SkiAdcock

Hotel website:

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/trave...el-taihu-lake/

Says opening this month (September 2017). Cat 3. Has exec lounge (presumably open daily).

"Within the Suzhou Taihu National Tourism Vacation Zone, ancient Wu culture, family-friendly attractions, breathtaking scenery and local cuisine come together to create a desirable destination for both leisure and business travelers.

The Suzhou Marriott Hotel Taihu Lake is the first internationally branded hotel to open in the area and offers a convenient, thoughtful stay. Amenities cater to vacationing and working guests and include four distinct restaurants and bars, four swimming pools (including one for kids), the area’s largest hotel kid’s club, complimentary Wi-Fi, modern guest rooms that overlook the surrounding natural beauty and nearly 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space with direct access to the garden and entrance (ideal for car exhibitions).

The hotel’s location is also convenient to the Taihu International Conference Center, Taihu International Golf Course and the many scenic and historical spots in Taihu National Tourism Vacation Zone."

RedSun

Just come back from Marriott Suzhou Taihu Lake. This is one of the best hotels in Suzhou area. It is located out of the city of Suzhou, in the tourist area. This is a new development and very quite now. There is a golf course in front the the Taihu lake is just feet away.

The entire hotel is brand new, less than one year old, along with the Renaissance hotel next door. I like the decor better than the Renaissance, more classic than modern. I was upgraded to a spacious club suite as a Marriott Platinum member. It shares the indoor and outdoor pool with the Renaissance. There is a separate powder room in the sitting area.

RedSun

RedSun

SHLTP

Thank you for sharing. Is this a nice spot to go for a weekend w family... Coming from Shanghai? Or nice but not worth a special trip over?

RedSun

You need to plan since this is a new area and there are not a lot of organized activities. There are many tourist activities, but you'd better get a car. Or limit your activities to two of three per day. The taxi is cheap and not as smoky as in Shanghai.

We spent one day in Taihu and one day in Suzhou. We visited the garden in Suzhou in the morning, then cancelled the trip to see the canal. Both Suzhou and Hongzhou are known for the gardens and canal systems. They are called China's Venice. But not even close. I originally booked two days' stay in Suzhou. Now we wish we stayed both days in Taihu, not Suzhou city. The photos below are from one of its parks in Taihu.