Hangzhou's HIDDEN Gem: Ji Hotel & THAT Xihu Fountain Show!
Hangzhou's HIDDEN Gem: Ji Hotel & THAT Xihu Fountain Show! (A Review - Messy, Honest, and Totally Worth the Hype!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Hangzhou and I'm still buzzing. Forget the meticulously curated Instagram feeds – this is the raw, unfiltered truth about my experience at the Ji Hotel and, crucially, the mind-blowing Xihu Fountain Show. Think authentic, think messy, think maybe a little too much caffeine while writing this.
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- Meta Description: My unfiltered review of the Ji Hotel in Hangzhou: Accessibility, stunning fountain show, food, amenities, and the real, sometimes messy, experience! Discover why this gem and the West Lake fountain show are not to be missed.
Alright, let's dive in. First off… ACCESS! (And yes, I'm shouting. I'm excited.)
Accessibility: Smooth as Silk (Mostly)
Okay, so I travel with my elderly Aunt Millie who uses a wheelchair, so accessibility is HUGE for me. The Ji Hotel was surprisingly good. Elevators were plentiful, a lifesaver! The lobby, front desk, and public areas were spacious and easy to navigate. And this is where it gets real: the website said they had accessible rooms. I confirmed. I re-confirmed. And, you know what? The room we got was… sort of. It had wider doorways, and the bathroom was… mostly okay. The grab bars weren’t exactly where Aunt Millie needed them, but we made it work. So yeah, room for improvement in the truly accessible room department, but overall, they get a thumbs up for effort. And a HUGE thumbs up for the ramp leading to the hotel’s front door which was a life-saver!
Things to do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams & Poolside Vibes
This is where the Ji Hotel really shines. They've got a fantastic spa! I got a massage that was pure bliss – seriously, my shoulders haven't felt this relaxed in years! They offer body scrubs and body wraps too, but honestly, I was so happy with the massage, I didn’t venture further. There’s a sauna and steamroom available too, but I sadly didn’t have time.
And the pool! Oh, the pool! An outdoor swimming pool with a view? Yes, please. It truly was wonderful! Plus, they have a fitness center/gym, so you can work off all the delicious food (more on that later). Sadly, I only peeked in… priorities, people!
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe Enough to Breathe
I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so safety protocols are high on the list. The Ji Hotel went above and beyond. Anti-viral cleaning products were definitely in use. They boasted daily disinfection in common areas. They had hand sanitizer everywhere. They had a Doctor/nurse on call. Even though I didn’t get to see them, I felt safe and that’s worth a lot, in my books. And, most importantly, my room was sanitized between stays… that’s right, I opted-out of room cleaning during my stay – just got fresh towels.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My Stomach's Happy Place
This is where things get interesting. The Ji Hotel has a few restaurants.
- A la carte
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Breakfast [buffet]
- Breakfast service
- Buffet in restaurant
- Coffee/tea in restaurant
- Desserts in restaurant
- International cuisine in restaurant
- Restaurants
- Salad in restaurant
- Soup in restaurant
- Vegetarian restaurant
- Western breakfast
- Western cuisine in restaurant
I'll kick this section off by saying the breakfast buffet was decent. They had a good mix of Asian and Western options. Now, look, I'm not a huge fan of hotel buffets. They can be a bit… predictable. But, the coffee was good, and they had a decent selection of pastries. And for the record, my Aunt Millie adored the congee, which is always a win. However, I was a fan of the Asian breakfast.
A Word on the Food (Because Food is Life):
Okay, here's the deal: don't expect Michelin-star dining. But, the food was consistently good, and the coffee shop was a lifesaver for my caffeine addiction. They also delivered my meals to me in my room at a moments notice!
And the poolside bar? Yes, please! A perfect spot for a cocktail and a snack. The snack bar had little treats, but honestly, I was more focused on the view.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
This is another area where the Ji Hotel excelled. They had daily housekeeping (thanks for the fresh towels!), laundry service (priceless with traveling), and a concierge who was genuinely helpful. The Wi-Fi was free and amazing! Very fast in every room, from the lobby to the pool. They also had a convenience store, which, let me tell you, is a lifesaver when you need a midnight snack. The 24-hour front desk was always staffed and super helpful.
The Xihu Fountain Show (Prepare to Be Wowed!)
Okay, this is the reason you book the trip. First, the Ji Hotel is conveniently close to the West Lake (aka Xihu). And second, the Xihu Fountain Show… it's an experience.
