Boutique Hotels in Fujian, China

## Review **Ambiance:** I'd say it was just okay, a traditional five-star hotel setup, pretty standard. But I'm not sure if it's because of the humidity in the south, but there was an indescribable smell when I entered the room. **Cleanliness:** The room itself was decent. However, some of the cutlery in the restaurant was a bit dirty. You can see it in the picture if you zoom in – there were hard white spots on the knife. **Service:** The cleaning staff in the guest rooms were very friendly and responsive to requests. However, the front desk service on the 40th floor was just mediocre. I've stayed in many five-diamond hotels of major brands in various cities, and in other cities, the staff always made me feel right at home. But in Fuzhou, they were quite indifferent. The only contact was a perfunctory follow-up call after checking out. I think you could learn from practices in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, as well as Guangdong. They often have dedicated butlers, and both the front desk and butlers actively contact guests, checking in and showing genuine care. Especially in Guangzhou, the service is so good it almost makes you feel embarrassed! **Food:** The breakfast offered mostly local specialties. I'm someone who isn't usually picky, but I found many dishes unappetizing, and the variety wasn't great. I suppose it's understandable if they're trying to cut costs. **Overall, I didn't have a good experience!**

I stayed at the Lakeside Hotel by Fuzhou's West Lake, and the environment was truly serene and pleasant. The service was attentive and thoughtful, making me feel right at home. The breakfast was a particular highlight – an impressive array of choices, with both authentic Fujianese snacks and Western dishes done exceptionally well. The fish balls were tender and flavorful, the taro paste was smooth and comforting, and the freshly cooked guobianhu (a local specialty) was piping hot, starting the day off perfectly. Overall, it was a comfortable and enjoyable experience that I'd highly recommend.

This was my first time visiting Fuzhou, and since I was traveling with family during the Chinese New Year, I booked three rooms for three nights. The hotel's location is excellent, right next to Wuyi Square, so you can walk over to watch the flag-raising ceremony, or even just enjoy the view from your room if you don't feel like going out! It's about a kilometer's walk from the hotel to Sanfang Qixiang, where you can really delve into the residences of famous figures from Fuzhou's modern history. On the morning of the first day of Chinese New Year, the hotel even organized a grand worship ceremony and a lion dance performance, which was a great experience for guests. My only suggestion would be: could the laundry facilities be made free of charge? It's a small expense that shouldn't really be charged for. I imagine there are very few hotels left in China that still charge for washing machines and dryers.

The InterContinental quality is consistently excellent. The room was spacious, and the 2-meter king-size bed was incredibly comfortable. I loved the Byredo toiletries – they smell amazing! The hotel offers fantastic views of the river, the Ferris wheel, and Jinjiang Bridge, which are stunning both day and night. Plus, there's a shopping mall downstairs, making it super convenient for shopping and dining. Since I was with my younger brother, the hotel provided a complimentary breakfast, which had a great variety of options. Overall, I had a wonderful experience, and I'll definitely choose to stay here again on my next trip to Quanzhou.

The Intercontinental Hotel in Fuzhou has an overall business-oriented style, with a rather conservative and conventional decor. The front desk service isn't very proactive; no one greets you unless you speak first, which is a bit lacking for a five-star hotel. The room is very quiet, which is a big plus. It's also convenient to get essential toiletries replenished quickly. Breakfast is quite ample, but there's nothing particularly outstanding. For an older hotel to still stand strong, it definitely has some substance.

The environment here is quite beautiful, and I heard it's the best hotel in the area. It's clean, and the service is warm and attentive. The facilities are new, and the front desk staff, seeing we had a lot of luggage, kindly upgraded us to a larger room for free, which was really thoughtful – a big thank you! Also, the bedding in this hotel is super comfortable, just the right firmness. Breakfast is plentiful and tastes great too! There's even a helipad on the hotel's rooftop that guests can visit for photos, though it's only open for one hour each in the morning, afternoon, and evening. You can catch the sunrise in the morning and sunset in the evening, but unfortunately, the timing didn't work out for our visit, so it wasn't open. All in all, this is a really great hotel!

This hotel really shines because of its service. The staff are incredibly warm and attentive, always greeting you with a smile. The room itself was pretty standard, though the bathroom ventilation wasn't great and there was a lingering smell. On the plus side, the complimentary tea and snacks were of high quality – they really didn't skimp there. I felt very safe with their access control system. The downside is the soundproofing isn't very good, and honestly, the room rate feels a bit overpriced, making it not quite worth it. However, the cookies and nuts in the lobby are absolutely delicious, especially the cranberry cookies – that's definitely a bonus! It's also in a quiet location despite being in a bustling area.

The hotel's location is excellent, perfect for lakeside strolls, and there are several coffee shops along the shore. The dining options are superb; we couldn't get a table at the restaurant on New Year's Eve, but found a fantastic Vietnamese restaurant right next door. The hotel room facilities are outdated and definitely need an upgrade.

The environment is quite enchanting. Our room was on the outer perimeter, but unfortunately, there's a villa being built next door. It didn't affect us since we were out most of the day, but if you plan on relaxing in the room, it can get a bit noisy (though earplugs are provided in the room). This hotel is great for those who enjoy morning runs or walks. You can use your room key to access the Chongyang Stream scenic trail by the river, offering beautiful mountain views. The hotel's breakfast buffet is really good, with a decent variety. You absolutely *must* try the lard noodles and Zixi noodles, loaded with toppings – they're super delicious! In the room, having two sinks is very convenient for two people, but a small detail to note: the inner rim of the washbasin area should be cleaned regularly to prevent mold. There's also a good selection of pillows to choose from, so you can find one that suits you. The hotel also offers some nice free experiences, like various handicraft workshops. We didn't try the travel photography though.

Experience with Macro Polo (JinJiang) hotel is pleasant. Room is clean and well maintained. Location is a little away from city area about 20mins car journey (depends on traffic).