Hotele z: Pools w Sichuan, China

Traveling to Chengdu with my kids during the summer, and this hotel's butler service was a lifesaver! The biggest worries when bringing energetic kids to Chengdu in the summer are the heat, long queues, and meltdowns. This time, I chose the City Hotel next to Tianfu Square, and the location is truly unbeatable. The subway entrance is right outside, and it's just a short ride to Kuanzhai Alley and Jinli, so there was no need to expose the kids to the blazing sun and hassle. But what I want to praise most is their butler service! I added them on WeChat in advance, and they sent a detailed 'Summer Family Travel Guide,' clearly marking where to see pandas and which hot pot restaurants offer kids' meals. After checking in, my child felt a bit unwell from heatstroke, and the butler immediately brought Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid (a traditional Chinese medicine for heatstroke) and cooling patches. They even helped us adjust our itinerary and recommended an air-conditioned route to cool off at the Chengdu Museum. The kids had a blast, and the adults weren't exhausted – this is how summer vacations should be!

We stayed in Meishan for a week for a sporting event. The hotel has clearly seen better days—especially compared to many newer properties in the area (aging lifts, worn carpets, etc.). We chose it mainly for three reasons: breakfast, gym/pool, and laundry facilities. 1. Breakfast The daily buffet was solid and met expectations. It featured a typical Chinese spread: hot stir-fried dishes, vegetables, meats, buns, dumplings, fried rice/noodles, porridge, plus a live station for dan dan noodles, eggs, and simple meats like sausage or ham. There was also a rotating Chinese dessert (e.g., red date with longan, green bean soup), along with some Western options like salad greens, yogurt, bread, cake, and fresh fruit. Since we stayed a full week, we appreciated the small variations. That said, we were surprised by the limited fruit selection—mainly oranges and watermelon—especially given the abundance of fresh fruit available locally. Breakfast vouchers are issued daily and must be presented before dining. 2. Gym & Pool This was the biggest disappointment. Both the gym and pool were completely closed, and the entire floor was gutted with no visible renovation activity. It looks like these facilities have been—and will be—out of service for quite some time. This was a major letdown, as it was one of the main reasons we chose this hotel. 3. Laundry There is only one washer and one dryer for the entire building. We were concerned about availability, but only had to wait once. The 15-minute wash cycle helps with turnover. However, the dryer takes a long time and unfortunately shrunk all my cotton clothing. I’d recommend partially drying cotton items and then air-drying them in your room. Package Perks We booked through Trip.com, which included a small daily package: a plate with two oranges and some snacks, complimentary coffee or tea in the lobby, and a free transfer to the high-speed rail station (must be booked at the front desk one day in advance). There were also canned sodas included, which we didn’t use. Room & Noise We were initially assigned a room facing the plaza, which was very noisy. After requesting a change, we were first told the hotel was sold out—but after some persistence, a park-facing room was “found.” This room was significantly better: quiet, bright, and pleasant, with birdsong in the morning. We were told these were actually an upgrade, and that road-facing rooms are even worse due to constant traffic noise. 4. Smart Room Features (“Xiao Du”) We did enjoy the smart room system—“Xiao Du,” which works similarly to Alexa. It can control the curtains, TV, room temperature, and lighting, which is a nice modern touch. However, it was also a bit frustrating at times—for example, it would automatically turn off the lights in the bathroom sink area. The lighting there is already quite dim and not ideal for doing makeup. It would be helpful if the hotel could improve lighting around the mirror (brighter bulbs would make a big difference), or even better, install a mirror by the writing desk near the window where there is natural light. Smoking Smoking is allowed in the hotel, and we did notice it in the lobby, elevators, and corridors. Thankfully, our room itself was fine. Housekeeping turns off the AC and opens windows when cleaning, which seems to help ventilate lingering smoke. Location & Surroundings The hotel is in a convenient area. A nearby park is lovely, with traditional structures and inscriptions related to the Su family. Within a short walk is a lively commercial plaza with restaurants, bubble tea shops, salons (I tried a newly opened nail salon), and more. Getting around via Didi is easy. Overall For the price, the hotel offers decent value. However, the closed fitness facilities were a major downside. If we return, we’d likely try a newer hotel—but this one works if you prioritize cost and location over amenities.

Excellent facility and service. The hotel is located in a good position for the exploring by walk the most active zone of city center. The room was very wide, with good furniture and all the amenities you could think about. The staff was kind and helped in arranging a delivery of medicines for my wife.

The coziest of hotels located very well within Chengdu. We had the pleasure of receiving the most wonderful service, as well as tips and recommendations from Arnold and the rest of the lovely staff at Grey Parrot. Without all of this, our trip to Chengdu would not have been nearly as nice. Thank you so much!🤠 The café/bar adjacent to the hotel serves great coffee, drinks and cake! And we also got the loveliest little farewell gifts. If you are ever in Chengdu, you should really consider staying at Grey Parrot.🐼

This onsen hotel was absolutely wonderful. Perched on the hillside, it boasts huge floor-to-ceiling windows that perfectly frame the mountain views, and the room temperature was just right. The private hot spring bath was spacious with a rich mineral scent, and all the facilities felt brand new. Coming here to unwind on a weekend was pure bliss. The staff were all lovely too – always smiling, friendly, and quick to greet you. The afternoon tea and goodnight drinks were a nice touch. It's off-season now, so it's quiet and peaceful, perfect for relaxation. They even gave us a thoughtful parting gift, which was a nice touch.