Picture this: darkness descends. Music swells. Water shoots into the air, transforming into dazzling shapes and colors. It's like a ballet, a fireworks display, and a light show all rolled into one. It. Is. Breathtaking. I felt like I was in a dream, the colors were so vibrant, the music was so powerful, and the way the water danced with the lights was pure magic. Seriously, it brought tears to my eyes! I'm not exaggerating. Aunt Millie loved it too -- they had special seating near the entrance, so she could take in the view without having to worry about maneuvering her chair.
Inside the Guest Rooms
Available in all rooms, is what the hotel states, well, I'd like to expand on them.
- Additional toilet - I did not see this advertised, and I am not sure if this is correct.
- Air conditioning - Amazing!
- Alarm clock - Always helpful.
- Bathrobes - Comfy, fluffy robes.
- Bathroom phone - Did not use this.
- Bathtub - This made me sad, no bath for me.
- Blackout curtains - The best thing ever when sleeping!
- Carpeting - Made the room feel cozy.
- Closet - Plenty of space for clothes.
- Coffee/tea maker - Essential!
- Complimentary tea - Enjoyed through out the day.
- Daily housekeeping - Fresh towels!
- Desk - Good for working (or, you know, writing reviews).
- Extra long bed - Extra comfy!
- Free bottled water - Always appreciated.
- Hair dryer - Powerful enough!
- High floor - Lovely views.
- In-room safe box - Always good to have.
- Interconnecting room(s) available - Not for me.
- Internet access – LAN - Did not use.
- Internet access – wireless - Loved it!
- Ironing facilities - Handy.
- Laptop workspace - Useful.
- Linens - Fresh.
- Mini bar - Empty.
- Mirror - All shapes and sizes.
- Non-smoking - Yes.
- On-demand movies - Didn't watch.
- Private bathroom - Always a bonus.
- Reading light - Very useful.
- Refrigerator - Helpful for drinks.
- Safety/security feature - Yes.
- Satellite/cable channels - Didn't watch.
- Scale - No thanks!
- Seating area - Comfy.
- Separate shower/bathtub - Unfortunately, this was not for me.
- Shower - Loved it!
- Slippers - Comfy.
- **
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my disastrously delightful trip to the Ji Hotel Hangzhou Xihu Yinyue Musical Fountain – a trip that cost me a small fortune and almost my sanity. Let's see if I can even remember the order of events… my memory is less a steel trap and more a sieve these days.
Day 1: Arrival and Immediate Regret (aka: Jet Lag is a Bitch)
- 6:00 AM (ish) - The Great Beijing - Hangzhou Flight Debacle: Okay, so I thought I was being smart booking a connecting flight through Beijing. Nope. Beijing airport is a sprawling, confusing beast of a place. I swear, I spent a solid hour just circling a Starbucks, wondering if I'd ever find my gate. Panic set in, because the flight was the last thing I had, when I had to get to my hotel.
- Quirky Observation: The sheer volume of people in the Beijing airport was overwhelming. It's like a swarm of ants, all rushing in different directions. I swear, I saw a guy eating a whole entire pineapple with a knife and fork. No judgements.
- Emotional Reaction: By the time I finally collapsed onto the flight to Hangzhou, I was a sweaty, stressed mess. This entire "travel" experience was turning out to be something I wasn't expecting.
- 12:00 PM (Hangzhou Time, of course) - Arrival at Ji Hotel - Yinyue Branch (or Trying To find a decent place to stay): Found the hotel, finally. It looked beautiful online, all sleek lines and modern design. In reality, it was…well, it was fine. The lobby smelled faintly of air freshener and a sadness that only budget hotels can truly capture.
- Anecdote: The receptionist? Adorably flustered. She spent a good five minutes wrestling with the computer, muttering in Mandarin. I felt a strange kinship with here knowing the struggle of keeping up with an outdated computer.
- Opinionated Language: The room was decent but the bed felt like the mattress was about to swallow me alive. I'm not usually a bed snob, but the whole room really needed a renovation.
- 1:00 PM - Nap Attempt. (failed): Jet lag hit me like a freight train. I crawled into bed, fully intending to catch up on sleep. But… nope. Wide awake. Staring at the ceiling. Sigh. Decided to get a snack instead.
