Zhouzhuang Life Inn

The rooms are charmingly vintage and cozy. The surroundings are absolutely stunning, with a picturesque view at every turn. The owner's thoughtful touches shine through in every corner of the guesthouse, especially by the floor-to-ceiling glass windows in the lobby, which are a popular photo spot for everyone. The pool might not be huge, but the kids absolutely loved it. The hostess is incredibly kind, and the guesthouse is well-equipped with a variety of facilities. Guests can even experience unique activities like traditional fireside gatherings and incense crafting. I'm already looking forward to visiting again when it gets colder!

It's absolutely no surprise this B&B has been crowned the most beautiful in Zhouzhuang Ancient Town for several years running! The owner's design perfectly blends ancient charm with modern comfort; every single corner is a picturesque delight, offering endless photo opportunities. What truly touched my heart was the proprietress's exceptional kindness. She welcomed us with refreshing watermelon and snacks right when we arrived, and even had more thoughtfully prepared for us after a long day of exploring. The beautifully designed courtyard, complete with fish, turtles, and a swimming pool, adds so much character. It genuinely offers a unique and enchanting take on the classic beauty of a Jiangnan water town.

This place boasts a quaint, old-world charm. The rooms are designed in an authentic, rustic style and are fully equipped with all amenities. For a relaxing foot soak, they even provide complimentary disposable foot bath liners and rose petals. The common lounge area also has a wonderful ambiance, complete with a variety of complimentary teas, snacks, and fruits. I absolutely loved my stay here, making it perfect for a family vacation.

The room amenities exceeded expectations, and every corner offered a beautiful view. The owner had clearly poured their heart into the decor.

The courtyard features a charming small fish pond, creating a very pleasant ambiance. The rooms are well-equipped, and the location is excellent, being very close to Hua Xiang and Yu Xiang, with beautiful night views. The owner is also very friendly and welcoming. We were even able to get a late check-out.

