Summer in Dalian: Encounter the Most Abundant Interesting Souls at the Solitary Four Seasons Whale Whisper Hotel on the Coast

📍 Dalian · 👁 11 reads · ❤️ 333 likes

I visited Dalian many years ago, and my impression of it has always been that of a clean and tidy city with valiant and heroic female mounted police.

A good friend had been inviting me to visit, saying that Dalian is even more beautiful now, but I could never picture the city's specific appearance in my mind. It was not until I came to Dalian again that I finally realized how charming it truly is!

Dalian, surrounded by the sea on three sides, not only has well-preserved old buildings with exotic charm but also modern high-rise buildings. The newly built Yifang Dalian Castle Hotel has become a new landmark of the city, adding a bit more 'European style' to the already cosmopolitan Dalian.

Not just the architecture, the city's culture also has a unique appeal. The people of Dalian are very straightforward and hospitable. From restaurant owners to seafood stall vendors, everyone feels exceptionally warm. Although Dalian locals are down-to-earth, they are by no means rustic. Just look at the high style of the Four Seasons Whale Whisper Hotel where we stayed; it reflects that. Even though we cannot go abroad, we can find various exotic vibes here like Southeast Asian, Moroccan, Bohemian, and more.

And it was especially worry-free. Originally, I would make detailed route plans before every trip, but this time my friend said I didn't need to arrange anything because the hotel could arrange various sightseeing and experience activities, ensuring that my three-day Dalian trip would be fully packed. Sure enough, not only were paddleboarding, going out to sea, and afternoon tea all arranged clearly, but they could also arrange activities like experiencing the seafood market and visiting the city scenery. It was really so hassle-free~

This trip to Dalian made me truly fall in love with this romantic city. Because of Four Seasons Whale Whisper, it is worth coming again!

In Dalian, the romantic capital of China, I encountered a wild luxury hotel with a private beach—Four Seasons Whale Whisper. This boutique resort hotel stands on the coast of Amber Bay, facing a jade-green lagoon. Several thatched sunshades and beach chairs are scattered on the fine white sand. The overall environment is quiet and elegant, a niche and tranquil escape.

The entire building of Dalian Four Seasons Whale Whisper Hotel was designed by a German architect, blending into the reefs and the sea. After the original plan to use it as an art museum fell through, it was converted into a hotel on this basis. The interior still retains the previous artistic atmosphere. Large areas of white space and just the right amount of greenery perfectly combine the wabi-sabi aesthetic with a vacation vibe, creating a utopia where one wants to stay forever.

The hotel has three floors. The entrance and reception are on the second floor. In the atrium, there is a glasshouse with natural wood-colored decoration, plenty of greenery, and various exquisite wild luxury items, subtly exuding a sense of sophistication in its natural simplicity. The rooms on the first floor are sea-view rooms with courtyards; the lush foliage forms a private natural wall. Lounging on a deck chair to the sound of waves, such lazy and cozy moments are worth spending slowly. The rooms on the third floor are panoramic sea-view rooms with excellent views—open the door to see the sea. Leaning on the balcony to watch the jade-colored bay and the tides ebb and flow, there is a romantic sense of peaceful times.

The guest room design is also very thoughtful. Due to the irregular shape of the building, unlike the 'standard' of five-star hotels, every room here has its own 'little highlight', but they all share the same warmth, comfort, and sense of life. The warmth of Four Seasons Whale Whisper is hidden in every detail of the hotel. The linens are understated and elegant, with towels embroidered with a whale constellation pattern, bathrobes in two materials, new Dyson hairdryers, a woven basket full of snacks—every detail highlights the hotel's quality. The bathroom products are from the niche Japanese brand BOTANIST, the hand soap is the classic fragrance of the French perfume brand Atelier Cologne, the toothbrush and toothpaste are from Korea with a wide-head toothbrush and pink salt toothpaste, and the H&M woven bag contains a full range of hygiene products, even including a horn comb and sanitary pads from Belgium. These are all favorite items chosen by the owner after traveling the world, generously recommended to every guest like a friend. Here, our most common exclamation is, 'The owner has such good taste!'

