Hidden English Charm in Hangzhou: An Immersive Guide to the Rose Garden Resort

After staying at five hotels in Hangzhou, I finally found the perfect example of "hidden in plain sight"—the Rose Garden Resort by Greentown on the banks of the Qiantang River. It's like a secret garden touched by magic, where even the air is fragrant with the scent of Longjing tea. **>> Experience a Downton Abbey Setting** The creamy white domed hall is adorned with crystal chandeliers, and the carved handrails of the spiral staircase gleam with a warm, polished glow. When booking, I specifically requested "a room with a view of the trees," and I was delighted to be upgraded to a garden suite with a private hot tub! The bathroom amenities were from a niche perfumery, and the turndown service included a steam eye mask and a hand-drawn map of Hangzhou nightlife placed on my bedside table. **>> A Culinary Journey Through Two Sides of Jiangnan** The freshly made shrimp wontons at breakfast were so good I raved about them three times. The chef told me the broth was made with water from the Tiger Spring. I highly recommend the hidden menu item, "Longjing cold brew tea with lotus flower pastry." Enjoying it while sitting in the waterside booth, watching the koi swim by, was incredibly relaxing. In the evening, I had a customized dinner in the glass conservatory. The perch rolls with water shield and the crab-stuffed oranges were plated so beautifully they looked like works of art. **>> Unlock the Secrets of Nearby Attractions** 1. Wake up early and ride the hotel's free bicycles for 20 minutes along the Yanggong Causeway to reach Maojiabu. The dark green trees rising into the morning mist are breathtakingly beautiful. 2. Walk eight minutes to the Six Harmonies Pagoda Cultural Park. From the top, you can see a panoramic view of the Qiantang River Bridge. 3. In the afternoon, take a 15-yuan taxi ride to the White Pagoda Park. The green train and cherry blossom tracks are incredibly photogenic. 4. For a night out, I recommend the Qiantang New City light show. There are two shows on weekends, at 7:30pm and 8:30pm. Before checking out, I participated in a traditional handicraft class, where I learned to print Leifeng Pagoda patterns onto silk with the help of an instructor. The finished product can be made into a bookmark to take home. The concierge was incredibly thoughtful. When he heard we were going to Faxi Temple, he reminded us that bus route 1314 is the "love line." As the shuttle bus carried us out through the rose-covered archway, I suddenly understood the saying, "When you recall Jiangnan, you most recall Hangzhou." It turns out that the true essence of Hangzhou lies in the third cup of tea poured for you by the hotel butler. 📍 Greentown · Hangzhou Rose Garden Resort 🔎 No. 128 Zhijiang Road, Xihu District