Books&Bed Close to the Lake

This is a small studio style flat on the 18th floor in a typical Chinese tower block. We booked 2 nights. The flat was clean, well equipped and the communication with the owner was excellent. She gave us very good instructions for finding the key, negotiating the 2 security doors etc. Her collection of books and DVDs is interesting. We also found it super interesting to see how the Chinese live. The old folk in the building were really friendly and chatted to us as we were coming and going.

The bed was a little uncomfortable due to a sort of bamboo/ bead style mat placed over the matress.

We visited Hangzhou primarily for its West Lake, for which this was a good choice of location. As a scholar preparing talks for Shanghai, the small study with its ample table was indispensable. Not only was host Yan very responsive in issues regarding her apartment, she guided us throughout our stay even on non-related matters. Given the language barrier, she booked the taxi for our departure to the railway station. Even before we left Chicago, she was helping me with the Chinese translation of the abstract of my talk. So, we left Hangzhou knowing we now had a permanent friend there to whom we could return. You may want to get to know Yan not only as a host but as a creative writer and engaging conversationalist.

Yan sent a detailed text explaining the logistics of finding, entering, and using the apartment. She also responded to questions about the neighborhood, etc. It would be even more helpful to prepare a detailed PDF with sections on nearby resources and tips that would be proactively helpful, especially to foreign visitors.

It was really cozy and warm

民宿位於市中心,頂樓視野佳,離西湖搭乘公車或騎行自行車都很方便.走幾步就是市場,方便採買.廚房提供微波爐與烤箱與咖啡機等,也有提供洗衣機,挺方便.屋主頗有文藝氣息,有一整面牆放置了許多書籍,供房客閱讀.他也十分熱心,隨時留意房客需求.房價也非常便宜.

冬天待在那兒太冷,雖有提供暖氣空調與電暖器,但因屬舊屋,兩者無法同時使用,一月待在那兒,白天打開電暖器溫度最高也只到18度,更遑論杭州的夜晚有時會只有0度,不適合我居住.廚房沒有瓦斯爐,無法烹煮食物.洗衣機很小台,礙於空間,需自行安裝使用.