Diaoyutai State Guesthouse is well-known for offering a standard of accommodation reserved for foreign dignitaries and government officials. The residential-style hotel, managed by Diaoyutai MGM Hospitality, is mystery shopper-tested six times a year.
Located in the CBD, it 25 minutes by car from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, 20 minutes from Hangzhoudong Railway Station, 15 minutes from Chenzhan Railway Station and 20 minutes to West Lake and Liuhe Pagoda.
Rooms The rooms here are large. Deluxe rooms measure 60m2; premier rooms 60m2-80m2; grand rooms and executive suites 90m2; luxury suites 100m2-136m2; diplomat suites 128m2-136m2; the Ambassador Suite 200m2 and the Chairman Suite 315m2.
My Grand River View Room was one of the most beautifully-appointed and elegant rooms I have stayed in. The pops of colour and the home decorative items made my room warm and welcoming. The opulent bathroom was a treat and I had fun playing with the motion-sensors on the toilet seat.
On the old-style Chinese writing desk was another interesting discovery. What looked like a metal ruler unfolds into a cool desk lamp.
Finding a Nespresso coffee machine inside the armoire was also heaven sent when I needed a caffeine boost.
MICE application On the 18th floor is the 300m2 Sky Ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and a river-view balcony. It is connected to Qiantang Garden, named after the river it overlooks, a 680m2 garden for cocktails and private events.
The Qiantang Function Room in the north tower is a multifunction space with a bar and pantry on the first floor and a rest area on the second – both floors are connected by a swirling glass staircase.
Across the garden on the south side is the lavish two-storey Villa Hangzhou, which houses a 24-seater roundtable, separate living, tea and mahjong areas.
Other facilities The hotel has three F&B options. The 154-seat Fangfei Lobby Lounge, serving Chinese and Western cuisine, is an all-day dining restaurant; Pinju Hangzhou is a 120-seat casual dining Chinese restaurant, with outdoor seating, serving Hangzhou and Shanghai cuisine; while Royal Court Chinese Restaurant, with nine private dining rooms, offers renowned Chinese cuisine.
Other facilities include a 160m2 state-of-the-art fitness centre with a yoga room and a 20m-long indoor heated swimming pool and jacuzzi.
Room count: 162
Star rating: Five
Email: dythz-reservations@dytmgm.com
