Inns σε 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. 

This little traditional inn was absolutely delightful 1 night stay and the host family could not have been more kind and helpful. The owner helped us get our bags to and from the inn as everything in this area is pedestrianised and no vehicle is available for transporting luggage. You must register for entrance into the historical zone at the main office before you try to enter the security gates by showing your ID as is the case with all things in China. Don't let this put you off. Smoking indoors is common so ask for smoke free treatment. Highly recommended.

On my way to college, I was lucky enough to rest in such a poetic and warm place. From the quaint décor to the cozy lighting, it’s all delightful. The room is clean and tidy, the bed is comfortable and soft, and it is equipped with a dehumidifier. It can also be easily stayed by people from the north, which allowed me to get a full rest during the tiring journey. The service at the inn is impeccable. Everyone was warm and friendly. Having just said goodbye to my family, I felt the warmth of home again. In addition, the surrounding environment of the inn is also very beautiful, with both quiet alleys and convenient commercial streets. All in all, this inn was a highlight of my trip and I would recommend it to my friends without hesitation. I wish you a happy life and all the best!

Tucked along a busy street, this hidden lodge offers a beautiful setting with a charming ambiance. My room featured a CD player, a thoughtful touch, though only one CD was available to play. I stayed in a rooftop room, which was pleasant, but it can get noisy at night due to foot traffic in the alley and a nearby bar that plays music until around 2am. That said, the bed was very comfortable, and my sleep was not significantly affected. However, light sleepers may find the noise disruptive. The location is about a 5–10 minute walk from the main road, so be prepared to carry your luggage a short distance. Overall, I had an enjoyable stay at Huaji and would gladly return.

We were very happy that the room we stayed in was very nice and comfortable. This place has a beautiful garden, but unfortunately, we didn't have time to sit in this nice courtyard to enjoy it. There is a nice restaurant linked to this small hotel, we ate our simple dinner there, food is good and cheap. Highly recommended!. Fyi, we have very little interaction with the owners/care-taker (as I only stayed there for 1 night).

My children love this place so much, she said very cozy and relaxing. 1. The place is very convenient. 2. The host XiaoGu '小顾' is very nice and friendly. As soon as we arrived, he came out to help us move the luggage. 3. The room clean and nice. 4. Air-conditioning, Bathroom water/heater in good condition. *** Thank you so much '小顾'.

First of all, the location is superb, right on Pishi Street, with plenty of great food and shopping options right outside. Geyuan Garden and Heyuan Garden are within walking distance, making it convenient to go anywhere. Parking is convenient and free for those driving. The owners, a chubby young man and his wife, are very kind and even offered to add an extra bed for my child, making it very comfortable. The three cats that manage the shop are quiet and friendly, which my child absolutely adores. There's also a myna bird on the third-floor terrace that says ”hello.” The coffee in the lobby is delicious and fragrant, perfect for children to do their homework and play at the same time. The rooms are clean and tidy, and toiletries and even toner are provided. They also have Muji Dyson white tea and cinnamon tea, which is quite tasteful. The staff doesn't ask for good reviews and even gave us a little surprise before we left, showing great care. I hope they maintain this level of attention; I've already recommended it to my friends.

We had a wonderful stay here. Hotel staff were very kind; they met us at the entrance to the ancient town to help us with our bags and lead the way. The rooms are lovely and have air conditioning and complimentary water bottles. The location is perfect. Would absolutely recommend.

This trip to Suzhou was a spontaneous one. I saw online that this was the most beautiful time of year in Suzhou, so I immediately started looking for a hotel. When I found this place, the photos immediately caught my eye. The location was excellent, just a few minutes' walk from the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Suzhou Museum. The landlady was incredibly kind and gentle. At first glance, I thought she was a local, but after chatting for a while, I learned she was a woman from the north who ran a guesthouse here. Unfortunately, I caught a cold during my two days in Suzhou, and she thoughtfully helped me find medicine, pick up packages, and bring me water, constantly checking on my condition. I'm so grateful to have met such a wonderful woman; she provided great comfort to me while I was sick in a foreign land. I only visited the Humble Administrator's Garden this time, but I'll definitely book with her again next time I'm in Suzhou!

This guesthouse was the hidden gem of our trip! The room looked exactly like the pictures, every corner was picture-perfect, and my friends kept asking for the address on social media. The decor was romantic and cozy, and it was wonderfully quiet and undisturbed at night. The location is fantastic, right within the scenic area and central business district, making getting around super convenient. The power outlets in the room were thoughtfully placed, the bathroom had plenty of hot water and stable pressure, the toiletries smelled great, the natural light was excellent, and the view from the window was superb. Such a 'home away from home' experience is truly rare to find!