Boutique Hotels in Jiangsu, China

As one of Suzhou's renowned hotels and an attraction in itself, the Pan Pacific Hotel has clearly put a lot of thought into its environment. It has created a beautiful Suzhou garden-style landscape based on the outlines of ancient Wu Kingdom architecture, making us feel like history isn't just a display, but that we're living inside a freshly painted ink wash painting. Wooden planks form bridges in the corridors, bamboo paintings adorn the walls, and when the wind blows, it's as if you can hear the clear ringing of ancient Wu eave bells – not noisy, yet full of sound. The in-house restaurant offers yellow croaker noodles, which are a bit pricey, but the fish is fresh and delicious, and worth trying with the small noodles and side dishes. The only downsides: when I called, there was a wait without an answer, and the staff training regarding the management of guests' personal belongings in the rooms needs improvement. I highly recommend visiting the hotel's architecture; it offers a concrete experience of Suzhou's ancient江南 (Jiangnan) charm.

🌸 A sunny March is the perfect time for flower viewing. Carrying a slight regret from our last trip and a lingering fondness for Nanxiang, we embarked on this Nanjing journey, with the Nanjing Shangri-La, of course, as our first stop. 1. **Location**: The hotel's location is superb, right next to Xinmofan Road Metro Station, making it incredibly convenient to reach all major attractions. It's also very close to Xuanwu Lake, just a few minutes' walk away. Strolling along the lake, with willows swaying and flowers vying for attention – the dazzling tulips, the blooming crabapples (some green, some red), and especially that expansive cherry blossom grove. From a distance, it looked like a pink mist. A gentle spring breeze would bring a shower of cherry blossoms, petals fluttering down and scattering, softly carpeting the earth in pink. The peach blossoms were not to be outdone, white, pink, and crimson, blooming profusely on the branches, attracting countless busy little bees and adding vibrant color to the lakeside spring. 2. **Room**: We stayed in a lake-view suite again this time, and I'm grateful to the Horizon Club staff for arranging a high-floor room. The room was clean, tidy, spacious, and bright, with a large living room and bedroom. The floor-to-ceiling window offered a side view of Xuanwu Lake, which was a slight pity. There was no separate walk-in closet, the luggage rack was rather high and narrow, and the bathroom toilet wasn't smart and wasn't separated, all indicating the hotel's age. However, the room service was commendable. They were always responsive, not only providing a luggage rack and a drying pole but also bringing a pot of orchids, which added color to the room. When we mentioned that the welcome dessert wasn't very good, they immediately replaced it with cherry blossom cupcakes and chocolates the next day, which was very thoughtful. 3. **Dining**: The hotel's 'Jiangnan Wok' restaurant specializes in Huaiyang cuisine and is a Black Pearl two-diamond establishment. The restaurant has an elegant ambiance, and the waitstaff are all polite. The 'Clear Broth Lion's Head' was fragrant, soft, and melted in the mouth, while the 'Huaiyang Soft Wok Eel' was silky smooth and tender, our absolute favorite. The unexpected surprise was the 'Stir-fried Beef with Brisket Fat' – the beef was tender and aromatic, with excellent wok hei. Being spice lovers, we also ordered the 'Jiangnan Wok Maoxuewang,' which was also excellent. The large chunks of eel and generous shrimp balls showed no skimping on ingredients, and the flavor definitely rivaled external Sichuan and Hunan restaurants. Personally, I found the pan-fried buns just okay. The 'Xiao Xian Rou' crispy pastry reminded me of Shanghai's fresh pork mooncakes, but felt like it lacked a bit of juice. Breakfast at the ground-floor buffet used to impress me, but this time, the taste felt a bit off compared to before. The 'Jiangnan Wok' breakfast selection was rich, the duck blood vermicelli soup was very fresh and delicious, and the handmade soup dumplings were also good. The beef potstickers had a fragrant filling, but the crust wasn't crispy enough. The bread and pastry section had a variety of choices, but the taste felt average, especially my favorite caramel egg tart, whose crust was soft, almost as if it had been microwaved. The Horizon Club breakfast is semi-buffet style, with a la carte options available. The pan-fried salmon was exquisite and delicious, and the duck blood vermicelli soup was generously portioned and very fresh. The restaurant's bread station even had a small toaster, allowing guests to heat their own bread, which was a thoughtful touch. However, I felt the standard had declined compared to before; the Eggs Benedict were solid, the beef in the Nanjing beef noodles was tough, and the steamed buns in the steamer were sometimes not hot, affecting the taste. Although the happy hour offerings were quite rich, the taste was average. Even more unbelievable, we found plastic wrap in the food – this shouldn't happen at a Shangri-La brand hotel. Nevertheless, the service attitude of the staff, whether in the ground-floor restaurant or the Horizon Club, was still very attentive and enthusiastic. I also encountered an unprecedented issue at the gym. For two consecutive days, I was stopped at the entrance because the staff said my room card and room number didn't match. Later, the duty manager likely issued a new room card, but it canceled my previously noted late check-out, causing me to be unable to enter on check-out day, which was quite embarrassing. Although the gym operates 24/7 with room card access, the restroom is shared with the pool, and it's unavailable after staff leave at 11 PM, which is inconvenient for guests who come to work out late. In summary, this stay brought me both joy and sorrow. I hope the hotel can strengthen its training and management to reach new heights and become a landmark of Nanjing, a place one thinks of when Nanjing is mentioned!

