Yangzhou State Guesthouse nestles serenely alongside the Slender West Lake, facing scenic spots such as the Long Dike in Spring Willows(also known as Changdichunliu), Xuyuan Garden, and Little Gold Hill across the water, embracing the delicate charm of the lake's shimmering beauty. Encompassing 400 acres of landscaped gardens, the property features fifteen distinct buildings thoughtfully arranged throughout the grounds. Among them are Buildings 1, 2, and 9, which exemplify the artistry of classical garden design, while Buildings 8 and 18 showcase contemporary aesthetics, together creating a modern garden sanctuary that honors tradition while embracing the future.
More than just a place to stay, Yangzhou State Guesthouse is a pilgrimage destination for Huaiyang cuisine. It is home to the "Two-Diamond" Black Pearl-rated restaurant Quyuan Teahouse and the "One-Diamond" restaurant Shan, offering guests unparalleled culinary experiences. The property also boasts a range of premium facilities, including a 50-meter standard hot spring swimming pool, the elegant Lanpu Teahouse, a scenic gym, and a Chinese traditional-style travel photography studio, catering to guests' comprehensive leisure needs.
"Discover a city by staying within a garden." We go beyond providing mere accommodation, striving to create an immersive living experience that integrates Yangzhou's regional spirit and carries forward its millennia-old cultural heritage. Every moment spent here is destined to become a cherished urban memory.
"After doing some research online, I was torn between Building 8 and Building 18, but I ultimately chose Building 18, which is apparently newly built and features a courtyard. There are peacocks on the B1 level, and you can access them directly from the parking lot following the signs. You can customize your room keycard, just remember to do it in advance. There are also cute little bunnies near Building 18.
The courtyard inside the room wasn't particularly worth it, as I spent most of my time out sightseeing. However, the large floor-to-ceiling windows offered beautiful views at night, my only minor complaint is that the courtyard itself wasn't very big.
It was very convenient to call staff anytime to take us to any building we needed (except for the hot spring across the street, which only offered drop-offs at Quyu Teahouse).
Yangzhou's gardens can get quite crowded, so it was much better to enjoy the ambiance directly at the Guesthouse. It was less crowded and very green, with direct access to Slender West Lake.
Breakfast was plentiful and offered a wide variety of choices.
I heard the swimming pool at the Guesthouse is also quite famous, but I was short on time and couldn't experience it myself.
Do pay attention to the complimentary hot spring tickets. I tried both hot springs. For the Slender West Lake hot spring across the street, you should set aside a few hours. Both indoor and outdoor hot springs are available, and there's a great variety of them.
Hongqiao Fang Hot Spring felt more like the Northeastern Chinese bathhouse culture (and I'm from the Northeast, haha!). For massages, I highly recommend ear picking and full-body massages. I don't think a pedicure is really worth it unless you have very severe calluses. Overall, I found the bathhouse services slightly less impressive than what you'd find in the Northeast.
The lobby on the 11th floor is also very nice, with black swans nearby. The Guesthouse has a lot of plants and animals throughout.
I tried all three restaurants within the Guesthouse, but I wouldn't highly recommend them. It might be due to my personal taste, but I felt it was better to eat out. However, the ambiance in the restaurants was quite pleasant.
Overall, I'd give the Guesthouse a thumbs up. The environment is absolutely impeccable. However, compared to the exterior landscaping, the interior conditions of the Guesthouse were a bit less impressive. So, for value for money, you could opt for a standard king room and still enjoy the beautiful scenery.
I will definitely choose the Guesthouse again on my next trip to Yangzhou!!!"