Overview

Amanfayun is a Forbes Four-Star, historic destination enveloped by natural forest and seven Buddhist temples, located on the western outskirts of UNESCO-protected West Lake in Hangzhou. Designed to resemble a traditional Chinese village, the resort provides a serene atmosphere, with 42 stone dwellings, such as 37 Suites and 5 Villas, that encircle tranquil courtyards. Some of the buildings date back over a century, contributing significantly to the resort's charming atmosphere. Fayun Place, situated in the heart of the village, is the most significant of the original structures. Guests can lounge in the relaxed lower level or enjoy a cigar in the cigar room on the upper level. Fayun Pathway, the village's major pedestrian pathway, is a 600-meter stone walkway that runs throughout the property.

There are different eateries all along the pathway, such as the restaurant, which serves Western cuisine, and Hangzhou House offering local dishes such as Beggar's Chicken. Meanwhile, the Steam House serves steamed fare, and the Tea House offers traditional tea service and handmade snacks. For vegetarians, Lingyin Vegetarian House, located at the northernmost end of Fayun Pathway, features an extensive selection of authentic temple dishes. The resort's Aman Spa is composed of five structures, each with its courtyard and a 20-meter outdoor heated swimming pool. The Reception and Reflexology House is the entrance to the spa, while the Bath House is the second building. The Fitness Centre includes a Pilates studio, gym, and meditation room, while the Finishing Salon provides hair treatments, manicures, pedicures, and waxing. The Treatment House, the last two-story structure, features a comprehensive spa menu, allowing guests to experience a range of treatments.

Things to Know

For travelers planning to visit Amanfayun, the resort is situated in a serene location surrounded by tea fields, bamboo groves, and woodland. The resort offers stone pathways leading to shaded courtyards and peaceful abodes that showcase the spirit of a Chinese village. Besides, Amanfayun is set in a wooded valley between hills cloaked in tea plantations, adjacent to Lingyin Temple, and surrounded by an ancient pilgrimage circuit of seven Buddhist temples and a Buddhist Academy. Moreover, the resort is situated just 6 km away from West Lake, which is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travelers can quickly get to Amanfayun by taking a 60-minute car ride from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, 30 minutes from Hangzhou City Station, or 50 minutes from Hangzhou East Station. Also, the resort is 3 hours away from Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport and 3.5 hours from Shanghai Pudong International Airport.

Accommodations

Amanfayun offers a range of 46 aesthetically unique and comfortable accommodations, including rooms, suites, and villas, each with its own size and layout. The under-floor heating and air conditioning ensure a cozy and relaxing stay. Most of the deluxe village suites have private or semi-private entrances, exuding exclusivity and privacy. The king-size beds in separate bedrooms provide a luxurious touch, and the living rooms with daybeds, reading chairs, and writing desks are perfect for leisure. Some suites feature double massage treatment rooms, where one can unwind and relax in complete comfort. The bathroom in each accommodation is equipped with twin vanities, a dressing area, a separate shower/toilet, and in some suites, a double massage treatment room.

The Village Villas offer a duplex configuration with a living room below the bedroom and a double massage treatment room with a shower. The Amanfayun Villa boasts two bedrooms, both with king-size beds, and the master bedroom, along with a private living room, is set over two levels with a private courtyard. The villa's expansive living room comes with a dining area, twin daybeds, an intimate reading area, and private massage courtyards, perfect for a grand and serene stay. The luxurious village rooms come equipped with king-size beds, daybeds, and writing desks. The bathroom in each Village Room is equipped with twin vanities, a dressing area, and a separate shower/toilet. The Village Suites offer a king-size bed, with a number of suites featuring separate bedrooms, as well as daybeds, writing desks, twin vanities, a dressing area, and a separate shower/toilet in the bathroom.

Dining

Let's talk about Amanfayun's dining options. The main restaurant and bar at Amanfayun serves Western and international cuisines and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The bar is nestled behind a grove of trees with a view of a reflection pool and terrace above the Fayun Pathway. The Steam House, on the other hand, is a semi-open kitchen eatery, open for lunch and dinner, and focuses on steamed dishes with traditional village-style fare. Alfresco dining is possible in the courtyard. If you're looking for a place to grab a quick bite, the Cafe serves healthy juices, smoothies, freshly baked breads, sandwiches, and cakes and is open for all-day dining. Additionally, Amanfayun features three independently-operated village eateries. Hangzhou House, located on the Fayun Pathway with woodland views, is the ideal spot to try local dishes such as fried shrimp with Longjing Tea Leaves and Braised Pork for lunch and dinner. Meanwhile, the Tea House is open all day and offers traditional home-cooked Hangzhou fare for lunch and dinner, with a selection of China's finest teas available for purchase. You'll enjoy a serene view of a tranquil pond and forest glade from the Tea House, which is also located on the Fayun Pathway.

