Hangzhou's Hidden Gem: Atour Hotel Qianjiang Century City Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Hangzhou's Hidden Gem: Atour Hotel Qianjiang Century City Review (You Won't Believe This!) - Buckle Up, Buttercups!
Okay, okay, so I just got back from the Atour Hotel Qianjiang Century City in Hangzhou, and honestly? My brain is still processing. They call it a "hidden gem," and…well, they might be right. It's less "hidden" and more "glowing beacon of modern Chinese hospitality." Here’s the brutally honest, slightly chaotic, and definitely opinionated lowdown:
Accessibility: Cracking the Code, Mostly
- Wheelchair Accessible? Mostly yes! The elevators are spacious, and the common areas seem navigable. Now, I didn't roll around in a wheelchair, but the layout generally appeared well-thought-out. Access to restaurants and the spa were clear, which is an excellent start.
- Elevator: Yep! Thank heavens. My knees aren't what they used to be.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Appears to be offered, but I didn't experience it personally, so cannot comment further.
- Access: I was able to easily roll my suitcases from the car to hotel.
Internet Access & Connectivity – My Love/Hate Affair
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! Thank you, Atour, for understanding the modern traveler's desperate need to Instagram their breakfast.
- Internet [LAN]: Available, but honestly, who uses LAN anymore? I'm all about the Wi-Fi lifestyle.
- Internet services: Fine as long as the Wi-Fi is stable.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Pretty good coverage. I even successfully streamed a K-drama in the lobby while waiting for my room (don’t judge).
- Internet: Works for sending memes and stuff.
- Overall: The internet was decent, not lightning-fast, but consistently usable.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax – A Sensory Overload (in a good way!)
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes! And the view… oh, the view! Seriously, pool with a view is an understatement. It's like swimming in a postcard. I spent an entire afternoon just staring and splashing. Pure bliss.
- Gym/fitness: Well equipped, but I'm still trying to recover from the swimming!
- Spa/sauna/steamroom: Yes, yes, and YES. I’m talking about a full-blown spa experience. They offer: masssages, body scrub, body wraps. The whole nine yards. I indulged in the Body scrub. It was pure heaven. I wanted to melt into the table. The sauna was a great way to sweat out all the stress of travel.
- Foot bath: Sounds interesting but I was unfortunately unable to experience it
- Overall: The relaxation options are top-notch. Seriously impressive! The pool and the spa alone make this hotel worth it.
Cleanliness and Safety – Feeling Safe, Maybe a Little Too Safe?
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hygiene certification, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, Rooms sanitized between stays: Okay, Atour, I get it. You prioritize cleanliness. I feel like I'm living in a sterile bubble (in a good way!). The entire property gleams. It helps!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Seriously, everywhere. I started carrying my own because it felt weird to use the same pump for the 20th time.
- Masks: Staff wore masks at all times. Guests, less so.
- Safe dining setup, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Individual-wrapped food options: Felt very careful.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Good to know.
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Makes me feel even more secure, even if I don't use it.
- Overall: Cleanliness is clearly a major priority. I never felt unsafe, but sometimes it felt a little too sterilized.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Let's Talk Food!
- Restaurants: Okay, here's where things get interesting. They have a few, with a mix of menus.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: Check!
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: Yep. The breakfast buffet was impressive. It was an epic spread.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: Essential fuel, right?
- Poolside bar, Bar: Makes perfect sense!
- Room service [24-hour]: Score! Perfect for those late-night snack attacks.
- Snack bar: Convenient.
- Happy hour: Very nice!
- Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant: Delicious.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The breakfast spread was a highlight! They had everything from dim sum to pastries to the usual continental suspects. The coffee? Not bad at all.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Good for those early departures.
- Overall: The dining options are varied and cater to different tastes. The breakfast buffet is a must-try.
Services and Conveniences – Above and Beyond
- Air conditioning in public area, Air conditioning: Yes! I'm talking full aircon.
- Concierge: Very helpful. Always ready with a smile.
- Daily housekeeping: Makes life a lot easier. The room was spotless!
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Essential for my travel style!
- Gift/souvenir shop: Good for picking up last-minute presents.
- Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal: Always useful.
- Luggage storage: Safe and convenient.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Valet parking, Taxi service: Everything you need.
- Facilities for disabled guests, Elevator, Doorman: Always nice to have.
- Contactless check-in/out: Super smooth.
