Hangzhou's Hidden Gem: Uncover the Luxury of New Century Grand Hotel
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the New Century Grand Hotel in Hangzhou, a "hidden gem" that's…well, let's just say it's got a few gleaming facets and a couple of dusty corners, just like life itself. And this review? It's gonna be less "polished press release" and more "drunken diary entry" (metaphorically, of course… mostly).
First Impressions - the Accessibility Blues (or, the Elevator Saga)
Okay, straight up, accessibility. Important, right? Well, getting to the New Century Grand is pretty straightforward. Airport transfer? Check. Car park? Yep, and it's free (that’s a win in China, trust me). But here’s where things get…interesting. I'm talking about Elevator. Now, the hotel theoretically caters to disabled guests. Elevator is a must-have. It is there, but navigating the hotel once inside, let’s just say it requires patience and maybe a GPS (especially if you’re heading to the pool – more on that later). Seriously, I’m not sure I've seen anything like it, and I kind of love it!
- Accessibility rating: 7/10 (Room to improve, but they're trying!)
Food Glorious Food (and the Occasional Regret)
Alright, let’s talk food. Because, let's be honest, that's half the reason we travel. The New Century Grand has a buffet restaurant, various a la carte restaurants, a coffee shop, and of course, room service (24 hour!): a lifesaver after a late night of exploring the West Lake.
Breakfast: The "Asian breakfast" is, well, Asian breakfast. Noodles, dim sum, the usual suspects. The "Western breakfast" features a decent spread of eggs, bacon, and pastries, even some "Essential Condiments" - which I loved. The "Breakfast Buffet" is a grand event. The buffet itself is a sight to behold, and the "Coffee/tea in restaurant" and the "Coffee shop" are good to have.
Restaurants: I tried the international cuisine restaurant, and it was pretty impressive. Good variety and the kitchen was clean. "Desserts in restaurant" are good, better than average. "Salad in restaurant" is decent and clean.
"Poolside Bar" is a nice touch, I did not drink a lot, but very helpful touch.
Anecdote: One night, after a particularly ambitious (and delicious) dim sum crawl across the city, I ordered room service. Chicken noodles. They arrived promptly, but let's just say the presentation was less "Michelin star" and more "drained and slightly overcooked". But hey, it was there. And the fact that I ordered it at 2 AM, with my head reeling from the day was an accomplishment itself.
Dining rating: 7.5/10 (Good variety. Room service is a wild card.)
Wellness Wonders (…and the Mysterious Pool with a View)
Now, here's where the New Century Grand really shines. The spa, the fitness center, the sauna, Oh, and the "Pool with view". That pool… I’ll get to it in a second.
Spa Life The spa is fantastic. The "Body scrub" and "Body wrap" options are legit, and the masseuses…wow. The experience was great, and it was something I really needed.
Pool with a View: Okay, the pool. Here's the thing. Yes, it has a "view." But finding it is sort of an adventure. You navigate a labyrinth of hallways, take a service elevator (which, FYI, it's the service elevator, and it is also your elevator, you will have to live with it) and then emerge…somewhere. Okay, I won't spoil the surprise. The "Swimming pool (outdoor)" is a good experience.
- Quirky Observation: The pool! The views! The occasional rogue inflatable duck! It's a delightful mix of luxury and a slightly chaotic charm.
Other fun: Gym/fitness is pretty well equipped. "Sauna," "Spa/sauna" and "Steamroom" are perfect.
Wellness Rating: 8.5/10 (Spa is a winner. Pool…is an experience.)
Cleanliness, Safety, and the (Almost) Ghostly Silence
In post-Covid times, safety is paramount. The New Century Grand takes this seriously. "Anti-viral cleaning products", "Daily disinfection in common areas", "Room sanitization opt-out available", "Rooms sanitized between stays" are great to see. The Staff trained in safety protocol, etc.
Quirky Observation: The hotel is so clean and sterile, it sometimes feels like you could eat off the floor (though I wouldn’t recommend it). It’s nice, but the silence… it's almost spooky at times.
Cleanliness & Safety Rating: 9/10 (Impeccable, maybe a little too meticulous.)
The Room: A Fortress of Comfort (with a Few Quirks)
"Available in all rooms" is a long list, but I will mention a few.
The Good: "Air conditioning," "Blackout curtains," "Free Wi-Fi" (thank god!), "Mini bar," "Private bathroom," and a "Sofa." The bed was heavenly. "Wake-up service." "Soundproofing" and "Non-smoking rooms" are a bonus.
The Not-So-Good: My room had a weird smell at first (maybe a cleaning product?). The "Mirror" could have been bigger. The "Reading light" was a bit dim. Internet access – wireless, "Internet access – LAN" were perfect.
