I just completed a 2-night weekend stay at HR Hangzhou, booked as two 1-night stays taking advantage of the lowest mid-year sales (910 and 840 RMB, previously 1320 RMB before sale).

I was preassigned to lake view Club room on 8th floor, which is best available room, period. The only suite on 8th floor is the Presidential Suite. The view is excellent.

Hotel location is very convenient for travel by train from Shanghai. Metro Line 2 in Shanghai stops at Shanghai Hongqiao Station, just over an hour high speed train to Hangzhou East Station. Metro Line 1 goes from Hangzhou Wast Station to Wes Lake area longxianqiao station exit C, turn right walk toward the lake and Hyatt is 2 blocks on the right. It took me <40 minuts from hotel to Hangzhou East Station this morning.

My first afternoon at the Club Lounge, both Guest Relations Manager and the Director of Rooms all found out my name and status and introduced themselves, first experience for me at any hotel.

The food and beverages in the Club Lounge is very good. They had my favorite xiaolongbao 2 of the 4 food services during my stay (evening and breakfast). There was steamed dumplings at each of the food services, which was quite good. I like smoked salmon, salami and cheeses, but then all Hyatt Clubs have those. When in China, I want items I can't get at home. There was watermelon juice throughout the day, something I complained to Grand Hyatt Shanghai about last week. There was also rockmelon (a very fragrant Chinese melon with light orange flesh, more complex flavor than cantaloupe) juice.

I walked the entire lake front, going from right of the hotel. Everyone is out for leisurely stroll, so I had to dodge crowds as I tried to get a workout on the 7 mile walk. There are plenty of sights to see around the lake, some prominent sights from Chinese poetry.

I'm glad I stayed 2 nights over the weekend, so that I could experience enough of Hangzhou and the West Lake area. I'm sure I'll be back in the future when I'm in Shanghai more than 1 week and I can go to Hangzhou for the weekend.