Family hotels in Jiangsu, China

I arrived in pouring rain. I thought I could walk to my hotel but it was impossible in the downpour. I didn’t want to bother any hotel owner.   I didn’t and still don’t  have an eSIM that can make local  call but thanks to Trip.com, there is a link that I could call the owner for free.  I didn’t advise the owners my arrival time so they were off running errands.  I called the owner to pick me up and thankfully he answered. He was busy but gracious enough to turn around and picked me up. It knew Zhouhuang requires a ticket but I didn’t know that no cars, nor motorcycles, nor bicycles are allowed. Without him I would have arrived the hotel easily.  I always like to meet the owners instead of employees . They were very helpful and answered all my questions. They are honest people who dedicate their  blood and sweat to their business. The owner even offered to walk me to the bus stop  to Suzhou which was my next destination.  This  operates two hotels with 9 in one and 6 in the other. The one that I stayed in with 9 rooms is in a  lively and busy area . Just outside the hotel is a restaurant and there are plenty of places to eat. Inside the hotel is a peaceful oasis where you won’t hear any noise. The location is the best. The other hotel is in a quieter neighborhood a few minutes away. Each of the 15 rooms has it’s own personality, is different and has its distinctive decoration. The owners said they decorated them themselves. I love the decoration and especially the lighting.  After you reserve a room, be sure to contact the owner for the exact address in case you want to arrive on your own. I think it is best to request the owner to take you there because he/she will lead you to the ticket booth to buy tickets. There are a number of bridges so heavy big luggages can be a bit of a challenge .  If you arrive after 5 pm, you can enter free of charge as no one is there to check your ticket. . But once you are inside, and if you choose to leave the area after 8 or 9 am until 5 pm, you have to pay to come back in. You can buy a one day or in my case 3 days pass.  Do check with the owner for up to date information.  The room was quite clean. There were hot water all the time. There were other guests during my stay but they were not noisy at all. I barely heard them. I slept very well during my 3 nights there.  Zhouhuang is really beautiful. There are many canals, bridges, boat rides, good food of all kinds. I had some of the best meals there. In fact , I ate in the same restaurant that serves dumpling twice. One night I had grill (BBQ) meat just outside the entrance for 4 yuans. .  There is decent size supermarket just outside the turnstile and not too far away is a much bigger supermarket. It was there where I bought half a Peking duck for only 32 yuans . The seller sliced the meat and separated the meat from  the bones. The bones he fried so it was crunchy.  It was delicious. There is a theater that offers performances. The night view is great. If you step out your room, you will be overwhelmed in a good sense by the exciting surroundings.  This hotel definitely is one of the best that I have ever stayed in. Look at the beautiful pictures and find one that you like.  I stayed only 3 nights and one of those days I went to Tongli. In my opinion, one should spend at least 2 to 3 full days in  Zhouhuang (and especially this hotel ) savor the ambience. I don’t think Tongli is worth the time because it was twice as expensive and there are not that many canals and boat rides. It is much quieter and has fewer things to see. . The worst is that the sightseeing places require you to show your ticket. After 2 places, I lost mine ticket and I  couldn’t get in the rest of the places. It is unnecessary to require proof of entrance because you can’t enter the area without a ticket. 

Great location,easy to get around it’s walking distance to the best food street ,all well known Nanjing cuisine can be found here Walking distance to wudingmen metro station to and from Nanjing station ,just few steps away we can position ourselves for didi /taxi The hotel is located in the area maintaining Traditional Chinese architecture , decoration and greenery ,great for photography we got the room with a beautiful backyard full of plants and blossoms of flowers and a tray of welcome tea after checked in, the bed and pillows are comfortable ,showers is nice and warm Light Chinese breakfast served is good enough to start a day and not too much for the delicious Nanjing lunch later on:-) The girls at front desk are very friendly and sweet they were always ready to help The owners I guess who were on night shift were polite and respectful Overall we had a great time here thank you

The only thing that didn't disappoint me in Suzhou was the hotel accommodation. The room was very clean, spacious, and well laid out. Crucially, as we were three friends, we chose the family room which had one large bed and one 1.2-meter bed, which was perfectly sufficient. The service attitude was super good; they helped us with our luggage up and down the stairs. All in all, I'm extremely satisfied. Next time I visit Suzhou, I'll definitely stay here again. It's also very close to nearby attractions! I forgot to take pictures of the room, but it looks exactly like the advertisement photos provided by the hotel.

Checked into the Indigo Suzhou Jinji Lake, and the location is absolutely unbeatable – just a 2-minute walk from Suzhou Contemporary Art Gallery Metro Station. The hotel's overall vibe is 'Suzhou Cyberpunk,' blending traditional Jiangnan garden aesthetics with vibrant colors, making it super photogenic. In the room, the Dyson hairdryer was fantastic, and the B1 pool is heated. After a workout, you can even go cycling by the lake – the free bike rental is a huge plus! The Ferris wheel is right across the street, offering incredible views. During my stay, if I had any issues, I reached out to Guest Relations Manager Scott, who was incredibly responsive online and resolved everything efficiently. The service was truly reassuring.

