Best Bridge-View Hotel by the Yangtze River—Hilton Garden Inn Chongqing Wanzhou

This year's Dragon Boat Festival trip brought me to Wanzhou, Chongqing for the first time, where I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Chongqing Wanzhou. This is the second Hilton-branded hotel in Wanzhou, having just opened in 2024, while the other one—DoubleTree by Hilton Chongqing Wanzhou—has been operating for several years. 📍Location: This Hilton Garden Inn is not in Wanzhou's old town but on the south side of Nanbin Avenue near the Pailou Yangtze River Bridge. For self-driving travelers, the location is quite convenient, with its own dedicated parking lot 🅿️ offering both above-ground and underground parking (see attached photos). 🏨Hotel Environment: The surroundings are pleasant, with a clean and bright lobby and dining options nearby. Below the hotel, next to the Yangtze River, is Yinghua Du Park—perfect for an evening stroll along the riverbank. 🛏Room Facilities: I stayed in a Flexible King Room, which didn’t face the Yangtze River but was also not directly above the street, so noise was minimal. With the windows closed, the room was very quiet. This was my first time staying at a Garden Inn, and the room was well-equipped with amenities like a microwave, refrigerator, capsule coffee machine, and even a kitchen sink. The room is listed as 32 square meters, but due to the ample furnishings, it felt a bit cramped for two, though ideal for solo travelers. The shower 🚿 water pressure was slightly weak but acceptable. Additionally, due to the hotel's design, none of the windows are floor-to-ceiling, with exterior wall outlines in between, slightly affecting the view (see photos). 🌟Highlights: The lobby bar on the first floor features a self-service drink station, a signature of the Garden Inn brand. The laundry room and gym are standard (see photos). The most unique feature is the rooftop tea-viewing platform, which offers a stunning nighttime view of the Yangtze River Bridge 🌉 (see second-to-last photo). The vantage point is incredible, though the bridge's decorative lights turn off at 9 PM. 🍲Breakfast: I found the breakfast excellent, with high-quality dishes and a well-designed dining area following the brand's clean, bright aesthetic. The restaurant was also hosting a birthday banquet that afternoon, indicating its local popularity. 🖼Nearby Attractions: The hotel is very close to the Chongqing Three Gorges Immigration Museum, just a few minutes' drive away. The museum is free to enter and has a striking architectural design. While the main commercial area, Wanda Plaza (Wanzhou), is about a 20-minute drive away, it’s worth visiting in the evening for the iconic Wangjiang Grand Stairs (see photo) and nearby Xishan Park, both landmarks of Wanzhou. [GlassesUU]Summary: Overall, I was very satisfied with my stay. The hotel performed well in all aspects, with good service and the comfort of a brand-new property. I’d definitely consider staying here again on future visits to Wanzhou.