Suzhou Marriott Hotel Taihu Lake

This summer, I took my child to the Marriott hotel by Lake Tai in Suzhou for a weekend getaway. Before our arrival, the hotel butler called and mentioned they'd add me on WeChat, but they only did so at the front desk after we'd checked in. I had already informed the Ctrip customer service to request a room upgrade and late check-out, but when I repeatedly asked about the upgrade at check-in, I didn't get a direct answer. They did grant the late check-out though. The room was just so-so; the pillows were incredibly soft and very uncomfortable to sleep on. The placement of the trash cans was also quite inconvenient; there wasn't one near the sink. The recreation center was pretty good, with both indoor and outdoor pools. The indoor pool was 27 degrees Celsius, and the water had just been changed at the end of June. The outdoor pool had a children's play area, which my child thoroughly enjoyed. On Saturday nights during the summer, there was even a pool party with fireworks. The recreation center also had mahjong rooms, table tennis rooms, and billiard rooms, but all of these cost extra. Breakfast was truly disappointing; the variety didn't meet five-star hotel standards, and the dishes were the same for both days of our stay. We even had to ask a staff member for spoons, which was quite inconvenient. On the night of our arrival, I asked the butler for body lotion, but it took a long time to arrive. Overall, the staff wasn't very enthusiastic.

Our housekeeper, Sunny, was very responsible and promptly addressed any issues. They upgraded us to a lake view room and included breakfast. The environment and hygiene were decent, and the location was very convenient for visiting Xishan.

We had a wonderful weekend getaway! The front desk attendant upgraded us to a lake view room, which we absolutely loved. The layout was comfortable, and it even had a bathtub and large, floor-to-ceiling windows offering a direct view of Taihu Lake. We even got to see a fireworks show at night! The outdoor kids' water play area kept our little one entertained for hours. Fantastic, we'll definitely be back!

Lydia was very attentive, and the kids had a great time. This is our second stay here; last time was in winter, and this time we enjoyed the water activities in the summer. It feels like a place we could visit every year!

The hotel offers meticulous service at every touchpoint, is impeccably clean, and the room design seamlessly incorporates local garden elements. The restaurant has a cozy ambiance, and the breakfast spread is excellent. The surrounding Taihu Lake scenery is also beautiful...

Marriott is still Marriott – a grand lobby, extensive breakfast, excellent location, and professional customer service. However, the Suzhou Marriott feels a bit off; objectively speaking, the facilities are indeed aging. The package included a whole bunch of activities, even listing a tiny carousel... just for the 'experience.' While the customer service ladies were all very gentle, there were still many bugs during the service process. I was quite anxious before my trip, especially with Typhoon White Dolphin being so severe. It's really fortunate that we had good weather throughout our stay.

The room is a bit old and not well-maintained, which is understandable since the hotel has been open for a while. However, I was surprised that a Marriott-branded hotel would have limited amenities, with no body lotion provided. It was also a shame that we couldn't visit the Yangshan Linwu Cave, which was part of our weekend package, due to some issues. The staff were friendly, but when it came to problem-solving, they seemed very rigid and reluctant to take responsibility, always politely refusing. There's no dinner buffet, probably because the hotel's somewhat secluded location means there wouldn't be enough guests to make it worthwhile, making it inconvenient for in-house guests. Breakfast was crowded, especially with many families on summer vacation, and the staff struggled to keep up with restocking, which was a bit rushed. If you're just looking for a relaxing weekend and don't have high expectations, it's fine. But if you're seeking a quality experience, you might want to look elsewhere.

Even though I bought a package deal, the scenic spots were all closed due to rain, and I wasn't given the included tickets. They said they were complimentary, so there was no refund, which was a bit disappointing. The hotel itself was generally good and quite suitable for kids, with a swimming pool and other recreational facilities. The complimentary afternoon tea was a bit mediocre. Winnie was very enthusiastic.

Excellent location right by Taihu Lake. The breakfast was also good, and the staff were very warm and attentive. They even took a watermelon, sliced it, arranged it on a plate, and brought it back to our room for free.