Anecdote: One night I discovered a "Scale" in the bathroom. I decided to ignore it. It proved a wise decision.
Room Rating: 8/10 (Comfortable, mostly, though some minor quirks.)
The Nitty Gritty: Services, Conveniences, and the Fine Print
Lots of useful things here: "Concierge," "Daily housekeeping," "Dry cleaning," "Food delivery," "Laundry service," "Luggage storage" are all present. "Currency exchange."
Convenience wins: "Cashless payment service". "Meeting/banquet facilities" look great, and the "Car park [free of charge]" is a wonderful thing.
For the Kids: While I don’t have kids, the "Babysitting service" and "Family/child friendly" atmosphere are a plus.
Service Rating: 8/10 (Generally excellent, with a few areas for improvement.)
Final Verdict and a Mouthwatering Offer:
Okay, so the New Century Grand Hotel in Hangzhou is no flawless diamond. It's a bit of a quirky, uneven, occasionally frustrating, but ultimately charming experience. It offers luxury at very good prices, and a genuinely relaxing experience, I would definitely stay there again.
Here is my offer!
Escape to Hangzhou's Hidden Gem!
Tired of the same old cookie-cutter hotels? Crave adventure, relaxation, and maybe just a little bit of chaos? Then the New Century Grand Hotel in Hangzhou is calling your name!
Book your stay today and receive:
- Complimentary upgrade to a room with a breathtaking view of the city (subject to availability, embrace the adventure!).
- Free Spa Treatment to melt away your worries (massage, body scrub, or wrap—your choice!).
- Early Bird Discounts for bookings greater than 3 months.
- Complimentary "bottle of water" to enjoy the hotel.
- Complimentary breakfast to enjoy.
- Unforgettable evening experience: a drink in the bar.
- Best Price Guarantee: Book directly with us and receive the best price or your first night is free!
Why choose the New Century Grand?
- Breathtaking Spa Experiences: Relax from the best massage, body wraps, and more.
- Amazing Food Variety: Try the international cuisine and asian breakfast to make your stay memorable
- Luxurious Rooms: Experience ultimate comfort with blackout curtains, free Wi-Fi, and more.
- Convenient Location: Explore Hangzhou's wonder.
- Impeccable Safety: Rigorous cleaning protocols ensure your peace of mind.
Don't miss out! This offer won't last forever. Click on this link [Insert a Link Here] to book your escape to Hangzhou and experience the New Century Grand Hotel.
Spoiler Alert: You will get lost on the way to the pool. Embrace the adventure. After all, that's what makes travel memorable, right? ;)
Jodhpur's Hidden Gem: The Prem Beacon Hotel - Unforgettable Stay!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average, sterile travel itinerary. This is my Hangzhou Hotel Confession – a raw, unfiltered, possibly slightly manic account of what went down at the New Century Grand Hotel Hangzhou Zheshang, China. Consider yourself warned.
**Day 1: Arrival & Jet Lagged Shenanigans (Or, Why I Almost Ate a Soap) **
- Morning (8:00 AM, supposedly): Arrive at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH). The "arrival" part was beautiful. The "finding-my-way-through-the-airport" part was akin to navigating a labyrinth made of giant, smiling dragons. Seriously, the scale! Then, the smell of something vaguely floral and delicious hit me like a brick. I think I was in love before I even saw the hotel.
- Morning (9:30 AM -ish): Taxi to the New Century Grand. Okay, the hotel…wow. It's grand, alright. Think Vegas, but with more… elegance? (Or maybe I was just delirious from the flight.) Check-in was a breeze (thank GOD, I was already melting in the humid air). The lobby? Gleaming. The staff? Impeccably dressed and terrifyingly polite. Seriously, it got me on my best behavior. I swear, I almost bowed to the concierge.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM -ish): Finally, the room! And it's huge. Like, I could host a small rave in here. The view? Breathtaking, overlooking whatever gorgeous thing Hangzhou had on offer. But wait…what is that smell? Air freshener? Someone's perfume? No. It's… soap. A tiny, exquisitely carved bar of soap that looked suspiciously like a gourmet treat. I almost took a bite. Jet lag, folks. It’s a monster.