- Invoice provided: Excellent for business travelers.
- Overall: They've thought of everything. The service is warm, efficient, and genuinely helpful.
For the Kids – I didn't have the kids, but…
- Babysitting service: Yes, available!
- Family/child friendly: Definitely feel it with the kids facilities.
- Kids meal: A nice touch.
Rooms – My Happy Place, Briefly
- Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: You're getting everything you would expect from a modern, well-appointed hotel room.
- Seating area: The sofa was perfect for collapsing after a long day of sightseeing.
- Blackout curtains: Crucial for combatting jet lag!
- The bed: So comfy! I sank right in.
- Overall: The rooms are modern, comfortable, and well-equipped. I especially appreciated the blackout curtains and the comfy bed.
Getting Around - So many ways to get to this hotel
- Airport transfer: Very convenient when you're tired.
- Bicycle parking: A nice touch.
Safety & Security - Secure
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: These security features made me feel very secure.
Business - Helpful
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Seminars, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Appears to have all event-hosting covered.
Miscellaneous Observations – The Quirks and the Charm
- Couple's room, Room decorations, Proposal spot, Shrine: If you're traveling with your honey, or, perhaps proposing…
- Hotel chain, Pets allowed unavailable: Not a pet-friendly hotel, so plan accordingly.
- Bicycle parking: Nice if you want to travel via eco-friendly commuting.
**My Emotional Reaction – This
Ajaccio Paradise: Stunning 6-Person Seaview Apartment (350m from Beach!)
Hangzhou: A Chaotic Love Letter (From the Atour Hotel, My Temporary Home)
Okay, so here's the deal. I’m in Hangzhou. China. At the Atour Hotel in Qianjiang Century City. It's…fine. Let’s just say the air conditioning is a cruel mistress, fluctuating wildly between “Arctic Tundra” and “Sahara Desert.” But the bed? Oh, the bed is a fluffy cloud of blissful sleep, and right now, that’s all that matters. Jet lag is a beast.
Day 1: Arrival, Sensory Overload, and the Quest for Noodles
- Morning (or What Felt Like It): Arrived at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport. The sheer scale of the place…whew. Massive. People everywhere. I swear, I saw a luggage cart get swallowed whole by a crowd. Thankfully, the hotel transfer (pre-booked, thank the travel gods!) was a smooth ride. The driver, I think his name was Mr. Chen (or maybe it was Mr. Chang? Don’t ask me, my Mandarin is non-existent), was incredibly polite, even when I accidentally spilled my (expensive) coffee all over the pristine taxi interior. Sorry, Mr. Chen!
- Afternoon (Hotel Shenanigans): Checked into the Atour. The lobby is sleek, minimalist, and slightly intimidating. Feeling like a clumsy Westerner in a sea of chic. The room? Clean enough. Which is all I ask, really. Immediately collapsed on that glorious bed. Woke up two hours later, disoriented and craving…noodles. Specifically, those magical, slurp-worthy Hangzhou noodles I'd read so much about.
- Evening (Noodle Nightmare…Kinda): Armed with a translation app and a desperate hunger, I ventured out. My first attempt at finding a local noodle joint ended in a blur of pointing, confused gestures, and a bowl of…well, I’m pretty sure it was noodles, but they came with a mysterious broth and things that looked suspiciously like eyeballs. Texture was… interesting. Edible, yes. Delicious? Debatable. It was a culinary adventure, though! I'm going to call it a win. Found a tiny, bustling place with people slurping away, clearly locals. Tried to order the same thing – a feat of charades, really – and ended up with something… different. But still noodles! Success!
Day 2: West Lake Wonders and the Curse of the Tourist Trap (and a Little Bit of Tears)
- Morning (West Lake, Oh West Lake!): Okay, this was something. West Lake. Breathtaking. Seriously, the pictures don’t do it justice. The water, the willow trees, the hazy mountains in the distance… I could have spent the whole morning just staring. Rented a bike (after much frantic gesturing at the rental place, where the bikes were… bright orange) and cycled along the lake. Felt like I was in a movie. Until, that is, I bumped into a rather large group of tourists—oops.
