Hotels in Hangzhou
Hangzhou is built around West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site ringed by causeways, temples and the hills where Longjing tea is grown. Alongside that, Qianjiang New City and the Alibaba campus in Yuhang give the city a fast-moving business side, and Shanghai is roughly 45 minutes away by high-speed rail.
West Lake sits at the center of Hangzhou both geographically and culturally: a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011, ringed by the Su and Bai causeways, temples and gardens, with the wooded hills of Lingyin Temple rising to the west and the Longjing tea villages just beyond them. That heritage now shares the city with Qianjiang New City, a business district built along the Qiantang River with its own skyline and opera house, and with the Yuhang campus of Alibaba, the company that turned Hangzhou into one of China's main e-commerce hubs. Most trips split between the two: slower days around the lake, temples and tea hills, and shorter stops built around meetings near the river. Shanghai is about 45 minutes away by high-speed rail from Hangzhou East, which makes the city a common add-on rather than a stand-alone trip for many visitors.
Hangzhou in numbers
Indoor poolGrand Hyatt Hangzhou
Lakefront luxury with an indoor pool and hot tub
Indoor poolHangzhou Tianyuan Tower Hotel
Indoor pool, revolving restaurant, and a full-service spa
Indoor poolHangzhou Marriott Hotel Qianjiang
Indoor pool and hot tub for year-round comfort
Indoor poolInterContinental Hangzhou
High-end hotel with an indoor pool and river views
Indoor poolWyndham Grand Plaza Royale Hangzhou
Refined hotel with an indoor pool, spa, and multiple dining options
Indoor poolShangri-La Hotel Hangzhou
Indoor pool and lake views at a high-end Hangzhou retreat
Indoor poolDoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Hangzhou East
Indoor pool and hot tub within a full-service spa
Indoor poolRadisson Blu Hangzhou Xintiandi
Five-star hotel with a spacious indoor pool and full-service spa
Indoor poolSofitel Hangzhou Westlake
Indoor pool and hot tub in an upscale Hangzhou hotel
Indoor poolGoethe Hotel Hangzhou, member of WorldHotels Distinctive
Polished indoor pool and upscale spa in a five-star setting
Outdoor poolHangzhou Grand Metropark Hotel
Outdoor pool and hot tub with West Lake views
What to expect
- West Lake: the UNESCO World Heritage lake at the center of the city, with the Su and Bai causeways, temples and gardens ringing the shore.
- Longjing tea hills: the villages southwest of the lake where Dragon Well green tea is grown, with roadside houses offering tastings.
- Lingyin Temple: a major Buddhist temple in wooded hills west of the lake, its approach lined with carved rock grottoes.
- Qianjiang New City: the modern business district along the Qiantang River, with the Hangzhou Grand Theatre and the offices drawn to the city's tech economy.
- Alibaba's Yuhang campus: the headquarters area of the company that built Hangzhou's reputation as an e-commerce center, a short trip from the lake.
Local tips
- Rent a bicycle or ride one of the electric carts around West Lake instead of trying to walk the full shoreline loop, which runs several kilometers.
- Time a visit for spring, when cherry blossoms line parts of the lake, or autumn, when osmanthus flowers scent the shore near dusk.
- Book a tea tasting in the Longjing hills southwest of the lake to see where the city's Dragon Well tea is actually picked.
- Take the high-speed rail into Hangzhou East station if arriving from Shanghai; it is faster and less stressful than the drive into the city center.
- Pack for humidity in July and August, when an indoor pool at the hotel becomes a genuine advantage rather than a nice extra.
Where to stay
FAQ
What are the best areas to stay in Hangzhou?
Staying near West Lake puts the causeways, temples and tea houses within walking distance, which suits most first-time visitors. Qianjiang New City suits business travelers with meetings along the Qiantang River, and both areas have hotels built with indoor pools for the humid summer months.
What kind of hotels does Hangzhou have?
International five-star chains cluster around West Lake and Qianjiang New City, many with indoor pools and spas, alongside smaller boutique hotels closer to the older streets. Business-oriented properties tend to sit nearer the CBD, while lakeside hotels lean toward leisure travelers.
When is the best time to visit Hangzhou?
Spring, for cherry blossoms around the lake, and autumn, when osmanthus flowers scent the shoreline, are usually the most comfortable seasons for walking. Summers turn hot and humid, which is when an indoor hotel pool stops being a bonus and becomes a practical way to cool off.
How do you get around Hangzhou?
The metro and bus network cover the city well, and ride-hailing apps are widely used for longer trips. Around West Lake itself, a bicycle or one of the electric carts that circle the shore is usually quicker than a taxi stuck in lakeside traffic.