Back in 2003, Phantasialand reached a major milestone with the opening of its very first hotel: Hotel Phantasia. Today, we know this hotel as Hotel Ling Bao, following its name change in 2007. While the China Town themed area had been part of the park since 1981, it was the addition of the hotel and Feng Ju Palace that finally transformed this area into a complete and extensively themed part of Phantasialand.
The arrival of Ling Bao changed everything, turning the park from a quick ‘day out’ into a true multi-day destination. And let’s be honest: with the park’s popularity today, you really need that extra day to conquer every attraction without rushing. Over the years, the resort has continued to grow with the arrival of Hotel Matamba and Hotel Charles Lindbergh. This means that within the limited space of a relatively small park, the classic Ling Bao hotel now faces some serious competition. After 23 years of service, it’s time to find out: is this park icon starting to be outshined by its newer siblings, or does it still remain the best place to stay?
To be honest, if I compare the exterior of Hotel Ling Bao to Hotel Matamba (which I’ve reviewed before—you’ll find the link to that article and my Wintertraum report at the end of this article), the entrance isn’t exactly the most striking. From the outside, it looks a bit more understated. However, any doubts I had were immediately wiped away the moment those doors opened; it’s like stepping directly into an Asian oasis.
What struck me even more than the atmosphere was the sheer scale of the place. While you can catch glimpses of the hotel from inside the park, those views don’t do its true size justice. It is far more expansive and impressive than I had ever expected. Upon entering the lobby, the staff receives you with a warm welcome. A quick tip from my side: I had already checked in online, and I can certainly recommend doing the same. It saves a lot of time at the reception, which is great when you’re eager to start your day.
After simply giving my name, I was immediately handed my park tickets and was free to explore the hotel garden at my leisure. While the rooms are only available from 3:30 PM, hotel guests can access the park via a special entrance. During Wintertraum, this was from 10:30 AM, though on days when the park opens earlier, this entrance will open earlier. This is a huge plus, as it ensures you end up directly in the heart of the China Town themed area. For this article, however, the focus remains entirely on the experience of Hotel Ling Bao itself.
A moment of zen in the beautiful landscaped garden:
As soon as you leave the hotel corridors and step through the wooden doors, you find yourself in a beautifully landscaped garden. Winding paths lead you to new hidden pockets of greenery at every turn, featuring a lovely terrace and several spots where you can truly unwind and escape the park’s hustle and bustle. What’s truly remarkable is how little you notice the hectic pace of the park while you’re in the garden. Even though you can see guests walking by in certain areas, you hear almost nothing of the crowds. While the roller coasters are located very close by, you truly experience no disturbance from them; the Zen-like atmosphere remains perfectly intact.
Once the sun dips below the horizon, the garden becomes even more magical. It’s already a beautiful sight during the day, but the evening lights transform it into an experience you simply don’t get from within the park itself. However, I must admit the choice of lighting wasn’t entirely to my taste. They opted for a bright white light, which is a stark contrast to the garden at Hotel Matamba, where a lot of color is used. While white lighting fits the style of Hotel Ling Bao in theory, I would have preferred a softer, warmer tint; this bright light felt just a bit too harsh for my liking.
During my visit, the temperature stayed well below 5 degrees, which unfortunately made sitting outside for a long period a bit too chilly. However, I can easily imagine how wonderful it must be to relax here after the park closes, enjoying a cocktail or one of the many Asian beers from their menu. It’s already made me start thinking about a return visit during the summer season; when the park closes at 6:00 PM, this garden seems like the ultimate spot to unwind and process the day’s roller coaster thrills.
Relaxing at the Li River Bar and extensive dining in restaurant Bamboo
Hotel Ling Bao offers a variety of places to eat and drink, including two distinct restaurants—Restaurant Bamboo (an extensive buffet) and Restaurant Lu Chi (à la carte)—as well as two bars with their own unique atmosphere. On the ground floor, right behind the reception, I found the Li River Bar. While it’s a beautifully designed spot, the vibe felt a bit restless during my visit; because of its central location, the bar felt more like a transit zone for guests with suitcases waiting to check in or out. In my view, this bar truly shines in the summer when you can take your drink straight into the garden, away from the lobby’s hustle and bustle. To be fair, it might just be me—with world-class roller coasters just a few steps away, I’m always a bit more restless than I would be in a “normal” bar! Perhaps my opinion would change after park closing hours when the true peace returns to the hotel.
For dinner, I sat down in Restaurant Bamboo. I’ll be honest: I’m quite a picky eater, so I was a bit nervous and even studied the menu extensively before booking! Fortunately, my worries were unnecessary. Even for someone like me, who isn’t the easiest eater, the variety is enormous. The buffet spans multiple cuisines—from Vietnamese spring rolls to the specific flavors of Japan and China—with plenty of meat, vegetable, and vegetarian options. If you’re looking for something specific, the live-cooking station is a highlight, where specialized chefs prepare fresh dishes right before your eyes. I found the price-quality ratio to be excellent, though I highly recommend booking in advance to secure a table.