- Mid-Day (The Tourist Trap Tango): The Leifeng Pagoda. Beautiful views, absolutely. But the line? The jostling? The hordes of selfie-stick wielding individuals? It felt like a chaotic mosh pit. I felt myself getting overwhelmed, and frankly, a bit grumpy. It was a sensory overload. Felt the jetlag creeping back in, along with a dose of wanderlust blues. I had to duck out, to breathe. Grabbed a bench, watched the boats on the lake, and tried to regain some composure.
- Afternoon (Tea Time and a Moment of Solitude): Found a little tea house tucked away near the lake. The most fantastic place! The aroma of the tea, the intricate ceramic cups, the quiet… absolute bliss. The tea master, a tiny woman with the most serene face, poured me a cup of Longjing tea. It was… divine. I think I actually teared up a little. Not out of sadness, but just… beauty, I guess? It was the perfect antidote to the tourist-trap madness. Suddenly, I realized that I was so happy to be here, experiencing literally everything— the beautiful, the bad, the ugly.
- Evening (Dinner and Reflection, or, the Quest for Dumplings): Dinner was a mission. More navigation woes, more language barriers. But I eventually stumbled upon a dumpling restaurant. A real dumpling restaurant. Small place with people making them fresh. Heavenly. The best dumplings I've ever tasted. Maybe it was the hunger. Maybe it was the sheer joy of not getting lost. Or maybe they were just that good. Either way, they were perfect. Back at the hotel now, contemplating the day. Hangzhou is complex. Beautiful. Challenging. And I am so, so glad I came.
Day 3: The Unexpected (and Probably Ill-Advised) Adventure
- Morning (Unexpected Encounter): Decided to get truly lost. Just, randomly, with no plan. Big mistake! But… also, maybe, not. I somehow ended up in this tiny, ancient part of Hangzhou. Cobblestone streets, ancient buildings, and a woman selling… something, I have no idea what. She spoke no english, I spoke no mandarin. But we somehow had a 20-minute conversation, using the phone translator, and lots of laughter. She invited me for tea. Of course, I accepted. It was delightful. Slightly terrifying.
- Mid-Day (The Food Stall of Misadventure) The woman insists on taking me to a food stall that sells "local delicacies." The food looked beautiful… but then I tasted it. It was an interesting combination of flavors. I'm not sure what I had, maybe some sort of tripe? Let's just say after a while, I started to feel queasy.
- Afternoon (Regret and Recovery): Back at the hotel, regretting my recklessness. Feeling distinctly unwell. Spent most of the afternoon rehydrating and avoiding the food, I mean, the "delicacies." Managed to order some simple food, and now, I'm feeling a bit better.
- Evening (Planning and pondering): I've decided to stay on the beaten track tomorrow. Maybe. Or maybe not. That feeling of true discovery is quite addictive, even if it comes with a side of stomach distress. But for tonight, I'll watch some terrible TV and plan the next leg of my journey. Thinking of going to the bamboo forest on Thursday. Wish me luck.
Day 4 (and Onward…):
- (To be continued…) The bamboo forest awaits. As does the mystery of my next meal. Hangzhou, you’re a beautiful, messy, unpredictable beast, and I'm absolutely smitten. See you soon! (Probably with a slightly more cautious meal selection.)
Atour Hotel Qianjiang Century City: The Good, the Bad, and the Surprisingly Weird - My Brain Dump
Okay, spill the tea! Is Atour Hotel Qianjiang Century City actually good, or is it all hype?
Alright, buckle up, because this ain't gonna be a simple "yes" or "no." The short answer? It's... complicated. Look, I went in with pretty high expectations. I'd read all the glossy reviews. And for the *price*, I was hoping for, you know, *magic*. Did I get pure, unadulterated bliss? No. Did I want to spontaneously combust with frustration? Also, no. More like... a really, really good, slightly flawed, totally memorable experience. Think of it as a beautifully crafted, but slightly dented, antique vase. Still gorgeous, still valuable, just... not *perfect*.
The decor – what's the vibe? Is it Instagrammable?
Oh, the decor. Where do I even *start*? It's... stylish. Very, very stylish. Like, someone *definitely* consulted an interior designer who knew their stuff. Think minimalist chic meets a touch of zen, all bathed in soft, flattering lighting. Yeah, the lobby practically *begs* you to take a selfie. And I'm telling you, that giant, ornate bookcase? Instant Instagram bait. I may or may not have spent a solid 20 minutes posing in front of it, desperately trying to look effortlessly sophisticated. (Spoiler alert: I failed. Miserably.) BUT, and here's the kicker: It's *almost* too perfect. A little *pasty*. Lacking a certain... *soul*. You know? Like, I wanted a *hint* of "lived-in," a clue that *humans* actually inhabit this space, not just perfectly sculpted mannequins.
