Intercontinental Xiamen — Hotel in Xiamen

Xiamen, Fujian Province – A charming seaside city where Fujian’s Southern Minnan culture meets modern tourism. From the mystical island of Gulangyu to the fishing village of Shapowei and the golden beaches of Xiamen Island, there is always something special to discover.||The InterContinental Xiamen is located on the eastern coast of Xiamen Island, right beside the International Conference & Exhibition Center. Designed for both business and leisure travelers, the property offers 291 rooms, two restaurants, a lobby bar, a club lounge, a fitness center, an outdoor swimming pool, multiple event spaces, and more.||My two friends and I had a dramatically interesting stay here from August 11–14, 2025. Here’s my detailed review.||Pre-Arrival||Our trip to Xiamen had been long-anticipated since 2021, when travel was still uncertain due to the pandemic. We finally booked a Classic Room for three adults at ¥840 RMB ($117 USD) per night, including 1,000 bonus points. Thanks to my IHG Diamond Ambassador membership, our booking came with added benefits: complimentary breakfast, welcome fruit and drinks, and milestone access to the Club InterContinental Lounge.||Before arrival, I received a welcome email from Guest Experience Agent Gemma Fan, requesting my arrival details. Unfortunately, I didn’t reply in time; in hindsight, a follow-up phone call would have been more effective.||Arrival||After a 3.5-hour high-speed train from Shenzhen and a 30-minute taxi ride, we arrived around 11:00 AM. We were warmly greeted by Doorman Alex Shen, who enthusiastically opened the taxi door for us.||Inside, the grand seafront-themed lobby impressed with artisanal décor, including an overhead metal whale sculpture. Duty Manager Raye Lu welcomed us and upgraded us to a Family-Friendly 1 King + 1 Single Classic Sea View Room. Unfortunately, the room wasn’t yet ready due to high occupancy the night before. Raye connected us with the butler service via WeChat to keep us updated, and in the meantime, Chief Butler & Guest Relations Manager Rosi Lan kindly gave us a personal tour of the hotel.||Hotel Tour||Rosi showed us the main public areas, including:||- Commune (all-day dining)|- CaiFengLou (signature Chinese restaurant)|- Club InterContinental Lounge|- The fitness center|- The outdoor pool and patio|- The lobby||Throughout our stay, Rosi was one of the most attentive staff members, offering insider tips on exploring Xiamen and even helping us secure a reservation at CaiFengLou.||Room||Later that afternoon, after returning from Gulangyu, our room was ready. Duty Manager Jennifer Zhuang and Concierge Sparda Wang assisted with the final check-in process.||Our 48 sqm (515 sq ft) Classic Sea View Room included:||- A King Bed + Single Bed|- Daybed, work desk, Samsung flatscreen TV, and local artwork|- Bedside room controls|- Stunning views of the Taiwan Strait and Kinmen Island|- Bathroom with bathtub, marble sink, shower cubicle, and Duravit electric toilet|- Closet-lined hallway with minibar||We were welcomed with a generous fruit plate and a constant supply of bottled water.||That said, the room also came with challenges:||- A strange odor (solved with an air purifier)|- Faulty AC (eventually fixed)|- Malfunctioning toilet remote (replaced)|- Bathtub not securely installed (unresolved)|- Towels occasionally missed during servicing (resolved by Jennifer)|- Shortage of face towels and amenity cups (quickly delivered by Rosi)|- A leaking window during a typhoon, which caused water to seep in overnight on our last evening||While the issues were disappointing, staff worked hard to address each one quickly.||Club InterContinental Lounge||The 26th floor Club Lounge, managed by Gigi Shao, offered panoramic views of the Xiamen coastline and Kinmen Islands. The lounge featured comfortable seating, a meeting room, and a buffet area.||We enjoyed the happy hour, which included a small buffet with Chinese and international dishes plus cocktail service. Gigi and her team, Ella & Ruby, provided gracious and attentive service throughout.||Dining||Breakfast at Commune||Commune, InterContinental’s modern all-day dining concept, was bright and lively with marble décor and multiple buffet counters. Breakfast included both international staples and regional Minnan dishes.||Favorites included scrambled eggs, sausages, croissants, fried noodles, and fresh juices. With guidance from Restaurant Manager Ken Yan, we also sampled local Minnan specialties such as turnip cake, wonton soup, pork wrapped in dried tofu, and peanut candy in red paper. Ken and his team made us feel especially welcome.||Dinner at CaiFengLou||CaiFengLou, IHG’s signature Chinese restaurant brand, serves Cantonese cuisine with Minnan influences in an elegant setting.||We requested a set dinner for three at ¥500 RMB. Unfortunately, upon seating, Manager Ms. Yun informed us this was not possible, creating some confusion since we had believed it was arranged. After discussion, she worked with the chef to prepare a special menu for ¥534 RMB ($75 USD), which included:||- Crispy pigeon with red peppercorn|- Minnan oyster omelette|- Crispy pork with foie gras|- Pork belly wraps|- Soy-braised fish|- Shrimp soup noodles|- Seaweed rice cakes|- Mango pomelo dessert||The dishes were flavorful and beautifully prepared, though communication could have been smoother and the staff did not introduce dishes as they were served.||Unfortunately, the men’s restroom at CaiFengLou was flooded due to a malfunctioning urinal, creating a slippery and unsafe situation until staff were alerted.||Dinner Buffet at Commune (Service Recovery)||After the issues in our room and at CaiFengLou, I requested to meet hotel management. Director of Rooms Rebecca Guo and Director of Food & Beverage Sam Yan kindly met me, listened carefully, and offered sincere apologies. As a gesture of goodwill, they invited us to enjoy a complimentary dinner buffet at Commune.||This turned out to be an excellent experience. Highlights included seasonal crayfish, satay beef claypot, sushi and sashimi, Lanzhou hand-pulled noodles, steak, pork knuckle, brisket, soufflé pancakes, and coconut ice cream. At ¥214 RMB ($30 USD per person), the buffet represented outstanding value, and it was a wonderful way to end our stay.||Conclusion||Sadly, it was soon time to leave Xiamen for our next destination. While our stay was far from perfect, the dedication of the staff and the thoughtful service recovery measures made the experience memorable and positive overall.||This hotel, opened in 2016, has the potential to become one of Xiamen’s most reputable five-star properties. With greater consistency and attention to detail, it could easily establish itself as the city’s top choice for travelers.||Despite the challenges, the warm hospitality and genuine effort from the team left us satisfied. For that reason, I confidently give the InterContinental Xiamen a 5-star rating and look forward...

