This hotel is located right near one of the nicest parts of the lake, or so my local friend tells me (believe it or not we found so many things to do in Hangzhou that we never even got around to fully checking out the lake). So if it's location you're after and you are on a tight budget then this place is doable. For us though, it had one major problem: really smelly bathrooms. When we were first shown to our room the stench hit us immediately, so we asked for a different room. The next room we were shown to was obviously an upgrade as it slept 3, not 2. It smelt a bit better so we accepted it and went on in. The stench was still there, but since this room was slightly larger the bathroom wasn't right on top of the sleeping area so when the door was closed it was bearable and we crashed out from a big day of hiking.

The next morning we woke to the sound of what sounded like a playground right in our room. Turns out there is a restaurant right outside and the al fresco dining was literally centimeters away from our window. This may not be the case with all rooms, but we were in the back building, so watch for this one. The rooms are not decorated at all so look pretty awful.

The hair dryer that was listed as being supplied was a rather long and wet walk to reception away (unless you speak Chinese, in which case you could try your luck asking for one). The toilet area (a real stinker!) felt unclean. And the curtain separating the toilet from the restaurant outside not close perfectly, leaving you feeling pretty exposed. Shower took ages to warm up or adjust heat control, and natural light in the bedroom area meant opening the curtain to all the passers by. Oh yes, the area is not very good for transport. When we asked for a taxi to go get some food the reply was 'no'. A bit of pushing resulted in a cab arriving within 5 mins though - not sure if this was luck or not...

That said, the bed was a bed and if you can't afford better then it may be ok. We got in really late at night so weren't in a position energy-wise to be room shopping. You might have better luck, but do be warned that there are potential issues here. We stayed at another hotel near the lake and within walking distance to the Longjin tea fields and museum which was at a similar price point but had nicer decor, but unfortunately had the same stench. Might be a cheap Chinese hotel thing.

A slice of real China in a convenient location for the tourist spots to the West and South of the city, Check in and out were typically laborious. Rooms just about acceptable to most westerners living in China [as we do]. But the feel of the village atmosphere and the price were unbeatable. We ate in and around the city mostly, seeing little of our hotel. Beds weren't too bad. Cockerel outside the ground floor window was. Still no English spoken but that's OK if you have some ability.

We loved this hotel. Nice, clean rooms with a personal touch. The rooms were located in separate buildings so it all had the feeling of a resort rather than an impersonal hotel. In the central building there's a lovely decorated restaurant with good food. Location is superb; just two minutes walking to the lake. The staff, however, does not speak English so it's very difficult communicating (often the case in China!).

You want to spend some days outside the megacities , you want to be closed to silent areas of lake and tea plants, you want to taste very special and delicious local food ? Go to Hangzhou and spend your time in Flowers Inn. Very nice hotel with closed contact to local people and restaurants. Rooms/Appartements within to local`s. Wake up with chickens and dogs not with traffic. Have breakfast in the little "Khaled`s" It also serves you delicious local food in the evening. Sit down in the sun in your directly neighbourhood and have a Jasmintea or Tsingtao...Enjoy the park area directly near your hotel (cross the silent road) Staff is very friendly and experioused ! For your environment is better to speak some words mandarin! Way upstairs to the silent teaplants nearby! I had the cheapest room with one bed and bathroom, no cupboard and very small but clean! If you want to spend more time in your room and not in the nice area you should book/upgrade to the better one`s. This is not the flowersInn directly on the lake in Hangzhou City!!