GGuest UserThe hotel is located in the old location of Suzhou so the surrounding areas are all full of cultural experiences. The location is ideal for visiting several gardens such as The Couple's Retreat Garden, Lion Grove Garden, and Humble Administrator's Garden (all within walking distance). However, it is a bit difficult to reach by car, as you would have to cross a small bridge and go over slightly rough roads (not ideal for multiple luggage, especially large ones).
The hotel breakfast is soup noodles, with 8 different options, and it comes with a dessert (mung bean cake, a local specialty). It does get a bit tiring and repetitive once you eat it for a long time though. But, there are plenty of other alternative options up and down the street the hotel is located in. Various food stalls, restaurants, and even bakeries are all located within walking distance. The hotel also provides a ticketed experience to a local activity known as 评弹, a type of operatic singing famous for its soothing sound and tendency to invoke sleepiness.
The hotel rooms are neat and kept clean with no odor. Throughout the hotel, a pleasing scent was smelled and it seems that one could buy the same scent from one of the various stalls open on the street. The bathroom amenities include: hair dryer, bath robes, toothbrushes, a vanity set, razor, and a comb (along with another item that slipped my mind). The toilet is automated and has a heated seat. Unfortunately, the showers are a bit difficult to use (low water pressure and difficulty in setting temperature). There are three settings for the shower: overhead, handheld, and spout. The rooms that we ordered (two single beds) included a sitting room furnished with a rocking chair and a mini fridge (drinks inside have to be paid for). The water bottles placed outside the fridge and the snacks on the table are complimentary and free of charge. The hotel also has a laundry machine that both washes and dries the clothes. Sadly, it doesn't properly dry clothes if more than 1.5 sets of clothing are placed inside. Drying racks and clothing hangers are provided for such scenarios. Laundry baskets were also provided. The hotel does not have elevators, given the antiquity of the neighborhood, so heavy luggage and suitcases have to be carried by hand up the stairs.
The hotel staff were friendly and extremely helpful with anything we needed. We had a total of 8 suitcases (5 checked and 3 carry-ons) and the staff (overnight as we checked in at around 12 AM) voluntarily led us to the room and helped carry our bags up. When we ran into a problem with the laundry machine, the staff helped clear up the misunderstanding.
Attached are photos of the lobby (picture of the table with the tea sets), the hotel room that was booked (the other room looked the same, just mirrored placement), the sitting room, and complimentary food that was provided.
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