ZZhoujizifeitiyandashiLocation: The hotel is right in the middle of Pingjiang Road, and during my two-day stay, there were always people taking photos in front of the hotel from 7 AM to 11 PM. What was pleasantly surprising, though, was that my room faced inwards, so it was completely quiet; no outside noise could get in. This deserves praise – a lot of effort clearly went into it.
A heads-up: You can't drive directly to or from the hotel if you go straight ahead or back from its entrance; you'll need to navigate through the dense crowds on Pingjiang Road. If you need to get out quickly, head left to reach the main street directly.
View: The hotel doesn't have many interior views. There's a small pool perfect for photos, and potted plants in the public areas. Beyond that, there aren't many scenic spots. Objectively, the public area is quite small.
Room: The amenities are basically top-tier; it feels like the owner maximized every possible configuration, easily rivaling newly opened luxury hotels (like the Ritz-Carlton or Kimpton). Mavis toothpaste, a Dyson hairdryer, a three-part bathroom design (double sinks and a vanity for washing up, then a toilet area, and further in, the shower area with a large bathtub), fully automatic direct drinking water taps with adjustable hot and cold temperatures, complimentary San Pellegrino + Perrier in the mini-bar, a smart toilet, and a large adjustable TV. On the second afternoon of my stay, it poured rain in Suzhou, so I spent the entire afternoon watching movies in the room. The room's interior also showed a lot of effort in its decor, including indoor potted plants and floral arrangements.
One small suggestion: The toothbrush was incredibly difficult to use. I'd recommend switching to a smaller, softer one.
Service: I felt the service was slightly better than other luxury hotels. At 11 PM, I asked the front desk for help with the TV and a nail clipper, and received instant replies and responses. They also thoughtfully asked if we needed help with canal tours, transportation advice, or restaurant recommendations. Special thanks to Front Desk Assistant Xiao Xu for the considerate service.
Dining: The hotel's Chinese restaurant was undergoing renovation, so I didn't dine there. For breakfast, because there were few guests, it was a semi-buffet style, and the variety was a bit limited.
Overall Impression: Without high-tier membership, compared to Kimpton Bamboo Grove, I would prioritize Songmaoju (Kimpton's privacy is a concern, with room balconies facing public areas, whereas Songmaoju has a courtyard design where guests don't see each other). It’s perfect for couples looking for a relaxing two-day stay, doing some shopping and taking photos (being able to quickly return to the hotel to rest and change clothes is really important).
It’s clear the owner genuinely wants to make this a great hotel; the hardware, facilities, service, and interior design are all excellent. The public areas and dining still have room for improvement, and I hope to see enhancements in the future.
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