- Lunch (12:30 PM): I decided to be brave and venture down to the hotel restaurant. Big mistake. The menu was entirely in Mandarin. Thank God for Google Translate. I pointed and prayed. Got something… I think it was chicken. I ate it. Didn't die. Victory! Though, I did spend the next hour convinced I was going to sprout feathers.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM -ish): Attempt #1 at exploring. I stumbled outside and promptly got lost. The streets were bustling, filled with motorbikes, bicycles, and people who seemed to know exactly where they were going. I, on the other hand, was clearly a bewildered foreigner who looked like they were born in a zoo. Found some tea shops though, the aromas filled me and gave me energy. Bought some tea sets that almost cost me my entire budget, but I had zero regrets.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner. Back to the hotel restaurant. This time, I ordered the "something-that-looked-familiar" option. Turns out, it was noodles. But they were GOOD noodles. Like, "slurp-it-loudly-and-don't-care-who's-watching" good.
- Night (8:00 PM – bed, passed out): Fell into bed. A deep, glorious sleep. The jet lag finally won. Woke up at 3 AM, convinced it was lunchtime.
Day 2: West Lake Wonders and Cultural Confusion (Or, Did I Actually See a Dragon?)
- Morning (7:00 AM -ish): Breakfast at the hotel buffet. Okay, the selection. Wow. Pastries, noodles, dumplings I couldn't identify. I sampled everything. I think I officially ate my weight in dumplings.
- Morning (9:00 AM): West Lake! Gorgeous. Truly. I actually teared up, it was so beautiful. Sun reflecting on the water, ancient pagodas scattered around, all the sights. I took a boat ride, even though I'm terrified of water. Worth it. Absolutely.
- Mid-day (12:00 PM): Lunch. This time, I found a little restaurant outside the hotel. Not a single English-speaking person in sight. Used Google Translate again, and pointed at something that looked like meat on a stick. Delicious. And spicy. My mouth was on fire, but in a good way.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Dragon Boat trip. I took a trip further into West Lake. And it was there… I swear I saw a dragon. The sun, the mist, the way the mountains were shaped… I'm not entirely sure if that was a hallucination caused by jet lag or if I actually saw a dragon. Either way, I'm claiming it. It was magical.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Back to the hotel. The spa. Yes! Soothed away all the aches of the day. It was pure bliss.
- Night (8:00 PM): Tried to order room service. Failed. Eventually gave up and raided the mini-bar (I had zero regret).
- Night (9:00 PM -ish): Bed. Fell asleep thinking about dragons and noodles.
Day 3: Tea, Temples, and Departing Disasters (Or, Goodbye, Hangzhou, You Beautiful Beast!)
- Morning (8:00 AM): Another epic hotel buffet breakfast. More dumplings. More everything. Basically, I ate my way through China. No regrets.
- Morning (9:30 AM): Tea plantation visit. Okay, the scent of the tea fields. Heaven! Learned about the tea-making process. Took a million photos. Bought far too much tea (again).
- Mid-day (12:00 PM): Lunch at a local spot. Still no English speakers. Still delicious. Started to get the hang of the chopsticks. Mostly.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Lingyin Temple. Amazing. The sheer scale of the place. The history. The statues. I even managed to bow correctly (I think!). Felt a sense of peace, although I couldn't shake the feeling I was going to be swarmed by monks and pressured into joining their religious sect.
- Evening (5:00 PM): Return to the hotel. This time, I found a restaurant with English menus! Celebrated with a glass of wine.
- Night (7:00 PM): The great packing scramble. I swear, I had a suitcase that was somehow heavier than when I arrived. Filled with tea, an assortment of mysterious sauces, and a vague sense of melancholy.
- Night (8:00 PM): Check-out. The staff was as impeccably polite as ever. I felt a pang of sadness at leaving.
- Departure (9:00 PM): Taxi to the airport. The flight home. And as I was looking out the window thinking of all the memorable experiences in Hangzhou, it hit me. I had forgotten the soap!
Final Thoughts:
The New Century Grand Hotel Hangzhou Zheshang? It was a fascinating, even slightly chaotic experience. It was luxurious, comfortable, confusing, and, at times, utterly overwhelming. Did I love it? Yes, warts and all. Did I learn to appreciate the beauty of Hangzhou and the kindness of its people? Absolutely. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Just need to remember to pack my own soap next time. And maybe learn some basic Mandarin.
And that's my story. Now, please, go explore. But pack your own soap. Seriously. You've been warned.
**Escape to Mewar: India's Most Luxurious Hidden Gem (Guest House)**
Hangzhou's Hidden Jewel: New Century Grand Hotel - The Truth (and I Mean *The Truth*)
Okay, Seriously, is this hotel *really* luxurious? Like, for real? I've seen the pictures...
