Before coming to Hangzhou, I always thought that hotels by West Lake were either crowded with people or out of reach of the lake across the road. It wasn't until I checked into Grand Hotel Hangzhou that I discovered this century old hotel hidden in the bustling city, delivering the softest side of West Lake directly to the guests' windowsills.
800 meters from Ding'an Road Station of Metro Line 1, turn a few wutong trees to the gate of the hotel. There is no eye-catching sign. Passing through the courtyard full of cinnamomum camphora, the front is a whole lawn facing the lake. The concierge took the suitcase from my hand and reminded me with a smile, 'It's cool by the lake in the evening, remember to bring a coat more', without any sense of haste like a scenic hotel. When checking in, the front desk specially arranged a third floor room facing the lake for me, saying that this height was just enough to cross the treetops and see the morning mist of West Lake.
The moment I opened the door, I was stunned. The whole french window was facing the West Lake. The willows on the Su Causeway hung down on the lake. The Baochu Tower in the distance was pointed in the clouds, and even the rowing boats on the lake could be clearly seen. The room is decorated in a warm and soft new Chinese style, with old Hangzhou brocade cushions resting on the sofa armrests. A cup of Longjing tea has been pre warmed in the tea tray next to the desk, and the tea fragrance is wrapped in the lotus leaf fragrance that wafts in from outside the window. The restlessness that has just slipped in from the bustling city dissipates in an instant. The most surprising thing was the balcony. I moved a small stool and sat on it. The wind blew from the lake, and even my hair was damp. I didn't have to squeeze into the crowd by West Lake to find a seat.
The next day, I deliberately set an alarm for six o'clock. The moment I pushed open the balcony door, I was stunned - the morning mist lay like a thin veil on the lake, the distant mountains and trees were soaked in milky white mist, only the willow trees by the lake had tender green tips, even the usually noisy West Lake was quiet, only the faint sound of water birds crossing the water surface. I held the hot soybean milk prepared in advance by the hotel and stood on the balcony for half an hour. The sense of relaxation that was enveloped by the morning fog of the West Lake was never obtainable when squeezed on the Su Causeway.
The hotel's courtyard is directly connected to the shore of West Lake, and you can walk directly to the lake without crossing the road. In the evening, walking along the lake for ten minutes, you can touch the stone road of Liulang Wenying without even buying tickets. In the evening, we ate Hangbang food in the lakeside restaurant of the hotel. The West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce was just delicious, and the tea in Longjing Shrimp Renli was newly picked that day. Looking up, we could see the night boat dragging a light belt across the lake, which was much more comfortable than queuing in the online red restaurant outside.
Before coming to Hangzhou, I always wanted to catch up with the scenic spots, checking in Su Causeway and Bai Causeway one by one. After staying at Grand Hotel Hangzhou this time, I realized that the most touching thing about West Lake is never a crowded attraction, but the relaxed daily life where you can catch the morning mist by opening the window and touch the lake water just a few steps away without rushing. This century old hotel is hidden in the cracks of the bustling city, delivering the gentlest side of West Lake to every guest in its entirety. Next time I come to Hangzhou, I will definitely stay here again.Show more