Boutique Hotels in Jiangsu, China

I chose this hotel based on reviews from Trip.com users, and it really didn't disappoint. It truly feels like a royal palace garden hotel, and best of all, the price is incredibly reasonable. You can stay in such a beautiful place for just a few hundred yuan a night! Plus, you get free access to the Panmen Scenic Area next door, and the night view there is so stunning it feels otherworldly. We were even lucky enough to catch a 'datihua' (iron flower) performance, which was absolutely amazing. And their buffet breakfast is fantastic, really extensive, and only 68 RMB per person – such a great deal!

This hotel boasts a modern, minimalist style and is very clean. You can control things with voice commands, which is a nice touch. It's not far from the subway station, making it convenient to get to all the attractions. Shiquan Street and the Master of the Nets Garden are just a 10-15 minute walk away. There are plenty of local eateries around the hotel, plus an ALDI supermarket for groceries. When I checked in, they kindly upgraded me to a room with a window and allowed a late check-out until 2 PM, which was really helpful. They even gave me two small sachets when I checked out – highly recommend! 👍

What a fantastic vacation experience! Over four days and three nights, we got to try out buildings 9, 2, and 8, each with its own advantages. My personal preference, in descending order, is 2 ≥ 9 ≥ 8. First, let's talk about the courtyard room in building 2. What I loved most was waking up to lush greenery right outside my window. I could step into the courtyard in my pajamas and soak in nature. Even when it rained, there was no need to worry about not being able to go out; there were tables and chairs in the courtyard perfect for quietly watching the rain. It truly maximized that relaxed, vacation feel, ideal for unwinding and recharging. The facilities weren't old either; I found them perfectly fine. Next up is the suite in building 9. It's spacious, featuring a living room, bedroom, study, and two bathrooms. The Chinese-style decor felt grand and expansive, and the garden views from the window were also excellent. It would be very comfortable for a family. Since there were only two of us, we didn't need such a large space, which is why I personally preferred building 2, though building 9 was indeed great. Building 8 is the newest and most modern. It offers breakfast (which 2 and 9 don't), and it was quite good. The window seats in the restaurant also boasted amazing views. They even provide complimentary bedtime snacks (again, something 2 and 9 lack) and you can choose hot milk, which was a very thoughtful touch. The room quality was also higher, with Bulgari toiletries, Evian and Nongfu Spring bottled water, and better quality disposable slippers and mattresses. However, my personal priority for a resort hotel is the scenery, so building 8 ranked slightly lower for me. For those who prioritize room quality and service details, this building is definitely worth considering. The overall landscaping and service throughout the hotel grounds were excellent. Before coming, I wondered if people were exaggerating when they said you don't need to leave the hotel for a vacation, but after experiencing it, I realized it's true. Staying at the Yingbinguan is perfect for a low-energy, lazy person like me who doesn't want to wake up early for itineraries or battle crowds at tourist attractions. Beyond the hotel, everyone we encountered in Yangzhou – at attractions, restaurants, and museums – was incredibly nice. Thank you, Yangzhou, for giving us such precious travel memories. We'll definitely be back for another vacation!