## Zhoushuang Living Inn: An Unforgettable Retreat Nestled in Zhouzhuang, an ancient water town rich in history and culture, Zhoushuang Living Inn shines like a brilliant gem. Its unique charm and thoughtful service added an extraordinary warmth and beauty to my journey through the old town, offering me an unforgettable memory amidst a serene escape from the worldly hustle and bustle. ### 1. Elegant Environment and Ambiance Zhoushuang Living Inn is tucked away in a tranquil corner of the ancient town, as if deliberately maintaining a perfect distance from the outside world's clamor. This allows guests to instantly escape the city's traffic and noise, fully immersing themselves in Zhouzhuang's unique peaceful ambiance. From its exterior, the inn's architectural style perfectly blends with Zhouzhuang's traditional Jiangnan water town elements. The dark grey bricks and tiles, white walls with dark eaves, coupled with exquisitely crafted wooden doors and windows, all exude a rich classical charm. The surroundings are equally captivating, feeling like a private natural oxygen bar. A clear river gently flows past the inn, its surface shimmering under the sun, reflecting the ancient buildings and weeping willows on both banks. As a gentle breeze stirs, the willow branches sway, and ripples spread across the water, creating a vibrant watercolor painting. Along the riverbank, a lush garden blooms with different flowers throughout the seasons, vying for beauty and diffusing a delightful fragrance, attracting bees and butterflies to dance among the blossoms. Strolling through it feels like being in a floral paradise, refreshing the mind and making one forget the passage of time. The interior design of the inn is equally distinctive, imbued with an artistic and cultural atmosphere. Stepping into the lobby, the high ceilings and spacious, bright layout immediately create a sense of comfort. The walls are adorned with exquisite calligraphy and paintings – some depicting the landscapes of Zhouzhuang, others masterpieces from calligraphers. Each piece seems to narrate a story of Zhouzhuang's history, allowing guests to appreciate its beauty while also experiencing the local cultural heritage. A set of antique Chinese tea ware graces the center of the lobby, its rising aroma complementing the water town scenery outside the window, creating a tranquil ambiance that encourages a sense of inner peace, reminiscent of idly watching flowers bloom and clouds drift by. The guest rooms are also meticulously designed, each feeling like a unique art space. The furniture is made of solid wood, featuring an antique yet elegant style with smooth, natural lines. Without excessive ornamentation, they reveal a simple, rustic beauty. Bedside tables, wardrobes, and other pieces are finely polished, offering a pleasant touch that enhances comfort. The linens are high-quality pure cotton, soft and delicate to the touch, allowing one to instantly relax and drift into a sweet dream. The thick, warm duvets and ergonomically designed pillows provide excellent neck support, ensuring guests wake up refreshed after a night of restful sleep. Through the windows, one can behold Zhouzhuang's picturesque beauty. Some rooms face the gently flowing river; waking up in the morning and opening the window, a fresh breeze mingled with water vapor greets you. Watching the small boats glide by on the river and hearing the distant calls of the boatmen, you feel as though you've become part of Zhouzhuang's ancient water town life. Other rooms offer views of the charmingly scattered ancient buildings. At night, when warm yellow lights glow from every household, their soft halos reflecting on the flagstone paths like scattered stars, a cozy and romantic atmosphere is created, inviting you to immerse yourself in Zhouzhuang's unique tranquility and charm. ### 2. Comfortable and Cozy Room Facilities Zhoushuang Living Inn has meticulously equipped its guest rooms, fully considering guests' comfort and various needs, striving to provide every visitor with the convenience and comfort of a home away from home. The in-room air conditioning system uses advanced inverter technology, allowing for quick and precise temperature adjustments. Whether it's the scorching summer or chilly winter, guests can simply press a button upon returning to their room to instantly enjoy a comfortable temperature, as if in a perpetual spring. This provides a cozy resting space for tired minds and bodies. Moreover, the AC operates very quietly, ensuring no disturbance to guests' sleep. The hot water supply system is exceptionally efficient and stable, utilizing an advanced gas water heater to provide abundant hot water 24 hours a day, without interruption. Whether you want to freshen up in the morning to start a vibrant day or take a comfortable hot shower at night to relieve the day's fatigue, simply turn on the faucet, and warm water flows instantly, meeting your needs without any waiting. The in-room toiletries are also meticulously selected high-end brands. Shampoos, shower gels, and conditioners have fine textures and pleasant fragrances, effectively cleansing the skin and hair while providing nourishment. The body lotion offers excellent moisturizing effects, ensuring guests' skin remains hydrated and radiant after bathing, without any dryness or tightness. These high-quality toiletries not only enhance the guest experience but also reflect the inn's dedicated attention to its visitors' comfort. To meet modern travelers' needs for staying connected and entertained, the inn provides high-speed Wi-Fi in every room. The Wi-Fi signal is stable and remarkably fast, allowing for smooth video calls, online work, or high-definition movie streaming without interruption. This ensures guests can effortlessly enjoy the convenience of digital life even while in the ancient town. Additionally, rooms are equipped with smart TVs offering a wide range of channels and high-definition online streaming resources, providing diverse entertainment options for both solo relaxation and sharing joyful moments with companions. Furthermore, the soundproofing in the rooms is excellent. Walls are treated with special insulation materials that effectively block out external noise. Whether it's conversations from passersby on the street, vehicle sounds, or movements from other rooms, very little can penetrate indoors. The moment the door closes, it's as if the world falls silent, allowing guests to sleep peacefully in this tranquil space, enjoying an undisturbed night to recharge for the next day's adventures. ### 3. Warm and Thoughtful Service The staff at Zhoushuang Living Inn are undoubtedly a major highlight. Their warm, enthusiastic, and