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Posted on Apr 5, 2026
Anonymous User
Qingming Festival Thousand Island Lake Trip | Zhi Ya Art Hotel: Lake View is Heavenly, but Hardware and Surcharges are a Reality Check
Qingming Festival mini-break · 2-day/1-night genuine experience · Combined with real feedback from Dianping over the past month
🌤️ Qingming Weather and First Impressions: Intermittent Sun and Rain on the Lake
My trip to Thousand Island Lake during Qingming was perfectly timed with the weather – warm and sunny during the day (12-25℃), slightly cool in the mornings and evenings, with occasional mist and light rain. The air was humid, the plants were green, and the lake was often shrouded in a light haze, giving it a distinct spring江南 (Jiangnan) charm.
The hotel is on Wenxin Island, an independent island in the middle of the lake, surrounded by water on all sides. You park your car at the pier and take a shuttle bus to the island. I was immediately struck by the scenery upon arrival: a 270° lake view, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a spacious balcony. The sunset in the evening painted the lake in shades of orange and pink. There's no need to jostle with crowds at scenic spots; you can capture stunning photos right from the hotel terrace. The art-style lobby, old movie theme, spiral staircase, and art installations create a strong ambiance and are very photogenic.
🛏️ Rooms and Hardware: Views are Top-Notch, Facilities are a Bit Old
• Pros: The room was spacious, the bedding was soft, and there was a large bathtub on the balcony. Opening the window revealed the lake, and on rainy days, snuggling in the room to watch the misty Thousand Island Lake was peaceful and therapeutic. The service attitude was good, the shuttle bus was available on call, and basic requests were quickly addressed.
• Cons:
1. Facilities are noticeably old: The decor, furniture, door locks, bathroom fixtures, and TV all show their age. There are clear signs of wear and tear, and some details look quite dated.
2. Heavy dampness: Being on an island and with frequent rain during Qingming, the room, hallway, and carpet all had a musty smell. Clothes didn't dry, and the duvet felt a bit damp to the touch.
3. Gym is practically useless: The space is small, the equipment is severely aged, chipped, and makes loud noises, making it virtually impossible to get a proper workout.
💰 Price Complaint: Severe Holiday Surcharge
The Qingming holiday surcharge was outrageously high, nearly 500 RMB more per night than on weekdays. The price doesn't match the hardware, and the value for money plummets. Recent reviews over the past month also frequently complain about the steep price hikes on weekends/holidays, suggesting that only off-peak prices are reasonable.
🍽️ Dining and Surroundings
Breakfast was decent and filling. The Thousand Island Lake fish head and river shrimp at the lakeside restaurant were fresh. There's a Neverland Cafe on the island, offering a great ambiance for lakeside afternoon tea, but the prices are on the higher side. Once on the island, it's inconvenient to go out, so activities are mostly confined to the hotel.
✅ Summary and Recommendations (Genuine and Objective)
Pros: Excellent lake views, stunning sunsets, quiet environment, strong artistic atmosphere, good service attitude.
Cons: Old facilities, noticeable dampness, aged gym, severe holiday surcharge.
Suitable for: Those who only want to take photos, enjoy the lake view, don't exercise, and prefer off-peak, lower-priced stays.
Not recommended for: Friends with high demands for facilities, who want to exercise, or have a limited budget during holidays.
📝 Travel Tips
1. Thousand Island Lake has a large temperature difference between day and night during Qingming (10-25℃), so bring a light jacket.
2. Spring is rainy, and the island is humid, so bring dehumidifier packets and quick-drying clothes.
3. Be sure to choose a lake view room when checking in; the scenery is vastly different.
4. Strongly recommend going off-peak; the value for money is much better on weekdays.
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Price per night from:MXN$1,074
Posted on Aug 8, 2026|Deluxe Forest View King Room
MCCaoTwo nights, three days – I'd always heard that when it comes to hotels in Qiandao Lake, there's the InterContinental and then there's everything else. This trip really drove that point home.
The drive from Wuxi to Qiandao Lake takes four hours. Since the InterContinental occupies its own island, having a car makes getting around much easier.
The scenery along the Hangzhou Ring Expressway leading to Qiandao Lake is absolutely stunning, especially once you enter Qiandao Lake itself, with its myriad of winding islands and towering mountains. As soon as you exit the highway, you're practically in the mountains. The InterContinental's flags lining the mountain road gave a real 'welcome home' feeling.
Driving with the windows down along the lake, you're enveloped in fresh, oxygen-rich air.