1. This was my second trip to Nanjing. Last time, in March, I came for a marathon and a whirlwind 'special forces' tour. This time, it was a pure 5-day, 4-night leisure trip with two adults and one child (10 years old). But Nanjing is truly massive, so we still averaged 30,000 steps a day. 2. Nanjing's subway system is quite developed. Xinjiekou Station alone has 24 exits, which can be dizzying! However, most subway stations are still a bit of a walk from the main entrances of attractions. The key central transfer stations are Xinjiekou, Gulou, Dahangong, Jimingsi, Yunnan Road, and Shanghai Road – knowing these makes planning travel and booking accommodation much easier. 3. This time, we stayed at Jinling Hotel, one of the so-called 'Big Four Hotels.' We experienced both the newly renovated rooms in the Asia Pacific Tower and the Jinling Tower, as well as both regular and Dragon Boat Festival rates. The prices are indeed high. How to put it? I personally think its biggest selling point is its unbeatable location. (Overall value for money, compared to hotels in Hainan, Guangzhou, Tibet, and Yunnan, and even compared to hotels in Nanjing's Hexi area, isn't particularly high). 4. In the Asia Pacific Tower, we had a 50th-floor, 2-meter king-size bed room. The view from the window adds at least 30% to the room price. Excluding the bathroom, the main usable area is about 12 square meters. The bathroom has a separate shower and tub, and is wet/dry separated. The king bed is big enough for two adults and one child. There's also a short sofa, so a child under 1.4 meters tall could theoretically sleep there. Therefore, this room type could compactly accommodate two adults and two children (if both are under 10, and if the hotel allows). 5. Jinling Tower has two room types. Rooms marked as 'Yizhi' on certain booking platforms are newly renovated, while unmarked ones are older. The biggest difference is whether it has a shower or a stand-up tub. The Yizhi twin room has 1.3-meter beds, with a main usable area of about 6-8 square meters. The bathroom has a traditional layout: shower on the left, toilet in the middle, and sink on the right. 6. The breakfast in both towers seems to offer the same dishes. The Asia Pacific Tower's breakfast is on the 56th floor, and the window seats offer a truly good view, looking east and northeast. On a clear day, you can see Purple Mountain and Xuanwu Lake. Jinling Tower's breakfast is on the 1st floor, but the flow design feels a bit off, as there are too many tables packed too tightly. The breakfast is rich, satisfying, and features local specialties, but for someone from Yunnan, there's a lack of leafy greens and spicy options. 7. Both towers require key card access for elevators. Delivery riders cannot deliver directly to the rooms in either tower. However, if you include your room number in the delivery instructions, a robot can deliver it. The phone room to the right after exiting the elevator in the Jinling Tower also has a delivery locker. Anyway, there are tons of food options inside Xinjiekou subway station, so we barely needed delivery. 8. The lobby restroom in the Asia Pacific Tower is to the right of the front desk after entering. In the Jinling Tower, it's to the back-right of the front desk (outside the restaurant). The Asia Pacific Tower offers unlimited complimentary welcome drinks; the sour plum flavor is quite good. The 25-meter pool is in the Asia Pacific Tower and has no lanes. I tried it in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and could generally swim continuously without needing to consciously avoid others. 9. Overall, based solely on the room types mentioned, I'd rate the Jinling Hotel an 80-85 out of 100: Breakfast: 16 points (personal taste issue) Rooms: 14 points (Asia Pacific Tower) / 8 points (Jinling Tower new room) Sleep Quality: 19 points Amenities: 18 points (deducted 1 point for no drying rack in the bathroom) Service: 19 points (soft services are excellent; Yunnan should learn from this)

Before check-in, I received a message from Luanne at the hotel, who thoughtfully reminded us of all the details we hadn't even considered and made excellent arrangements. A big wish of mine when returning to Nanjing and staying at the Zifeng InterContinental was to see my alma mater, and this time it was perfectly realized. I saw my alma mater embracing the purple aura of Zijin Mountain, a moment I'll remember for a long time.

This place is perfect for business trips! It's quiet, spacious, and super close to the high-speed rail station. Plus, they offer coffee and late-night snacks, which is a lifesaver for us workers, haha. I think it'd be great for tourists too, because the rooms are genuinely huge and have everything you need. The staff also make you feel really safe and well taken care of! 👌👌

