5-Star Hotels in Jiangsu, China

Specifically came to Suzhou's Dongshan for the white jade loquats this weekend, but opted not to stay at Dongshan Hotel this time. Instead, we drove an hour back to the city to stay at Wu Palace. It was my first time here, and our room was on the first floor. The lobby is on the third floor, so we had to take the elevator down to the first floor, then navigate a bit to find our room. With two elderly people, it was a little inconvenient. However, my family unanimously agreed that the hotel's ambiance is quite unique, and decided that next time we visit Suzhou, we'll definitely choose Wu Palace again (they specifically told me to book a room on the 3rd floor)😁. It's loquat season now, and the two loquat trees in the courtyard are perfectly in theme. Amidst the white walls and black tiles, loquats hang from the branches. I woke up early to snap a few photos📸 of the loquat trees. Being under the trees, everything felt so fresh🤤.

My stay at the InterContinental Nanjing Greenland Financial Center was absolutely incredible, truly living up to its reputation as Nanjing's landmark 'cloud hotel.' The hotel is centrally located, with direct subway access, making getting around super convenient. The high-floor rooms offer breathtaking views, with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Xuanwu Lake, Purple Mountain, and the cityscape of Jinling. Both the sunset and the nighttime city lights create a truly atmospheric experience. The room was spacious and spotless, with soft, comfortable bedding and well-equipped bathroom facilities; the attention to detail was impressive. The staff were warm and attentive, check-in was efficient, and they proactively offered helpful guidance. The breakfast spread was extensive, featuring authentic Nanjing flavors, and the high-altitude pool and gym facilities were excellent. The overall environment is upscale and elegant, and the service is meticulous. I highly recommend it for both leisure and business travel – I'll definitely choose this hotel again on my next visit to Nanjing! Special mention to Bailyn and Steven, whose service was particularly excellent, warm, and gentle.

Staying at Yangzhou Yingbinguan, I felt the full romance of a spring day in Jiangnan ✨. I took my mom on a trip to Yangzhou and was instantly smitten with Yangzhou Yingbinguan! From check-in to check-out, every detail perfectly hit the mark for aesthetics and comfort. Half of the joy of this trip came from this amazing hotel! 🏡 Living in a Jiangnan Garden, every step is a poem. The entire complex is a massive traditional Chinese garden, with pavilions, towers, small bridges over flowing water, and rockeries. In spring, cherry blossoms and crabapples are in full bloom, and black swans gracefully swim on the lake. Even the air is filled with the fragrant scent of plants and trees. We stayed in Building 11, and the hotel thoughtfully prepared welcome gifts: 'Mi San Dao', 'Xiao Mabing', and 'Niupi Tang' from Qilin Pavilion, along with specialty pastries embossed with 'Yangzhou'. The room facilities were also very new. Shuttle carts were available on call throughout the park, making it super convenient to get from our room to Quyuan or other places. It was so thoughtful for traveling with seniors, as they didn't have to walk too much! 📸 Hanfu Styling, bringing the spring vibe to life. The package included a Hanfu photoshoot, located on the first floor of Building 11. There were dozens of Hanfu styles, and the free options were quite good. If you preferred, paid options were an additional 100 RMB. We also added makeup and styling for 100 RMB per person. The makeup artist was excellent; even with many guests waiting, she was very dedicated. The photographer was also great, skilled at guiding poses. My mom's photos turned out gentle and elegant! We received 5 free lightly retouched photos, and additional retouches were only 20 RMB/photo, which was good value for money. 🍜 Quyuan, a Black Pearl Restaurant. Quyuan Teahouse, a Black Pearl 1-diamond restaurant, is conveniently located right within Yingbinguan, meaning you don't have to leave the hotel to experience it! It does get very busy, so it's a good idea to get a number in advance and then explore nearby. The hotel's own breakfast was also excellent. 🚶‍♀️ Direct Access to Slender West Lake, no queuing is a blessing! On the second day, to visit Slender West Lake, the hotel has an exclusive fast lane! No need to wait in long queues at the scenic area entrance; you can enter directly from the hotel grounds. This was truly stress-free for traveling with seniors (normal admission tickets are still required). The hotel garden seamlessly connects to Slender West Lake. In spring, Slender West Lake is vibrant with green willows and colorful flowers, with beautiful scenery at every turn. 🎭 Intangible Cultural Heritage Mini-Theater, an immersive experience of Yangzhou folk customs. During the holidays, the hotel arranged an 'Intangible Cultural Heritage Mini-Theater', which truly amazed us! Yangzhou puppet shows, Yangzhou Qingqu opera, and Yangzhou Pinghua storytelling were performed in rotation. The performers were all professional, and acts like puppet calligraphy and pipa serenades were full of Yangzhou charm. This trip to Yangzhou, Yangzhou Yingbinguan truly gave us so many surprises. From the garden landscape and thoughtful service to the delicious food and intangible cultural heritage experiences, all the beauty of Yangzhou was concentrated here. When traveling with your mom, choosing the right hotel is so important! Next time I come to Yangzhou, I will definitely stay here again!

