Hangzhou Xiaoyao Manor on Xiang Lake: A Secluded Paradise by the Lake, Quietly Enjoying a Mountain Retreat in a Hidden Manor

Hangzhou, the renowned water town of Jiangnan, stroll along Bai Causeway, Su Causeway, and Broken Bridge under an oil-paper umbrella; take a boat to visit Lesser Yingzhou and Mid-Lake Island, and admire the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon—the poetic charm of Jiangnan unfolds before your eyes.

Today, Hangzhou and its surrounding areas have become popular getaway destinations for Shanghai residents, such as Moganshan, Qiandao Lake, and Xiang Lake mentioned here. In these retreats, there are always a few excellent hotels where you can truly unwind for a few days.

Nestled within the scenic and historic Hangzhou Xiang Lake National Tourism Resort, the Hangzhou Xiaoyao Manor on Xiang Lake sits with mountains behind and water in front, secluded along the shores of Xiang Lake, often praised as the "sister lake" of Hangzhou's West Lake. It has now become a new lifestyle landmark in Hangzhou and a perfect spot for Shanghai residents seeking a high-quality escape.

Xiaoyao Manor was jointly created by the award-winning GOA Elephant Architecture Design, the U.S.-based HBA, and Thailand's P49 Design Studio. With a core design philosophy of returning to nature, it blends the mountain-dwelling essence of Eastern aesthetics with locally adapted natural elements, redefining the standards of contemporary luxury resort living.

In recent years, I've taken up aerial photography, so I took the opportunity to fly my newly upgraded drone over the manor, hoping to capture its beauty from unique angles.

When my car pulled up at the lobby drop-off area of Xiaoyao Manor, the bellboy warmly helped with my luggage and guided me to the front desk for check-in. I imagine many people, like me, can't resist snapping a few photos with their phones as they pass through the lobby courtyard.

The public areas are meticulously crafted, with the bright and open atrium wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows, where light and shadows interplay.

But the most beautiful moment comes when night falls and the lights first come on in the lobby courtyard. Its design is inspired by the meandering streams in natural valleys, using islands, pine forests, winding brooks, and arched bridges to recreate the natural sensation of a stream flowing through a valley. The paths paved with white gravel mimic ripples on water, exuding a strong Zen ambiance.

At this time, with Zen-inspired ancient melodies filling the air, you feel as if you've stepped into an ancient palace.

Entering the open-plan lobby, the layout is refreshingly different: it is transparent on three sides, with the front desk facing the courtyard. To the left, you reach the restaurant, tea lounge, bar, banquet hall, and other public areas, with entire walls of floor-to-ceiling glass doors that bring the mountain and lake scenery indoors and provide direct outdoor access. To the right, it leads to guest rooms, the library, SPA, and more private spaces.

In the center of the lobby, the phalaenopsis orchids echo the decorative hanging birdcage lamps, while the backdrop wall behind the front desk features Hangzhou embroidery paintings, vividly depicting the beauty of Xiang Lake.

The path to the guest rooms passes through a quiet library corner. In such a serene environment, picking up a good book to leaf through is indeed a rare pleasure.

Of course, the landscape visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows is mesmerizing as well, with its layered waterscapes reminding me of Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan and Blue Moon Valley in Yunnan.

181 stylish and elegant guest rooms

The interior decor of the manor complements its exterior beauty. The 181 stylish and elegant guest rooms currently open all feature spacious private balconies, overlooking the views of Xiang Lake while soaking in the garden scenery.

The rooms adopt a neo-Chinese design philosophy, rich in classical charm, with a strong sense of spatial layering that creates a dynamic layout. They are designed to serve as private retreats away from the hustle and bustle of the city, offering secluded moments of pleasure.

The bathroom flooring is inspired by the intricate stone-paving techniques of Jiangnan gardens, and the washbasins are handcrafted.

The open-plan bathing area blurs the boundaries of space, integrating more living scenarios into the bathroom. A freestanding round bathtub offers a more liberating and comfortable bathing experience. The walk-in thermostatic rainforest shower enhances the bathing ritual, washing away all fatigue. The toiletries are from Agraria, the venerable American royal fragrance brand, in the Golden Cassis series.

The guest room furniture is elegantly understated, with simple and comfortable solid-color sofas, meticulously crafted solid-wood pieces, and soft decorative art such as finely crafted Chinese porcelain, lacquerware, and floral arrangements. These add a cultural touch, exuding the doctrine of the mean and rich Chinese elements throughout.

