Boutique Hotels in Jiangsu, China

"Likely one of the best hotels in Suzhou. Beautiful garden at the back and great atmosphere. However, I do have some complaints. First, the room given to me is facing directly in front of the pool. So it was very noisy all day long from the kids. The room was also very dark. Next, the laundry is a huge problem. There were too many people using the very few washer and dryers in the hotel. The dryer was not effective and the cloth remained wet after 3 hours. It was a terrible experience. I also have to complain about a young man working at the front. I asked him where the laundry room was and he completely ignored me and started to flirt with a young female staff. This was really really unprofessional. Unfortunately not much is expected to be done about this. If there is anything else to add, then please provide some sanitizing wet wipes for the gym. The benches were not sanitized at all between usage."

"The hotel room was spotlessly clean, making our stay very comfortable. The front desk staff, both the young men and women, were incredibly welcoming and efficient with check-in. They were also very patient. Upon check-out, we received complimentary souvenirs and bottled water. Anything we needed during our stay was delivered promptly. If I come to Suzhou again, I'll definitely choose this hotel. I highly recommend it to friends and family traveling here!"

"Yangzhou Yingbinguan (Yangzhou Xiyuan Hotel) truly lives up to its reputation as a top-tier garden hotel in Yangzhou. Spanning over 400 acres, it's a complete Jiangnan-style garden in itself. The environment, location, and exclusive experiences are all top-notch. Even without entering the Slender West Lake scenic area, staying here allows you to enjoy a private part of the lake's scenery. It offers both great value for money and a relaxing atmosphere. **I. Irreplaceable Location Advantage** The hotel is separated from Slender West Lake by a body of water and features an exclusive express通道 for guests. You don't have to queue at the main scenic area entrance; you can walk directly to the core area by the lake. Building No. 1, Shoufanyuan, where we stayed, is the closest building to Slender West Lake in the entire hotel. From the room window, you can see a small patch of lake view with weeping willows, enjoying the scenery of Slender West Lake without even leaving your room. Additionally, Building No. 1 is only a 2-minute walk from the Black Pearl-rated Qüyuan Teahouse, making it incredibly convenient to enjoy authentic Yangzhou morning tea without a long trek through the park. **II. Exclusive Features and Immersive Ambiance** 1. **Commemorative Souvenirs:** You can get exclusive hotel postcards at the front desk, and there are several spots within the garden where you can stamp them as a souvenir. You can also get a custom room key card, which makes for a meaningful travel keepsake. 2. **Explore the Expansive Gardens:** The entire guesthouse is filled with pavilions, waterside terraces, rockeries, and long corridors, with lush greenery everywhere. Every step offers a new view, and you won't get tired even after strolling for half a day. The internal scenery is as exquisite as that of paid gardens. If you get tired of walking in the vast park, you can call for a free shuttle at any time. 3. **Weekend Intangible Cultural Heritage Performances:** On weekends, there are intangible cultural heritage mini-theaters, where you can watch Yangzhou's intangible cultural heritage puppet shows and folk music performances without having to leave the hotel. **III. Living Experience in Building No. 1 (Pros and Cons of the 'Old Cadre Style' Building)** **Pros:** 1. **Rich Historical Heritage:** In its early years, it was exclusively used for official government receptions, showcasing a classic 'old cadre' Chinese style. The solid wood furniture and sophisticated aesthetic are timeless and enduring, looking far from cheap. 2. **Waterside Location:** Surrounded by lush vegetation, the building offers maximum privacy and tranquility, with almost no noise from crowds. 3. **Well-Maintained Rooms:** Although it's an older building, the overall condition isn't outdated. The space is generous, and the bedding and soft furnishings are meticulously maintained. **Sole Drawback:** The bathroom hardware has a noticeable drawback: the shower pressure is low, and the water flow is weak, making for a mediocre experience when washing hair or showering. **IV. Overall Summary** There's a good reason why Yingbinguan consistently receives rave reviews: it boasts private views of Slender West Lake, its own Black Pearl-rated morning tea, vast garden grounds, unique commemorative souvenirs, and a full range of leisure activities. If you prefer a tranquil, retro atmosphere and want to experience the quality of a traditional state guesthouse, Building No. 1 is an excellent choice. The only thing you'll need to adapt to is the low shower pressure. If you're looking for brand-new modern facilities, consider buildings No. 8 or No. 18. For our trip, having already visited Slender West Lake, staying here meant we didn't need to re-enter the scenic area. We could enjoy a comparable lake and garden experience right within the hotel, perfectly meeting our need for a relaxed vacation."