meticulous service makes every guest feel the warmth and care of being at home. From the moment guests step into the inn, a welcoming atmosphere immediately envelops them. The reception staff always greet guests with radiant smiles, stepping forward to assist with luggage and guide them through the check-in process. They are efficient and organized, ensuring a quick and seamless check-in experience without long waits in the lobby. During check-in, the staff patiently introduce the inn's facilities and services and answer any questions, providing guests with a comprehensive understanding to help them better plan their itinerary. Housekeeping staff are diligent and responsible, tidying and cleaning rooms punctually every day. Their cleaning approach is very thoughtful; they never arbitrarily move guests' belongings, always respecting privacy. They meticulously clean every corner, change linens and toiletries, ensuring the room remains spotless. Furthermore, if they find any forgotten items or encounter special situations during cleaning, they promptly communicate with guests for confirmation – a considerate gesture that adds a warm touch. In the inn's restaurant, servers also provide a delightful dining experience with their warm and attentive service. They recommend suitable dishes based on guests' taste preferences and dietary needs, explaining the unique characteristics and cooking methods of each. Dishes are served at a perfect pace, preventing long waits. For special requests, such as less salt, less oil, or allergies to certain ingredients, the servers carefully note them down and convey them to the kitchen, ensuring the dishes perfectly match guests' expectations. After the meal, they proactively inquire about satisfaction with the food, humbly accepting feedback and promptly making improvements. The inn also features professional travel consultants who possess an intimate knowledge of Zhouzhuang's various attractions, history, culture, and local customs. Whether guests wish to visit famous sights like Zhang Hall and Shen Hall or experience unique local activities such as sculling boats and traditional handicrafts, the consultants can devise detailed and reasonable itineraries tailored to their interests and schedule, along with providing booking services. This ensures guests can effortlessly explore Zhouzhuang and not miss any highlights. Upon check-out, staff bid farewell to guests with the same warm demeanor, helping them check for forgotten items and proactively asking about their satisfaction during their stay. Any feedback or suggestions from guests are carefully noted down, met with sincere gratitude. This meticulous service, from check-in to departure, makes guests feel not just like patrons of the inn, but as if they've returned to a warm haven filled with kinship and friendship. ### 4. Authentic Culinary Experience The restaurant at Zhoushuang Living Inn offers guests a series of culinary feasts, allowing their palates to dance amidst Zhouzhuang's water town charm and savor the most authentic Jiangnan delicacies. The restaurant's culinary team deeply understands the essence of Jiangnan cuisine. Building upon traditional cooking techniques, they continuously innovate and refine, presenting numerous signature dishes that are perfect in color, aroma, and taste. Zhouzhuang's renowned traditional dish, "Wansan Pork Hock," is exquisitely prepared here. Premium local pork hocks are carefully selected and prepared, then slow-cooked with a secret blend of spices and unique techniques. After hours of stewing, the pork hock becomes incredibly tender, falling off the bone and melting in your mouth, rich but not greasy, emitting a profound aroma. With each bite, the mellow flavor permeates your palate; the chewy skin, tender meat, and rich sauce blend perfectly, leaving an endless aftertaste, as if every mouthful allows you to savor Zhouzhuang's long-standing historical and cultural heritage. Beyond Wansan Pork Hock, the restaurant's other dishes are equally impressive. Take, for instance, the Steamed Whitefish: using fresh whitefish caught locally in Zhouzhuang, the flesh is jade-white, tender, and delicate. Steaming perfectly preserves the fish's natural flavor, enhanced with simple ginger shreds and scallions. The cooked fish exudes a subtle fragrance, tasting incredibly fresh and delicious, letting you experience the natural goodness of Jiangnan water town's fresh ingredients. Then there's the Water Shield Soup: the delicate water shield leaves float gently in clear broth like emeralds. With one sip, a sweet and smooth sensation spreads across your tongue, as if Zhouzhuang's picturesque lakes and mountains are condensed into this single bowl, transporting you to the heart of Jiangnan's landscapes, enjoying nature's bounty. The restaurant is committed to using fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients. Every morning, the chefs visit Zhouzhuang's local market to carefully select the freshest vegetables, meats, and seafood. Most of these ingredients are grown and raised by local farmers, free from pollution and additives, ensuring their green, healthy, and fresh quality. For example, the restaurant's signature "Zhouzhuang Three Treasures" (water bamboo, pumpkin, and arrowhead) are local specialty agricultural products that, through the chefs' skillful cooking, become delicious dishes on the table, allowing guests to savor the most authentic flavors of Zhouzhuang. As for the dining environment, the restaurant's design is equally ingenious. The riverside tables are the most popular among guests; sitting there, one can savor delicious food while enjoying the picturesque views of the ancient town's riverside outside the window, watching boatmen leisurely scull their boats on the river, and listening to the soft Wu dialect from afar. Time itself seems to slow down. My time at Zhoushuang Living Inn left me deeply impressed by its unique charm. From the beautiful and tranquil environment, comfortable room facilities, and warm, thoughtful service to the authentic local cuisine and rich surrounding experiences, everything contributed to an unforgettable and wonderful stay. It was more than just a place to sleep; it was a warm haven where I could truly delve into Zhouzhuang and experience the essence of its water town culture. I believe that for any visitor to Zhouzhuang, Zhoushuang Living Inn will be an unforgettable stop on their ancient town journey, adding boundless brilliance to their travels. In the future, should I have the opportunity to return to Zhouzhuang, Zhoushuang Living Inn will undoubtedly be my top choice. I eagerly look forward to reuniting with it and continuing this beautiful connection with Zhouzhuang.