Kimpton Suzhou Bamboo Grove is a long-established garden hotel that has been refreshed under the Kimpton name, and it sits in the part of Suzhou that visitors usually come to see. The old town, the canals and several of the classical gardens are close, so you can leave the hotel in the morning on foot or by a short taxi ride and be among white-walled lanes and carved wooden gateways within minutes. The grounds are leafy and calm, which gives the hotel a different character from the glass towers elsewhere in the city, and the Kimpton style adds a relaxed, personal tone to the service. This is a good choice for travellers who want atmosphere as well as convenience. Couples, friends travelling together and anyone whose plans centre on gardens, silk, tea houses and evening strolls beside the water will find it a natural base. It costs less than some of the headline five-star towers in the new districts, while placing you nearer the sights, and that balance of price and position is what makes it a popular choice.
Location and getting around
The hotel is in the Gusu District, close to the old town and the classical gardens that gave Suzhou its reputation. Taxis are easy to find, and the metro and the city’s canal-side streets are within reach, so the main sights can be visited without long journeys. The railway station is a short taxi ride away, and Shanghai is under an hour by fast train, which makes Suzhou an easy stop on a longer trip. Check the walking time to your first-choice garden on the map when you book.
Rooms
Rooms are comfortable and well equipped, with good beds, desks and bathrooms, and many look over the leafy grounds rather than a busy road. The design leans towards relaxed and stylish rather than formal, and suites offer extra space for families and longer stays. Room sizes and layouts vary between the older and newer parts of the building, so check the room type when you book and ask for a quiet room if you are a light sleeper.
Who it suits
Couples, culture-minded travellers, families who want to walk to the gardens and people who prefer a character hotel to a high-rise. The setting is calm, and the evening is a good time to walk to nearby streets and canals. It is less suited to guests who want to be in the modern business district, near the large shopping malls or beside the lakes of the Industrial Park, and in peak periods the gardens themselves can be crowded.
Good to know
The hotel has restaurants and bars, but details of the pool, fitness centre and spa vary, so check them when you book. Breakfast is usually charged separately unless it is included in your rate. Check-in is normally in the afternoon and check-out around midday, and policies on children, pets, extra beds and parking vary. Suzhou is busiest around national holidays and in spring and autumn, so book early for those dates and visit the gardens early in the day to avoid crowds.
Why stay here
- ✓Garden grounds
- ✓On-site restaurants and bars (check when you book)
- ✓Fitness facilities (check when you book)
- ✓Close to the old town and classical gardens
- ✓Concierge and tour help
- ✓Taxis nearby
- ✓Parking (check when you book)
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
Good questions
Where is Kimpton Suzhou Bamboo Grove?+
It is in the Gusu District, close to the old town and the classical gardens. Check the walking time to the sights you care about on the map when you book.
Is Kimpton Suzhou Bamboo Grove a good base for the gardens?+
Yes, it is one of the most convenient options for the old town and the classical gardens, with taxis and the metro within reach.
Is it a good choice for couples?+
The leafy grounds and the relaxed boutique feel suit couples, and the old town is good for evening walks. Check the room types and rates for your dates.
