We booked for three nights in February and were excited when we entered into a large, well-decorated lobby with a pianist playing. But the hotel was a disappointment. First, they didn’t have the room we requested so put my husband and I in a room with two beds. Then the bathroom smelled like a sewer, so they sent someone to pour boiling water down the drain. After two nights the bathroom ceiling started leaking so they moved us to another room, which they referred to as an “executive suite” but was in fact an identical room with two beds and a slightly different wood on the walls. The “tea house” on the 7th floor is extremely expensive. The foot massage on the first floor was expensive when you factored in the tip, unusual in China but apparently expected here. The hotel charges for in-room internet access. The only thing I found going for this hotel was its location, directly across the street from West Lake. Also, the beds were soft. As other reviewers reported more positive experiences, I want to make sure I'm discussing the same Lakeview Hotel. The place I stayed: www.lakeviewhotelhz.com, 2 Huancheng Xilu

I highly recommend this hotel for its great location primarily. I am a female travelling independently in China and found the Wanghu (Lake View Hotel) easily accommodated my needs. The single room is a little small but perfect, plus the location right on the West Lake is very convenient.

Also known as the Lakeview Hotel, this property is located adjacent to the Westlake Park. I stayed there for a week in November while adopting my son. This is an absolutely first-rate hotel! We were met at the airport and transported by private car, and stunned by the beauty of the place. From the fish tanks in the lobby, to the live birds and peacocks in the atriums it sparkled. It was raining slightly when we arrived, and as we walked in a maintenance woman scrubbed the floors behind us!
The rooms were spacious and comfortable, we were on the third floor looking out over the lake. The staff was amazing. I called to check on my laundry, and before I could hang up the phone there was a Concierge at my door. The food in the buffet was spectacular. From venison chops to sushi to duck, I never tired of eating there. The location is great, walking distance to the park, which we enjoyed every day! For barely $100 a day, including a tremendous breakfast, I wish it were closer. American hotels could learn a lot from this place. The people are super-friendly and we hated to leave. If only they could do something about the horrific air pollution...

We were upgraded to a lake view room on check in and were delighted with the twinkling lights on the water, however the following morning the lake was nowhere to be seen due to the dreadful air pollution, a constant problem in China. The hotel itself was very clean and the location was perfect across the road from the lake and just round the corner ffrom the town center.