I stayed for one night in a very small but comfortable single room. I loved the decor because it reminded me so intensely of my trips to China in the 1980s. In some other reviews, the fact that it hadn't been substantially remodeled in recent years was criticized, but for me that was a plus. In French, I think it could be called a fleur fanée (something beautiful but a bit faded). The location was fabulous. The buffet breakfast was excellent and in a room at the top of the hotel with stunning views of the lake. I arrived at 7:10 and found that all the tables by the windows were taken, although breakfast had only started at 7! High speed internet connection was excellent (broadband, not wireless). I got a great price for the room on ctrip.

We caught a train from Shanghai but did not book early enough, so arrived after dark and left early as my husband had to work. The pollution was so bad that we could not see across the road from the hotel room. I can't tell you if we were close to water or not as I did not see any water. Rooms were good, and there was a fridge in the room. Although it advertised free internet, it was not free. When we complained, they argued ad nauseum, so after half an hour, we gave up. The staff's English deteriorated during the conversation (to hide behind a language barrier?). The hotel was nice enough, but I couldn't recommend it because of the staff attitude. Breakfast buffet was good.

very pleasant, worth the extra $5 for the upper floor views--all day and night a gorgeous changing vista of the lake. easy to get to all major sights as well as the lake. Good Chinese restaurant in hotel, two/three blocks from a nice business district with more small restaurant choices. Very nice staff

We flew in to Hangzhou from Guilin and stated for one night at the Lakeview Hotel towards the end of our China tour.
Pretty unremarkable hotel with average rooms and a good breakfast. Superb views from the restaurant overlooking the lake.
Spent a morning on the lake before heading off to Suzhou.