If staying at a chain hotel is for standards and quality, then staying at Four Seasons Whale Whisper is like walking into a carefully woven dream. Every detail highlights the owner's experience traveling the world and her unique personal taste. I am so happy to have encountered Four Seasons Whale Whisper in cool Dalian this summer, just like the hotel's slogan: 'Lonely and abundant souls meet here.'

[Hotel Experience Activities]

· Paddleboarding wild swim & paddleboarding certification course (with coach, can get certified)

· Night tour of Xinghai (visit Xinghai Bay, cross-sea bridge night view)

· Yacht departure & sail hoisting experience

· Lawn afternoon tea at camping tent area

· Moroccan-style reef afternoon tea

· DIY handicraft experience

· Outdoor beach relaxation, open-air beachside movie screening

Having had sea-view afternoon tea and lawn afternoon tea, I had never had such a beautiful sea-view lawn afternoon tea!

This little surprise arranged by Dalian Four Seasons Whale Whisper Hotel brings a touch of coolness and sweetness to the romantic vacation. The midsummer sun spills over the hillside facing the sea. On the lawn, a knitted blanket is laid out with a forest-style tent, and the low table is full of abundant and exquisite food—fresh seasonal Dalian cherries, plump and juicy grapes, bright and sweet lychees, as well as sweet and soft bread and tempting fruit tarts. The drinks include grapefruit juice, perfect for summer—its slightly bitter taste relieves heat and fire—and apricot sparkling wine with a very refreshing and smooth mouthfeel, ideal for girls. From the setting to the food and the distant bay view, everything is full of the rich and luxurious southern French style. Put on a floral dress, sip and chat slowly with girlfriends, and keep the best memories of this summer~

Speaking of sea-view hotels, if they have a private beach, it definitely adds a lot of romantic atmosphere to the scenery.

It is not rare for hotels to have a private beach, but hotels with a private bay are extremely rare, especially one with a jade-green Amber Bay. The gentle blue-green ripples definitely double the romantic factor! This is Dalian Four Seasons Whale Whisper Resort Hotel!

Living off the mountain and the sea, having a private bay offers many wild luxury ways to play. The hillside is lush with trees, the beach has clear water and fine sand. On sunny days, the sea is as clear as emerald; on cloudy days, the mist is light and mysterious. Sunrises and moonrises, tides ebb and flow, sunny and rainy, misty—each season has its own beauty.

The rock face of the mountain is whitish. Climbing up along the reef, there is a flat stone platform where you can lay a blanket and bring a picnic basket, feeling the comfort of the waves crashing against the rocks below. Taking photos on the rock face, in a white long dress and a wide-brimmed straw hat, with the jade-green bay behind and blue sky and white clouds as background, it feels like being on the coast of Morocco. If I didn't tell you, would you believe this is in Dalian? It truly lives up to the reputation of 'China's Romantic Capital'.

In a secluded corner of the beach, a two-story thatched hut is set up with a romantic name: Whale Tail Pavilion. It is covered with straw mats and hung with gauze curtains, full of strong Southeast Asian vibes. At dusk, when the sunset gradually fades, the sea breeze becomes warm, and the little lights among the thatch light up, you can nestle comfortably in the Whale Tail Pavilion, leaning on soft cushions and wrapping in a blanket brought by the butler, waiting for the start of an open-air beach movie~ The summer nights in Dalian are only about 23°C, a temperature so comfortable that every pore can breathe freely. Such a romantic night at Whale Tail Pavilion is worth having~

For a coastal city, there always seem to be countless ways to have fun out at sea, and Dalian is no exception.

During my stay at Dalian Four Seasons Whale Whisper Hotel, besides sunbathing on the beach, enjoying afternoon tea on the lawn, and taking beautiful photos on the reef, I could also experience various novel and interesting or leisurely sea activities.

If you are keen on new challenges, try 'paddleboarding wild swim'. No need to go far—the hotel's private bay is the best spot. This hidden cape is calm and particularly suitable for paddleboarding beginners. Although I was a little nervous at first, the coach was very patient in explaining everything, from wearing the life jacket to detailed action essentials, and how to safely fall into the water and get back on the board... With the coach's full guidance, I quickly overcame my fear and managed to stand on the paddleboard! Indeed, this trendy global sport is addictive~ Gliding on the paddleboard across the jade-green sea feels like merging with nature.