The B&B boasts an excellent location right within the Changping Valley scenic area. The rooms and the restaurant directly face all four peaks of Siguniang Mountain, with the 'Little Sister Peak' (Yaomei Peak) being particularly prominent. We were incredibly lucky to witness snow-capped mountains, a starry sky, and even a glimpse of the 'Golden Mountain Bathed in Sunlight' (Rizhao Jinshan). The B&B rooms are well-equipped, featuring underfloor heating, oxygen generators, and humidifiers. The underfloor heating was constantly on, ensuring the room was warm the moment we stepped in. The decor was cozy, and each room had a private courtyard, perfect for relaxing and unwinding. Although I didn't dare use the bathtub at this altitude, it seemed to be of high quality and very clean. A comprehensive set of good quality disposable toiletries was provided, along with complimentary snacks, beverages, and fruits. The B&B offers three meals a day. Breakfast was rich and varied; both the rice noodles and regular noodles were delicious. The Sichuan fermented tofu with plain congee was particularly excellent. On our second day, when we visited Haizigou where there are no dining options, they even packed us a simple lunch for free. The freshly ground coffee at breakfast was also a nice touch. The ******* hot pot for dinner was quite good and warmed us up. They also offered simple Chinese dishes and pizza. What truly stood out was the service – incredibly thoughtful and responsive. All our requests were met. They provided car pick-up and drop-off to designated locations, saving us the worry of driving on mountain roads ourselves, which was a huge plus for female drivers. They actively helped with luggage, bringing it directly to our room. On the day we checked in, we had first traveled from Jiaju to Shuangqiao Valley, arriving at the B&B quite late. We had pre-ordered dinner, and upon arrival, feeling ravenous, the kind lady at the front desk thoughtfully suggested we eat first and even offered us glucose water to prevent altitude sickness. They were always ready to answer any questions about sightseeing and transportation, offering helpful tips. Upon departure, they gave us small gifts and proactively asked for suggestions for improvement, humbly accepting feedback on the tastes of friends from different regions. Overall, the experience was fantastic.

Everything was amazing from start to end. Our host picked us up from the train station and took us directly to the accomodation. He waited while we got changed to quickly shuttle us to the pickup area for the bus to the Golden Summit. At the end of the day, he was waiting for us to shuttle us back to the hotel. The hotel’s location is spectacular and our room was beautiful with an amazing view of the mountains. We ate dinner at the hotel and the food was delicious. Breakfast, likewise, was really tasty. The staff really made us feel comfortable and were available to answer questions and provide suggestions at any time. Felt like a very luxurious stay.

Having visited Western Sichuan many times, Bipenggou always manages to surprise me, and this hotel was the biggest delightful surprise of this trip! The hotel facilities are comprehensive and well-equipped, and the service is attentive and thoughtful. Every staff member at the front desk was warm, polite, and provided meticulous and considerate service, making me truly feel at home. What really impressed me was the hotel's super large backyard leisure area. The suspended glass bridge is built along the mountains and rivers, offering continuous mountain and river views as far as the eye can see. Being there, you feel completely immersed in the natural scenery; the ambiance is absolutely perfect. The cleanliness is also impeccable. The rooms are spotless, and items like bath towels are all disposable, ensuring a comfortable and worry-free stay. This is truly a hidden gem of a hotel in Bipenggou, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone visiting Western Sichuan!

The hotel's location is excellent, just one subway stop from Chunxi Road, and only a few hundred meters walk to the subway station, making it super convenient for getting around. The elevators are separated into low-zone and high-zone, with the check-in lobby located on the 33rd floor, which acts as a transfer floor between the low and high zones – a very sensible and secure design. The views from the high floors are fantastic, offering a great panorama of the surrounding cityscape. They even gave us a cute panda souvenir, and the housekeeper had already turned on the AC in our room before we arrived, so it was nice and cool when we checked in. The service was incredibly thoughtful.

I came to Chengdu with my classmate this time. Since we're not yet adults, I was a bit worried about checking in, but it turns out I was completely overthinking it. The front desk staff were incredibly kind and patient. Instead of being dismissive because of our age, they were very considerate of our feelings throughout, and it felt really good to be treated with such respect. The city view from the room was absolutely stunning, with a super wide vista. Looking out the window at night, the city's splendor was laid out before us. Every picture we took was like a professional shot, and we spent ages taking photos by the window. Of course, as a well-established five-star hotel that's been open for some years, some of the facilities do feel a little dated compared to those trendy new hotels that just opened. However, this didn't affect the overall stay at all. The bedding was very comfortable, and the hygiene was excellent. The minor flaws don't detract from the overall quality. Overall, it was a fantastic experience. I truly felt the expected standards and warmth of the Ritz-Carlton. Thank you to all the Ritz-Carlton staff! (｡･ω･｡)つ🌷