YYijiajiajianqiangyongganEverything else was acceptable, but the service definitely didn't match five-star expectations. It seemed to lack standardized procedures (SOPs), relying purely on individual staff performance, which frankly, was worse than what you'd get at a mid-range chain like Atour or Hanting.
The first major red flag was when I tried calling the front desk after 10 PM and no one picked up. I eventually had to use the call feature via my Ctrip booking to finally get connected. It's truly incomprehensible why there was no one answering the phone late at night.
The second red flag was the state of the breakfast restaurant. When I arrived at 9:30 AM, the place was a complete mess. While there were plenty of empty tables, they simply couldn't clear them fast enough, leaving me to stand around and flag down a server. There was a wide variety of dishes, but the layout was chaotic and confusing, forcing me to walk back and forth. Western and Chinese options were jumbled together, and I even had to search for the coffee machine, which was located far from the other food stations near the entrance. That said, the spread was quite generous. The pan-fried buns, despite being pre-made, tasted decent, and the braised pork noodles were also good. They even offered Yakult and Classy yogurt, suggesting a very generous budget for food.
The third major letdown was the Hanfu photography experience. We were promised an hour-long session, but they clearly rushed it as soon as they realized we weren't going to pay for any extras. It ended before my child even had a chance to get comfortable. The photos were absolutely dreadful, completely dark, as if the camera's exposure hadn't been adjusted at all – my phone takes better pictures. I begrudgingly picked out three photos in the end, but I honestly couldn't find one more decent shot if my life depended on it.
The guided tour was decent, but again, the time was cut short. They advertised an hour, but it lasted only about 30 minutes. While I don't necessarily demand a full hour, they shouldn't claim it if they can't deliver. The morning tour group was excessively crowded; I imagine an afternoon session would be better. Both Chiang Kai-shek's Residence and the 571 Site are worth visiting. There's also Mingxuan, which is modeled after the Master of the Nets Garden. Taking children there for photos is a much better experience than battling the crowds at the Humble Administrator's Garden.
Another problem with staying here is that taking a taxi from Shiquan Street often leads to heavy traffic congestion. While it's very close to the Master of the Nets Garden and Canglang Pavilion, if your main destinations are the Humble Administrator's Garden, Suzhou Museum, Beisi Pagoda, Tiger Hill, or even Suzhou Station, staying in the northern part of the old city would actually be more convenient.
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