Weekend Water Fun with Kids - Hotel Review: Taizhou Country Garden Phoenix Hotel
Summer has arrived as promised, and this year's summer seems exceptionally hot. For someone like me who can't stay in an air-conditioned room, the only other way to cool off is to get into the water.
Without further ado, I dragged my husband and kid along with hastily assembled online guides and headed to our destination—Taizhou. About the city of Taizhou, Marco Polo once said it's not big, but there is plenty of happiness in the mortal world. So here begins my two-day, one-night weekend trip with the little one.
For someone with severe decision-making phobia, choosing anything is a nightmare, especially when traveling with a kid. You have to make sure the child is happy (those who know, know). So here's why I chose this hotel:
1. The hotel location is decent. We came from out of town and arrived at the hotel about 5 minutes after exiting the highway. For me, exhausted after dealing with the kid the whole way, this was a lifesaver. Fortunately, the city isn't big; driving to the city center is only about 7–8 km, and nearby attractions like Qinhu Wetland are about half an hour away—no big deal. The hotel parking is free, and what's more reassuring is they have charging stations. ✌
2. The environment is lovely. In summer, the lotus flowers in the hotel's back garden are in full bloom. The balcony of our room faced the lotus pond—the view was simply stunning. The lobby is luxurious, with a Venetian feel. According to a hotel staff member, all the murals in the hotel are hand-painted—a huge project.
3. Service: The service at this hotel is truly exceptional. Shortly after I placed an order online, I received a call from the hotel's lobby manager asking when we would arrive, and then they told us about the local weather and many helpful tips—much appreciated. At check-in, the front desk girl, seeing me holding the baby, kindly lent me a stroller (I forgot to bring ours in the rush)—so thoughtful. They even upgraded us to a semi-suite. The room temperature was very comfortable when we entered, as they had apparently calculated the timing and pre-cooled the room—definitely commendable.
4. I must mention the breakfast. The next day, we woke up naturally and went to eat with the kid. A waitress thoughtfully brought a baby chair. Breakfast was divided into Chinese and Western styles. For a traditional Chinese family like ours, we naturally chose Chinese. To my surprise, at the open kitchen they offered a local Taizhou specialty morning tea—fish soup noodles. The noodles were chewy, and the broth was delicious. The lady cooking the noodles said the broth is freshly simmered every morning. I finished one bowl and immediately went for another.
Travel—eating, staying, moving, sightseeing, shopping, entertainment. Next week, we'll talk about the food aspect.