Pros: The building's cruise ship-like design is highly distinctive and unique. Located right next to Jinji Lake, the entire building lights up at night, creating an absolutely stunning view when combined with the lake and the city's nightscape across the water. Evening strolls around the lake offer fantastic photo opportunities. The frontline staff are excellent. The doorman actively helped with luggage, and the front desk reception was warm and courteous, responding quickly to any questions. Cons: The family room was cramped, seemingly converted from a standard twin room. Due to the hotel's curved cruise ship architectural structure, the overall space was on the smaller side. After placing the beds and children's toys, the activity area felt very crowded. The attention to detail was lacking; there was no step stool for children in the bathroom, which is a noticeable shortcoming compared to similarly priced family-friendly hotels. The hotel has been open for some years, and the facilities are showing some age; the carpets in the public areas had noticeable stains, which was unsightly. During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, the swimming pool was extremely crowded. Coupled with the pool's age and small size, swimming felt very cramped. I recommend avoiding peak times if you plan to use it.

The hotel's decor is elegant and unique, with meticulous attention to detail in everything from the water purification system to the bathroom design. Both seniors and children loved the terrace view. A special thank you to Leo and the other staff for their warm hospitality; they even helped us retrieve an item we accidentally left behind. Leo is a super thoughtful guy, 100% recommended!

The location is absolutely unbeatable. Yunlong Lake is just a few steps away, literally right next to a 5A scenic area. You can walk out the door and stroll along the lake, enjoying the breeze. It's about a ten-minute walk to Yunlong Mountain and the Han Portrait Stone Art Museum, and Xuzhou Museum isn't far either. No need to rush in the morning, perfect for a relaxed trip. Parking is free for drivers, and there are plenty of spaces, so no worries about finding a spot. The hotel also upgraded our room. The huge floor-to-ceiling window offered a direct view of the entire Yunlong Lake. In the evening, the lake shimmered with golden light during sunset – it was incredibly therapeutic to just sit by the window on the sofa and relax. The bedding was just right, with both soft and firm pillows, so even those who prefer firm pillows can sleep soundly. The bathroom had a wet and dry separation, with both a bathtub and shower. The toiletries had a subtle, high-end scent, not a cheap artificial fragrance. After a day of sightseeing, a bath was perfect for unwinding. The cleanliness was impeccable, with corners and the vanity sparkling. It was a very comfortable stay. Breakfast deserves a special shout-out! It wasn't the usual generic buffet. All the local Xuzhou specialties were available! Freshly fried dough sticks, 'laomo juan sanzi' (pancake rolls with crispy treats), and handmade 'jianbing guozi' (savory crepes) were all there. No need to wake up early and queue for local breakfast outside. The freshly cooked rice noodle station was super popular, and the beef bone broth was incredibly fresh. Western pastries and freshly ground coffee were also available. The hotel's facilities are comprehensive. The constant-temperature indoor pool was super relaxing after a tiring day. The gym had enough equipment. The view from the executive lounge was absolutely stunning; enjoying a drink while looking at the nighttime lights of Yunlong Lake created an amazing ambiance, perfect for couples or friends. The Chinese restaurant served authentic local dishes, with delicious 'digou ji' (pot-stewed chicken) and Huaiyang cuisine. It was great to have the option to dine in the hotel instead of going out. The service was warm and attentive. Check-in at the front desk was quick. We requested a high-floor lake view, and the staff did their best to accommodate. Special thanks to Bree at the front desk; she was very responsive to our needs, and her attention to detail was incredibly thoughtful.

Traveling to Nanjing for the weekend, I chose the Shangri-La Hotel Nanjing by Xuanwu Lake. The reception staff was incredibly kind, attentive, and lovely. The room they arranged was perfect, especially the air conditioning which was remarkably quiet. The bathroom was spacious and even had a dressing table and a small leather chair, which was a delightful surprise! The breakfast was bountiful, featuring freshly made soup dumplings, duck blood vermicelli, and even Meiling porridge, all local Nanjing specialties. It was very convenient to go for a morning workout by Xuanwu Lake right next door, making for a healthy and invigorating experience. We also got to visit the helipad upstairs for some great photo opportunities. All in all, Shangri-La Nanjing greatly enhanced our weekend trip, filling our memories with romantic pink hues. Excellent value for money, highly recommended!