DDuoheduoheDuring my second trimester and after the holidays, I chose the well-established Raffles Clear Water Bay from three highly-rated hotels in Lingshui: Indigo, Kimpton, and Raffles.
The Raffles, opened in 2013, has recently undergone renovations. The lawns are meticulously maintained, and the palm trees, unaffected by Typhoon Bolaven at the end of September, are thriving.
The day before check-in, our butler, Andy, contacted us to confirm our arrival time and helped reserve a scenic spot for us at the Disha Village beach buffet (a buffet right by the beach, with freshly grilled lobster and steak, and even a Zao Po Cu hotpot – the ambiance under the moonlight and lanterns was incredible. Make sure to book your spot with your butler a day in advance). On the day of check-in, he personally greeted us, enthusiastically explained the check-in procedures, and even tested the water temperature for us when showing us to our private pool room. Knowing that I had a bad cold due to the temperature change from Beijing to Hainan, he also arranged for extra bottled water and tissue packs. This was my first impression of Raffles' thoughtful service.
Every Tuesday to Sunday evening from 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM, the West Reception Hall hosts Raffles' traditional 'Night Ritual.' While listening to the century-old stories told by the Steinway piano, you can also savor the world-renowned 'Singapore Sling' cocktail from Singapore Raffles and the Clear Water Bay limited edition Sling. Andy happened to be the host that evening, and because he knew I was pregnant, he prepared an alcohol-free fruit juice for me – a wonderful touch of detail.
Regarding the private pool room type: Unless you're really set on a private pool, I wouldn't recommend it. The privacy isn't great; passersby can clearly see into the room from the shrubs behind. The floor-to-ceiling sliding doors facing the pool, which are the only source of natural light, often need to have the curtains completely drawn (the sheer curtains only provide shade). The room is very suitable for rest, but on the other hand, even with all the overhead lights and lamps on, it's quite dim. I somewhat regret not taking the front desk's advice to upgrade to the Scenic Bay Sea View Suite.
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