HUALUXE Xiamen Haicang

HUALUXE Xiamen Haicang: A Comprehensive Review of a Michelin Key Selected Property

The HUALUXE Xiamen Haicang, a Michelin Key Selected property, consistently garners high praise for its elegant design, exceptional service, and stunning harbor views, offering a luxurious stay with a distinct blend of modern amenities and traditional Chinese hospitality.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for HUALUXE Xiamen Haicang is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently rating it as "Outstanding" or "Exceptional." On Trip.com, it boasts a 9.5/10 rating based on over 4,300 reviews, with high scores across cleanliness, amenities, location, and service. Agoda similarly shows an impressive overall rating of 8.2, with numerous "Exceptional" reviews. Many guests describe their stay as a "fantastic," "5-star experience," and highly recommend the hotel.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud several aspects of the HUALUXE Xiamen Haicang:

• Exceptional Service: The staff's professionalism, enthusiasm, friendliness, and patience are frequently highlighted. Guests often receive personalized attention, with some mentioning specific staff members who went above and beyond, acting "like having a personal butler."
• Stunning Views and Design: The hotel is praised for its "gorgeous" and "sleek, modern design" complemented by "stunning harbor views" and beautiful sea vistas from the rooms. The grand decor is also noted.
• Comprehensive Amenities: The hotel offers a wide range of facilities, including a well-equipped gym, an indoor swimming pool, a warm spa pool, and an executive lounge. Children's amenities, such as sand toys provided by staff and a robot delivering gifts, are also appreciated.
• Spacious Rooms: The rooms are frequently described as "incredibly spacious and bright," "easily a third larger than most hotel rooms," and designed for "pure comfort."
• Breakfast Variety: While some reviews are mixed, many highlight the breakfast as "luxurious, varied, and delicious," with "so many choices and types of food including fruit, yogurt and things aimed to please everyone's tastes and appetite."

3. Room Quality

The rooms at HUALUXE Xiamen Haicang are a significant draw, often described as spacious, clean, and comfortable. They feature elegant furnishings, carpeted floors, and well-designed layouts. Many rooms offer "unparalleled views of Xiamen Harbor" or the sea, which guests find "beautiful." Amenities include a well-stocked mini-bar, refrigerator, coffee/tea maker, complimentary bottled water and toiletries, bathrobes, hairdryers, and a hot tub in some rooms. Guest rooms are also equipped with high-speed broadband internet and ergonomic work areas. Some rooms also feature private balconies or terraces.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a diverse dining experience with three restaurants and a bar. Breakfast is generally considered extensive and varied, offering both Western and Chinese styles. While some guests found the buffet breakfast "underwhelming" in taste despite the options, others praised it as "luxurious, varied, and delicious." À la carte options are available and some guests found them more enjoyable than the buffet. The Caifenglou and Xianyan Restaurant offer authentic Chinese cuisines, including Sichuan and seafood, while an American menu is also available. The lounge bar provides a chic and stylish spot for refreshing drinks.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at HUALUXE Xiamen Haicang receive consistent commendation. Guests frequently praise the staff for being "professional, enthusiastic, friendly, and incredibly patient." Specific mentions include reception staff like Grace and client managers like Cathy and Zoey, who are noted for being "superb," "very enthusiastic," "able to resolve most issues," and "patient and professional." Staff members are often described as helpful, proactive, and making stays "absolutely delightful." English proficiency among staff is also noted.

6. Location & Accessibility

HUALUXE Xiamen Haicang is "ideally located on the coastal landscape belt of Haicang Bay," offering "unparalleled views of Xiamen Harbor and the adjacent scenic parks." It is adjacent to Haicang Bay Park and Daping Hill Park. While not on Xiamen Island itself, its proximity to Haicang Bridge makes a taxi ride to the island approximately ten minutes, which is considered very convenient. The hotel is about 6 km from the city center.

Key distances include:

• Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport: approximately 15.4 km (a 20-30 minute drive by taxi)
• Haicang Bay Park Metro Station: 1.6 km
• Xiamen Railway Station: 7 km
• Ferry Terminal to Gulangyu Island: 6 km
• Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street: a 25-minute drive

While convenient for taxis or ride-sharing services like DiDi, some guests note that it can be "inconvenient if you are used to taking public transit in China." Complimentary parking is available.

7. Value & Pricing

With room prices starting from around US$65 or a typical rate of 449.99 CNY in the past month, the HUALUXE Xiamen Haicang is often considered to offer "fantastic value for money" and an "affordable price" for a 5-star experience, especially when breakfast is included for multiple-night stays. Guests often feel it is "worth the money." Children aged 3 to 6 can stay free, which is a significant plus for families.

8. Common Complaints

While generally highly rated, some recurring criticisms include:

• Age of Facilities: A few guests have noted that "the hotel is a bit old, and you can see signs of wear and tear on the items in the room," suggesting that some facilities "feel a little old and could use some renovation."
• Breakfast Taste/Variety (Mixed Reviews): While many praise the breakfast, some found the buffet taste "underwhelming" despite the wide array of options, suggesting the selection was "limited" or "quite basic" compared to other hotels in China.
• Smoke Smell: One guest reported a "bad smoke smell" in most rooms, concentrated in the toilet, despite the hotel being non-smoking. The hotel offered a room change in response to the complaint.
• Slow Internet: Another minor complaint mentioned slow internet, possibly due to a high-floor room.
• Location for Public Transit: As noted above, the location can be less convenient for those relying solely on public transportation.

Sources

1. trip.com
2. agoda.com
3. booking.com
4. youtube.com
5. ihg.com
6. xiamenchinahotels.com
7. xiamentophotels.com
8. michelin.com