Arrival/Check-In: Without traffic, Hangzhou is roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Shanghai or about 45 minutes by high-speed train. After my long flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai, I arrived in Hangzhou late in the evening and headed to the lobby of the Zhejiang Grand Hotel, located on the building’s 25th floor. Check-in was efficient and I was in my room within minutes.
Guest Quarters: My roomy accommodation on the 14th floor suited a multi-night stay. The king-size bed was comfortable, equipped with a soft comforter and a selection of pillows. Power outlets were conveniently located throughout the room, including an American-style outlet at the desk—especially useful when traveling from abroad. The lighting was controlled by a keycard system; while I prefer other systems, this one was uncomplicated and reliable.
In the bathroom, a heated section of the mirror prevented steam from the shower from fogging the glass, which made morning routines easier. The hotel supplies toiletries in large refillable dispensers rather than single-use bottles, a commendable environmentally friendly choice. However, the shampoo and shower gel had a very strong floral scent that I found overpowering; it may be a standard product across rooms.
Because my stay spanned several nights, housekeeping began to anticipate my preferences. Staff remembered which side of the bed I used and the pillows I preferred. They also noticed small items left in the bathroom—one afternoon I found a hair tie, a bobby pin kit and an eyeglass wipe kit neatly placed on the vanity. This thoughtful attention added a personal touch to my stay.
The hotel is not entirely smoke-free; on some mornings a faint cigarette odor drifted into my room when I opened the window. My room overlooked an adjacent building under construction that began work early in the day. Fortunately, I was usually awake before the noise started.
Services and Amenities: I had breakfast each morning in the hotel’s fifth-floor restaurant. The buffet was extensive, featuring a wide range of Chinese dishes alongside international options. I tended toward the Western selections but was tempted by several soups and noodle dishes as well. The gym opens at 10 a.m., which is later than many travelers might expect. The third floor houses a lively nightclub popular with locals, and there is a comfortable lobby bar suitable for a nightcap.
The hotel’s location is convenient: it is a short drive from West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and directly across the street is a mall that includes a coffee shop. Numerous shops and services are within walking distance. One practical note: most staff speak limited English, so plan ahead for potential language barriers.
The Experience: Overall, I enjoyed my stay at the Zhejiang Grand Hotel. The property sits close to many of Hangzhou’s main attractions while remaining slightly removed from the busiest, most crowded areas. Service was attentive, the room was comfortable, and the hotel’s location made exploring the city convenient.
GT CHECKLIST
Doorman/valet: yes
Check-in under 10 minutes: yes
Separate tub and shower: no
Large vanity: yes
High-quality towels: yes
Powerful, unattached hair dryer: yes
High-quality bed linens: yes
Large, flat-screen television: yes
Large desk with convenient outlets: yes
Large, complimentary laptop safe: yes
Complimentary in-room WiFi: yes
Complimentary bottled water: yes
Stocked minibar: yes
Ample lighting: yes
In-room coffeemaker: no
Iron and ironing board: no
On-site restaurant: yes
24-hour room service: no
24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center: yes (opens at 10 a.m.)
Turn-down service: yes
Zhejiang Grand Hotel
595 Yan’an Road, Xiacheng
Hangzhou, Zhejiang
China 310006
tel 86 564 571 8505 6666