Spa and Amenities

Amanfayun offers a range of remarkable onsite facilities to make its guests' stay enjoyable and comfortable. The spa is a relaxing haven that includes five separate buildings surrounded by beautiful bamboo groves, tea bushes, and magnolia trees adjacent to the pool. It features the Reception/Reflexology House with a spa library, lounge, and reflexology treatment areas. There's also the Bath House with three private rooms outfitted with circular wooden tubs, rain showers, steam rooms, and double-seated showers. The Treatment House boasts three double and two single treatment rooms with changing areas, steam showers, and soaking tubs, while the Finishing Salon completes this luxurious experience. The spa menu is extensive and offers a variety of health and beauty treatments, often incorporating aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

For fitness enthusiasts, the Fitness Centre has two levels around a central courtyard shaded by weeping willows. It comes equipped with a fully-equipped gym, a Pilates Studio, and a Yoga/Meditation/Tai Chi Room with fitness consultants on hand to offer personal training. Guests can further unwind by taking a dip in the 20m outdoor, heated pool surrounded by sun loungers (closed during the winter). Light, healthy meals and refreshments are also served poolside throughout the day.

Fayun Place, located in the center of the property within two stately courtyard houses, is an exclusive lounge for Amanfayun guests. It offers a library, cigar room, and informal sitting and reading areas on the upper level. Local experts also demonstrate traditional Chinese arts, such as calligraphy and tea-tasting with traditional music. Fayun Place is available for dining and private functions, while the Library at Fayun Place provides an extensive selection of reading materials, CDs, and DVDs on a range of topics, including art, travel, and Chinese culture. Guests can also explore the Boutique, positioned towards the northern end of Fayun Pathway, which houses a variety of unique artifacts, including antiques, jewelry, tea sets, and selected art pieces by local artists.

Finally, for guests looking to host business or social events, the Meeting Room is situated above The Restaurant with two terraces offering panoramic forest views, audio equipment, and an LCD projector available. Overall, Amanfayun's onsite facilities provide guests with everything they could need for a restful and luxurious stay in a beautiful setting.

Activities

Nestled amidst serene temples connected by an ancient pilgrimage trail, Amanfayun offers a perfect base to explore the many activities and excursions in Hangzhou. One of the top attractions in the area is West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its picturesque beauty and its association with China's scholars and national heroes. Lingyin Temple, also known as 'Soul's Retreat,' is the most renowned among the seven temples and monasteries within walking distance from Amanfayun. The temple was founded in 326 AD and includes 18 pavilions and 72 halls that house over 3,000 monks. The forested Temple Trail near Amanfayun's entrance traces the original Tianzhu Pilgrim Path, leading guests to the upper, middle, and lower Temples of Tianzhu.

For anyone seeking the city's traditional crafts and delicacies, Hefang Street is the perfect destination. This charming, pedestrian-only lane is home to various restaurants and boutiques selling regional specialties such as paper-cut art, sculpted candy, and local snacks. Visitors can also explore Traditional Chinese Medicine Museum to learn about the different herbs and treatments used in traditional healing.

Famous for its eponymous tea, Nine Creeks and Longjing Village provides an easy trekking route through bamboo forests and scenic tea fields, crossing nine small streams via stepping-stones. Visitors can witness the bustling activity of the spring season when locals harvest and roast their specialist blend. Amanfayun guests can also taste local teas, including Longjing, at the Tea House on Fayun Pathway or visit the China National Tea Museum nearby.

Explore Hangzhou

Hangzhou is a picturesque city located in the eastern part of China, the capital of the Zhejiang province. Known for its scenic beauty, it's often referred to as "Paradise on Earth." It is home to the famous West Lake, which is one of the most beautiful lakes in China. The city boasts a long and rich history, with archaeological evidence indicating that the city has been inhabited since the Neolithic era. Hangzhou is also a popular destination for tea lovers, as it produces some of the best quality green tea in the world. With its beautiful natural scenery, rich cultural heritage, and delectable cuisine, Hangzhou is truly a gem of China that should not be missed by any traveler.

Leave Nothing on The Table, Become a LuxRally Travel Client, It's Free

Booking with LuxRally Travel is always the best option. Our travel agents have key contacts at every hotel that can quickly make your stay as easy and enjoyable as possible. Furthermore, we make communication hassle-free by conforming to our client's preferred methods, whether it be texting, phone calls, Whatsapp, or Facebook messages. For our VIP customers, we also offer an in-house Forbes Five Star concierge team for an extra luxurious experience.

Beyond offering an elevated experience and guaranteed lowest rates, LuxRally Travel can provide the following benefits for Aman bookings:

• 100 USD F&B Credit

• Complimentary Breakfast: Full, A la carte

• Upon Availability Early Check-in & Late Check-out

• Property will offer upgrade at time of check in (subject to availability)

• Basic Wi-Fi Available

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