Sleep in a 'Spanish Palace', Embrace the Hidden Paradise of Tianfu, and Begin a Luxurious Journey in Chengdu

In 1956, Meliá Hotels International originated on the Spanish island of Mallorca, and today it is one of the world's largest hotel chains. Its premium brand, Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, inherits the luxurious essence of Spain.

GRAN MELIÁ

Now, the passionate Spanish spirit meets the leisurely comfort of Bashu, blending the charm of Shu and Han with Spanish luxury aesthetics. Gran Meliá Chengdu has been established by Jincheng Lake.

Meliá Hotels International entered China in 2014, debuting in Xi'an. Now, the group is further expanding in the Chinese market, and last year, the Gran Meliá brand made a splendid debut in the Land of Abundance.

When you think of Chengdu, what comes to mind first? Is it the adorable giant pandas, the stylish ladies and fashion-forward men on Chunxi Road, or the hotpot, Sichuan cuisine, and tea houses? This fashionable, leisurely, and vibrant city always attracts tourists from all over the country.

In early March, during the season of blooming cherry blossoms, I made an appointment with a friend to visit Chengdu and check in at this hotel, which blends Shu charm with Western elegance—Gran Meliá Chengdu—to start a new journey in Tianfu.

During my stay, I took several aerial photos of the hotel's exterior, clearly showing seven buildings inspired by the Han and Shu styles. The architectural design inherits the spatial organization of traditional Chinese classical architecture with its central axis and courtyards, creating a magnificent palace in the bustling city. It draws inspiration from ancient Shu palaces and Spanish romantic aesthetics, showcasing a garden-style urban resort vibe.

In the warm spring of March, the hotel is surrounded by lush greenery. Whether strolling through the modern gardens or jogging by Jincheng Lake, you can encounter many beautiful flowers and weeping willows. This resort hotel, a blend of historical culture, luxury, and fashion, always makes me forget about Shanghai.

Flowers in the Garden

Driving to the hotel, I pass through a tree-lined avenue and arrive at the lobby. The grand lobby, with its petal-shaped chandeliers, exudes luxury. From the ceiling lights to the central water wave sculpture, and from the hotel entrance to the waterscape, it cleverly echoes the shimmering Jincheng Lake outside.

To the left of the lobby, there is a large carved painting titled "Thousand-Year Ancient Weir Map" (Qiannian Guyan Tu). On the right, the background wall of the lounge features Shu brocade inspired by hibiscus flowers, showcasing exquisite Shu embroidery through a masterful combination of painting and embroidery, highlighting the city's strong Shu charm.

Check into the 'Spanish Palace' and Begin a Comfortable Journey

The hotel has a total of 265 guest rooms, also designed with a strong resort vibe, using warm and delicate earth tones, nestled by the water, close to nature.

The room I stayed in this time has large floor-to-ceiling windows that bring the beautiful outdoor scenery indoors. The rooms are equipped with high-definition LCD TVs, wireless high-speed internet, and showers. What I like most is the sofa by the window, where I can lazily read a book or just daydream.

Of course, if you stay on the G2 floor, you can also enjoy a comfortable courtyard.

The hotel uses a consistent selection of international top brands, including Italian luxury brand ETRO and Spanish royal favorite Natura Bissé for amenities, Duravit toilets, Hansgrohe showers, and Villeroy & Boch round bathtubs in suites.

As a pet-friendly hotel, they thoughtfully arrange everything for guests traveling with pets, allowing you and your furry friend to enjoy a wonderful vacation at the hotel.

(Pets under 20kg are allowed; reference fee: 200 RMB/room/night)

If you stay in the Gran Meliá Suite, you will enjoy special privileges of the Red Level, including professional butler service, dedicated check-in and check-out space, and access to the executive lounge.

Rich Dining Experience, Enjoy Global Cuisine Without Leaving the Hotel

Lakeside All-Day Dining Restaurant

During my stay, I had breakfast at the Lakeside All-Day Dining Restaurant. They offer a wide variety of buffet breakfast, à la carte lunch, and buffet dinner.