Xiaoyao Manor has also recently partnered with the super popular Pancoat to launch a Little Yellow Duck parent-child room, making family trips more comfortable and delightfully childlike! Upon opening the door, a riot of playful colors greets you, with the beloved duck motif everywhere, offering a completely new experience for you and your child. The room is equipped with a slide, swing, and water toys, all thoughtfully designed for little ones.

Abundant dining experiences

Xiaoyao Manor features five distinctive restaurants, tea rooms, and bars, offering epicureans refined and elegant settings to enjoy exquisite food and wine while taking in the panoramic views of Xiang Lake.

In the afternoon sunshine, guests can quietly savor their vacation by the five-meter-high floor-to-ceiling windows in the lobby lounge or on the outdoor terrace, indulging in a refined afternoon tea with pastries, with an unobstructed view of the stunning lake scenery. The afternoon tea service has become very popular, with many young ladies making a special trip to check it out. Of course, enjoying delicious food while admiring the beautiful scenery is a major highlight.

For those who enjoy a drink, the lobby lounge is a place not to be missed. It offers a wide selection of wines, champagnes, brandies, whiskies, cocktails, and an array of Chinese and Western snacks to suit every palate. How about a glass of the trendy Mojito?

Songjian Tang Tea Room

Tea enthusiasts can sample a variety of premium teas at the Songjian Tang Tea Room, where both body and mind can completely unwind, and the views are equally enchanting.

Yuncong All-Day Dining Restaurant

A wonderful day starts with a lavish breakfast. Guests can head to Yuncong All-Day Dining Restaurant in the morning to enjoy an extensive range of global buffet delicacies or order à la carte dishes prepared by the chefs. When the morning isn't too hot, you can even dine outdoors, surrounded by birdsong and the fragrance of the forest, making for a very pleasant breakfast experience.

For lunch and dinner, the elegantly classic Shuiyang Chinese Restaurant is the place to go. The manor's culinary team presents innovative Hangzhou cuisine combined with new-style health-conscious Cantonese fare, offering guests multiple dining choices and experiences.

For larger family gatherings or corporate reunions, the Shuiyang Chinese Restaurant's seven luxurious private rooms and four standalone lakeside dining rooms with full floor-to-ceiling windows provide an excellent dining environment. Guests can enjoy seasonal specialty dishes in a bright and cozy atmosphere while fully appreciating the beauty of Xiang Lake.

Abundant leisure and recreational facilities

The manor provides a wealth of leisure and recreational amenities, including a full-service SPA, spacious indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a well-equipped fitness center, a reading lounge, a children's play area, a music bar, a chess and card room, and a billiards room.

If you're vacationing with good buddies, the manor's billiards area is worth a try.

For couples or partners looking to work out, the manor's gym is a must-visit spot. Cleverly designed pillars and glass cabinets separate the fitness equipment, giving guests a private exercise space. Encouraging each other is the best way to stay fit.

The dry landscape garden view through the floor-to-ceiling windows adds a soothing visual experience while you exercise.

The indoor pool is also a great place for a workout, with spacious loungers that evoke a strong sense of resort relaxation.

Families with children, in addition to the outdoor pool, will find the children's play area a perfect spot for keeping the little ones entertained.

With summer here, the manor's outdoor pool is destined to be a popular attraction. On a clear, sunny day, go for a refreshing swim with your loved one.

Exploring around the manor

If the manor's recreational options aren't enough, you can simply walk to the adjacent Xiang Lake scenic area. Just beside the manor entrance is the Xiasun Boat Pier, where you can board traditional-styled boats to tour Xiang Lake. As you glide along, listen to the guide narrate stories from 8,000-year-old Kuahuqiao culture, the 2,500-year-old rivalry between Wu and Yue, the tale of King Goujian “sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall,” the strategy of “sending fish to defeat the enemy,” and the love story of Fan Li and Xi Shi…

Sailing on Xiang Lake, the fish swim in the water, and you drift through a painting. Here, the Jiangnan water-town atmosphere is even more pronounced, without bustling crowds—just the occasional boat gently cutting through the calm water. As the saying goes, “Everyone praises Jiangnan; travelers would grow old there. Spring water bluer than the sky, on a painted boat listening to the rain as you doze.” This is truly an enchanting fantasy.

Address: No. 256 Yuewang Road, Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China (approx. 20 km from Hangzhou East Railway Station, approx. 1.2 km from Xiang Lake Station on Hangzhou Metro Line 1) Tel: +86 571 82219999