Alright, let's get one thing straight: the pictures are *good*… but they don't quite capture the… the vibe. It's luxurious, yes. Marble, chandeliers, the whole shebang. But it's a luxuriousness that feels… lived in, you know? Like a very wealthy, slightly eccentric aunt’s house. There’s a certain… patina. That's not a bad thing! It's a good thing, because it says "not stuffy." But yes, it’s luxurious. Imagine a king, but a king who appreciates a good bathrobe and isn't afraid to stain it with a bit of coffee. You get the picture.
The location. Is it actually "hidden"? Or are they just trying to be cool?
Okay, this is the tricky part. "Hidden" is a relative term. It's not *on* the West Lake directly. It's a bit further out, tucked away in a quieter area. So, yes, it's *technically* not in the middle of the crazy tourist throngs. But don't expect to step out and bump into a secret portal to Narnia. It's a walk, or a taxi, or a Didi (the local ride-hailing app) to the main attractions. Which, honestly, is a huge plus in my book. Hangzhou gets *packed*. Being "hidden" gives you a lovely retreat at the end of a day spent shoulder-to-shoulder with a thousand other tourists.
The food. Tell me about the food. Specifically, the breakfast buffet. Because… buffets.
Alright, the breakfast buffet. This is where things get *interesting*. It's HUGE. Like, actually overwhelming. You’ve got everything: Western stuff, Chinese stuff, pastries that look like they're made of rainbows (okay, maybe not rainbows, but they're *good*). My first morning, I basically wandered around in a daze, completely paralyzed by choice. I’m pretty sure I ate six different kinds of noodles. And then, the *dim sum*! Oh. My. God. Steaming baskets of deliciousness. The congee was amazing. I actually lost my sense of decorum and ate like I hadn't seen food in a week… and then needed a nap. So, the food? Seriously good. Be prepared to loosen your belt. Or, you know, just skip breakfast the next day. Or, you know, be like me, and go back for more. I'am a creature of habit, you know.
Okay, the rooms. Describe the rooms. Specifically the bathroom...the marble one.
The rooms… oh, the rooms. They are… regal. They don’t do things by half, do they? Big, spacious, and the beds? Seriously comfortable. Like, seriously, *seriously* comfortable. I’m talking, you could probably spend a week in that bed and emerge only to eat and… well, maybe to the bathroom. And the bathrooms? The marble! The giant soaking tub! The plush robes! I spent a ridiculous amount of time in that tub. It's the kind of bathroom that makes you feel like you should be drinking champagne, even if it's just tap water out of a plastic cup. My only quibble (and this is a small one) is that the lighting is perhaps… a *touch* dim. Perfect for a relaxing soak, maybe not so great for applying complicated makeup. But who am I to complain? I was in a marble palace, damnit!
The Staff. Are they…helpful? Or do they just stare at you?
The staff… they are, hands down, *fantastic*. Seriously. Beyond helpful. They are the epitome of Chinese hospitality. From the moment you arrive, they're all smiles and ready to help. Now, my Mandarin is… let's call it "emerging." But they were patient, helpful, and went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable. One time, I got a bit lost trying to order a taxi (my fault, not theirs)... and the concierge basically walked me through the whole process, step-by-step, even though it was probably the most obvious thing in the world to him. And the service… well, think of it as a constant stream of polite efficiency. You get used to it fast. It’s the kind of place where they remember your name within a day or two. It's almost intimidating, but in a good way. They're *good*.
Is there a spa? And is it worth it? Serious question.
Yes, there's a spa. *Absolutely* yes. And, yes, it's *worth it*. Look, after a day of battling the crowds and the traffic (even if it's just in your head), you *need* this spa. The atmosphere is tranquil. The treatments… *heavenly*. I had a traditional Chinese massage, and I swear, I floated out of there. My shoulders, which are perpetually tense from… well, everything... melted. The therapist was incredibly skilled! And afterwards, they brought you tea and little fruit snacks. It was wonderful. Honestly? Treat yourself. Just do it. It is the best thing you will do after a day of chaos, and it's the best thing to do *before* the chaos. It's the perfect reset button. I could go on and on. I’m almost emotional thinking about it.
Any tips for making the most of your stay? Hidden gems within the hotel, maybe?
Okay, insider tips! First, find the little tea room. They have a *fantastic* selection of teas, and the atmosphere is so peaceful. Second, explore the grounds. They're beautiful, and there are little hidden nooks and crannies where you can escape the… the buzz. Third, order room service *at least* once. Just for the experience. And finally, don't be afraid to ask the staff for recommendations. They know the city inside and out! They can point you towards the best local restaurants, the most interesting cultural sites… anything. Just… embrace the experience. That's basically the most important tip of all. Oh, and be sure to pack an adapter. You never know.
The little things. Anything memorable, in a good or bad way?