We had a lovely two-night stay at Wenlv Gusu Yard Hotel Donghuali and were very satisfied overall. The hotel has great facilities, a wonderful location, and extremely kind staff. We were also generously upgraded, which made the stay even nicer. The location is excellent - right in the middle of Suzhou old town, on the main pedestrian street, close to key shops, restaurants, and tea places. Since cars cannot enter this part of the old town, the nearest drop-off point is about a 3-minute walk away. Despite being so central, the room was very quiet because the windows faced the side/back areas and the courtyard walls helped create a calm atmosphere. Communication before arrival was very clear. We received a helpful message with all the details on how to get there, including the best DiDi drop-off point, check-in information, stay details, and Wi-Fi instructions. Our room was clean, modern, and very cozy, with a thoughtful mix of traditional character and contemporary comfort. While the room was on the smaller side compared with a standard chain hotel, it never felt cramped. The layout was well designed, the natural light made the space feel open, and the overall atmosphere was warm, calm, and intimate - very much in line with the feeling of a boutique stay in a restored old-town building. The room had windows on each side, allowing for good natural light and airflow, as well as blackout curtains. The bed was very comfortable - on the softer side, which we appreciated, but still supportive. The bathroom came with all necessary amenities and products, and, importantly, did not have any stale water smell, which can sometimes be an issue in hotels in China. The bathroom does not have a traditional door, but there is a non-see-through privacy curtain with magnets on the sides, which worked well and was not a problem for us. The room was also very practical: it included complimentary drinks, including soft drinks, tea, and water, a small refrigerator, and international electricity sockets, which was very convenient for foreign travellers. One especially lovely detail was the climbing jasmine just outside the window - when there was a breeze, the scent came into the room, which was beautiful. The hotel also has two small balconies with seating, offering lovely views over the Suzhou skyline and Gusu rooftops - a nice spot for morning coffee or doing some work. The stairs are quite narrow and there is no elevator, but the staff kindly helped us with our suitcases. The pond and terrace area outside was also lovely, although because of some construction work we could not fully enjoy it during our stay. This was not a problem for us. Breakfast was served as a breakfast box with nine small dishes. The staff also kindly made us coffee and provided milk upon request. There was yogurt as well, which was appreciated. Most of all, the staff were extremely kind, friendly, and helpful throughout our stay. They helped with luggage, accommodated our breakfast requests, and made us feel very welcome. Overall, this is a lovely boutique hotel for families, friend groups, or solo travellers who enjoy peace and calmness, while still wanting a modern yet traditional stay right in the centre of Suzhou old town. We would happily recommend it!

The hotel boasts elegant and pleasant views, designed by a renowned international firm. Opened in 1999 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, it symbolizes Sino-Singaporean friendship and international influence. The main building's stone facade is made of Jinshan stone from Mudu, a quarry that has since ceased operation. The garden landscaping is top-notch, with each of the 'Eight Views of Wu Palace' offering unique charm. A back exit provides direct access to the Panmen Scenic Area, allowing for day and night exploration. The hotel's restaurants are distinctive, with both the Chinese and Western establishments being superb. The Ruimian Noodle House, a Suzhou-style noodle restaurant, is particularly elegant and authentic!

I booked Hanyuan because it is within walking distance to my folks home. And my grandma used to work at Nanjing Agricultural University, which the hotel is affiliated with. I read others’ reviews and knew it is an old facility. I did not have unrealistic expectations. We arrived late at night. Taxi driver dropped us off at the side entrance that has numerous stairs to the door. We had lots of luggage. As we got out of the cab, we saw some staff member in the lobby looking out. Instead of coming out to help us, he walked away. My husband, myself and our seven year old all carried/dragged multiple items up the stairs to get into the hotel lobby. We checked in and decided that we would need to add a bed for the kid. House keeping came quickly to set up the bed but was reluctant to provide pillows for the additional bed. I had to repeatedly ask before they agreed to bring an extra pillow. Don’t understand why there is such resistance to equip the additional bed with pillow- after all, we did pay for the additional bed. Everything else was pretty good during our first three-day-stay. We then went away to visit families elsewhere for a week before coming back to this hotel. This time, our car drove onto the ramp at the front entrance. As soon as we entered the building, lobby manager came to offer us help. He helped us deliver luggage to our room. We are very appreciative of his assistance. We ran into some issues at the front desk this time. They asked for our passports again and took our pictures for a second time. When I mentioned that we were just here a week ago and all information was taken already, we were told that all information has been erased as we checked out. When we checked in/out the first time, we informed front desk that we were making the hotel our base camp and will be coming in and out a few times. It’s strange that they would delete our information and redo everything all over again. Again we need to add a bed. House keeping brought a roller bed which has a stained mattress pad. I asked them to bring a clean one, they said they could not. They said they didn’t have any clean pads. They said the only option is to remove the pad and put the sheets directly on the mattress. They further suggested that since the sheet is clean, dirty pad doesn’t matter and that every mattress pad under bed sheets has urine stains. His words made my stomach turn but I was too tired to fight so they went ahead put sheets on top of the mattress pad that has a big yellow stain. Again I asked for pillows for the additional bed, they refused at first, upon my insistence, they agreed to bring pillows. They also took out a blanket from the cabinets under television and put it on the bed. When the seven year old was ready for bed, I opened the blanket and realized it’s cover is dirty. It’s dusty and has multiple stings of hair on it. I called house keeping, a lady quickly bought over a clean duvet cover for the blanket but refused to take away the dirty one. She insisted that we keep the dirty duvet in the closet. I did not understand her rationale but there isn’t anything I can do. So that dirty duvet cover stayed in the closet. Maybe I should not have come back to this hotel.

