Sichuan Tennis Star Hotel: Chengdu's Luxury Getaway You Won't Believe!
Sichuan Tennis Star Hotel: Chengdu's Luxury Getaway You Won't Believe! - A Review (with Feelings!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at the Sichuan Tennis Star Hotel in Chengdu, and let me tell you, it's an experience. Forget your perfectly polished travel blogs; this is real-deal, unfiltered human commentary – the good, the bad, and the slightly-too-much-massage-oil-on-my-face. Let's dive in, shall we? Because who has time for a neat, tidy, and ultimately boring review anyway?
Accessibility (and the Slight Hiccups!)
First things first, accessibility. They claim to offer facilities for disabled guests, which is fantastic, because finding truly accessible luxury can be a pain. The elevator was thankfully present and functional, a huge win. I didn't personally utilize a wheelchair during my stay, but I did see ramps and what looked like accessible rooms. However, navigating the massive complex – because this place is huge – might require some strategic planning. It's not a tiny boutique hotel; it's a sprawling palace of luxury. I'd recommend calling ahead to confirm specific accessibility specifications if you have particular needs. Still, in terms of a first impression and access they did a real good job accommodating everyone.
Rooms: The Sanctuary! (And My Underwhelming Pillow Saga)
Ah, the rooms. Let's be brutally honest: I've been to a LOT of hotels. And the rooms at the Sichuan Tennis Star Hotel? They're something else. Think oversized, plush, and loaded with every conceivable comfort… except, maybe, a perfect pillow. This is where my messy, human side comes in. I'm a pillow snob. A hardcore pillow snob. And while the bed was the size of a small country and draped in the softest linens, the pillows… they were just okay. A minor gripe, I know, but I swear, I spent half the night flipping, fluffing, and generally wrestling with them. First world problems, I know, I know.
But everything else? Top notch. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (a must for any sane traveler), air conditioning that actually works (a lifesaver in the Chengdu heat), a seriously impressive in-room safe, a mini-bar loaded with goodies (hello, late-night snack!), a coffee/tea maker (because I am not a morning person), and even a desk if you’re unfortunate enough to have to do some work whilst you’re there. The bathroom was a dream – marble everywhere! With a separate shower and bathtub… I'm a shower gal myself, but it made a difference to the room’s feeling of luxuriousness. Plus, all the toiletries you could want, fluffy bathrobes, and slippers… it felt like being wrapped in a cloud (minus the pillow situation, of course). Soundproof rooms are a godsend, trust me. And honestly, I’d have to pay for a room to sanitization opt-out!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My Stomach's Journey
Okay, food. This is where the Tennis Star really shines (or, at least, where my stomach thought so). Let's run it down, shall we?
- Restaurants: Several. Restaurants: Multiple. I'm talking international cuisine, Asian cuisine, a vegetarian restaurant (always a win), and a dessert heaven. I spent a solid hour choosing what to eat at a meal. The food was generally amazing. The variety? Ridiculous in the best way possible. Happy hour? Yes, please!
- Breakfast: The breakfast buffet! Oh, the breakfast buffet. This is the stuff travel dreams are made of. A glorious spread of everything imaginable: Asian breakfast staples, Western options, fresh fruit, pastries that practically melted in your mouth… I may or may not have eaten my weight in croissants. Several of the restaurants served Asian cuisine in restaurant and International cuisine in restaurant and the quality was excellent.
- Snack Bar/Poolside Bar: Perfect for those lazy afternoons. Great cocktails. The pool with a view deserves a mention, because it's a truly beautiful setting to relax. I spent an afternoon there, sipping a cocktail, and just… breathing.
- Room Service (24-hour): Crucial. When jet lag hits, or you just don't feel like leaving the fluffy embrace of your bathrobe, room service is a lifesaver. Food delivery from the hotel? A necessity if you just can't be bothered.
My one (minor) complaint? I could have used more of the essential condiments in the room. But you will be well-fed.
Ways to Relax: Massage My Sorrows Away! (And Other Delights)
This is where the Tennis Star truly excels. Here’s a glimpse of what they offer:
- Spa/Sauna, Body Wrap, Foot bath, and Steamroom: I spent more time in the spa than I'd like to admit. The massage at the spa was seriously divine. Honestly, it was one of the best massages I've ever had. And the spa itself? Tranquil, beautiful, and the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
- Pool with View: Absolutely stunning. A perfect place to unwind.
- Fitness Center/Gym/Fitness: They have a gym, which I didn't actually use (I was too busy eating croissants, sue me!).