If you want to relax and lie down, 'sailing yacht departure' is the most suitable way. The hotel arranges a special car, heading west along the coast to the Xinghai Bay yacht marina. Many private yachts are moored there. Board a white Bavaria catamaran and sail out to sea, lying on a hammock lazily sunbathing, enjoying the views of Dalian city along the coast—the beautiful and peaceful Xinghai Bay, the castle by the water, the elegant white Xinghai Bay cross-sea bridge. Sailing during the day, seagulls accompany you; sailing at night, you can enjoy the beautiful sunset at sea. The hotel also thoughtfully provides seasonal fruit platters and drinks. Such a comfortable life is the right way to vacation!

The true culture of a city is hidden in its local markets. In Taoyuan Market, you can find the vitality of Dalian city. It can be described as the earthy flavor of human life, or the smell of oysters with a sea breeze.

The Taoyuan Market in the city center represents the style of Dalian's old town and is the city's final stubbornness. Even though surrounded by high-rise buildings and expensive upscale neighborhoods, the market remains down-to-earth and always bustling. The seafood stalls are always crowded, with about thirty-four stalls lined up on both sides. Lively swimming crabs, fat sea urchins, shiny mackerel, snails covered with seaweed... all kinds of seafood, known and unknown, are fresh and jumping here, and the prices are so cheap that out-of-towners are dumbfounded. The seafood vendor, a young man, is quick and efficient—picking up, weighing, boxing, icing, sealing—a flurry of actions. Meanwhile, an elderly woman with gray hair trembles as she takes a plastic bag, carefully thinking whether to steam or stir-fry. This is the most charming earthy flavor of Dalian.

Buy some seafood at Taoyuan Market and bring it back to the hotel. The kitchen at Jingxi Restaurant can help with simple preparation. One plate after another of large clams, mantis shrimp, and mixed fish are served, and you taste the freshness of the sea.

Jingxi Restaurant is a subsidiary restaurant of Four Seasons Whale Whisper, offering a rich buffet breakfast. It is also open to the public on ordinary days, serving a fusion of Chinese and Western cuisine, creative dishes with Dalian flavors. The restaurant's design follows the hotel's style—woven linens and greenery fill the space with a wabi-sabi vibe, while candleholders, blue tones, and dim yellow lights add a romantic touch.

The restaurant's breakfast may not be known for variety, but it excels in detail and comfort, and even the tableware is exceptionally beautiful. Simple hot porridge and vegetables, as well as Western coffee and cold dishes—you can ask the chef for wonton or plain noodles, or grab some oden to start your taste buds for the day. With sunlight streaming into the restaurant, such a warm breakfast of porridge and dishes brings a taste of home.

The dishes at Jingxi Restaurant definitely live up to the name 'Jingxi' (surprise). Several creative dishes are full of surprises. Salted egg yolk chicken wings with ribs are irresistible for anyone who loves salted egg yolk—crispy outside, tender inside, with the perfect combination of meat and savory yolk. The black-gold crispy pork belly is also generous—deep-fried pork belly wrapped in a black crispy crust topped with gold leaf, making one exclaim at the owner's richness! In addition, the restaurant offers Dalian home-style dishes like fried clams with eggs, handmade cuttlefish dumplings, etc. You can order anything with your eyes closed and not be disappointed! Western cuisine is also a highlight—Caesar salad, black pepper steak, handmade Italian pizza—every flavor brings a surprise.

What is most commendable is that the restaurant has its own drink bar, and the coffee produced is quite good. It is said that the coffee beans are carefully selected by the owner and are regularly replaced with new beans. Come and try the surprise flavors here!

Travelogue Directory

1. Dalian Four Seasons Whale Whisper Hotel

2. Sea-view lawn afternoon tea

3. Various ways to play in Jade Bay

4. Go out to sea! Play paddleboarding!

5. Go to the most down-to-earth market, eat at the most stylish restaurant

6. About the author

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