The InterContinental Changsha is located in the Beichen Delta area. The Beichen Group owns considerable land in Changsha, and the Beichen Delta sits at the confluence of the Xiang River and the Liuyang River. There is a metro station named Beichen Delta Station nearby. This district features real estate, office buildings, hotels, and commercial spaces developed by Beichen, as well as the Changsha Binjiang Cultural Park, which includes the Changsha Library, Concert Hall, Museum, and Urban Planning Exhibition Hall. The hotel entrance is quite unfriendly to pedestrians; it is located on the second floor and is a considerable distance from the metro station. Pedestrians must climb stairs to reach the entrance, whereas cars can drive directly up to the second floor. However, stepping out of the hotel leads directly into the Changsha Binjiang Cultural Park, making for a pleasant morning stroll downstairs.
The weather during this visit was mediocre; although it didn’t rain much, it remained overcast throughout. Fortunately, it wasn’t hot. There was heavy mist by the river, especially in the morning—to the point where the ground was invisible even from the room, creating a fairyland-like atmosphere. The hotel opened in 2014, so it is relatively new, and the hardware is quite good. It features electric curtains and a Chinese tea set, but unfortunately lacks a capsule coffee machine.
The hotel offers numerous room types based on the window views. Floor levels are generally determined solely by the room’s orientation. The Executive Room is a corner unit spanning 77 square meters, with a bathroom almost as large as the bedroom itself, though the view is just average. In contrast, the Premium Executive Room features a balcony and a much better view, but significantly less floor space. I stayed in the Executive Room this time; although the layout is somewhat quirky, the spaciousness was quite enjoyable.
The bathroom is exceptionally spacious, featuring two sinks positioned opposite each other, yet amenities were provided only at one sink. The bathtub is placed right in the center of the room—a truly unique layout. The toilet and shower are completely separated into two transparent glass enclosures, though unfortunately, the toilet is not automated.
As for the public areas, the style is rather business-oriented and somewhat old-fashioned. Two Jade Burial Suits are displayed in the lobby, serving as a distinctive feature of the hotel. The Ambassador gift provided by the hotel was also shaped like a Jade Burial Suit bookmark, which looked quite elegant. The hotel atrium extends from the 1st to the 4th floor, and there is a terrace accessible six floors above that, though it was closed when I visited in the morning.
The front desk service was excellent, and the staff were highly proficient. When their computer ran slowly while issuing an invoice, they immediately took down my address and offered to mail it to me; I received it the very next day after returning home.
The breakfast selection was reasonably diverse, featuring fresh-squeezed juice and pre-peeled tea eggs. The baked goods were also excellent, and there were freshly cooked noodles and porridge available. Rumor has it that both their Cantonese and Hunan cuisine restaurants are of high quality, but unfortunately, I didn’t have the chance to try them.
Since the view from the room wasn’t ideal, the Club InterContinental Lounge on the 27th floor became the prime spot for sightseeing. The lounge service was excellent, and it was very uncrowded. Happy Hour offered a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, and thoughtfully provided various bartending tools along with an iPad displaying several simple cocktail recipes, allowing guests to enjoy mixing their own drinks. I gave it a try and found it quite entertaining. The lounge also has a terrace, making it a great option to sit outdoors when the weather is nice. Indeed, the view from the lounge is spectacular, offering a panoramic vista of both the Xiang River and the Liuyang River.
Overall, I highly recommend this hotel. Although it isn’t as centrally located as the Niccolo, transportation remains convenient, dining and service standards are high, and the facilities are solid. Rumor has it you might even run into celebrities here~~
Photos in this post taken with SONY A5100 + 16-50 f3.5-5.6 and iPhone XS Max, post-processed in Lightroom.
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