This past Chinese New Year, I had a fantastic stay in their Spring Festival themed room! So, for the May Day holiday, I decided to return to Shangri-La and try their Cherry Blossom themed room. This trip was primarily to celebrate my elderly relative's 70th birthday. We specifically chose a private dining room at the hotel's Jiangnan灶 (Jiangnan Cauldron) restaurant on the first floor. It was a wonderful family gathering for lunch; the dishes were beautifully presented and delicious. The birthday celebration was a great success! After lunch, it was already past 2 PM, but unfortunately, the Cherry Blossom themed room wasn't ready yet. The front desk suggested an upgrade to the Super Suzhou themed room, and it certainly didn't disappoint! The decor perfectly captivated the kids. Besides playing with the soccer ball in the room, we also spent some free time at the outdoor basketball court and slide on the 5th floor, which is also a great spot for family activities. The Horizon Club is still an excellent choice, offering many amenities. Although we didn't get the Cherry Blossom themed room, they still provided a complimentary cherry blossom-themed afternoon tea. Furthermore, the afternoon tea time and evening light meals on the 40th floor were both excellent! For breakfast, I recommend the buffet on the 2nd floor; there are more options, and the duck blood vermicelli soup is absolutely delicious – a must-have every time! Overall, I'm very satisfied with my stay and will definitely choose to stay at the Nanjing Shangri-La Hotel again if I have the opportunity.

I originally booked two different room types for three nights and needed to switch rooms in the middle. Duncan was incredibly thoughtful and upgraded my room, allowing me to enjoy the city view from the Asia Pacific Building for three days, which was a fantastic experience. The room layout was exactly to my liking, and it was spotlessly clean with excellent air conditioning. The breakfast on the first floor offered a wide variety of local specialties; the large meat buns and beef potstickers were delicious. From the 56th floor, you could see Xuanwu Lake and Jiming Temple, and I really enjoyed the wontons. The hotel is right next to the subway station, making it super convenient to get to scenic spots and the train station. This trip, except for one night when I was too tired and took a taxi back from Confucius Temple, I used the subway for all my travel. Next time I visit, I will definitely choose Jinling Hotel again and try out Meiyuan.

What I didn't like: When I checked in, they asked if I needed cooking facilities and a washing machine. If not, I could get a room immediately. If so, I'd have to wait for a room to be cleaned. I asked if the room sizes were the same, and they said yes. So I thought I'd just check in directly; the space saved from not having cooking facilities and a washing machine should make the room more comfortable. Who knew it was all hallway space, with very little usable area? Everyone, please avoid room xx06, see the pictures for details. What I liked: The hotel is located near Exit 10 of Sanyang Plaza Metro Station, which is an excellent location and very convenient for getting around. I won't be coming back in the future, bye-bye~

The design is absolutely stunning. This white, ship-shaped building stands majestically by the lake. The 15-meter-high lobby, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, frames Jinji Lake like a painting, giving you the illusion of standing in a cockpit overlooking the ocean. **Room:** We had an Executive Lake View room, 42 sqm, fully equipped with an island counter, capsule coffee machine, JBL speaker, Dyson hairdryer, and BORGHESE amenities. The most incredible part was when the automatic curtains opened, revealing the Gate of the Orient right before our eyes. The bedding offered six pillow options, and the comfort was so good, it felt like being 'stuck' in bed. **Executive Lounge:** Located at the 'bow' of the ship, the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows offer a breathtaking view of the entire curved Jinji Lake and the Ferris wheel – the scenery alone is worth the room rate. **Breakfast:** At Suncruiser Restaurant, the Suzhou Aozhao Noodles and Old Chicken Soup Noodles are made to order with a self-service topping bar, genuinely better than many noodle shops. **Family-friendly:** There are both indoor and outdoor playgrounds. The 'Little Captain's Club' features a ball pit and VR experiences. Kids' bathrobes and slippers can be prepared in advance. **Location:** The back gate leads directly to a lakeside boardwalk that takes you to the Gate of the Orient and the musical fountain. Suzhou Center is a 5-minute walk away, and Suzhou Park Station is a 15-minute taxi ride. The experience of 'sleeping on a cruise ship on the lake' is truly unique. I highly recommend a lake view room facing the 'bow'; that view of the lake alone is worth a special trip. Happy pistachio and grape

