Houju Courtyard Design Hotel (Shangcheng Branch, Shantang Street, Suzhou) - Living by the River, Encountering the New Elegant Charm of Suzhou
The hotel is located in the heart of Shantang Street, Bainian Stone Road Pedestrian Street, Gusu District. The hotel is situated on the 4th floor of the popular check-in landmark of Shangchengmen. Walk 300 meters to reach Qili Mountain Pond Scenic Area; The sound of oars, lights, and bustling streets of "Millennium Shantang Street" provide an ideal starting point for exploring the Su style charm, as you can enjoy the convenience of the stone road commercial district within walking distance.
The Houju Hotel Group will undergo a new upgrade in 2025, with a disruptive design aesthetic inspired by the "Shangchengmen" and deeply integrated into Suzhou's "rolling immortals" folk customs and "seeking the Eight Immortals" culture. Shangchengmen has ingeniously created an immersive fantasy space with "gardens in buildings, streets in gardens, and alleys in streets", opening a unique hotel exploration journey.
Hotel rooms are an artistic stage of color and texture, with retro red passionately colliding and warm walnut wood; Middle aged blue highlights the harmonious charm of fashion and fantasy; Metal floor lamps and color blocked vintage carpets, outlining details; The courtyard landscape room cleverly blends Soviet classical elements with modern design, while the courtyard landscape room monopolizes the charm of the city gate market, showcasing luxury and warmth in a low-key manner, with a sense of luxury everywhere.
Intelligent control of the entire house frees up hands, senses the toilet, enhances the bathroom experience, easily adjusts lighting, curtains, TV, etc. with just one command, and fully enjoys technological convenience; Ultimate sleep experience, deeply immersed in five-star quality mattresses; Paired with a large screen TV, it provides endless enjoyment, instantly relieving travel fatigue and allowing you to fall into a deep sleep.
The hotel has complete facilities and equipment, including a gym to help you stay energetic and enjoy the joy of exercise at any time; Self service laundry room, waiters help deliver laundry, attentive care, dispelling your worries; The leisure book bar is quiet and comfortable, with a lazy afternoon tea time and a search for a touch of delicacy in the afternoon. In the unique atmosphere of the hotel, enjoy exclusive afternoon tea and immerse yourself in the rare Su style tranquility and beauty. Exclusive goodnight snacks, warming the heart and nourishing the stomach, accompany you to a sweet sleep.
In addition, staying in a hotel allows for an immersive local experience, and stepping into the "Gusu Prosperous Map" upon entering the immortal market! Gathering authentic Su style snacks and classic souvenirs (such as Han Dachun and Caizhizhai), it enhances happiness in the atmosphere of fireworks, and every snap is a big shot.
Houju Craftsmanship Service adheres to the brand's three core values of "exquisite service", "local experience", and "cultural exploration". We are committed to providing personalized services beyond expectations for curious and creative travelers, unlocking the cultural code of Suzhou and embarking on an extraordinary journey of exploration.
"I stayed at Houju Courtyard Design Hotel (Also known as The Humble) during my trip to Suzhou, and while the place is definitely Instagram-worthy, my overall experience was quite disappointing.
I had high expectations after seeing the gorgeous photos and videos online, the traditional Suzhou-style architecture and the tranquil courtyard vibe looked amazing. But when I arrived, reality didn’t quite live up to the aesthetics.
The location is near Shantang Street, which is great for exploring, but the hotel is about a 5–10 minute walk from the main road. If you have large luggage, this walk can be really inconvenient — especially during rainy season, which was the case for us. We had to drag our suitcases through narrow alleys in the rain just to check in.
Another thing that surprised me was that this isn’t a standalone hotel building. The hotel is on Level 4 of a mixed-use building, with restaurants and other businesses on the lower floors. That means anyone can use the same elevator — not the most private or secure experience, especially if you were expecting a more exclusive boutique hotel feel.
When we entered the room, the bathroom wasn’t properly cleaned — there were hairs around the toilet bowl area, and the bathroom doors felt flimsy. On top of that, the toilet kept making bubbling noises. We had to call staff to fix it, and they explained that it was due to water pressure issues common to all rooms.
That said, I have to give credit where it’s due — the staff were very helpful and attentive, and they responded to issues quickly and politely, which definitely softened the experience a bit.
Final Thoughts:
While Houju Courtyard Design Hotel (The Humble Hotel) looks stunning in photos and has a great location near Suzhou’s attractions, the actual stay didn’t live up to expectations. It’s more about the aesthetic than comfort, and you should be prepared for shared spaces, limited privacy, and some maintenance issues. If visuals are your priority, it’s worth a short stay — but if you’re after a more comfortable, hotel-like experience, this might not be the right fit."