First stay in 1999, Last stay September 2011. I have tried to love this hotel off and on since my first stay in 1999 when it was the ONLY decent place to stay as the other hotels were very poor. Yes, the hotel has history, yes you will love the location(best in Hangzhou), BUT at the same time you will feel a huge apathy in service, never see manager's working publicly to ensure a 6 star Shangrila experience and find yourself paying top dollar for an overrun, exhausted hotel that just doesn't measure up to its price tag. I've stayed in both wings over the years...including the infamous golf cart ride up the hill to the Shangrila guesthouse slums. Yes the west wing, club rooms are better, but if you've stayed in the Four Seasons, Intercontinental, or JW then you will be colossally DISAPPOINTED.

You might think this hotel looks dated and old style and you would be correct. It is built on the former estate of ChiangKai Chek and has therefore the most beautiful views of the Western Lake. I suggest you book in the West Wing on the Club floors - the wing is newer and the club floor has an amazing terrace with views in all directions. Also the food served is excellent to include enough appetizers in the evening to replace dinner.

You might note the beds in this hotel are very hard but oh what a good night's sleep. I would import them were it possible! If you rise early in the morning you will hear people doing Kung Fu in the woods by the lake - it all sounds very mysterious and often there is fog to add to the atmosphere. By all means do book some tickets for the special show on the lake. It was choreographed by the same man who did the Beijing Olympics and is totally magical. People floating on water, tiny boats that seems to float in the air and you will learn the legend of the white snake bridge you can see from the hotel.

I have stayed at the Hyatt on the lake and while modern it is really bland and just like all other international hotels. Shangri La is old but clean, comfortable and historic. Be sure to walk in the gardens on the way to the best brunch in the area. On weekends it is full of Chinese people who also love the hotel for Italian food! Yes - really good Italian food and wine. You can safely cross the road in front of the hotel and walk into the park that surrounds the lake. Do take a little boat ride and order some green tea - In the Spring and Autumn it is a little bit of heaven. Go for the long boat ride as it is much more relaxing. This is the best of China - great beauty, great history (the Emperor Yang Guang the last emperor of the Sui Dynasty had canals dug by hand (3,600,000 workers) so he could get to the Western Lake so enjoy this wonder from the great Shangri La Hotel.

The Shangri-La has an ideal location, lush green grounds, and is essentially a self-contained luxury village; a great place for a holiday. Best thing is its just opposite the famous west lake. Make sure you dont miss the impression of west lake ( just across the road), a love story performed with impressive special effects on the lake

Spent a lovely weekend in Hangzhou back in the Summer. Was dubious about booking this hotel based ont he reviews, but I rung them the day before I managed to get a good rate on taking 3 rooms (2 interconnecting) so went ahead and was not disappointed.

OK so the decor is a bit dated and the hotel does have a Chinese feel to it, that said you are not paying Shangri-La resort prices. So remember you get what you pay for.

The staff were friendly, the food and Bar were reasonably priced and very nice places to eat and drink. The rooms were functional and gave a good nights sleep.

This hotel is right on the banks of West Lake, within a 1 minute walk, which is just perfect. Do not think you can save a few Yuan and stay in town ... traffic in Hangzhou is a nightmare, taxis limited and its a bigger place than you would imagine so walking is not really an option (unless you really like walking!)