The Best Hotel at Dishui Lake — InterContinental Dishui Lake

InterContinental Dishui Lake is located right on Dishui Lake and is the only hotel "in" Dishui Lake, boasting an unbeatable location!

🌊 1. Core Highlights: Design, Location, and Privacy
1. The rare "one island, one hotel" experience
The hotel exclusively occupies the southern island of Dishui Lake, accessible only via a dedicated bridge, ensuring excellent privacy. The architectural design was crafted by the same team behind Dubai’s Burj Al Arab, ATKINS, with an exterior resembling a five-petal peach blossom blooming on the lake, highly recognizable. Inside, the theme is "Ocean Palace," featuring a 20-meter-high lobby ceiling that brings in natural light, with gilded wave lines and shell elements echoing the lake’s reflections, creating a strong immersive atmosphere.

2. Full lake-view rooms + smart details
- Standard rooms start at 45㎡ (combining 2 of the original 3 Crowne Plaza rooms), all equipped with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows and viewing balconies; some room types have double balconies. Zones D and C offer the best views.
- Smart features: electric curtains, lift-up TVs, Byredo toiletries, capsule coffee machines (Lor brand), and the minibar’s first round is free.
- Family-friendly: In collaboration with Shanghai Astronomy Museum, themed "Galaxy/Solar System" rooms come with star projectors, LEGO walls, and telescopes.

3. Two pools + water activities
- Outdoor infinity pool: heated year-round, visually seamless with the lake, fan-shaped area is a popular photo spot.
- Indoor pool: open all year, connected to changing rooms and sauna.
- Water activities: sailboat and kayak rentals available, or lake tours via yacht club (extra charge).

⚠️ 2. Controversies and Shortcomings
1. The double-edged nature of the location
- Advantages: private island environment, unique experiences like lake cycling and strolling through the Su-style garden of Xingyuan Yaji.
- Disadvantages: over 60 km from downtown, accessible by Metro Line 16 terminus plus a shuttle bus (about 9 minutes), driving is more convenient; surrounding commercial facilities are limited, dining heavily relies on the hotel.

2. Price and value debates
- Off-season standard rooms start at ¥1500+/night, peak season (holidays) can soar to ¥4000+, considered "high" by some guests.
- Dining is noticeably overpriced: buffet dinner ¥398/person, Caifenglou Chinese restaurant averages ¥300+ per person, but taste reviews are mixed (e.g., Nandao Shiji breakfast praised, Korean restaurant MOOWOO criticized for low value).

3. Facility maintenance and details
- Some areas (like outdoor wooden walkways) show wear, lower-floor rooms occasionally have mosquito issues.
- Children’s playground facilities are basic, falling short of the advertised "Ocean Imagination" theme.

🍽️ 3. Dining Experience: Lake Views and Flavor Fusion
- Caifenglou (Chinese restaurant): focuses on Cantonese fusion cuisine, signature dishes include river shrimp with grilled fish head and handmade rice cakes with yellow croaker, elegant environment suitable for banquets.
- Nandao Shiji (all-day dining): lakeside floor-to-ceiling windows, breakfast includes local specialties (scallion oil noodles, pan-fried buns), weekend seafood buffet restocked quickly.
- Lobby Bar × Peet's Coffee: co-branded lake view afternoon tea (¥288/set), paired with Peet’s coffee, highly photogenic.

🎪 4. Family and Special Activities
1. Child-friendly facilities
- Ocean Imagination Club: cruise ship-themed playground with climbing nets, sandpit, interactive projections.
- Happy Farm: feed peacocks and rabbits, accessible through the A zone conference hall.
- Heated pool: children’s shallow area (0.6m) plus water slide, usable even in winter.

2. Nearby linked experiences
- 10 minutes direct to Shanghai Astronomy Museum: the world’s largest planetarium, guests get priority ticket access (museum activities require a second reservation).
- Haichang Ocean Park: 15-minute drive, includes Ultraman-themed pavilion, hotel offers package deals.
- Nanhui Mouth Seaview Park: one of Shanghai’s best sunrise viewing spots, about 20 minutes by car.

📌 6. Optimized Stay Suggestions
1. Transportation strategy
- Driving preferred: free parking, navigate to "Dishui Lake South Island No.1";
- Metro travel: choose Line 16 express or direct trains (30 minutes faster than regular), then a 9-minute taxi from Dishui Lake station to the hotel.

2. Room type and experience optimization
- Families → choose high-floor lake-view rooms in Zone D (good view + quiet) or astronomy-themed rooms;
- Couples → book double balcony rooms, enjoy drinks on the terrace at sunset;
- Off-peak stays: weekdays + off-season (Nov-Mar) improve value by 30%.

3. Itinerary pairing
Day 1: check-in → infinity pool photo op → dinner at Caifenglou → night session at Astronomy Museum;
Day 2: lake cycling → afternoon tea at Xingyuan Yaji → Haichang Ocean Park Ultraman theater.