16/12/2014
- A Luxury Boutique Hotel in Hangzhou, China
The Chaptel boutique hotel in Hangzhou has been unforgettable. Just minutes away from the natural beauty that is West Lake, it is easy for its tranquil atmosphere to transcend to the Chaptel when one enters through the gated entrance of the hotel. Simplistic and elegant, the hotel consists of only seventeen rooms that are deluxe suites, instantly providing quietness and seclusion. Servants and housekeepers are not shy to greet you and some will sincerely engage in conversation about how the day is going. Lush trees and flowers are planted throughout the walkway giving it a home garden experience. Even checking in was simplistic yet unique as you are personally escorted into a comfortable living room and given your room keys over a coffee table and a complimentary cup of hot oolong tea. The entrances to the suites are more suitable to describe an entrance to one’s home with the door’s hand crafted doorbell and welcome mat placed right before me. As I open the door, the concrete steps soon turn into smooth, dark wood floors as I enter the living room where the fireplace has started. The interior design could instantly be identified as an Asian-European fusion, a blend of the past and present. The tables and cabinets include delicate, French touches while the carpet is handmade with Chinese embroidery. Wooden shutters give the suite a luxurious yet homey feel. A personal balcony can be accessed through the bedroom as well; perfect for my family to enjoy Hangzhou’s beautiful sunset. When we go outside for our daily meals, we are taken to the Chaptel’s restaurant which resembles a fine dining room that is vintage inspired. Women could be seen chatting over high tea and business men are seen holding private meetings over coffee. The food is exquisite, offering a selection of either Oriental or Western dishes, all of them filled with flavors that are incomparable to any other hotel restaurant. My family and I were given amazing service, with the waiter understanding my peculiar food preferences and even remembering the next morning when I had my breakfast. Going for a afternoon or sunset walk after meals around the Chaptel is the most relaxing and recommended.
The Chaptel effortlessly fuses Eastern and Western designs, its impeccable service, cuisine, and living quality provided my family and I a safe, warm and incredibly beautiful atmosphere. The Chaptel was more than just a getaway, it was a moment of living in the past and the present; a breathtaking world-class luxury.