Breakfast is also served in Restaurant Bamboo, and once again, the choice was vast. While the Asian influence is still there (with warm rice dishes, for example), they branch out to other world cuisines, including a full English breakfast. Unlike dinner, where you book months ahead, I simply had to reserve a specific breakfast time slot during check-in. A personal highlight was my “meet and greet” with Pau Li, the dragon mascot of Hotel Ling Bao. I may have been celebrating my 31st birthday, but you’re never too old for a photo with a dragon! It’s these small interactions that make the morning special, though the practical side of breakfast is just as well-organized. While I had to grab my own drinks, the service was otherwise consistently good; there was plenty of staff on hand to clear plates quickly and efficiently. My compliments to the team for that!
Instead of counting sheep; counting pandas in a spacious room!
As I mentioned earlier, the hotel is much larger than it first appears. Fortunately, my room was on the first floor, conveniently close to the elevator, which saved me quite a long walk through the corridors. Upon entering, I was immediately struck by how spacious the room was. It was pleasantly warm, and the subtle Asian details found throughout the hotel were beautifully incorporated into the decor. To the left stood a large, comfortable double bed, while to the right was a bunk bed featuring curtains—a clever touch that allows for a bit of privacy and a cozy “hideaway” feeling if needed.
When booking, I consciously opted for a room with a garden view, and I can honestly say it was worth the small surcharge. Looking out over the serene Asian garden from the comfort of my own room added a whole new layer to the stay. The calming color palette and the authentic atmosphere of the room truly allowed me to leave the high energy of the park behind and completely unwind. It felt like a private extension of the Zen-like garden I had explored earlier.
The bathroom, however, felt a bit underwhelming compared to the grandeur of the bedroom. It was on the smaller side and, while perfectly functional and clean, it lacked that specific “Ling Bao” character. In terms of styling and tiling, it felt a bit generic—honestly, it could just as easily have been a bathroom in Hotel Matamba. It didn’t quite have that “perfect match” with the rest of the Oriental theme. Fortunately, since you don’t spend much of your stay in the bathroom, it wasn’t a dealbreaker. The room itself is where the true experience happens, and that part was more than worth it!
Closing in style: late nights at the Dragon Bar!
While I still had a second park day ahead of me, I decided to end my evening on the fourth floor at the Dragon Bar. The atmosphere here is completely different from the Li River Bar downstairs. It’s not necessarily a place for dancing, but it has the sophisticated vibe of a high-end lounge in a big city—the kind of spot you’d visit for drinks before heading to a club. Interestingly, while the rest of the hotel plays traditional-style music, the Dragon Bar opts for modern tracks. It sounds like an odd choice for a themed hotel, but in this setting, it works perfectly!
The Dragon Bar feels truly exclusive, partly because it’s a bit of a hidden gem. It can be tricky to find, as only one specific elevator—located further down the hallway—leads up to it. Since it doesn’t open until 9:00 PM, it really is a spot for the late-night crowd. There is no official closing time listed, but since most guests head back to the park the next morning, I’d expect things to wind down around 12:30 AM.
The menu offers an extensive selection of drinks, though I noticed there wasn’t a kitchen available for ordering snacks. To be honest, after the massive buffet at Restaurant Bamboo, I didn’t miss them at all! Besides, the focus here is truly on the drinks and the atmosphere. I also spotted a terrace which, although closed during my visit, seems like the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset over the park. Can you see yourself sitting there too?
Conclusion: is Hotel Ling Bao ‘outshined’ by the new competition?
After being immersed in the Asian spheres of Hotel Ling Bao for a full weekend, the question remains: can this hotel still keep up with the newer additions in the park? While I haven’t experienced Hotel Charles Lindbergh yet, I can confidently say that compared to Hotel Matamba, Ling Bao definitely holds its own. It’s not just a place to sleep; it’s an extension of the park experience itself. One of the biggest perks is the private hotel entrance, which allows you to step directly from the serene hotel garden into the heart of China Town—a luxury that makes your visit feel seamless.
Yes, there are minor points where you can see the hotel’s age. The bathroom might fall a bit out of step in terms of style, and the Li River Bar occasionally lacks atmosphere due to the hustle and bustle of the nearby reception. However, these are small details in the grand scheme of things. The high-quality dining experience at Restaurant Bamboo, the charming personal meeting with the dragon Pau Li, and the exclusive late-night vibes at the Dragon Bar create a unique, high-end stay. Even without using the Mandala Spa or the heated pool (which are included in your stay and perfect for a rainy afternoon), the value for money is evident.
Is the hotel outshined by the competition? In my eyes, certainly not. Ling Bao still stands as strong as ever. It offers a total experience that, especially if you opt for a garden-view room, is worth every euro. The tranquility of the garden versus the adrenaline of the coasters creates a perfect balance. That said, the choice often depends on your party: Ling Bao feels more suited for older guests or couples looking for relaxation. If you travel to Phantasialand as a family with children under 12, I would personally choose Hotel Matamba, as its play areas and overall theme cater more specifically to younger adventurers.
If I had to choose between Matamba and Ling Bao today, my preference goes to Hotel Ling Bao for its sophistication and serene atmosphere. Before I return to one of these classics, it is Hotel Charles Lindbergh’s turn to complete my “hotel bingo” and allow me to pass a fair judgment on all three Phantasialand hotels. But to be honest? I can already see myself sitting on that Dragon Bar terrace in the summer, cocktail in hand, enjoying the sunset over the park.
Curious about my other experiences? Read all about Phantasialand’s Wintertraum and my review of Hotel Matamba here: Hotel Matamba & Wintertraum 2025
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