Before even entering the hotel, I spotted the lighthouse and the Arc de Triomphe. The hotel lobby entrance is a beautiful photo op, a perfect blend of lake and sky.
I stayed in a lake view room, and the view was absolutely breathtaking, overlooking Qiandao Lake. Add a Qiandao Lake beer, and my mood was instantly uplifted. The floor-to-ceiling windows had a sofa for enjoying the view. The room was spacious and very well-maintained. They even provided a crib for my child, which was reassuring. The toiletries were excellent, and the bathtub was perfect for a relaxing soak.
I'd read many reviews about the dinner, and after trying it myself, I thought it was quite good. While the variety might not be extensive, it was definitely sufficient, and the taste was decent.
For breakfast, I'd seen reviews mentioning long queues, but it's really just for registering your room number. Seating was quick, and the food was good. I recommend sitting by the window in the priority seating area, where you can see the infinity pool seamlessly blend with the Qiandao Lake scenery.
Swan Lake offers animal feeding, but this area could definitely be improved. There were too few animals, and I suggest increasing the interactivity.
The kids' club has different zones, but I think it could be even better. The space is quite large, and with better planning and layout, a more integrated approach could offer more movement options for kids, and improved climbing and ground-level activities.
I highly recommend both the infinity pool and the indoor pool. My kids didn't want to leave! The pools have shallow and deep areas, catering to children of all ages. You can also rent or buy swimming gear at the hotel, which is very convenient. The scenery is stunning, and the water quality is excellent.
Being a large hotel, it's perfect for an evening stroll, whether to the viewing platform, the lighthouse, or just along the lake – it's very relaxing.
Renting an electric tour car for 120/hour is a great way to explore the mountains comfortably in the summer.
The hotel offers many activities, such as children's themed events and morning guided hikes. It would be even better if they added more water activities or equipment.
It's wonderful to slow down and relax on this tranquil island amidst a busy life.
Finally, a special thank you to 'Butler Landy'. Landy's service was impeccable – attentive, thoughtful, and reliably efficient. She responded quickly and resolved any issues. I felt her genuine sincerity throughout, and the service experience was top-notch. If you stay here, you must find her!
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Price per night from:MXN$2,515
Posted on Aug 15, 2026|Hilton Featured Room (2 Beds)
Guest UserI came back to stay at Hilton Qiandao Lake, and Luby very thoughtfully upgraded my room – I absolutely love it! 💕
✨ I'll repurchase this infinitely! I adore Hilton Qiandao Lake; it's my top choice for a vacation here. 🌊
The location is absolutely stunning, nestled by the mountains and the lake, boasting exclusive, direct lake views. As soon as you step into the lobby, you're greeted by a panoramic view of the vast Qiandao Lake landscape through the floor-to-ceiling windows, instantly setting a magnificent atmosphere.
I stayed in a lake-view room, and opening the balcony door revealed the entire lake. Waking up to the lake view in the morning and watching the sunset in the evening – every single moment felt like a healing landscape painting. The hotel's grounds are expansive with lush greenery, like a natural oxygen bar. It even has its own water park and swimming pool, so you can leisurely spend an entire day at the hotel without needing to go out. It's especially perfect for a family relaxing getaway.
The breakfast selection is abundant and fresh, with a rich variety of flavors. You can enjoy your meal while admiring the lake view. The staff are gentle, attentive, and meticulous; check-in was smooth, and any requests were promptly addressed.
At night, the garden lighting creates a wonderful ambiance, and a stroll with the lake breeze is exceptionally pleasant. This stay was perfect; I've fallen deeply in love with it and will choose Hilton again next time I visit Qiandao Lake! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a relaxing, 'lie-flat' vacation!
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Price per night from:MXN$2,082
Posted on May 29, 2026
Guest UserThis is an older five-star hotel, so some of the facilities aren't quite up to date. The bedside outlets really need an upgrade; sometimes my charger would come loose. Also, perhaps due to the humid weather, even with the AC on, it didn't feel completely dry. On the plus side, the breakfast selection was excellent, and the staff were incredibly friendly and enthusiastic. The hotel offers plenty of activities, and the 20-meter indoor pool was perfect for swimming with the kids. The outdoor pool might have been closed due to the weather. They also have a kids' club and a sandpit area for younger children, as well as a small animal farm. Staff clean the animal area in the morning, which is a nice opportunity to take your little ones to see the animals. Our three-day, two-night stay at the hotel was quite fulfilling and enjoyable.