Haha, I found a bargain. The check-in experience was great! The front desk staff is warm and thoughtful, the room is clean and tidy, the bedding is comfortable, the breakfast is rich in variety, and the location is very convenient. Highly recommended!

I brought my child to Suzhou Art Center for a competition, and since the hotel is right next to the center and has a great environment, we decided to stay here for our entire trip to Suzhou. The hotel staff were warm and attentive. On our first day, we arrived before check-in time, and the front desk immediately arranged for housekeeping to clean a room so we could rest and drop off our belongings. The cleaning staff were also very friendly, making sure to change towels, empty trash, and replenish supplies as thoroughly as possible every day. Breakfast was a semi-buffet, with half à la carte and half self-service; though not extensive, the variety was exquisite. The hotel facilities were also quite comprehensive, with a laundry room, cafe, and gym readily available. Located by Moonlight Dock and close to Eslite Spectrum, there were plenty of dining and entertainment options. The Suzhou Art Center next door also has a subway station, making transportation very convenient. Finally, taking photos at the hotel was amazing – a truly satisfying trip! 🥰🥰🥰

Five-Day Stay in Nanjing Check-in Experience We arrived early at around 6 AM due to the difficulty of booking train tickets during the holiday season. Although check-in was at 3 PM, the staff kindly accommodated us with an early check-in for an additional fee. Accommodation We stayed in two types of rooms during our visit: Single Room - Spacious and located in a peaceful, quiet area of the property. RV Room - Situated near the camping area where families and friends gather around a large bonfire for singing, BBQ, and games. **Ratings** Staff: 8/10 - Friendly and accommodating throughout our stay. Shuttle Service: 10/10 - The driver was exceptionally pleasant and always smiling. Since my daughter has asthma and walking long distances is difficult for her, we frequently requested shuttle service between locations. This was especially helpful as ride-share drivers typically drop off at the entrance, which is quite a walk from the rooms and facilities. Breakfast: 10/10 - Excellent variety of traditional Chinese dishes. They were accommodating when my husband requested takeout. Cleanliness: 10/10 - Both rooms were clean, including the beds, towels, and bathrooms. As my daughter’s asthma is triggered by dust, I was pleased that the rooms were clean enough that she didn’t experience any sneezing or symptoms. We all slept well for the entire five days. **Things to Consider** It’s highly recommended to have your own car, as the property is quite far from the city center. If you enjoy nature and outdoor activities, this place is ideal. Activities include: - ATV rides - Fishing area - Playground (note: adults are charged rather than children, so it’s more economical for only one adult to enter) - Small animal area featuring rabbits, ostriches, and llamas (15 RMB entry) - Train ride (30 RMB) The coffee shop has a wonderful atmosphere and aesthetic appeal, making it popular for photos. The property itself is spacious and perfect for leisurely walks. There’s also a temple nearby, approximately 20 minutes away by car. **Challenges We Faced** My daughter developed a fever and experienced diarrhea during our stay. When I called the front desk for help, the staff member wasn’t very accommodating and suggested my husband go buy medicine. This was difficult for us as foreigners who don’t speak the language well. I felt sad and helpless, especially when we couldn’t get any taxis or cabs to pick us up. We wanted to take her to the hospital, but no cabs were available. However, the next morning, a staff member spoke with me who was extremely kind and accommodating. They even offered to drive my daughter to the hospital, which I declined because we needed to catch our train and she was feeling better after taking medicine. They drove us to the South Railway Station and thoughtfully gave my daughter bags and drinks. It was a very kind gesture that we truly appreciated.