Cleanliness and Safety: The Germaphobe's Delight
Professionally cleaned rooms are pretty normal these days, but the Tennis Star Hotel really seemed to go the extra mile.
- Hand sanitizer readily available everywhere.
- Staff trained in safety protocol.
- Daily disinfection in common areas.
- The "Anti-viral cleaning products" are very comforting.
- Room sanitization opt-out available.
- Daily housekeeping, obviously.
I felt incredibly safe and comfortable throughout my stay.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Luxuries
- Concierge: Helpful and efficient.
- Currency Exchange: Helpful for navigating the cash-heavy world, but cashless payments are the future!
- Cash Withdrawal, Laundry service, and Dry cleaning: Standard, but welcome, amenities.
- Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site]: Parking is available! That's a plus if you like to drive!
- Contactless check-in/out: A nice touch.
For the Kids (Or the Kid in You!):
I didn't bring any kids, but it seemed very family/child-friendly. They offer babysitting service and kids meal. Good to know!
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: Super convenient.
- Taxi service: Readily available.
Internet Access:
Okay, so free Wi-Fi in all rooms is a MUST, and they delivered. No complaints there. And the Internet [LAN] if you like that classic connection!
The Verdict (and My Emotional Rollercoaster!)
Look, the Sichuan Tennis Star Hotel isn't perfect. No hotel is. The pillow situation was a minor tragedy, and navigating the vast complex can feel like a workout in itself.
But… the pros overwhelmingly outweigh the cons. The rooms are luxurious, the food is outstanding, the spa is a haven, and the service is impeccable. I felt pampered, relaxed, and utterly spoiled.
Would I go back? In a heartbeat! Despite the slight pillow drama, I'd recommend this place to anyone looking for a truly luxurious and relaxing getaway in Chengdu. Consider me a fan!
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Nautilus Cottage: Your Unforgettable Hermanus Escape (Ocean Views!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic, and potentially dumpling-filled adventure that is my Sichuan Tennis International Hotel Main Building Chengdu, China itinerary. This isn't some sterile, AI-generated list. This is me, raw, unfiltered, and probably fueled by too much green tea.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Hotel Debacle (aka, "Why Did I Pack So Much?!")
- Morning (8:00 AM): Arrive at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport (CTU). Okay, so the flight was delayed. Shocker. I knew it, my gut was screaming. I'm already feeling the phantom ache of a stiff airline seat in my lower back. The airport itself? Surprisingly modern. Efficient, even! And… oh god, there's the baggage carousel. I swear, did I pack for a week or a small expedition to the Himalayas? This suitcase is SO heavy.
- Morning (9:30 AM): Taxi to the Sichuan Tennis International Hotel. The driver? A speed demon who treated the traffic lights like suggestions. My internal monologue: "Breathe… just breathe… we're almost there… I think…"
- Morning/Afternoon (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM): Check-in. Disaster strikes! My room isn't ready yet. "Fine," I tell the (very polite) receptionist. "I will wait… and maybe I will try to work. " But I can't work! Not with this luggage situation hanging over my head. I end up slumped in a plush, oversized chair in the lobby, battling jet lag, my suitcase mocking me from across the room. I'm pretty sure it's judging my outfit.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Lunch at the hotel’s Western restaurant. Pasta. So bland! I’m immediately having severe pasta-related regrets. Still, I get a little excited when I spot a Chinese family eating in the restaurant and I have to laugh at their kids running around, it reminds me of all the other family trips I've taken, and I feel a rush of sentimentality.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Finally, ROOM! (Hallelujah!). Unpack. It's a glorious, messy, suitcase-exploding explosion of clothes, chargers, and emergency snacks. And there's the view! Honestly, just a concrete vista. But… okay, okay, it feels good to be here. Settle in. Quick nap (jet lag is a beast).
- Afternoon/Evening (3:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Errands and Exploration. I NEED internet. Locate the hotel's wifi (after a small panic attack about the password). Wander the hotel, getting my bearings. Explore the grounds a little (they're actually quite lovely). Try to figure out how to use the elevator without ending up on the wrong floor.
- Evening (7:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner at the hotel's Chinese restaurant. Order something I can't pronounce. It's delicious! Some kind of spicy, numbing, Sichuan delight. Success!
- Evening (8:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Stroll around the hotel's grounds and enjoy the ambiance, or lack there of.
- Evening (9:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Crash. Sleep. Dream of dumplings.
