Somerset Yangtze River Chongqing
by the TopOfHotel team
Somerset is a 4-star riverside serviced apartment with in-unit kitchens and washer-dryers, built for long stays — score 9.2.
Somerset is a 4-star riverside serviced apartment with in-unit kitchens and washer-dryers, built for long stays — score 9.2.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The 1-bedroom Deluxe River View runs 55 sqm with the living room walled off from the bedroom — a real layout, not a studio with a curtain. The kitchen is the headline: a two-burner induction hob, microwave, fridge, and an actual set of pots, pans, plates and bowls. There's an LG washer-dryer tucked in the unit, and the bathroom has a tub plus a Hansgrohe shower. We picked up noodles and a tub of mala paste from the Carrefour nearby and cooked our own hotpot — cheap and genuinely fun. The decor is easygoing contemporary-Asian in warm browns and wood; comfortable rather than flashy. The river view, with boat lights at night, had the kids glued to the window.
Food and amenities
The 6th-floor indoor pool runs about 20 metres and stays heated all year, and the gym is open 24 hours. There's a small kids' play room and a communal laundry for when the in-unit machine can't keep up. Because this is an Ascott serviced apartment, the long-stay perks are real: digital-key check-in through the app, and free late checkout to 16:00 once you book 5 nights or more. You won't find a big buffet restaurant or full hotel service here — the trade-off is the kitchen, and for self-caterers that's the whole point.
Location and getting there
The building sits on a curve of the Yangtze River, a 10-minute walk from Hongyadong and about 12 minutes to the Jiefangbei pedestrian street. The metro at Jiaochangkou is only 4 minutes on foot, which puts the rest of the city within easy reach without a taxi. It's central without being buried in the busiest tourist block — close enough to walk to the lights, far enough to sleep.
Things to know before booking
The decor is plainer than a 5-star, so skip it if you want a polished lobby and turndown service. The riverside zone toward Hongyadong is one of the city's busiest, and evenings — especially weekends and holidays — get loud and crowded. And the big 55 sqm river-view units sell out fast in high season, so book well ahead if your dates are fixed. Rates start around $69 a night and climb past $137 for the larger units, which is still cheaper than booking two hotel rooms for a family.
Our take
This is the answer for families who need space and for anyone who'd rather cook than eat out every meal. A 4-to-7-night stay is where it pays off most. Book a high-floor river-view unit, then have some fun with it — shop for ingredients at Chaotianmen market and make hotpot in the room on your last night.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A 4-star serviced apartment under Singapore's Ascott group, which specializes in extended-stay properties — so the long-stay details (digital-key check-in via app, free late checkout to 16:00 on stays of 5+ nights) are thought through.
- Units are genuinely roomy. The 1-bedroom Deluxe River View runs 55 sqm with a living room separate from the bedroom, plus a full kitchen — two-burner induction hob, microwave, fridge, and a proper set of pots, plates and bowls.
- Every unit has an LG washer-dryer, which makes a real difference past a few nights. There's a communal laundry too if you outrun the in-unit machine.
- On a curve of the Yangtze a 10-minute walk from Jiefangbei and Hongyadong, with Jiaochangkou metro just 4 minutes on foot — central without being in the thick of the tourist crush.
- The 6th-floor indoor pool runs about 20 metres and stays heated year-round, the gym is open 24 hours, and there's a small kids' play room. Real guests rate it around 9.3.
- Decor is easygoing contemporary-Asian — warm browns and wood — rather than luxe. If you want a polished 5-star lobby and turndown service, this is the wrong room.
- The riverside stretch toward Hongyadong is one of Chongqing's busiest tourist zones, so expect crowds and noise in the evenings, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Rooms sell out fast in high season — the big 55 sqm river-view units in particular go early — so book well ahead if you have dates locked in.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Chongqing
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Chongqing — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
See activities in ChongqingAffiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Insider Tips
- Book a unit with the full kitchen — if you're staying several nights, cooking your own meals saves real money over eating out every day.
- Walk the riverside path to Hongyadong after dark to see the stilted timber houses lit up against the water.
- Take the metro from Jiaochangkou to reach Jiefangbei and the rest of the city without dealing with traffic.