**The Pearl Hotel**
As a shining pearl within the Xijindu Scenic Area, The Pearl Hotel serves as a tranquil sanctuary for travelers to rest and rejuvenate during their journeys. Steeped in a nostalgic Republican-era ambiance, the hotel revives the early 20th-century aesthetic fusion of Eastern and Western styles. The grand lobby, themed around the Western concept of symmetrical design, harmoniously blends a study and café atmosphere. Here, you’ll find deep-toned, elegant European-style solid wood furniture, Italian-inspired ceilings and fountains, and British-style lighting fixtures that exude sophistication and luxury. The unique gramophone and vintage key display at the front desk evoke iconic scenes from the beloved film *The Grand Budapest Hotel*.
Above the wooden staircase leading to the second floor, a church-like dome ceiling complements the retro mirrored decorations adorning the solid wood walls, creating an Instagram-worthy hotspot for guests. On the second floor, the hotel transitions to traditional Chinese landscaping. Around corridor corners, you’ll stumble upon serene vignettes of gray bricks, black tiles, white walls, and lush green bamboo. This purely Chinese-inspired design in public areas contrasts yet harmonizes beautifully with the richly Western-themed guest rooms, creating a striking East-meets-West synergy. In the northeast corner of the corridor, the "Pearl S. Buck Cultural Corner" displays original English works by the Nobel laureate, including *The Good Earth*, which earned her the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938.
The Pearl Hotel offers complimentary breakfast, allowing guests to savor Zhenjiang’s famed "Three Delicacies" in one sitting. From the delicate crab roe soup dumplings (best enjoyed by "gently lifting, slowly moving, opening the wrapper, then sipping the broth") to the translucent crystal pork trotters, every dish is a culinary delight. These local specialties attract countless visitors who flock here just for a taste.
"I highly recommend this hotel. First, the gentleman at the front desk was very friendly and even helped carry our luggage up to the second floor. He was very welcoming. The other front desk staff were also very helpful and sincere, answering every question. Second, the cleanliness was excellent, and the amenities were complete and high-quality. They also provided snacks and drinks, and there was a small refrigerator, which I just happened to buy a piece of watermelon and kept it cool. The room was elegant and upscale, and the kids were reluctant to leave. Third, the hotel's location was convenient, making it easy to explore Xijindu and get around easily by taxi. Fourth, it's off-season, so Xijindu is less crowded, and the scenery is truly breathtaking, both day and night. It's worth a visit. It's a truly tranquil place. A word of caution to those who visit later: If you go up the mountain, be sure to watch out for mosquitoes; they're incredibly fierce. I got bitten over ten times during my trip. I'd definitely stay here again if I have the chance."