The bright and spacious interior, with various food stations displaying an array of delicacies, awakens an energetic day.

The restaurant also has a garden terrace dining area, offering views of Jincheng Lake and the lush garden landscape.

The Chinese restaurant is also ingeniously designed, with Shu brocade and silk woven into details everywhere. The exquisite and luxurious modern decoration style makes it a highly recommended dining spot for both business banquets and family gatherings.

The restaurant also has comfortable private rooms. In the Rongge Chinese Restaurant, filled with Chinese ambiance, guests can enjoy delicate Cantonese cuisine or spicy Sichuan flavors, satisfying all taste buds.

I had dinner here with friends for two nights, and each meal was excellent. Personally, I liked the golden-thread crab roe mustard shrimp balls and steamed sea bass with fresh Sichuan peppercorns, while the black pepper pan-fried steak was also very flavorful and worth recommending.

Gran Via Spanish Restaurant

Spanish chef Carlos comes from Madrid, Spain, with over 20 years of experience in the culinary industry. He specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, particularly Spanish, Italian, French, and fusion creative dishes, with professional knowledge and unique interpretations of ingredients.

The tempting Western feast captures the taste buds: seafood tomato sauce pasta, Iberian acorn-fed ham, fresh tomato sauce bread with extra virgin olive oil—it's hard to find a second place like this in Chengdu.

On warm spring afternoons, enjoy exquisite Spanish specialty tea snacks at the Gran Lounge, or sip a glass of Spanish red wine, feeling the sweetness and gentleness of Gran Meliá.

I ordered a spring afternoon tea set available only in March with friends. Not only was it visually appealing, but it also tasted great.

Compared to the Gran Lounge, I prefer the Courtyard Lounge, an extension of the Gran Lounge, which will open to guests soon. Whether sitting in the courtyard lounge for a casual meeting or strolling through the courtyard, it feels very pleasant. The courtyard is lush with plants, and the stone paths offer a different view at every step, like being in a quiet garden.

Comprehensive Leisure and Entertainment Facilities, Fun for All Ages

Heated Indoor Pool & Hot Tubs

City vacations always involve swimming and fitness. Gran Meliá Chengdu has a large indoor pool where guests can swim freely. The pool has an ozone circulation sterilization system, ensuring guests can relax with peace of mind. There are also wonderful spa treatments, comfortable hot springs, and sauna rooms for better relaxation.

If you don't want to run around the lake, the indoor gym is a recommended option, allowing you to enjoy the thrill of exercise without leaving the hotel.

As a leisure city like Chengdu, a vacation always includes tea and mahjong. In the hotel's tea room, guests can taste authentic tea snacks and play mahjong with friends, chatting and laughing.

Families with children can also be satisfied. The children's playground is a paradise for kids! The children's activity center features a craft workshop, painting area, VR gaming space, and dance machine, with a professional team providing full-time companionship. Children can experience various entertainment activities accompanied by adults.

Explore Hotel Gardens & Jincheng Lake

The hotel is adjacent to the 2,400-mu (about 160 hectares) Jincheng Lake Park and 1,000-mu (about 66.7 hectares) Jincheng Lake, boasting 20,000 square meters of gardens. Without leaving the city, you can enjoy both 'poetry and distance' and 'urban life.' You can jog around Jincheng Lake, take photos under cherry blossom trees, or read a book slowly in the hotel garden, enjoying a private Tianfu vacation.

From the hotel, it's only a 20-minute drive to Shuangliu International Airport. It is adjacent to Global Center, Financial City, and Century City Exhibition Center, and can easily reach various popular attractions in Chengdu. Whether on a business trip or vacation, it is highly recommended.

Gran Meliá Chengdu

Address: No. 1555, Jincheng Avenue, High-tech Zone, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China