The Ruly hotel is located on Gongzhen Xi Street in Yiwu, a city people visit not for its attractions but for wholesale markets and deals. Therefore, for business guests here, proximity to the trading rows is important, as is where to relax afterwards, and the hotel answers this question in its own way. It was designed by someone who considers art an extension of life: European, French, and industrial vintage motifs are incorporated into the interior design, making the lobby feel less like a commercial city hotel and more like a small gallery. There’s a cocktail and coffee bar on the first floor, a spa with aromatic and Thai massage on the fifth, and views of the city lights at night from large windows. It has just 163 rooms, plus two restaurants, a cafe, electric car charging stations, and a business center – which is a lifesaver for those who have come for the trade fair.

Yiwu: City of Markets and its Quiet Corners

Yiwu is a small city by Chinese standards in Zhejiang Province, known for wholesale trading of small goods. The markets are spread out in large clusters and require several days just to walk around even part of them. Getting to the trading rows requires taxis or the metro: the nearest station is Xihu, about 1.5 kilometers (almost half a mile) away, which is a twenty-minute walk. However, nearby you’ll find Xihu Park with its lake, the Intime shopping mall, and the Sanxin Night Market where they sell street food and souvenirs.

  • Sanxin Night Market — local food and souvenirs.
  • Exotic Street — restaurants serving cuisines from around the world, popular among visiting traders.
  • Xihu Park — an evening stroll by the water.
  • 1970 Old Railway Station — a creative quarter in former railway buildings.

Travel tip: Trade fairs and exhibitions fill Yiwu so that hotel rooms disappear weeks in advance; book ahead. To get to the markets, it’s easier to arrange with a driver for round-trip transportation: taxis are hard to find during peak hours. Bring business cards and accept payments in Chinese—via WeChat Pay or Alipay—as cash isn’t accepted everywhere.

Spa, Bar and Workspace

The hotel is designed so that after a day at the market you can relax without leaving the building. The spa on the fifth floor offers aromatherapy and Thai massage, while there’s also a gym and massage rooms among the amenities. There’s a bar on the first floor, as well as a café, and two restaurants. For business guests, there’s a coworking space, business center, conference halls, and secretarial services. The hotel has parking with two electric vehicle charging spots, so arriving by car isn’t a problem.

  • Spa with aromatherapy and Thai massage
  • Bar on the first floor and lobby bar
  • Two restaurants and a café
  • Gym, business center, coworking
  • Parking and two electric vehicle chargers

Interior as a Key Selling Point

Guests note that the vintage and industrial décor looks expensive and beautiful in photos. The panoramic windows in the rooms offer views of the city and the flow of people on the street – which is lovely when you just want to sit by the glass after visiting a market.

For Longer Business Trips

Express check-in and a concierge desk are helpful if you’re staying for a week. Service robots deliver orders, and staff use electronic ID scanning during check-in.

Rooms

The hotel offers the following room categories:

  • Qi Comfort Landmark Twin Room for Sound Sleep — 32 m², 2 single beds, view: view of landmark, view of city. In the room: shower gel, sofa, writing desk, teapot/kettle, bottled water, electric kettle, mini-bar.
  • Rui Business Travel Deep Sleep Night View Double Bed Room — 32 m², 1 queen-size bed, view: view of landmark, view of garden, view of city, view of park. In the room: shower gel, sofa, writing desk, kettle, bottled water, electric kettle, mini-bar.
  • Man Full City-View Smart Double Bed Room — 35 m², 1 queen-size bed, view: view of landmark, view of city. In the room: shower gel, sofa, writing desk, kettle, bottled water, electric kettle, mini-bar.
  • Mo Enjoy City-View Double Bed Room with Tub — 40 m², 1 queen-size bed, view: view of landmark, city view. In the room: shower gel, sofa, writing desk, bath, private bathroom, hair dryer, shower.
  • Xi Panoramic Sunshine Smart Double Bed Room — 38 m², 1 queen-size bed, view: view of garden, view of city. In the room: shower gel, sofa, writing desk, kettle, bottled water, electric kettle, mini-bar.
  • Lan Panoramic Reception Double Bed Room with Tub — 60 m², 1 queen-size bed, view: view of garden, view of city. In the room: shower gel, sofa, writing desk, bath, private bathroom, hair dryer, shower.

Coffee Downstairs and Dinner at Exotic

It’s nice to order coffee in the bar on the first floor in the morning, and guests particularly praise the breakfast: it’s one of those hotels where the breakfast is genuinely delicious. The hotel restaurants are a lifesaver in the evening when you don’t have the energy to search for a table; although there’s a wider choice nearby. Exotic serves dishes from various cuisines because Yiwu is a city of international trade, and it’s constantly home to visitors from dozens of countries.

The Sannian Night Market is the best place to try local snacks: noodles, fried skewers, and sticky rice sweets. Come after seven in the evening before the most popular stalls close down. For those who like peace and quiet, the hotel’s evening bar with cocktails and calm music is a good option.

Pros and Cons of a Design Hotel

What Guests Value

  • The unusual design in European, French, and industrial styles is noticeable from the entrance.
  • The bar, spa, and Thai massage on-site help you relax after visiting markets.
  • Business center, coworking space, and conference halls for business travelers.
  • Parking with electric vehicle charging and two restaurants.
  • Warm and professional service, as indicated by guests.

Things to Know in Advance

  • It’s about a twenty-minute walk to Xuhu Metro Station; you’ll need to take transport to the markets.
  • Five stars and the design mean that there can be queues for check-in during fair season.
  • The city is geared towards trade, not strolling or sightseeing; there aren’t many attractions.
  • Payments in China are made through apps; cash isn’t accepted everywhere.

What Guests Appreciate

Guests praise the interior design, delicious breakfast, bar and friendly staff. There are few critical comments; most frequently they relate to its distance from the metro.

How to Book The Ruly hotel

If you’re going to the fair, choose your dates in advance and check the exhibition schedule. Then, in the “Where to book” block, enter your dates and make a reservation in rubles.