The 7 Best Luxury Hotels in Suzhou

A pool all to yourself: At the Banyan Tree Yangcheng Lake Suzhou, every terrace has a private pool fed by hot springs, with Yangcheng Lake right in front of you. At the Banyan Tree Suzhou Shishan, too, each room and suite comes with its own courtyard and pool, framed by garden walls and looking out to Shishan.Banyan Tree Yangcheng Lake Suzhou · XiangchengAbove the city: The WET pool of the W Suzhou sits on the 36th floor, overlooking Jinji Lake. Swim your laps in the heated 25-meter pool of the Shangri-La Suzhou Yuanqu, ideal before the first meeting of the day.

In the old town: In Gusu, too, you won’t have to give up your swim. The Ritz-Carlton Suzhou has a 143 m² pool, and at the Kimpton Bamboo Grove Suzhou you can do a few lengths in the heated indoor pool before heading out to the gardens.

At Banyan Tree: On Yangcheng Lake, the Banyan Tree Spa offers treatments based on traditional Asian healing practices, complemented by hot springs, a heated indoor pool and a gym. At the Banyan Tree Suzhou Shishan, dedicated Wellbeing Sanctuary rooms complement the spa, designed for guests who put rest first. At the Banyan Tree Yangcheng Lake Suzhou in particular, it’s worth setting aside a whole day just for bathing and treatments.W Suzhou · Jinji LakeAfter sightseeing: The AWAY Spa at the W Suzhou offers facials, massages and body wraps, and the Detox Beauty Bar serves salads, detox drinks and mocktails. The Shangri-La Suzhou Yuanqu has treatment suites for massages and facials, along with a whirlpool and steam bath. At the Park Hyatt Suzhou, the spa has six treatment rooms.

On Jinji Lake, prices start at 103 € at the Shangri-La Suzhou Yuanqu; at the top end is the Banyan Tree Suzhou Shishan at 304 €. In the old town you can stay from 169 € at the Kimpton Bamboo Grove Suzhou or from 216 € at The Ritz-Carlton Suzhou. The table groups all seven hotels by location. For availability and today’s rates for your dates, see the hotel list further down.

At no extra cost: Breakfast for two every morning, an upgrade on arrival subject to availability, and early check-in and late check-out, also subject to availability. At the Park Hyatt Suzhou, the upgrade is confirmed at booking, though not from a room to a suite. At the Kimpton Bamboo Grove Suzhou, the benefits apply from two nights, at all other hotels from the first.

Hotel credit: You receive 100 US dollars at the Kimpton Bamboo Grove Suzhou, the Banyan Tree Suzhou Shishan and the Banyan Tree Yangcheng Lake Suzhou. The Ritz-Carlton Suzhou also gives 100 US dollars, which you can spend on food, drinks and even transfers. It’s 50 US dollars at the Shangri-La Suzhou Yuanqu and the Park Hyatt Suzhou. Instead of a credit, the W Suzhou welcomes you with a gift.

Points and status: IHG One Rewards applies at the Kimpton, Marriott Bonvoy at the Ritz-Carlton and the W, World of Hyatt at the Park Hyatt and ALL (Accor) at both Banyan Tree resorts. At these hotels suitespot books the hotel’s direct rate, so points and status nights land in your account. The Shangri-La belongs to Shangri-La Golden Circle.

Suzhou through the year: In spring the gardens are in bloom, in summer lotus flowers fill the ponds, in the fall the Yangcheng Lake crabs reach the table, and in winter the pavilions belong to early risers. Reserve your 5-star hotel in Suzhou especially early for Golden Week in early October and for Chinese New Year.

How long to stay: Two nights cover the gardens, the canals and an evening on Jinji Lake. A third night leaves time for Shishan, Yangcheng Lake or a trip out to the water towns.