Service: Friendly but Still Developing
The service at Sofitel Hangzhou Yingguan is another area
that shows potential but is still in the early stages of refinement. The staff
is eager to assist and generally friendly, though there are moments where they
seem timid or inexperienced, likely due to the hotel’s recent opening. As the
hotel continues to train its staff, the service should become more polished.
Value: Upscale, but Rough Around the Edges
The Sofitel Hangzhou Yingguan is priced as a luxury hotel,
but given its newness, it still feels rough around the edges in some areas.
While the rooms are spacious and elegantly appointed, the minor fit-and-finish
issues and the disjointed lobby layout detract from the overall experience.
However, the hotel shows a lot of promise, and with time, it should grow into a
more polished, high-end option for travelers seeking a luxurious stay in
Hangzhou.
Final Thoughts: A Work in Progress, but Still a
Comfortable Stay
The Sofitel Hangzhou Yingguan offers a comfortable and
stylish stay in one of China’s most beautiful cities. Though it has some areas
to improve, particularly in terms of service and fit-and-finish, it remains a
good option for those looking to enjoy modern luxury in Hangzhou. With its
convenient location and upscale amenities, it’s likely to become a more refined
destination as it continues to develop.
Rojo Rating:
- Location:
6
- Facilities:
6
- Amenities:
6
- Décor:
7
- Staff:
6
- Food:
6
- Cleanliness:
6
- Comfort:
8
- Uniqueness:
5
- Value:
6
Total: 62/100
