The Langham, Hefei
Five-star indoor pool minutes from Tian'e Lake
About this hotel
The Langham distinguishes itself from the other four-star and mid-range options on this list mainly through location: seven minutes by taxi puts guests at the wetland scenery of Tian'e Lake, a genuinely different pace from the tech-park corridor most Hefei business hotels serve. The indoor pool and fitness center sit at the center of the property's routine, useful given how little else invites a slow morning in this part of the city. Evenings run through the in-house restaurant and bar rather than out into the neighborhood, since the area around the hotel is more residential than commercial. An airport shuttle covers the forty-four-minute run to Hefei Xinqiao International Airport, a distance shared by nearly every hotel on this list regardless of star rating. The nightly rate sits well above the other four properties, reflecting the five-star service rather than a larger or more elaborate pool.
- Indoor pool
- Fitness center
- Seven minutes from Tian'e Lake
- In-house restaurant and bar
Our take
This suits travelers who want the strongest brand and service level on this list and can justify the higher rate, especially anyone planning to combine a stay with time at Tian'e Lake rather than a straight business trip. It suits budget-conscious visitors far less well, since four other hotels on this list offer an indoor pool at a fraction of the price. The location trades city-center convenience for lake-district quiet, a plus for some and an inconvenience for anyone without a car.
- ✓Reserve well ahead if visiting during a trade fair, this is the property Hefei's business travelers book first when budget allows.
- ✓Walk to Tian'e Lake instead of taking a taxi for the seven-minute trip, the route is flat and easy on foot.
- ✓Confirm your room category before booking, entry-level rooms here cost close to what a five-star room costs elsewhere in the city.
Why we love it
- Seven minutes by taxi from Tian'e Lake's wetland scenery
- Genuine five-star service level in a modest-sized city
- Indoor pool paired with a proper fitness center
- Quieter, more residential setting away from the tech corridor
Why guests love itGuests who choose The Langham over the cheaper options nearby usually do it for the service level, and that shows most clearly at breakfast and in how quickly requests get handled at the front desk. The indoor pool sees less traffic than a resort pool would, since most guests here are business travelers rather than families on holiday. The short taxi ride to Tian'e Lake ends up being the highlight for anyone with a free afternoon, more so than the pool itself, which is solid but unremarkable in size.