Palm Springs Hotel Chengdu, Vignette Collection by IHG

One thing I liked about getting a Gold room was the quiet lounge. There were only a few people there, and the four classic cocktails were pretty decent. The bak kut teh stood out, with tender, tasty beef; the four to six hot dishes were fine too, though taste is subjective. Afternoon tea came as one set for each room. At checkout, the staff handed me an amenity kit. When I asked if it was because I’d booked Gold, they called it a “special gift for you.” I figured the room booking probably had something to do with it. The hotel is in a newer part of Chengdu, but getting downtown for shopping is easy. The MRT is right outside. It takes about 25-30 minutes to reach IFS on Chunxi Street, changing from Line 1 (blue) to Line 3 (pink). A Didi costs around 20-40 yuan. Global Center is one stop away and the Twin Towers are two, though there’s a bit of walking inside the station, so Didi can be easier. On my first visit I booked a standard room and got upgraded to a Deluxe with a view of nearby condos. The second time I booked a standard room for one night and a Gold Room for two. I was first given a Gold room on the 28th floor with that same condo view, so I asked to move to a front-facing room. I ended up in corner room 1601, which had a better view. The bed was comfortable, and there were electric curtains, an automatic toilet, and a rain shower with strong water pressure. The carpets can make the rooms feel a little dated, but everything was clean and well kept. For breakfast, I’d eat downstairs on the first floor, then head to the lounge for tea. The lounge selection was limited, though its TWG teas included fun flavors like caramel. Downstairs had more variety, and Friday’s food seemed better than the other days. The smoked salmon, beef soup, and several desserts were especially good. The welcome drink setup was a little confusing. On my first stay I had to redeem it at the Cube bar on the first floor. I tried the 44th floor, but staff said that was only an L-less option. On this return, someone told me to try there, and Derek, the restaurant manager, let me redeem cocktails. The Cube bar has better tasting cocktails, while the 44th floor is the place to go for a view. I also ate at Miku on the 44th floor, where many dishes were delicious, A+. There’s a 50% discount for two. The sushi rolls had more rice than fish. I liked the Burrata salad the first day and ordered it again the next, but it wasn’t as good; I wondered if the chef had gone home since it was late. The fried chicken wings tasted off. The pizza, though, was unusually good, with a thin, crispy crust unlike any I’d had before. Chang Yi, the Chinese restaurant on the fifth floor, also has an A+ buffet and similar discounts. Two people would pay around 300 yuan after the discount, but I had to cancel my reservation because of timing. Service was attentive and excellent. With clean, maintained rooms and handy shopping access, I’d recommend Fairmont Chengdu to anyone visiting the city.

The concierge made getting around easy. They suggested several places to visit, arranged taxis, and gave us a card to show drivers when we wanted to return to the hotel or head to other tourist spots. James Zhan was particularly friendly and helpful, and added a lot to our stay. We’d just arrived from New Zealand on our first trip to China, very early in the morning. While our room was being prepared, the staff gave us a room where we could freshen up. Our one-bedroom suite was impressive, with views over the high-tech district, and the amenities were all high quality. We used both the fitness centre and the pool. We only ate breakfast at the hotel, but it was excellent, with a broad choice of local and international food. It was a fantastic stay from beginning to end, and I’d gladly recommend the hotel to anyone visiting Chengdu.

The attentive, welcoming hotel team made this a relaxing place to stay. It’s conveniently located near modern amenities.

The lobby stays bright, calm, and elegant, and the rooms combine practical touches with a refined feel. I liked the remote blinds, the lighting with three brightness settings, and the toilet’s washing function. The marble and wood also give the room a luxurious look. For business trips in Chengdu, especially to the hi-tech zone, this is easily my top choice. It costs a little less than the Hilton across the street, and the experience is miles better.