Zhejiang South Lake 1921 Club

I stayed there for three nights. The hotel is constituted by a series of pavilions connected to a central lobby of grand allure. The rooms are very simple looking, but comfortable. But this simplicity is clearly a designed feature wanted by the architect. There is a feeling of Budhist temple in this hotel. The surroundings are beautiful (even in winter!), and it is a perfect location if you like to jog or walk before a day of work. I had food (banquet) in the nearby restaurant (I suppose it is the restaurant hotel). It was truly delicous. The staff was very nice too.

We stayed a night after Hangzhou as we wanted to see how different was the South Lake, and look at the old houses and streets. We had a very big room designed tastefully in wood- traditional design. The balcony opened to a view of the South Lake. Personal items were presented nicely in a cloth bag, japanese style. Location was great- literally next to South lake, so we could take an early morning walk around the whole lake and enjoy the birds and peace (about 1 hour very brisk walking will cover the whole lake). Not accessible except by cab and the hotel will readily call one for you to the entrance, so no issue. Front desk service was brisk and though not 5*, was not bad either. A good place to stay for a stopover, especially for the lovely South Lake.

Stayed there for 1 night in Dec. Grand lobby awaited. Big Room with high ceiling. Toilet was big too and instead of using a glass wall to separate from the main room, it has a folding wooden window which was pretty unique. Plenty of TV channels but no foreign language ones. My room faced a part of the South Lake which was pretty especially in the morning. The Concierge was nice to help us get a cab after we checked out. In-room wifi was good. Not so nice was the experience with one of their staff during check-in - wasn't smiling when we approach her and after showing her the documents for check-in, she told us that we have to go to the staff at a few counters away : (. The other not-so-good thing was that you need to read carefully how to operate the TV and paid TV console before you can watch the programmes, Just remember, you need to operate the paid TV console by pressing its buttons before you can select the TV channel(s) from the remote control - Read the instructions in the room :). Also, while it's ez to get to the hotel from the airport and vice-versa, and from the hotel to town where taxi can be pre-arranged, it's the exact opposite if you are trying to get back to the hotel from elsewhere where you have to struggle (real hard!!!) to hail a cab back to the hotel!!!! You literally have to fight with the many other locals trying to get a cab. The cab drivers were picky on the locations they want to go to. So, avoid the peak hours and you may have better luck to catching a cab back to the hotel. If you are not too far away, you may try walking back which can be tricky. The other setback is regarding the toilet - looked clean but at the toilet bowl area, smelled of dried up saliva from the previous occupier. I hope it's just me who is sensitive?! However, the saving grace was the peaceful 1H walk around the South Lake in the morning which was not crowded (try doing the same in the West Lake at Hangzhou and you will know what I mean). Unlikely to go back again till the entire area is more developed or at least till Metro train services are available in Jiaxing.