I arrived in Xiamen after along day's travel. As I was headed for the buffet, I happened to stop off at the Lobby Bar for a well deserved beverage.

During the course of my casual conversation with the bartender and his assistant, the topic of cocktails arose. There ensued a genial discussion of the merits of this, that and the other. In short, I inquired about a line of apothecary style bottles kept on the wall. From there I learned that the bartender crafted his own syrups though he did not often have call for them as most guests preferred beer or wine.

As a long time veteran of the hospitality world (though from a far distant lifetime), this wouldn't do. I therefore committed to trying them on my next visit.

Fast forward to the next afternoon and my return from a day's worth of factory visits in the hot, dusty environs of Nan'an. I returned to the bar and availed myself of three of the concoctions which were quite good. During the course of our conversation, the bartender and his assistant revealed themselves to be both good-natured and humorous. I happened to inquire if they had any offsite food suggestions as I was in town for two more nights and my experience with buffets, even one as good as the IC Xiamen (I had met the head chef my first night and his food was as wonderful as he was congenial), is that I generally prefer something more local or customized. The bartender informed me that the next night was the start of the poolside bar-be-cue and if I was interested that he would be happy to save me a table. Intrigued, I said, "absolutely!"

The next day after another longer and even hotter and more dusty day in Nan'an I returned to the hotel a shade after eight PM. Starving and as dusty as my day, I dropped by the pool area and was met by the bartender at the hostess stand. He offered to seat me immediately but I declined and asked if I had time for a shower first. He said it be no problem.

I returned shortly and was quickly seated and served a delicious selection fresh from the grill along with much needed beverage.

The bartender and his assistant went above and beyond to make me feel at home and welcome.

Coincidentally, when I arrived the first night at the bar-be-que, I was offered a beer and I asked if they had a particular Japanese beer. They said they regretted to say it but they did not carry that brand.

Small matter and I enjoyed the evening so much I returned on my last night to have another lovely meal as I watched the moon's rise over the sea.

To my surprise, when I arrived that final night, the bartender asked if I would like a beer. I immediately said, yes. In short order he reappeared with my Japanese beer of choice.

Such resourcefulness combined with keen attention to detail and an innate ability to see need before the guest has even realized it themselves is the epitome of stellar service

Cheers to the Xiamen team for a job well done and a degree of service that goes well beyond the expected.

I...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at Intercontinental Xiamen, and I must say, the experience exceeded my expectations in every way.

Friendly Staff: From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warmth and professionalism by the staff. Their friendliness and willingness to assist made me feel truly welcomed and valued as a guest.

Welcome Gifts: Upon check-in, I was pleasantly surprised with a delightful welcome gift. It was a thoughtful gesture that added a special touch to my stay.

Breakfast Choices: The breakfast at Intercontinental Xiamen is truly a feast. The array of choices is impressive, catering to all tastes and dietary preferences. From fresh fruits and pastries to hot dishes and made-to-order omelets, there was something for everyone to enjoy each morning.

Extra Services for Ambassadors: As an ambassador, I was offered several extra services that made my stay even more comfortable. These included a personalized check-in experience, complimentary room upgrades, and access to the exclusive lounge area.

Well-Maintained Facility: The hotel facilities are impeccably maintained. Everything from the lobby to the guest rooms and common areas is kept spotless. The attention to detail in the upkeep of the property is evident and appreciated.

Convenient Location: The location of Intercontinental Xiamen is incredibly convenient. It’s situated close to major attractions and public transportation, making it easy to explore the city. Despite its central location, the hotel offers a peaceful and quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle.

Best View: One of the highlights of my stay was the breathtaking view from my room. Whether it was the city skyline, a serene garden, or a panoramic ocean view, the scenery was simply stunning and added to the overall enjoyment of my stay.

Overall, my stay at Intercontinental Xiamen was fantastic, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a top-notch hotel experience. The combination of friendly staff, excellent amenities, and a prime location makes it a...