Intercontinental Suzhou By Ihg

“A Seamless Blend of Suzhou Elegance and IHG Excellence - A Memorable Return”

Suzhou, Jiangsu Province—a city where ancient dynastic traditions and rapid modernization coexist harmoniously. Known for its classical gardens, historic canal systems, and now a thriving industrial and innovation sector, Suzhou offers the perfect metropolitan retreat with rich cultural depth. As s… more

Suzhou, Jiangsu Province—a city where ancient dynastic traditions and rapid modernization coexist harmoniously. Known for its classical gardens, historic canal systems, and now a thriving industrial and innovation sector, Suzhou offers the perfect metropolitan retreat with rich cultural depth. As someone who grew up in nearby Shanghai, I’ve always regarded Suzhou as the best escape for a refreshing change of scenery. Location & Overview: Set along the scenic Jinji Lake, which divides the Suzhou Industrial Park and Gusu’s cultural core, InterContinental Suzhou occupies prime real estate among futuristic skyscrapers like the Suzhou Center and the province’s tallest, Suzhou Huanmao Square ICC. Originally opened in 2010 and thoughtfully renovated in 2021, the hotel features 427 rooms and suites—many with sweeping views of the lake and skyline. This was my fourth stay at the property and my second visit since the post-pandemic reopening in Mainland China. I’m pleased to say the hotel has noticeably elevated its service and quality standards. Booking & Pre-Arrival: I reserved a one-night stay on June 25th using 6,000 IHG One Rewards points plus ¥367 RMB for a Classic Twin Room. As an IHG Diamond Ambassador, I was upgraded to a 2 Twin Premium Jinji Lake View Room. Thanks to prior connections, including the Front Office Manager Tony Zhang, and additional support from General Manager David Guo and his executive team, my arrival was thoughtfully prepared and smoothly handled. Check-In Experience: After a long journey from Shenzhen to Suzhou via Shanghai and high-speed rail, my father and I arrived at around 5:30 PM. Though the hotel was operating at around 60% capacity mid-week, we were promptly escorted to the Club InterContinental on the 25th floor for a private check-in. The service here was personalized and efficient—exactly what one hopes for at a luxury hotel. Room 1905 – 2 Twin Premium Jinji Lake View: This 52 sqm room was both elegant and functional, with a clear panoramic view of Jinji Lake. Features included: - Comfortable twin beds - Baidu AI iPad for in-room controls - Spacious bathroom with rainforest shower, bathtub, TOTO Japanese toilet, and marble vanity - Traditional Suzhou-inspired Interior Design with a modernized twist. A fresh fruit plate and a handwritten welcome card added a warm personal touch. While the room shows minor signs of age, its design and layout—especially the placement of the bathroom to the side of the hallway—remain superior to many newer alternatives. Club InterContinental Lounge: This was undoubtedly a highlight of the stay. Inspired by Suzhou’s canal house architecture and natural landscapes, the lounge featured: - Hardwood floors, leather seating, and traditional Chinese décor - A double-island buffet, cocktail bar, and serene lake views - Private restrooms and ample natural light Happy Hour offered a refined spread: - Cantonese Roasted Duck - Red Wine-Braised Beef - Assorted sushi and canapés - Wines, spirits, and a well-stocked salad and dessert bar Though I missed Afternoon Tea this time, I recall from a prior visit that it includes cakes, fruits, and a range of local snacks. Staff & Management: Exceptional service defined the entire stay. During Happy Hour, I was warmly greeted by: Duty Manager Sivan Xu, who attentively addressed a minor room issue. Sivan made sure any other concerns were resolved. Executive Assistant Manager Alan Gao, a long-time team member since the hotel’s opening. Alan is a 15-year veteran who began as a chef and climbed the mountain to the Executive Assistant Manager. He made sure our stay is up to standard, and ensured us a pleasant stay. General Manager David Guo, who returned from Shanghai to personally welcome us. David oversaw the hotel’s operations from beginnings as Hotel Manager, and has climbed the ladder to General Manager. He made sure we were made to feel welcome at the hotel. I must credit David for helping me reach out to the Wuxi Taihu New City InterContinental Hotel for their preparations of my stay the next day after my departure from Suzhou. Their attention to detail and pride in their work is rare to find and speaks volumes about the hotel’s leadership and team spirit. Breakfast at Jing All-Day Dining: While the Club Lounge breakfast is available on busy weekends, we enjoyed ours at Jing. Overseen by Michelin-recognized Executive Chef Jerry Gao, breakfast was a delightful fusion of East and West: Suzhou-style small wonton soup – fresh, delicate, and perfectly prepared Specially made congee for my father Scrambled eggs, Western breakfast meats, fresh fruit, and freshly squeezed orange juice Once again, Tony Zhang and May Xu from Club InterContinental joined us to gather feedback, ensuring a smooth and thoughtful departure. Final Thoughts: While the property is now 15 years old, the service, location, and Club Lounge experience more than justify the stay. At ¥800 RMB (~$110 USD) per night in a prime district near Jinji Lake, this is arguably one of the best-value luxury hotels in Suzhou. With a deeply experienced team—many of whom have been there since the hotel’s opening—InterContinental Suzhou offers a hospitality experience that newer properties can rarely match. This may very well be the finest IHG property in Jiangsu Province. I look forward to returning and once again being welcomed by David Guo and his outstanding team.

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“An excellent place”

I love this hotel. We had business to do in Suzhou and were there for just one night. I wish I could "drag" this hotel to Shanghai where we stayed for six nights. This Suzhou hotel's Chinese restaurant was superb. We had the best fried rice ever. The breakfast buffet had a wide range of cuisines it… more

I love this hotel. We had business to do in Suzhou and were there for just one night. I wish I could "drag" this hotel to Shanghai where we stayed for six nights. This Suzhou hotel's Chinese restaurant was superb. We had the best fried rice ever. The breakfast buffet had a wide range of cuisines it was unbelievable. The room is stunning and so is the view outside the window. The shower fixtures are made of solid metals. And the room rate is a bargain compared to our slightly rundown but expensive hotel in Shanghai. My only minor "thumbs down" was that they charged US $65 for happy hours on the high floor.

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“Best club lounge view ever!”

Everything was great! Service from concierge Buck Li was amazing. He was always contactable on Wechat to give us local recommendations. The club lounge staff was amazing as well and made a note to remember our room number. I absolutely loved the location of the club lounge on the top floor with the… more

Everything was great! Service from concierge Buck Li was amazing. He was always contactable on Wechat to give us local recommendations. The club lounge staff was amazing as well and made a note to remember our room number. I absolutely loved the location of the club lounge on the top floor with the best night views of suzhou!

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