"I've always been a fan of the InterContinental brand, and this time, when I brought my child to Nanjing for a play, I chose to stay here again. The room was spacious and well-laid out, and it was spotlessly clean. Being on a high floor, the view was excellent. The hotel breakfast offered a wide variety of options, including local specialties. Luanne, our butler, provided exceptional and attentive service. She responded promptly to our requests and handled everything with great care. Many thanks!"

"This is my second stay at this hotel, and I was upgraded to a suite. The high-floor view was absolutely amazing! The suite had two rooms and two bathrooms, which was incredibly spacious. Even though the hotel is a bit older, the facilities were clean and tidy. The beds were also very comfortable. Fantastic value for money!"

"We booked the family suite, and it was a godsend for traveling with kids! It's a suite with two bathrooms, so no one bothered each other, and the bunk beds were a huge hit with the little ones. When traveling with kids, hygiene is always a top concern, and this hotel was one of the rare places where you could actually see the remote control for the disinfection, which made us feel incredibly at ease. As a family-friendly room, the toiletries provided for children were also very thoughtful – not only were they available, but they were individually packaged in separate bags. The check-in process at the lobby was also very welcoming; they even personally escorted us to the building, showing real dedication. The breakfast was excellent too, with attentive staff and a first-class environment. Having a washing machine was a bonus, though one of them wasn't working very well (something to improve), but another one was available, so it didn't affect our overall use. The location is unbeatable, right next to Pingjiang Road. They also included complimentary canal boat tickets, which was another plus. While waiting, there was even a non-heritage culture class in the lobby for kids, and the teacher was very patient. The 24-hour bookstore in the lobby also added a cultural touch, perfect for calligraphy, reading, or just relaxing. We'll definitely be back!"

"Choosing Atour guarantees quality. Even at the Westin Shanghai on the Bund, they don't have individually packaged and sterilized bath towels, which Atour does. More importantly, they offer free laundry and drying services, which is a huge plus, especially in the south. The only downside is that the price jumps significantly on weekends. There's also a minor issue: a lingering renovation smell, especially noticeable in the hallways, which caused some irritating coughing. The overall smell wasn't overwhelming, but I'm quite sensitive to it. After airing out the room, it was much better. However, compared to the excellent service, that's really nothing. The location is also very convenient; using shared bikes for getting around is even faster than waiting for a car, given how narrow the city streets are."

"After comparing several hotels, we finally chose this one, and overall, we weren't disappointed. The location is a major plus, making it easy to get to various commercial districts and attractions. The hotel's environment is impeccably maintained, and the green landscaping is a delight to the eyes. Room hygiene is of a very high standard, with soft and clean bedding, and a dry and tidy bathroom area. The hardware facilities are well-maintained and fully functional, meeting all daily living needs. The staff are genuinely friendly and handle any issues properly. Overall, it offers good value for money, and the stay was stable and comfortable, perfect for couples. I highly recommend it to anyone planning a trip to Suzhou. - Sea Star Sea Dolphin"

"First off, my child absolutely loved our stay in Xuzhou. They were so sad to leave! The staff were all incredibly warm and welcoming, even providing complimentary breakfast and toiletries for my little one. The front desk lady was very kind and gentle. The location is super convenient with the Metro Line 1 station (Xuzhou East) directly accessible, and attractions like Wenmiao Temple, Huilongwo, Fuguo Street, and Hubu Mountain are all within walking distance. The underground area connects to Suning Plaza, making shopping and dining a breeze. Golden Eagle and Wenmiao Street are right next door, and there are many small bars and snack stalls around in the evening – perfect for a stroll. Definitely a big recommendation! We stayed on the 55th floor, which my child adored. The room itself was pretty standard but clean, tidy, and well-equipped. Given the quality of the hotel and the service from the staff, it absolutely deserves a five-star rating. The breakfast was also absolutely fantastic with plenty of seating. I'll definitely stay here again on my next visit to Xuzhou!"