Hotels in Hefei
Hefei is the capital of Anhui province in eastern China, a science and manufacturing hub built along the northern shore of Chaohu Lake. High-speed rail links it to Shanghai and Nanjing in under two hours, and hotel choices range from international five-star towers to practical business stays near the airport.
Hotels in Hefei serve a city that runs on two rhythms: a fast-growing science and manufacturing base that keeps business travelers moving through on weekday trips, and a slower weekend pace around Chaohu Lake and the old town's temples and museums. Staying near Hefei South Railway Station suits anyone connecting onward to Shanghai, Nanjing or Wuhan within a few hours, while the Baohe and Shushan districts put visitors closer to the technology parks and Anhui Museum. Summers here are hot and humid, winters cool and often grey, so an indoor pool or covered gym earns its keep for most of the year. Families gravitate toward the international chains near the lake district, while solo business travelers tend to book close to the rail station or the airport corridor.
Hefei in numbers
Indoor poolThe Langham, Hefei
Five-star indoor pool minutes from Tian'e Lake
Indoor poolEmpark Grand Hotel Anhui
Upscale rooms, three restaurants and a nightclub pool
Indoor poolHoward Johnson TCP Hefei
Five-star informal stay built around an indoor pool and sauna
Indoor poolFour Points by Sheraton Hefei, Baohe
Four-star business stay inside the Baohe tech district
Indoor poolHoliday Inn Hefei
Family-friendly indoor pool near the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao
What to expect
- Baohe and Shushan business districts near the tech parks
- Chaohu Lake and Tian'e Lake wetland parks for a slower pace
- Hefei South Railway Station for high-speed connections to Shanghai and Nanjing
- Anhui Museum and the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao downtown
- Hot, humid summers make an indoor pool a genuine amenity
- Most hotels sit a 40- to 50-minute taxi ride from the airport
Local tips
- Book near Hefei South Railway Station if you are connecting onward to Shanghai or Nanjing by high-speed rail.
- Pack for humidity from May to September and check whether your hotel's pool is heated or indoor for year-round use.
- Choose the Baohe or Shushan districts if your trip is business-focused and centered on the tech parks.
- Allow close to an hour for the taxi ride to Hefei Xinqiao International Airport from most central hotels.
- Visit the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao and Baohe Park together, they sit inside the same historic complex downtown.
- Head to Tian'e Lake in the Binhu New Area for a quieter, greener side of the city away from downtown traffic.
Where to stay
FAQ
What neighborhoods are best for staying in Hefei?
Baohe and Shushan districts suit business travelers close to the technology parks and Hefei South Railway Station, while the Binhu New Area near Tian'e Lake offers a quieter, greener base with more space between buildings, better suited to longer stays or families wanting fewer crowds nearby.
What kind of hotels does Hefei have?
The city runs from international five-star towers with restaurants and indoor pools to practical business hotels built around the rail station and airport corridor, with mid-range chain hotels covering most of the space between the two, so travelers can match price to how central they need to be.
When is the best time to visit Hefei?
Spring and autumn bring the most comfortable weather, avoiding the humid heat that settles over the city from May to September and the damp cold of January and February, both of which make an indoor pool or heated pool a genuine draw rather than an afterthought.
How do you get from Hefei Xinqiao International Airport to downtown hotels?
Most central hotels sit a 40- to 50-minute taxi ride from the airport, and the alternative is the airport shuttle that several international chains run directly from the terminal, cutting out the wait for a taxi rank during peak arrival times.
What can you do near Hefei's hotels besides sightseeing?
Business travelers use the Baohe and Shushan tech parks as a base for meetings, while leisure visitors add the Anhui Museum, the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao and a walk around Tian'e Lake to a stay that otherwise centers on the hotel's own pool and restaurants.
Is Hefei worth visiting outside of business travel?
It works best as a stop between the bigger draws of Shanghai, Nanjing or Huangshan, thanks to the high-speed rail link, rather than a standalone week-long destination, but the lake district and museum quarter fill a comfortable day or two for anyone breaking up a longer China itinerary.