Set amidst a hillside tea plantation on the famous, freshwater West Lake near Hangzhou, China, the Fuchun Resort is quite literally a work of art. Of course, many of the world’s leading hotels were designed with beauty in mind, intent on providing a luxurious experience.
However, not every luxury hotel can say it was specifically designed in the image of an actual painting. The Fuchun resort honors a painting by artist Huang Gongwang, who lived from 1269-1354. The painting, “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains,” is considered to be one of his greatest works and is earmarked as a national treasure. Fuchun Resort stands as a replica of the famous painting.
Both international visitors and Shanghai natives alike head inland to the beauty, rest and rejuvenation offered at the Fuchun Resort. Read on to learn about the resort’s many amenities.
Dining
Executive Chef Sheryl Tsai presides over multiple dining options to keep visitors and guests delectably satisfied.
The beautiful Asian Corner restaurant features Hangzhou cuisine in a two-story dining room that is impeccably appointed with Chinese red lanterns and seasonal floral artwork. Asian Corner serves lunch and dinner, and their irresistible cuisine is prepared with fresh ingredients and local herbs and spices. Specials include stir-fried prawns, braised pork and steamed mandarin fish.
With breathtaking views of West Lake, rolling hills and the nearby tea plantation, Lake Lounge is an ideal place to enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or a light dinner. The menu offers a blend of Western and Asian dishes and chef specials, including spicy flavored wings, Vietnam spring rolls, Fuchun fried rice, and Taiwanese beef noodles.
After a short and relaxing boat ride from the main hotel, guests will find great views of the 18th hole from Club 8, located in the Golf Club House. European and Chinese cuisine mingle in an elegant dining room with indoor seating, and also at lakeside tables, where guests can enjoy breakfast, a light lunch or a romantic dinner.
Rooms
Fuchun Resort is comprised of 28 individual rooms and 57 suites/villas. Rooms and suites may be reserved with a garden view or a lake view, at multiple levels of size and accommodation. The villas range from one- to three-bedroom dwellings that rival the best of international real estate.
The Resort also includes a Ballroom, 2 gathering pavilions, and a meeting room for use as a special event, banquet, or convention facility.
Spa
With such serene surroundings, it’s only appropriate that the Fuchun Resort offers a top-notch spa. Tending to mind, spirit, and body, the spa offers a full menu of treatments, including signature therapies inspired by local healing traditions.
Treatments and services include: aromatherapy, body treatments, facials, massage, reflexology, Reiki, scrubs and wraps, and Shiatsu.
The spa menu also features signature treatments that highlight the resort’s idyllic location and rich cultural history. All products used in spa treatments are from A.W. Lake, a manufacturer that uses pure botanical extracts that are FDA-certified and petrol-free.
For your physical strength and health needs, the resort offers a full fitness studio with strength training equipment, treadmills, and a relaxation lounge with a Jacuzzi. The spa also offers individual and group sessions of Himalayan yoga.
Golf
Another way to be active at the Fuchun Resort is to utilize the signature Golf Club, a masterpiece course sculpted from the tea-covered hills.
Designed by Daniel J. Obermeyer, the 18-hole, 72-par golf course surrounds the entire resort, with fairways weaving players through the tea plantations, past the lake, and over rolling hills. The course can be challenging for golfers at multiple skill levels, and the resort also offers coaching and training facilities.
Awards
In May 2012, National Geographic Traveler voted the Fuchun Resort #1 on their China Gold List in the categories of Best Holiday Resort and Best Hotel Spa. The following month, it was voted #1 again at the World Luxury Spa Awards for Best Luxury Resort Spa. Also in 2012, the 21st Century Business Herald voted the Fuchun Resort among the Top Ten Resort Hotels. Because authentic visitor responses are just as important as professional association acclaim, it’s important to note that the resort is ranked #1 of 108 hotels in Fuyang on TripAdvisor.com.
Blissfully satisfied guests consistently report that their stays exceeded expectations, and that a cup of the resort’s signature Mingqian Longjing tea enjoyed at sunset with a lakefront view is an experience not to be missed.
All images used with kind permission of Leading Hotels of the World.