Location is fantastic, architecture good (but why did they build the concrete shed on the end), checkin completely incompetent. Rooms very nice. essentially no service in the restaurant worth speaking of, food overpriced and average quality. When will Intercontinental wake up, bring in professional management and training?

This resort/hotel is in a spectacular location and the architects have made the most of it. Rooms look out onto the lake across several swimming pools and the interior spaces are full of light and views. The furnishings in the lobby are normal leather seats and sofas or quirkish shapes made from metal straps that are actually comfortable, all set in an environment made from natural timber and fibres. You feel that the management really have taken a lot of trouble to try and get the ambience right - this is a nature paradise and the hotel, although big, manages to feel like a rural retreat in upstate NY or Vermont. There was some folksy/handcraft and harvest festival decor that kept the rural feeling (see photos). The room I had was large and comfortable and the bathroom was exceptional. The freestanding bathtub could be incorporated or separated from the bedroom with heavy sliding screens, the shower was perfect and the room has full amenities: everything from slippers, robes, toiletries, tea & coffee maker and bar fridge to umbrella and wall safe. The only thing about the Intercontinental that disappointed was the breakfast - the buffet food service area was not particularly clean, there were insects crawling on the fruit that was on the counter, many hot dish baine-maries were almost empty so the overall feeling was that the staff couldn't cope with the morning rush. Service level at the table was excellent, it's just that staff were concentrating on the wrong things or couldn't do everything ! I'd love to stay at this hotel again - it hasn't been open long so I want to go back when they've got the bugs (no pun intended) out of it.

Fantastic hotel, great staff.
Easy accessible because the hotel is organizing a shuttle bus in the morning from Shanghai to the hotel and in the afternoon form the hotel to sShanghai. It is a 4h drive, fair price with snack and water included.
Very quiet hotel, great for a weekend escape.
Strongly recommand it

It is a nice hotel with perfect facilities. The shuttle bus service from Shanghai to Qiandao Lake is quite good and generally takes about 4.5 hours. The food boxes are provided to all passengers taking the shuttle bus. The quality of room service is reasonable.

However, the service of check in is quite unacceptable considering the status of a 5 star hotel. It took about half an hour to queue for the check in and the front desk service should be managed in a more effective and efficient way. In addition, the service of the restaurant is problematice. There is no staff to arrange the seats for the breakfast buffet at all. It is unbelievable.