Day 2: Pandas, Tea, and Tactical Eating
- Morning (8:00 AM): Wake up, still slightly disoriented. Coffee. Seriously strong coffee. Need it.
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. OMG. Pandas! Fluffy, adorable, bamboo-munching balls of pure joy. I spend way too long just watching them. Take approximately 100 photos. Maybe 200 (okay, maybe I lost count). It's an overwhelming cuteness situation. I also have an emotional reaction to the pandas. I feel bad for them. What kind of life is this? I'm just being a buzzkill at this point.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Lunch. I go to a local restaurant recommended by the hotel (hoping to avoid pasta). Learn from Day 1! I order noodles. Delicious noodles drowning in spicy sauce. My mouth is on fire, but I can't stop. More emotional reactions.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Wenshu Monastery. Peaceful, beautiful, overwhelming, and a feast for the eyes. I accidentally burn incense. I'm not sure if I did it right (probably not).
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Teahouse experience. Learn how to make tea. This turns out way harder than it looks. I spill tea everywhere. The tea master just smiles patiently. This is zen. This is life.
- Afternoon/Evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Take a nap for my day of adventures.
- Evening (7:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner. I'm getting brave. I venture out and find a local restaurant. It's a tiny, crowded place, filled with locals. I point at a picture on the menu. It turns out to be something… trippy. I have NO idea what it is. But it’s good.
- Evening (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Back to the hotel exhausted. But hey, I have a story to tell and my tastebuds are tingling. Tomorrow, I must find a way to the local market.
Day 3: Markets, Massage and Minor Meltdowns
- Morning (9:00 AM): Breakfast at the hotel (much better than the pasta!). It’s starting to feel familiar.
- Morning (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM): The Market! This is the moment. I'm going to find the real Chengdu. I weave through the throngs of people, overwhelmed by the smells (spices! Fish! Whoa!), and the sights (everything!). I stumble upon a stall selling dried fruits. I buy a giant bag of something I can't identify. Regret. It's… odd.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Lunch at a street food stall I bravely find. I order something. It’s spicy. I sweat. I LOVE IT. Chengdu is winning me over.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Massage. Oh. My. God. Heaven. My aching back thanks me. Every knot is worked out. I almost fall asleep. Pure bliss.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Realize I have no clean clothes. Mild panic sets in. I have to wash.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Attempt washing… and fail. The washing machine instructions are in Mandarin. I try to figure it out and turn the heat up or down a few times. It's a disaster. I end up hand-washing some things in the sink and praying they dry.
- Evening (7:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner: More noodles. More fire. Zero regrets.
- Evening (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Pack. Get ready for my flight tomorrow. Feeling a little bit sad, but also thrilled. This trip has been a roller coaster.
Day 4: Departure and Last Thoughts (aka, "I Miss the Dumplings Already")
- Morning (8:00 AM): Final hotel breakfast. Eat all the dumplings. All of them. No regrets.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Check out. No baggage malfunctions this time (thank god!). Hail a taxi to the airport.
- Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Airport. Security. Last-minute souvenir shopping.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): Flight. Reflect on the trip.
- Afternoon/Evening: Arrive home. Unpack (again!). Already planning my return. Goodbye, Chengdu. You were spicy, chaotic, wonderful, and I miss your dumplings more than I can say. Until next time!
Sichuan Tennis Star Hotel: Chengdu's Luxury with a Twist... Let's Get Real
Is this REALLY luxury? Like, genuine, five-star-stunning luxury?
Okay, buckle up. "Luxury" in Chengdu is a different beast than, say, the Ritz in Paris. Yes, the Sichuan Tennis Star *tries* to be luxurious. Think gleaming marble, staff that *mostly* understand what you're saying (my Mandarin is, uh, "limited"), and a lobby that genuinely makes you go, "Wow, that’s…a lot of gold." But genuineness? Well, that's where things get interesting.
The marble *is* pretty. The orchids *are* real. But I swear, the air freshener in the hallways smells suspiciously like grandma's potpourri. Not in a good way. It's luxurious-ish, but with a healthy dose of "Chinese-interpretation-of-luxury-that-might-miss-the-mark-slightly." Honestly? I found it charming.
And the tennis? It's actually about tennis, right? Or is that just a marketing hook?
