A Whimsical Early Spring Encounter in Jiangnan, Nanjing Hilton Riverside

I was amazed by the whimsical early spring in Jiangnan. Coming from Guangdong, I was bundled up in a down jacket and thermal underwear, only to change into summer clothes less than 48 hours later. Not wanting to waste the beautiful spring weather, I abandoned my original itinerary and impulsively booked a train to Nanjing. On the train, I searched for the best places to appreciate plum blossoms in Jinling. Having already visited Meihua Mountain, Yuhuatai, and Xuanwu Lake before, I decided to explore Gulin Park. Checking nearby hotels, only InterContinental, Sofitel, and Hilton were available, all three sharing the common trait of being somewhat dated. I simply sorted them by price and decided on a spontaneous walk-in, planning to book after settling into the Executive Lounge. Revisiting this familiar place at dusk, the lobby lights flickered as they did in years past. The lounge attendant offered me two options: a king-size bed with a river view or a suite with a garden view. Since I was going with the flow and had already experienced the river view, I chose the less conventional suite. This former landmark hotel, nestled between the Yangtze and Qinhuai Rivers, now feels slightly awkward. It's old, but not old enough, and its classic charm needs more time to mature. I couldn't help but lament the rapid changes in trends. In just over a decade of operation, the aesthetics feel a century apart. Looking around, it felt like everything was tagged with an "outdated" label. Fortunately, the suite, though outdated, was not dilapidated. The one-bedroom, one-living room layout with two bathrooms was well-proportioned and functional. A few anachronistic design choices, such as the hidden door behind the bathroom mirror, were harmless. The complimentary minibar, albeit stocked with only three drinks, was a nice touch. It would have been even better if charging ports were installed on both sides of the bed. I missed afternoon tea but managed to catch the evening happy hour. The offerings were standard, but the quiet atmosphere with few people was a plus. The swimming pool, located on the first floor next to the lobby, resembled a dilapidated swimming pool in an energy-depleted city, old, worn-out, and with an unpleasant odor. A row of grand floor-to-ceiling windows shimmered with reflected light, as if unwillingly recounting its glorious past. The next day's breakfast, served in the second-floor buffet restaurant, was one of the few things in this hotel that hadn't completely fallen behind. Thanks to its popularity, the spread was quite extensive, with prompt replenishments and a variety of Nanjing specialties. The long-planned subway station at the entrance is still under construction, so taxis remain the only option for now. However, even with the taxi fare, it was still considerably cheaper than staying at the other two hotels. Finally, this hotel is no longer suitable for tourists, Instagram influencers, or hotel novelty seekers. It's only suitable for nostalgic Nanjing locals who want to spend a weekend gazing at the river, searching for finless porpoises, and daydreaming. Room Details: Room Number: 1108 Official Name: Deluxe Suite Area: 77 sq m Mattress: King Koil Bedding and Towels: Berntextile Bedroom TV: Philips Living Room TV: Philips Shower and Metal Fixtures: Kohler Basin and Bathtub: Duravit Master Bathroom Toilet: Electric TOTO Guest Bathroom Toilet: Manual Duravit Hair Dryer: Kinhao Toiletries: Crabtree & Evelyn (large bottles) Electric Kettle: Grelide Instant Coffee: Mings Tea Bags: Chali Bottled Water: Xiquan Spring Water Minibar: Complimentary