InterContinental Suzhou — Hotel in Suzhou City

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...

From postcard the jinji lake is so beautiful, so in this trip I reserved a Premier Lakeview room using the Advance Purchase with breakfast. As an Ambassador member, during check in I was told that I was upgraded to a suite with city view instead. I told the front desk that I intentionally booked a lake view room for my our trip. She gave me 3 options: (1) decline the upgrade offer; (2) accept the upgrade offer, but the suite facing the contruction site which will be very nosiy even in midnight, (3) add RMB450 to upgrade to Premier Panoramic with club excess. Without further options, I merely selected (3).

Later on when I checked the room rate of the Premier Panoramic Room in the club floor. I found that I was tricked. I paid even expensive than I directly booked the Premier Panoramic Room. Than means, I paid more but without room upgrade as being a Ambassdor member. The IC Suzhou played so many mathamatics to me. If I have chance to stay at IC Suzhou again, I would not accept any upgrade offer if I need to pay more.

The hotel itself has a very good hardware with wonderful jinji lake just nearby. But the management of the hotel particularly in the restaurant is really China standard. I was not satisfied with breakfast quality in the Western restaurant although the variety is enough. When the Chef prepared the eggs for us, he used his hand to remove the burnt of my eggs. I think using chopstick is more international standard, right? The next day we went to the Chinese restaurant for buffet breakfast. I felt I was in a battle. First, I need to sit with other strangers in the same table. In Hong Kong standard, it merely happens in local restaurants and never happens in even 3 star hotel. When we went out to get the food, your staff will bring another guests to occupy our seat. We couldn't withstand such an atomsphere and we eventually moved and had our breakfast in the...

The overall hardware and the location of the hotel is great. However, the quality of the staff service is just average, not Intercontinental standard.

I reserved my room from IHG website by using the company corporate rate. When during the check in, the staff keep requested me to present my business card while it didn't mentioned it in the online booking. She claimed that if I couldn't present my business card/ID, I need to pay for the full price. I'm shocked! She explained that there are people cheating by using a corporate rate. I feel like the hotel suspecting every guests are "Thief" in the place. So, disappointing. Next day, I finally found 1 of my business card from my luggage. lucky me! I presented to the front desk. Meanwhile, I also did a complain on this. The front desk staff said it is not necessary to be business card or ID, a company email address of something will be also sufficient. Now, here was another story. She has tried to get her manager to speak with me but the manager was not around. She said the manager with connect with me later. However.... no one come back again on this. At 2nd day breakfast, while I'm waiting for seat assignment. The staff asked my room number and last name at the door. I told her in Chinese. 3 - 5 min after, she ran toward me and speak very loudly that the room I claimed that I'm staying doesn't match with my last name. I was so embarrass. Finally, it was because I told her my Chinese last name and hotel check in record is in English. She didn't bother to verify the information before rushed to me. She is very unprofessional. The most important was the coffee that I asked when she took me to my seat never showed up. Welcome fruits are rotten

Overall, the staff service are quite disappointing for Intercontinental standard. It's my worst experience in compare different Intercontinental hotels that I...