Overall, this was a good stay with some truly special aspects, but also a few areas that could be improved.
The hotel is quite remote, which makes it feel very private and peaceful, surrounded by nature such as the lake, forest, and mountains. Even though we visited other viewpoints around Qiandao Lake, this location felt more special because of its quiet and secluded setting. The hotel itself feels like a destination, with scenic viewpoints, a garden with a lake, a cave, and even trekking trails to explore.
The garden area includes a swan lake, which is a nice idea. However, the swans are kept in a very small netted space. It does not look great visually and feels restrictive for the animals, which took away from the experience.
The room was spacious and comfortable, with a very comfortable bed that was not too soft or too hard. Sound insulation was excellent, which made for great sleep. I also requested a firmer pillow, and it was provided quickly. The lake view room upgrade was a highlight. The view was stunning and made it hard to leave the room. If you stay here, I would strongly recommend booking a lake view room. The layout was nice, with both a balcony and a window view. The thick frame dividing the view slightly affected the overall feel, but it was not a major issue. The bathtub was also a nice addition.
Cleaning was good overall. The AC did not work very well during the hot midday hours, although it was fine at other times of the day.
Facilities such as the gym, yoga room, pool, and game room were nice additions. However, they felt quite standard for a five-star hotel, and I have experienced better quality in similar properties. One great feature was the free Tesla charging, but this was not communicated at all. We only discovered it by chance, which is a missed opportunity as it is a strong benefit.
Breakfast was acceptable but not at the expected level. The coffee and bakery were the weakest parts. Ordering is done via QR code instead of in person, which felt a bit impersonal for a luxury hotel atmosphere. Service during breakfast also felt a bit off, as staff seemed focused on their tasks and were not very proactive in guiding or prioritizing guests, which made the experience feel less warm and not the kindest.
Service was generally kind and friendly, but inconsistent at times. Some staff could benefit from additional training, as not everyone followed typical five-star service standards such as greeting guests or offering priority.
Another disappointment was the welcome fruit, which was included in our package but not provided on arrival. After we asked, a staff member came carrying items for multiple rooms in a bag and handed us just one apple and one peach. This felt unprofessional although something very small.
Another point worth noting is that the hotel was originally booked as an InterContinental, but about 1-2 weeks before arrival it was no longer part of the brand (somehow on Trip.com it still says intercontinental). Not sure if this impacted the experience, but overall it did feel slightly below what you might expect from that level, even though the stay itself was still enjoyable.
The hotel also offers free Tesla charging, which is a great feature. However, this was not communicated at all during or before our stay, and we only discovered it by chance. This feels like a missed opportunity, as it is a strong benefit that could add significant value for guests
I did not try lunch or dinner, so I cannot comment on those.
Overall, this is a very peaceful and unique stay with amazing natural surroundings and a beautiful lake view. However, some service and operational details need improvement to truly match a luxury standard.
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