I stayed at this hotel for my birthday and had such a great experience. They upgraded me to a suite, which was clean, beautiful and incredibly spacious. When I arrived, they had a thoughtful birthday setup waiting for me, complete with a cake and a sweet “Happy Birthday” display, which I truly appreciated. They also gave me lovely souvenirs from the city, which was such a nice touch. The staff were warm, helpful and always ready to assist. Breakfast was included and offered a good variety of Western options. The view from the room was amazing and made the stay even more special. The location is also very convenient, right next to a plaza with plenty of food options to choose from. I would absolutely stay here again.

This hotel's location is absolutely fantastic! It's right at the entrance of Dongguan Street and next to the bus station, making it super convenient to get anywhere. The Ancient Canal boat tours are just across the street. We felt the hotel's great service even before we arrived, as they proactively communicated about our arrival time. When we did get there, the staff were so warm and attentive. Our room package included afternoon tea and breakfast, both of which were excellent. They even provided complimentary fruit and offered late-night snacks. The room itself was clean and comfortable. Despite being right by a bustling area, the room was very quiet, and they even provided earplugs, so I slept wonderfully. I'll definitely be back to this hotel on my next trip to Yangzhou!

Towards the end of my holiday, I chose the tallest hotel in Nanjing. The hotel provided a room on the 67th floor with a view of Xuanwu Lake and Zijin Mountain. The most striking feature inside was the large circular bathtub. Before this, I had already traveled to Shanghai during my third year of junior high school, dealing with work all the way, and was quite tired. For dinner and breakfast, I opted to dine at the hotel. Dinner was at the Summit restaurant on the 76th-77th floors, mainly featuring Huaiyang and fusion cuisine. It wasn't as salty as typical Nanjing dishes, and the cold dish with scampi was a highlight. The restaurant's main hall faces south towards Xinjiekou. Breakfast was at the coffee bar on the 45th floor, available from 9 AM to 7 PM. You could access the observation deck with your room card, which offered views to the north: Zijin Mountain, Jiming Temple, Xuanwu Lake, and the TV tower. The duck blood vermicelli soup and baked flatbread were very Nanjing in the breakfast spread, and the rest was typical InterContinental – very rich and varied. My only minor gripe was that the fruit station didn't have the cucumber sticks and juice often found at the Shanghai InterContinental; I had to get a bowl of cucumber slices from the salad bar. I visited the independently operated heated pool and gym after dinner, but it was quite crowded due to Chinese New Year, so it wasn't particularly enjoyable. I then explored the mall next door, which was pretty much as described by Nanjing local media. The only new development is that Sunrise Duty Free is setting up shop on the first floor and is currently under renovation. In a nutshell, my review of the hotel is: Majestic and awe-inspiring! Facilities: Everything you could need. Hygiene: Clean and tidy. Environment: A unique experience. Even with a strong gale outside at night, there was no howling sound once the ventilation windows were sealed. However, before 9 PM, you could hear outdoor loudspeakers from the nearby park or square, which was unavoidable – the entire city acts like a giant amplifier. Service: Warm and thoughtful, with appropriate boundaries, which I personally find more important.

