Yangzhou State Guesthouse

Yangzhou, born from the Grand Canal, embodies the gentle charm of the Jiangnan region with a touch of northern grandeur. It's the most lifestyle-savvy city in the Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai area, and a UNESCO-recognized City of Gastronomy. Yangzhou never disappoints when it comes to the essence of Jiangnan. Yangzhou Yingbin Guesthouse is right next to Slender West Lake, and the hotel itself is like a grand garden. The ancient poetic line, 'Down to Yangzhou in March when flowers are like mist,' passed down for millennia, perfectly captures Yangzhou's romance. If you want to immerse yourself in the true essence of Yangzhou, Yangzhou Yingbin Guesthouse is the ideal place to stay... Yangzhou Yingbin Guesthouse boasts convenient transportation, excellent service, and complete facilities.

Facilities: Good Cleanliness: Clean Environment: Beautiful Service: Excellent The overall environment, greenery, and service at Yangzhou Yingbin Hotel are all exceptional. The scenery is beautiful. I will definitely come again next time.

We stayed in a Grand Deluxe Courtyard King Room (1st floor with courtyard) in Building 8, Furong Garden. To break it down: Building 8 is close to Slender West Lake (not lakeside, but within walking distance). The 'Mountain View' rooms overlook a green forest, while 'Water View' rooms face an inner courtyard pond. If you want a small courtyard, definitely choose a 1st-floor room; I assume rooms on the second floor and above are called 'scenic view' rooms. I took some photos of the exteriors of rooms 105 and 108 during cleaning for everyone's reference. **Amenities:** Yangzhou in early summer was hot and humid, but having a small courtyard made it feel much more open. I can only imagine how pleasant it would be to drink tea there when it's cooler. The mattress firmness was perfect for me (not too soft), and the air conditioning was quiet with stable temperature control. The room came with a dehumidifier, which was very practical, especially after hanging clothes. The staff even brought over a drying rack when they came for turndown service and helped set it up – a definite plus. The bathtub came with Bvlgari toiletries, and Evian water was provided (they were generous with replenishments). I can't quite remember how many mini-bar items there were, four or five perhaps. The first round was complimentary, and they didn't check it upon checkout. A large bottle of Nongfu Spring water was also provided for tea, which was appropriate for the price point. **Service:** Throughout our stay, the service was comfortable and stress-free. From the lobby to the butler, every staff member was professional and patient, answering questions clearly and efficiently. The shuttle service within the garden was on-call; whether by WeChat or phone, we rarely waited more than a few minutes – completely hassle-free. **Additional tips on dining and attractions:** We didn't plan much in advance, mostly checking things on the fly and asking the butler. A small suggestion for the hotel: it might be helpful to compile frequently asked questions and relevant local information to proactively send to guests. **Quyuan Teahouse:** Turn right out of Building 8's lobby, cross two small bridges, and you're there. We had both breakfast and dinner there. The prices are on the higher side, but the experience was well worth it. For breakfast on Saturday, we got a number at 8 AM and walked right in. For dinner, we were also among the first to be seated at 5 PM (Note: some rooms in Building 8 have windows directly facing the teahouse, so if this is a concern, you can inquire with the front desk beforehand). **Slender West Lake:** During the day, you can enter directly from the stone bridge next to the teahouse (admission fee applies). For night tours, you need to take the shuttle to the hotel's south gate, walk along the asphalt road to the main road, and then cross a bridge past the pedicabs to reach the south gate. The night boat tour is not recommended; the views are limited, and it's purely for transport. However, the park's night performance is worth seeing, especially since you're already there. **A small reminder:** Building 8 is not waterside, so if you're looking for a lake view right outside your window, you'll need to choose another building. Also, as regular guests, we didn't experience many high-end services, but based on our personal experience, our three-day, two-night stay far exceeded expectations. This room type is a definite recommend!

Traveling to Yangzhou with my family, I chose Yangzhou Yingbin Hotel Building 18 on a friend's recommendation. I was truly surprised and impressed by the high level of service in China's hotel industry and the exceptional quality of the staff. Our three-day, two-night stay made my family and me feel right at home. A big thank you to all the staff at Guanfangyuan, Building 18, for their understanding and thoughtful care! We received welcome fruits on arrival and a parting gift when we left. The hotel even knew it was a special occasion and decorated my parents' room, which was a very thoughtful touch. The room felt not just clean, but incredibly comforting. The entire hotel, rather than just being a hotel, is more accurately described as an exquisite and unique garden. Of course, there were a few minor flaws, but these were easily overlooked given the overall excellent experience. If these small details could be perfected, I believe Yangzhou Yingbin Hotel would be the only choice for every visitor to Yangzhou. My family and I will definitely choose Yangzhou Yingbin Hotel again whenever we visit Yangzhou!

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.

Check-in took a while as it was very crowded on the weekend, but overall the service was quite good after we got into our room. The room was clean and spacious, and my child loved it. There were also many places within the resort for kids to play. Overall, we had a very happy stay.

The hotel itself is a garden-style property. Its location is a major advantage, being close to Slender West Lake, Dongguan Street, Pishi Street, Caiyi Street, the Canal Museum, He Garden, and Ge Garden. The room service is very attentive: the staff are polite and professional, and any issues with the room are handled promptly. Taking the hotel's buggy allows you to admire the garden scenery throughout the property. Building 3 has an old-money vibe, while other buildings each have their own unique characteristics. Building 11, with its wooden furniture, has an elegant style and a prominent woody aroma. You can also take a stroll around the grounds and see swans and koi fish. Quyuan Teahouse is a must-visit; staying at the hotel makes it convenient, and you can ask the front desk to arrange for a buggy to take you there to queue for a number. Afternoon tea is also at Quyuan, and the 'Yangzhou Tea Ceremony,' with its 'three ways to drink one tea,' is highly recommended!

Yangzhou Yingbin Hotel is a garden-style hotel with beautiful surroundings. The gardens are huge, but the shuttle service is very convenient – always available when called, and the staff were incredibly accommodating. Even when we decided to leave early in the middle of the night, the hotel handled our request swiftly. Definitely a hotel I'd choose again.

If you're going to stay at the State Guest House, I'd recommend avoiding Building 3. Its age and outdated condition bring a variety of potential risks to the guest experience. On my first day, I had to request a room change due to a musty smell. While the moldy smell was gone after the switch, I was woken up the next morning by a strong sewage odor, which became even worse early on the third day. The smell gradually dissipated after using the toilet. The hotel's natural environment is undoubtedly top-tier; a leisurely stroll through the gardens is truly charming, though it was still too hot and sunny in late August, limiting opportunities for walks. The front desk service was also very prompt, and the shuttle car requests were handled quickly. The stay included a complimentary travel photoshoot; additional photos were ¥25 each. The pictures turned out great, so it's worth trying.