5-Star 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!

Traveling to Suzhou with my two kids, I specifically chose the Kimpton Bamboo Grove Suzhou for its garden ambiance, and my stay in the Deluxe Courtyard King Room was excellent overall. The hotel perfectly preserves the aesthetics of Suzhou-style landscaping, with white walls, dark tiles, and lush bamboo courtyards offering a beautiful view at every turn. My children absolutely loved wandering and playing in the gardens, fully immersing themselves in the charm of Jiangnan. The only minor drawback was the continuous rain during our stay; the sound of raindrops hitting the eaves was quite loud and slightly disturbed our sleep. However, everything else was impeccable. What truly touched me was the butler's service throughout our stay. Vickey was incredibly responsive and thoughtful, handling all our requests efficiently. After checking out, we accidentally left some personal belongings in the room. We contacted the butler, and she immediately helped us thoroughly search for them, proactively communicated shipping details, carefully packed the items, and arranged for them to be mailed to us. Her entire service was efficient and responsible. Considering the environment, facilities, and the warm service, this remains an excellent choice for a family trip to Suzhou. The minor hiccup with the rain didn't detract from our overall positive impression, and I would definitely choose this hotel again when visiting Gusu.

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!

Booked an executive room, got upgraded to a deluxe suite, both the space and the view were satisfying. Had afternoon tea at the executive lounge once; the desserts were pretty good, overlooking Haizhou District from the 41st floor. Also tried the buffet dinner once; it was generally average, nothing particularly outstanding. The room itself didn't feel old, and the facilities were well-maintained. Overall, a positive review. Will consider staying here again next time I visit Lianyungang.

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)

An absolutely wonderful experience! If you're coming to Suzhou, staying in a garden-style setting is a must. This hotel is a conversion of a 300-year-old house. While the building is old, all the facilities are incredibly modern, including a gym, pool, and even Dyson hair dryers. It's just a bridge away from Pingjiang Road, so you can enjoy the bustling lights on one side while having your own tranquil oasis on the other (the courtyard rooms are behind the wall you see in the video). The hotel breakfast is excellent, a semi-buffet of Chinese and Western small plates, complemented by your choice of a Chinese or Western main course. The breakfast noodles are especially delicious, served with fresh water chestnuts and shrimp. I particularly want to commend the hotel's service; it was truly warm and welcoming. The hotel is a convenient 20-minute walk (or 5-minute bike ride) to Suzhou Museum, Humble Administrator's Garden, and Lion Grove Garden. Ou Garden is a 10-minute walk. Wangshi Garden is a bit further, about a 15-minute bike ride. I'd recommend getting a joint ticket for the first three gardens, which is valid for three days. There are also some fantastic restaurants nearby, and both Pingjiangfu and Jinhaihua are within walking distance. If your budget allows, definitely go for the Songmaoju Suite – it's a private house with its own courtyard, so you won't have to worry about footsteps from above or noise from the shared courtyard. They also have smaller standard rooms to suit various budgets. A small heads-up: one wall of the courtyard rooms faces Pingjiang Road, so it can be a bit noisy during the day, but don't worry, it's very quiet at night. Just a minor suggestion: the super-large bathroom with a bathtub, double sinks, and three separate areas is fantastic, but there's only one hook. I'd suggest adding a few more. Also, the wardrobe could use some pant hangers.

Traveling with kids means we always look for hotels in the city center with a kids' club. The Sofitel initially looked like a great option, but when we arrived, we found out the kids' club advertised on their website no longer exists. This was very disappointing, especially since finding a place with children's facilities is crucial on a rainy day. I asked the concierge, and their response was completely unprofessional – 'Oh, it seems it disappeared a few months ago' – as if they weren't talking about their own workplace. They were very unclear. When I pressed for its exact location, they said it used to be next to the restaurant. I went to check, and indeed, there was nothing there. I suggest they update their information to avoid disappointing other parents. I was also unhappy with the room's cleanliness. As soon as we entered, my child went straight to the LEGO table, and I immediately spotted a clump of hair, which made me feel quite uncomfortable. After closing the middle door of the bathroom, there was quite a lot of trash on the floor. This is a family room, so there will definitely be children – at the very least, it should be thoroughly cleaned. I recommend the hotel improve its housekeeping standards. Regarding the hotel's location, it's quite convenient. Getting to and from Nanjing Station requires a taxi as the subway isn't practical, but it's relatively central. The vicinity includes Pioneer Bookstore and Yihe Road, plus a Starbucks and McDonald's nearby. While there aren't many restaurants in the immediate area, food delivery is an option. Hotel breakfast: I was quite satisfied with the breakfast selection, but the staff weren't particularly enthusiastic. On the first day, they were proactive in helping us find a table, providing a high chair, and baby cutlery. On the second day, I waited a long time and eventually had to find a server to get baby cutlery, and we had to get the high chair ourselves. In other hotel restaurants I've visited, there's always at least one or two servers observing guests to see if they need anything, but there was none of that here. The service definitely needs improvement.

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!

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.

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.