I stayed at ANSHE Hotel in Suzhou for two nights in early April 2026 and left as a very happy camper. The hotel is well-designed and clearly well-run. The hardware and heartware are equally impressive: the staff are warm, hospitable, and quick to resolve any issues, while the in-room technology is modern, intuitive, and easy to operate. The room layout and amenities made it effortless to rest and recharge after a full day of exploring the city. The location is another big plus — just steps from a metro station and an easy walk to the charming Pingjiang Road. This hotel truly ticks all the boxes for design, comfort, convenience, and thoughtful service. Highly recommended.

Great hotel in a superb location for a Yancheng visit. Staff are always warm and attentive, rooms are great and food is superb in the hotel

I stayed in Yangzhou for two nights, and my impression of the hotel and the city is quite similar: a mix of good and bad. First, there was no welcome reception. The male front desk staff, even when there was no one checking in, didn't look up or greet me. It felt like he was waiting for me to approach him eagerly, without even a simple ”hello.” He didn't offer any information about the hotel facilities or guest benefits. I had to ask where the elevators were after checking in, and even then, his directions weren't clear. I even had to call the next morning to ask where breakfast was served, and the executive lounge was never even mentioned. Furthermore, I had pre-booked dinner at Xiang Palace for 7:30 PM. I arrived at 7:25 PM, and a female receptionist sharply scolded me, saying, ”We called you three times, but you didn't answer.” I asked when they called, as I hadn't received any calls. She confidently replied, ”Seven o'clock. Because there was a table available then and you weren't here, it's gone now.” (So, my time is at her discretion?) She then told me to wait aside. Realizing what was happening, I immediately said, ”I'm not eating here.” When I provided feedback to the restaurant manager the next day, they gave me a dismissive ”heh-heh” smile and a cold shoulder throughout. After returning to my room, I called the service center to express my strong dissatisfaction with the issues mentioned above. The person on the phone first apologized politely and enthusiastically, offering to compensate with dinner at Xiang Palace and re-explaining the hotel facilities. During this, they mentioned that complimentary travel photography was a guest benefit. This was my third point of frustration, because my Trip.com package didn't include travel photography, and since I was staying alone, I wouldn't be using the complimentary breakfast for two. So, before checking in, I tried to contact the hotel to ask if I could exchange it for other benefits, like lunch/dinner or travel photography. The hotel firmly refused at the time, stating that travel photography was a third-party service, not provided by the hotel. I had no issue with that, which is why I hadn't planned for travel photography or brought any makeup or clothes. And now you're telling me it's an inherent guest benefit? Later, the hotel offered a room rate reduction, but it required me to cancel my Trip.com order and re-book, which I flat-out refused due to my annoyance. After this, the hotel surprisingly started giving me the cold shoulder, even to the point of not answering calls or replying to WeChat when I needed a paper bag before checking out. (This is why I decided to give less than three stars.) However, when checking out, the hotel offered to drive me to the station as I couldn't get a ride to catch my high-speed train. Well, you can make your own judgment. Personally, I can't give a good review because I wasted half a day of my less-than-three-day trip. So, I'll give it a three-star rating, a mix of good and bad. (Deduction points: significant deduction for the front desk impression, and the female receptionist at Xiang Palace was an additional negative factor.)

