InterContinental Hangzhou ICC by IHG

Every single detail about my stay was perfection. The location, the service, the views, the entertainment, the access to Qiantang River. I have recommended to all my friends and family to go check it out someday. A wonderful hotel in Hangzhou. I loved how social and friendly all the young adults were... you can see the level of service here is much higher than your average hotels.

I recently stayed at the InterContinental Hangzhou, and while the experience wasn’t entirely bad, it fell short of my expectations, especially considering the price. Let’s start with the positives: the hotel’s architecture is stunning—an iconic building that is truly a feast for the eyes from the outside. The service was also impeccable, with the staff being attentive and professional throughout my stay. The breakfast buffet was another highlight, offering a good variety of fresh and tasty options to start the day right. However, the downsides were hard to ignore. The room itself was disappointing—dated and in need of refurbishment. For a hotel of this caliber, I expected much more in terms of comfort and design. The interior didn’t match the grandeur of the exterior, and it just didn’t feel like good value for money. Another letdown was the hotel’s restaurant. The food was average at best, which was surprising for a property like this. It wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t memorable either. Overall, while the InterContinental Hangzhou has its strong points, the outdated rooms and underwhelming dining experience make it difficult for me to give more than 3.5 stars.

The hotel is located near the metro, not far from the outlet. However, the restaurants are quite far away, though you can easily see the illuminated buildings by the river. The building is a golden sphere, and the rooms are between the 5th and 18th floors inside the "ball." The space is hard to heat, so the common areas (like the breakfast area) are chilly. Since it’s Chinese New Year, many restaurants in the hotel are closed (for a 5-star hotel? Hmm…). Thankfully, the small one is open, though it’s nothing special. The pool is warm, but it’s indoor and cold—the kids’ lips turned purple from the cold! No bath in the changing rooms, just a sauna and a few showers, but no shaving supplies. In the rooms, the mattresses are hard with thin mattress toppers. The German restaurant is closed, and the pasta factory won’t open until February 1st. Even then, the menu is limited due to the Spring Festival. Overall, the InterContinental? I’ve experienced better in this chain.