Huzhou Nanxun Dielai Hotel | Savor the Culture of Huzhou Brush, Enjoy a Life of Elegance

How to integrate local culture beyond business attributes to enhance a hotel's overall charm and appeal has always been a challenge for urban hotels. Most hotels merely touch upon this by offering local breakfasts, but a few go the extra mile by weaving it into every aspect of the guest experience. The Huzhou Nanxun Dielai Hotel I recently visited is one such example. With its theme of "Savor the Culture of Huzhou Brush, Enjoy a Life of Elegance," the hotel vividly embodies Nanxun's local culture of "harmonizing strength and gentleness, aspiring upward and toward goodness." Upon entering the lobby, the grand centerpiece artwork "Morning Scenes by Mengxi" depicts women crafting various Huzhou brushes against the silhouette of Hanshan Pagoda at dawn, while men load them onto boats that navigate the waterways to distant lands. The black-and-white Huying lamps, symbolizing the balance of strength and softness, harmonize with the calligraphy and paintings in the brush exhibition hall. After the welcoming "Yuli" ceremony, guests are treated to the "Three-Course Tea," the highest local hospitality ritual. Adjacent to the lobby's Yushu Reading Room, eight custom bookmarks representing the eight major steps of Huzhou brush-making are displayed. Collecting all eight earns guests a Yuli gift. The lobby bar offers a DIY specialty latte called "Ink Coffee"—when poured, the cup gradually reveals "The Preface to the Orchid Pavilion Collection" as the coffee seeps through, evoking poetic ancient charm. The "Yuli Afternoon Tea" not only features local delicacies like orange-red cakes but also provides brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for guests to practice calligraphy, deepening their cultural immersion. Dining is another highlight. The Chinese restaurant "Taihu Spring" serves authentic Zhejiang cuisine, with specially curated "Huzhou Brush Banquet" and "Nanxun Banquet" that blend intangible cultural heritage. The hotel also boasts themed private dining rooms like "Huzhou Hall" and "Nanxun Hall," where the handmade noodles are exceptional. For relaxation, the hotel offers a fully equipped gym with separate cardio and strength areas, a 25m swimming pool, as well as spa, mahjong, and KTV facilities. I stayed in the signature "Yuli·Melody Room," an open-concept suite with smart lighting controls. A guzheng (Chinese zither) sits by the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the cityscape—a nod to Su Shi, who often played the instrument during his governance of Huzhou to soothe his wandering soul. The hotel thoughtfully prepared welcome fruits, local pastries, and a doll of General Meng Tian (inventor of Huzhou brushes) on the sofa. The bed offers soft/firm pillow options, and the bathroom features dual sinks and a freestanding bathtub with a shower. Beyond the "Yuli·Melody Room," the hotel has seven other themed rooms like "Yuli·Chess," "Yuli·Seal Script," and "Yuli·Painting," each inspired by historical figures from Huzhou's past. Don’t miss the Nanxun-style "Shuangjiao Noodles" at the breakfast noodle station—a hearty start to a bright new day with crispy fish and braised pork.