An old school friend from Hong Kong invited me to help review a luxury boutique hotel resort with her for one night for her December issue of her magazine Aeris. With Hangzhou being only 40 minutes away from Shanghai by train I just couldn’t say no! The resort we went to is known as Amanfuyan, part of the prestigious chain of Aman resorts and situated in a tiny village just outside Hangzhou (it is so secluded that you wouldn’t even know that the hotel existed!). A small resort, with only 42 rooms the service is very personal, friendly and attentive. All the rooms are based on a simple village design with furniture made from bamboo and rosewood, and all amenities provided for (even a hairdryer, mosquito repellent, a torch and an umbrella!).
The entrance to our room...
As we were taken on a tour of the resort, it was easy to see why people fall in love with the ‘Aman’ experience, and base their holidays on where the resorts are located. Attention to detail is evident, with something new in your room every time that you leave (slippers, fruit, chocolates, silk handkerchiefs etc). The food that we had was also second to none with choices ranging from restaurants that specialised in steamed food, to vegetarian food to even Hangzhou specialities. After eating in so many nice places and experiencing the vast range of food that China has to offer, I already feel that when I go back home to the UK, a local Chinese takeaway just wont cut it… Numerous cups of tea were also drunk throughout our trip (I was so oblivious to the range of tea that extended past jasmine and green tea!!!) as not only is Hangzhou renown for its chá (particularly longjing tea), but the resort itself has its own tea plantation!
We spent the rest of the evening exploring the library and chilling – such a change from the hustle and bustle of the life I am already so used to in Shanghai and we had an early night (well early compared to the night’s I’d been having recently!) ready for our early morning breakfast the next day.
The library
Our morning started early as we had chosen to have our Chinese breakfast on a traditional boat on West Lake – and what a great choice we had made! It was absolutely beautiful and so SO surreal as in some parts we were the only ones in the water and the lake was so still. Breakfast comprised of congee (explanation), yoghurt, fresh fruits, a selection of biscuits, watermelon seeds, tea and juice, and with the breath taking scenery we couldn’t think of anywhere else we’d have rather been.
Preparing the boat...
Breakfast :)
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