Whenever I return to Suzhou from abroad, I always choose Pingjiang Lodge. It holds a special place in my heart because I used to walk past it and Pingjiang Road every day on my way to school. Plus, the hotel boasts a 500-year-old 'Half Garden.' Though small, it's a quintessential Suzhou garden where you can sit and enjoy tea, complete with parrots that say 'hello.' It's truly a remedy for homesickness, no need to visit other gardens. The service has always been exceptional. During this stay, I mentioned that it had been 40 years since I left Suzhou, and Manager Xiao Tang at the front desk immediately upgraded my room and sent some fruit. Breakfast is decent, and the hotel's homemade toppings are authentic – I look forward to them every morning. The location is absolutely perfect; Pingjiang Road is right outside, and popular attractions like Humble Administrator's Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and Suzhou Museum are all incredibly close. There are also various specialty snacks and restaurants nearby. Aside from the crowds of tourists, it's practically flawless. Staying here makes me so happy; it truly feels like coming home.

Booked an executive room, got upgraded to a deluxe suite, both the space and the view were satisfying. Had afternoon tea at the executive lounge once; the desserts were pretty good, overlooking Haizhou District from the 41st floor. Also tried the buffet dinner once; it was generally average, nothing particularly outstanding. The room itself didn't feel old, and the facilities were well-maintained. Overall, a positive review. Will consider staying here again next time I visit Lianyungang.

Yangzhou Shangri-La: A 3-Day, 2-Night Leisure Stay | Perfect Location + Super Comfortable Staycation For my recent 3-day, 2-night leisure trip to Yangzhou, I decisively chose the Shangri-La Hotel, Yangzhou, and the location truly was unbeatable! The hotel is right next to Mingyue Lake, surrounded by a whole cluster of cultural amenities. The Yangzhou Grand Theatre, Art Museum, Museum, and Library are all connected, just a short walk across the street. It was incredibly convenient for visiting exhibitions and galleries. I managed to squeeze in a visit to the Yangzhou Museum and saw the national treasure, the 'Dragon Pattern Vase,' with my own eyes – incredibly rich in history. I also picked up some lovely museum merchandise, which really enhanced the experience. The night view of Mingyue Lake in the evening was particularly stunning, with a fantastic illuminated ambiance. There were many locals strolling along the lake, and the evening breeze was delightful, creating a wonderfully slow-paced, relaxing atmosphere. This time, I stayed in a Horizon Club Deluxe Lake View Room, which was truly an immersive staycation experience. The 60-square-meter room was incredibly spacious and airy, and the bathroom was also huge, making for a very comfortable and unconfined stay. The hotel is a well-established five-star property; upon entering the lobby, you immediately feel its stable and luxurious ambiance. Although the room facilities show a bit of age, they are exceptionally well-maintained, and the overall quality of the stay was excellent. The Horizon Club executive benefits were genuinely great value. In the afternoon, you could leisurely enjoy afternoon tea in the lounge, and the evening light meals were also excellent quality, with refined dishes that weren't just token offerings. It was a one-stop shop for food, drinks, and entertainment without even having to leave the hotel – a truly full-on vacation vibe. The hotel breakfast offered a huge variety, including many local Yangzhou specialties. You could enjoy authentic Huaiyang breakfast dishes without going out, and the flavors were very authentic. Most of the service was also very good, with prompt responses to daily requests and thoughtful attitudes. My only minor complaint: One evening, returning to the hotel, I was abruptly stopped by a lobby staff member who curtly asked, ”What are you doing here?” This was a rather unpleasant experience. As a high-end five-star hotel, staff should ideally greet guests with a smile and proactively offer assistance, rather than asking blunt questions. There's certainly room for improvement in their service awareness. The hotel's travel photographer, Xiao Yu, was excellent; he captured some photos we were very happy with. Overall, I was very satisfied with the location, environment, room type, and dining. It's a highly recommended choice for a relaxing, slow-paced vacation in Yangzhou or for those wanting to visit cultural and museum venues. I would definitely recommend staying here!