This was my first stay at Jinling Hotel Nanjing. The hotel boasts an excellent location at No. 2 Hanzhong Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, right next to Xinjiekou, Deji Plaza, and Xinbai Department Store. It's incredibly convenient for shopping, dining, and getting around. Jinling Hotel: The Spiritual Beacon of a City Deep within the bustling heart of Nanjing's Xinjiekou stands a legendary white edifice – the Jinling Hotel. It's not just a geographical landmark, but a spiritual monument in Nanjing's, and indeed China's, journey of reform and opening-up. Since its opening in 1983, this building, once China's tallest, has uniquely blended history, culture, architecture, and commerce, writing a urban legend spanning over four decades. The birth of Jinling Hotel is, in itself, a microcosm of the reform and opening-up era. As one of the first six large foreign-related tourist hotels approved by the State Council, it rode the wave of the times, built with investment from patriotic overseas Chinese, becoming China's ”first window” to the world. In an era of scarcity, its 110.4-meter height not only redefined the city's skyline but also ignited countless people's aspirations for modernization. It was once the ”superstar” in the eyes of Nanjing locals, the most prestigious address on letterheads, and the setting for countless ”first times” – the first time overlooking the entire city, the first taste of Western cuisine, the first dizzying experience of a high-speed elevator. These memories have long since become the collective sentiment of a generation, elevating Jinling Hotel from just a hotel to a ”cultural icon” carrying the city's memories and the spirit of the era. Architecturally, Jinling Hotel showcases a unique aesthetic blending Chinese and Western styles. Designed by Palmer & Turner Architects, its striking vertical lines on the facade draw inspiration from classical Chinese window lattices, subtly integrating Eastern charm into the skeleton of a modern skyscraper. It didn't blindly follow the trend of Western glass curtain walls but confidently projected Eastern aesthetics and an open spirit to the world. This early fusion of ”Chinese soul” and ”modern form” earned it a place as an outstanding contemporary building in the ”History of World Architecture.” As a hotel, Jinling Hotel's core competitiveness lies in its ”meticulous and heartfelt” service culture and exceptional management philosophy. It was China's first large modern hotel managed by Chinese people, pioneering several industry firsts: China's first high-rise revolving restaurant, ”Xuan Gong,” its first high-rise helipad, and its first high-speed elevator. For over forty years, it has consistently pursued excellence, maintaining a leading position in the national hotel industry's operating performance, and earning numerous accolades, including the ”National Quality Award.” Facing changing times, Jinling Hotel has not rested on its laurels but actively embraced innovation, successfully achieving a ”two-way connection” with the younger generation. Today, Jinling Hotel is a ”city cultural living room,” a ”guardian of quality life,” and a ”hub for emotional connections.” It has transitioned from being ”the first” to becoming ”the unique,” standing as a steady and elegant ”pillar of strength” amidst Nanjing's old and new architectural clusters, thanks to its irreplaceable historical depth and human warmth. It stands quietly, telling a story of heritage and innovation, of a city and an era. Jinling Hotel offers nine types of suites, consisting of six Jinling Building suites and three Asia Pacific Tower suites. Jinling Building Suites: 57 sqm elegant small suites, 55 sqm apartment suites, 65 sqm family deluxe suites, 65 sqm parent-child themed suites, 100 sqm business suites, and 270 sqm Presidential Suites. Asia Pacific Tower Suites: 85 sqm parent-child themed suites, 85 sqm deluxe suites, and 85 sqm business suites. All nine suite types include executive lounge privileges, which can be enjoyed on the 37th floor of the Asia Pacific Tower. The hotel breakfast offered a rich variety. I ordered local specialties like the big meat buns, pig's stomach noodles (pidu mian), and duck blood vermicelli soup, all of which tasted great. The staff provided excellent service. I'd especially like to commend Manager Zhu and Ms. Xu!

The hotel's location is excellent, very close to the Line 5 subway station and tourist attractions, making getting around super convenient. The environment and hygiene are great, and the soundproofing is good. Housekeeping is also very prompt. The hotel is fully automated, with a smart TV for screen casting and a refrigerator available for use. Overall, it was a fantastic experience! I would definitely stay here again if I come back to Suzhou.