Xiamen Sea View Garden Hotel

This is a luxurious, comfortable Hilton sub-brand hotel. The outdoor infinity pool is very nice, and breakfast was good. It's just five minutes from the sea, with a great food street about a ten-minute walk away for local dishes as well as fast food like Starbucks and KFC. Our room had both a washlet and a bathtub.

I came to Xiamen for the marathon, and Joyze Hotel made the race day so easy. They arranged an early breakfast for runners and a coach to the start. When we got back, there were flowers, tea, and a really warm welcome. Sylvia and her team were also wonderful from the moment my car arrived. I felt a bit like a “panda” in Xiamen, so Sylvia gave me her WeChat and was there to answer questions. The whole stay went beyond what I expected.

Tony at the concierge was a huge help, arranging a private tour and sharing useful advice on where to go, how to get around, and what to do in Xiamen. The staff were attentive throughout, and housekeeping responded quickly to requests. Each night they brought a hot flask of Chinese dessert to the room, a really homely touch. The hotel feels quiet and relaxed, and it's in a handy spot for nearby sights, the beach, and Zeng Cuo An village, whose entrance is about 200-300 meters away. There are lots of little shops and eateries in the village, and the beach is about 200 meters away too. Rooms are thoughtfully designed, with some automation for the curtains and Japanese-style electronic toilet bowls. The floor-to-ceiling windows let in lots of sunlight. The outdoor pool is a bit small, and you need a swimming cap to use it.

The beach is a 5-10 minute walk away, and Zeng-cuo-an（Zengcuoan is about 20 minutes away. The hotel seemed poorly managed otherwise. There was a smell like oil paint in the room that took all night to clear, and smoke in a hallway marked non-smoking. When I called for service, it took longer than expected, and sometimes nobody showed up.