Let's talk about the rooms. What were they *really* like? Were the beds as dreamy as everyone says?
Okay, the rooms… now we're gettin' somewhere! The beds. Oh, the beds. THEY WERE GLORIOUS! Seriously, I'm pretty sure I achieved nirvana at least three times during my stay, all thanks to that cloud-like mattress and those ridiculously soft sheets. I legitimately considered staging a break-in just to steal the duvet (kidding… *mostly*). The bathroom? Spotless. The shower? Strong water pressure, which is a HUGE win in my book. The real win? The window, which provided a beautiful view. But there were a couple of little annoyances...The lighting in the room was a bit… *romantic*. Meaning dim. Like, if I had to locate my lost contact lens in there, I'd have to turn on every single light source in the entire room! And don't even get me started on the placement of the power outlets. Finding them was a treasure hunt! But the beds? Worth enduring the slight imperfections for. One hundred billion percent.
The breakfast buffet – worth the extra cost? What did you *really* eat?
The breakfast buffet… ah, the breakfast buffet. Okay, so here’s the deal. It’s… *good*. Not mind-blowingly amazing, but certainly good. They had the usual suspects: eggs cooked every way imaginable, bacon (crispy, praise the heavens!), a plethora of pastries, a noodle station, and, of course, the obligatory congee station. And tons of fruits and juices. I made a beeline for the fresh fruit every morning. They were so good! The star? Definitely the tiny, sweet mandarin oranges. Seriously, I think I ate a kilo of those during my stay. I, however, did not feel the need to have congee, I found it a bit too tasteless. Was it worth the extra money? Hmm… if you’re a big breakfast eater, absolutely. If you're like me and can survive on a single coffee and a pastry, maybe skip it and grab something quick.
Speaking of food, what about the hotel restaurant and any nearby dining options?
The hotel restaurant… I took a look, but honestly, I didn’t eat there. It seemed… a little *formal* for my casual travel style. I heard mixed reviews, but I opted for exploring the area. It’s Qianjiang Century City, so it’s pretty developed. There are TONS of restaurants nearby -everything from fancy-pants Cantonese to hole-in-the-wall noodle shops. There's a huge mall right down the street with every food option imaginable. One night, I discovered this amazing little place that made the best dumplings I’ve ever had in my LIFE. I ate there three nights in a row. Seriously, I’m still dreaming about those dumplings. If you go – and you ABSOLUTELY should – find the dumpling place. You won't regret it. And if you find it, please tell me the name so I can order them from afar.
Okay, let's get to THE MOST IMPORTANT question: The Service. Was it awesome? Awful? Somewhere in between?
Service. Ah, *hiccup*... Service. This is where things get… interesting. Overall? Generally competent. The staff were polite, efficient, and seemed genuinely willing to help. My check-in was smooth. They answered all my questions. They were always smiling. But… and there is ALWAYS a but… it wasn’t what I’d call *memorable* service, if that makes sense. No one bent over backwards or did anything particularly *extraordinary*. BUT, honestly? As someone who dislikes forced friendliness, I appreciated the low-key vibe. I did get the feeling that some of the staff needed a bit of extra training. One of the staff members did not understand simple English - which made communicating a bit difficult. The language barrier was at times noticeable, especially when trying to get recommendations or make special requests. But overall, for me, it wasn't a deal breaker.
Any major flaws or things that REALLY bugged you? Spill the tea!
Okay, here's where I get a little... *grumpy*. There *was* one thing that truly drove me bonkers. I’m easily annoyed, I know. The elevator situation. The elevators were SLOW. Ridiculously slow. And crowded. There were only a couple of elevators serving a huge number of rooms. Waiting for an elevator could easily eat up five minutes. And when you finally got on, you’d often have to stop on every single floor. Seriously, one morning I thought I would never escape! It became a running joke, and I’m pretty sure I even muttered a few choice phrases under my breath about the elevator’s unhurried approach. It was a minor thing, in the grand scheme of things, but it *really* tested my patience! And the lack of English on the TV menu, which was a barrier to entertainment, was a bit annoying.
Would you go back? Is it worth the price?
Would I go back? HmmStay Mapped