- 1:30 PM - Snack Adventure: Wandered out in search of food. Found a tiny noodle shop nearby. The owner, a sweet old woman, barely spoke English, but gestures and Google Translate got me a bowl of delicious noodles. Totally worth it.
- Anecdote: The noodles were so good! They had a certain spice that made me sweat and feel alive. It's the first time I really felt anything.
- 3:00 PM - The Musical Fountain - First Impressions and Disappointment: Finally trekked over to West Lake to see this musical fountain everyone had been raving about. It. Was. Packed. Honestly, the fountain was okay. The music was a bit cheesy, and the water jets looked a bit…tired?
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, I was expecting to be blown away at how amazing it would be. But it was underwhelming. Let's just say I've seen more impressive backyard sprinklers.
- Messy Structure (and Rambles): Maybe I was just tired and expecting too much. Or maybe the fountain was a bit overhyped. The crowd was a nightmare. People were pushing, shoving, and taking a million selfies. I ended up getting stuck behind a family who were all fighting about who needed to use the bathroom the most.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner Disaster: Tried to find a "romantic" restaurant. Ended up in a crowded, noisy place with greasy food. Definitely not the vibe I was going for.
- Opinionated Language: Dinner was a complete bust. The food was meh, the service was slow, and the table next to me was having the most ridiculously loud argument about… something. I couldn't escape fast enough!
- 8:00 PM - More Fountain, More Regret: Decided to give the fountain another chance since I was already there. The night show was better, with lights and whatnot. But the crowds… still awful.
- Emotional Reaction: I just felt… defeated. The fountain itself was pretty, but the whole experience was draining. I just wanted to go back to the hotel and sleep.
Day 2: Redemption (Maybe?) and the Pursuit of Noodles
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast, Kind Of: The hotel breakfast buffet was included, but let's just say it wasn't exactly Michelin-star quality. There was a lot of fried stuff. And I was afraid to try anything
- Quirky Observation: I swear, the only thing in the buffet that wasn't at least slightly oily was the watermelon. Was it me, or was everything slightly… off?
- 10:00 AM - West Lake Stroll (Finally!) Decided to take a proper walk around West Lake. Alone. And without everyone flocking around!
- Anecdote: The lake was beautiful! The air was fresh, the scenery was gorgeous, and I could finally breathe and enjoy the moment. The whole trip felt like a new beginning.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at a Local Gem: Found a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place for lunch. The food was incredible! The owner was so friendly and welcoming. It was such an authentic experience. The noodles were incredible!
- Doubling Down on Experience: Okay, I'm not kidding about these noodles. They were the best noodles I've ever eaten. Seriously. I think I may have hallucinated a little from pure bliss. Imagine pure, chewy goodness; the broth a symphony of flavors; a perfect balance of spice and umami. These noodles were worth the entire trip. I almost asked for seconds… and then, perhaps, thirds.
- 2:00 PM - Dragon Well Tea Plantation: Did some research and took a cab to a tea plantation. The scenery was really nice, and the tea tasted great. I'm not even a big tea drinker, but it was a genuinely relaxing experience.
- Emotional Reaction: I felt genuinely relaxed and happy. This was the part of the trip I was looking for.
- 5:00 PM - Return to the Hotel (Exhausted and Content): The afternoon was a success! I went back to the hotel feeling a little more optimistic.
- 7:00 PM - Farewell Dinner Went back to that first noodle place. Because, well, noodles.
Day 3: Departure and Post-Trip Reflections (Mostly Positive!)
- 9:00 AM - Hotel Check-Out (Finally!) I was happy to be leaving the Ji Hotel. I'd still give it a 5/10.
- 10:00 AM - Last-Minute Souvenir Shopping: Grabbed some tea and a few trinkets, mostly hoping to remember the good times of this trip.
- 12:00 PM - Airport and Flight Home: Goodbye Hangzhou.
- Post-Trip Reflections: So, was the trip perfect? Absolutely not. Was it a complete waste of time and money? Not at all! The musical fountain was underwhelming (sorry, fountain!), the hotel was… well, you know. But the noodles, the lake, the tea, and the moments of genuine connection made up for it. I learned a lot, I ate a lot of noodles, and I survived. Overall, I’d give it a 7/10. Would visit again, but with a much firmer plan and a good map. And maybe a lifetime supply of those magical noodles.
So there you have it, my messy, imperfect, and ultimately worthwhile trip to Hangzhou. Hope you got a laugh (or at least a grimace!) out of it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find some noodles.
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