Right, the tennis. This is where the "Tennis Star" bit comes in. And yes, there ARE tennis courts. Beautiful, well-maintained tennis courts! I even managed to snag a court (which, by the way, wasn’t easy – apparently, competitive badminton is BIG there). Now, *I* am not a tennis star. I'm more of a "swings-and-misses-and-sweats-a-lot" kind of player. But even I could appreciate the quality of the courts. Felt like stepping into a Wimbledon commercial, minus the skill.
The real star? The ball boys. Seriously, these kids are FAST. Like, Ninja-level fast. They're practically professionals. And they are incredibly polite. I swear, they pick up every single stray ball before you even notice you've hit it out. Absolute legends.
What's the food situation like? Will I survive on noodles for a week?
The food...oh, the food. Let's just say, Chengdu is a paradise for food lovers. The hotel? Well, it's got restaurants. Multiple restaurants! And some, let's be honest, are better than others.
The breakfast buffet is a sensory overload. Everything from congee to dumplings to what I *think* was a type of pickled duck eggs (I bravely tried it. Never again.). The coffee? Let's just say it’s an adventure. Order an Americano, and you might get something that resembles coffee…or something that strongly resembles brown-tinged water. It's a gamble. The Chinese breakfasts are excellent though. Try the wonton soup, you won't regret it.
The Sichuan restaurant? Now that's where it's at. Spicy, flavorful, mouth-numbingly delicious food. Order the Mapo Tofu. Seriously, order it. My face was on fire, but I couldn't stop eating it. I’m pretty sure I sweated off a couple of pounds. (Good thing I had plenty of water.) Worth it. Absolutely worth it. But have a backup plan - like, an ocean of cold water!
How's the location? Is it convenient for getting around Chengdu?
The location is...decent. It's not *right* in the city center, but it's not a complete wasteland either. Taxis are plentiful and relatively cheap. The hotel staff can help you arrange transportation. Learning some basic Mandarin phrases is a lifesaver (trust me!).
One thing I will say: be prepared for traffic. Chengdu traffic is epic. Think: rush hour, but all day. You might spend more time in a taxi than actually *doing* things. Plan accordingly and bring a good book (or download a bunch of episodes of your favorite podcast).
Are the rooms…you know…actually comfortable? And clean?
The rooms are generally comfortable. The beds are soft, the pillows are fluffy, and the air conditioning works (a HUGE plus, trust me). The bathrooms are…well, they’re functional. And CLEAN. Which is always a good sign.
One slight hiccup: my first room had a…rather loud…air purifier. It sounded like a jet engine taking off. I called reception (using my limited Mandarin and a lot of hand gestures) and they were incredibly accommodating. Room changed, problem solved. The service is generally pretty good.
Okay, spill. What was the *one* thing that really stood out (good or bad)?
Okay, prepare yourself. This is gonna get a little messy. One evening, I decided to use the hotel's pool. Thought, "Ah, a relaxing swim after a day of exploring." It was advertised as an "indoor pool." Indoor, correct? Well, that's where the advertisement ended.
So, I get to the pool. It's…dimly lit. Like, REALLY dimly lit. Think: underwater cave. The water itself? *Freezing*. I kid you not. Freezing. I dipped a toe in and yelped. Like, a cartoon yelp. But I was determined. Luxury! I told myself. I took a deep breath and slowly, carefully, lowered myself into the icy depths.
And that's when it happened. Suddenly, I was being watched. Staring back at me... a group of water aerobics enthusiasts, decked out in swim caps and matching swimsuits! They were doing vigorous synchronized swimming! I panicked! The lighting was so dim, and my eyes were still adjusting to the the frigid water. I was definitely the only gringo among them, who looked like a deer in the headlights, I kid you not, the entire workout! I didn’t know what to do. I decided to just slowly, quietly, make my exit, like a ninja. The water aerobics crew… they weren’t fazed. Bless them, they kept on keeping on. I’m pretty sure I saw one wink when I escaped, now thinking about it. But I got out, shivering, and vowed to stick to the dry heat of my room! The pool became a running joke for the rest of my trip. (I still have nightmares.)
Would you recommend the Sichuan Tennis Star? Honestly?
Look, it's not perfect. It's not the epitome of Western luxury. But… YES, I mostly would! If you want a hotel that’s clean, comfortable, with decent service, and a dash of the unexpected (like a freezing swimming pool or grandma’s potpourri-scented hallways) then, yeah, go for it. The location is fine. The food can be spectacular. The tennis courts are top-notch. The staff are generally lovely, even if the language barrier can be a challenge.
It's an experience. It’s a good starting point for Chengdu. And hey, thatExplore Hotels
