Neighbor to the Pier: Prime Views of Gulangyu Island and Unique Local Culture

In Xiamen, there's a hotel that, despite not being a high-rise, offers prime views of Gulangyu Island. Since its opening, Hotel Indigo Xiamen Harbour has remained one of the top choices for travelers visiting Xiamen. 1. Besides its unbeatable views of Gulangyu Island, its location is a major advantage. The hotel sits opposite Zhongshan Road Pier. After exploring Gulangyu Island, you can walk back to your accommodation in just minutes - incredibly convenient. If you want to visit Gulangyu Island, the dedicated ferry terminal at Dongdu Cruise Terminal is only 3-4 kilometers away. Plus, Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street and "Taste of Xiamen" Eighth Market are within walking distance, perfect for shopping and dining. 2. Speaking of the Eighth Market, it's a must-mention spot in Xiamen. As one of Xiamen's historic landmarks and the city's busiest seafood hub, it's a popular destination for locals buying seafood and tourists exploring the area. 3. During my stay, around 5pm, I joined the hotel's chef and PR representative for a walking tour. We experienced the most authentic side of old Xiamen and the vibrant atmosphere of the seafood market in the most down-to-earth way. 4. This perfectly embodies Hotel Indigo's signature "neighborhood culture." At Hotel Indigo Xiamen Harbour, this cultural aspect is wonderfully expressed. The hotel is neighbors with the "Eighth Market," just a few streets away. Following the chef to experience daily life, you can learn about various seafood you might not recognize and purchase your favorites (at your own expense). The hotel offers complimentary cooking service for two seafood items (limited to steaming, poaching, pan-frying, or soy sauce cooking). 5. This is an ongoing neighborhood culture exploration activity - "Chef's Seafood Market Tour," priced at CNY 399 for 1-2 people. Besides touring the market with the chef, it includes afternoon tea. The recommended itinerary is to have afternoon tea first, then visit the market. If you purchase seafood, the hotel kitchen can prepare it for you to enjoy at the restaurant. 6. The Riverside Restaurant on the 4th floor features a hidden loft terrace. Whether at sunset or night, enjoying cocktails or seafood here is delightful. This terrace is a must-visit spot, perfect for watching sunsets and welcoming the evening. 7. The Riverside Restaurant, the hotel's only dining venue, breaks traditional hotel facility boundaries. Members can use it as a lounge, diners as a restaurant, and the hidden terrace serves as a small bar - truly a multi-functional dining space. 8. The restaurant preserves traditional Xiamen flavors while incorporating Southeast Asian and international cuisines. Their popular Neighborhood Pancake, priced at CNY 118 for two, comes with pork floss, shrimp, Chinese sausage, seaweed, maltose, cilantro, egg rolls, dried onions, and glass noodles - each bite is irresistible. The Fish Rhyme Family Set for 2-4 people is also popular. The restaurant's prices are very reasonable, and the view of Gulangyu Island adds to the dining experience. 9. I love the restaurant's design. The blue wall features the logo of nearby "Fuxing Inn," reflecting the area's historic prosperity as a dock. The teapot ceiling decorations, storyteller sculptures, numerous old photographs, and the corridor connecting the restaurant to the meeting area decorated with old "Jiangsheng News" elements all tell stories of old Xiamen. 10. The hotel's design is indeed meticulous. From the lobby onwards, it's full of Xiamen characteristics and Southern Fujian cultural elements. The "Waiting" sculpture in the lobby, made of nuts, depicts a Southern Fujian woman waiting for her husband's return, surrounded by old wooden posts with ship mooring ropes. The suitcases by the elevator are real ones artistically treated, symbolizing returns from sea voyages. The oil painting at the lobby entrance combines five scenes: Water Fairy Street, Lin Erjia's daughter-in-law seeing off guests at the pier, the British Taikoo Dock from the 1920s, the old Water Fairy Temple worshipping Mazu, and passengers taking sedan chairs after crossing from Gulangyu to Xiamen. All these capture Xiamen's historical essence. 11. These design details extend to the guest rooms and other public areas. Room features include Zheng Chenggong statue bookends, iron-framed Xiamen architecture in corridors, Southern Fujian-style figurines, pop art oil paintings on walls, and decorative tiles in bathrooms - perfectly incorporating Xiamen into the hotel. 12. The hotel has 149 modern, comfortable rooms and suites. While room sizes might not be particularly spacious by today's standards, over 90% offer direct views of Gulangyu Island and Xiamen Harbor. Four suites include private terraces. 13. The rooms feature hardwood floors, TOTO smart electronic toilets, motorized curtain systems, and Sealy mattresses from the world's largest bedding manufacturer - ensuring a comfortable stay. These amenities were installed eight years ago, showing the high standards set at that time. 14. To accommodate families, the hotel has dedicated family rooms on the 2nd and 3rd floors. These spacious rooms come with family-themed bedding, stuffed toys, pillows, and complete children's amenities including bathrobes, slippers, and toothbrushes - attention to every detail. The hotel currently offers a three-day, two-night family package starting from CNY 1,588, including breakfast for two adults and one child, a Fish Rhyme Family Set at Riverside Restaurant, one children's activity session, a mini pizza for kids, two Hotel Indigo ice cream vouchers, and a special family gift - an incredibly good value. 15. For leisure facilities, the hotel has a fitness center. Though not large, it incorporates views of Gulangyu Island and the sea. You can work out while enjoying ocean views, making it worth spending some time here during your stay. Or, like me, you can put on your gear and go running outside, experiencing the city's scenery in a different way.