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Price per night from:MXN$1,421
Posted on Jul 19, 2026|2-bed Room With Courtyard View
Guest UserWe came last year, and my child kept asking to come back! We stayed one night this time, and now they want to come again next year. As a busy mom, I also loved it. It's rare to get out with the kids, so I really appreciate places like this where you don't even need to leave the hotel for a relaxed family trip.
Kids' Facilities: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Water Fun: There's an outdoor pool, a fun water park, and an indoor heated children's pool, which completely satisfied my child's desire to play in the water.
Indoor Play Area: The 'Car Town' is beautiful and quite large, with new and exciting activities. I can't believe I didn't discover the second floor when we visited last year! 🤣🤣
Crafts: In the hotel lobby, there's a craft area for kids, which my child also loved. There are both free and paid options.
Room Amenities: They provide everything for kids – toothbrushes, slippers, shampoo, shower gel, step stools, etc.
Dining Service: We had the buffet breakfast. We arrived during peak time and only waited 3-5 minutes. The window seats overlooking the lake were fantastic, making the meal even more enjoyable. The breakfast selection is quite diverse; I particularly liked their tofu pudding. The restaurant staff proactively offered high chairs and bibs when they saw we had a baby.
Special Bonus: This year, they added butler service. They sent helpful hotel tips and注意事项 in advance and paid attention to our experience throughout our stay. They even gave my child some small toys – the experience was super! They really nailed it.
Of course, I do have a minor suggestion: you can rent swim rings for 10 yuan for the indoor pool, but you can't take them outside. You have to pay to rent them again for the outdoor pool. For a child who loses interest quickly, going back and forth between the indoor and outdoor pools, this policy is really inconvenient.
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Price per night from:MXN$2,210
Posted on May 1, 2026
Guest User
Traveling with family, I booked one standard room and one king room, on different floors. Both were originally balcony rooms, but the front desk said they upgraded us. However, the standard room was changed to one without a balcony, only adding a bathtub, and it was still on a different floor. I felt it wasn't worth the change. The king room with a balcony had a great view, where you could see the beautiful scenery of Qiandao Lake. The hotel breakfast was plentiful and delicious, and the staff were very friendly. Our butler, Zhang, was also very enthusiastic and responsive to our needs. I would recommend this hotel to my friends!
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Price per night from:MXN$948
Posted on Jul 22, 2025
Guest User
Loved our family room—amazing lake and island views, quiet, with a great balcony. Big towels, clean bedding, and a fridge were nice touches. The lakeside dock, restaurant and picnic areas were perfect for swimming, eating and relaxing.
Downsides: The pool (filled with cloudy slimy lake water) and its rundown messy area weren’t appealing. Hallway carpets and elevator had mold, needing deep cleaning.
Still, great value for the location. Don’t really need the pool with the lake so close. We’d return but hope they address the maintenance issues.
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Price per night from:MXN$1,114
Posted on Mar 2, 2026
Aiheqishuidevip
My overall stay exceeded expectations. The hotel's location is excellent, making travel very convenient. The room was clean and tidy, with soft and comfortable bedding, and good soundproofing. All the bathroom amenities were provided, hot water was consistent, and the WiFi was smooth. The front desk staff were very welcoming and even helped upgrade my room. Housekeeping was prompt and thorough, and the common areas were neat and orderly. It offers great value for money, suitable for both business trips and leisure travel.
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Price per night from:MXN$822
Posted on May 25, 2026
Guest UserMy stay at the Qiandao Lake Cozy Island Resort was a fantastic experience. The hotel facilities are well-equipped overall, and the guest rooms are clean and tidy, with housekeeping doing an excellent job. The staff were thoughtful, warm, and very friendly and attentive.
I even received a complimentary fruit platter, which was a lovely touch. The in-house dining was delicious; the Chinese-style fish head soup I tried was incredibly fresh, flavorful, and truly outstanding. The daily amenities are also extensive, with a wide variety of free breakfast options in the morning and a pleasant outdoor BBQ experience available in the evening.
The hotel is located on an island, offering a tranquil and peaceful environment away from the hustle and bustle. The overall atmosphere is very comfortable and relaxing, making it an ideal choice for a leisure vacation.
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Price per night from:MXN$839
Posted on Apr 2, 2026
Guest User
This hotel's location is absolutely amazing! It's right by the central lake, so you can just step out and start exploring – incredibly convenient. The room was clean and tidy, and the bed was so soft and comfy; I felt completely refreshed after a good night's sleep. Standing on the balcony, enjoying the lake breeze and the view, was incredibly relaxing. The front desk staff, especially the lady, was super nice and patient, always helping me with my questions – truly thoughtful service!
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Price per night from:MXN$517