A Gentle Holiday Between Lake and City: My Stay at Holiday Inn Nanjing Xuanwu Lake

I. Lakeside Encounter: A Warm Welcome That Begins with Details A 5-minute taxi ride from Nanjing Station brought me to the hotel, where light danced on the glass facade as clouds drifted by, and the metallic "Holiday" logo glowed warmly in the twilight. At check-in, the staff noticed raindrops on my sleeve and immediately handed me a warm towel and ginger tea, softly saying, "It’s windy by the lake today—this will help warm you up." That thoughtful gesture melted away the rush of travel. II. A "Natural Alarm Clock" in the Lakeview Room I chose a lakeview room on the 12th floor, where the window framed Xuanwu Lake like an ink-wash scroll: in the morning, mist veiled the water, with boats floating like faint brushstrokes on emerald silk; by afternoon, sunlight pierced the clouds, casting the Ming Dynasty city wall’s blue bricks and the lakeside’s lush trees in playful contrast. The 40㎡ space featured soft gray and beige tones, with an abstract lakeside mural behind the bed. Amenities like a smart toilet and humidifier were all there, but the loveliest surprise was the cozy window-side lounger—curling up here with *The Story of Nanjing*, I watched the lake’s glow and the pages together sketch the city’s past and present. III. A "Jinling Twelve Hours" Culinary Journey Breakfast at the all-day dining restaurant on the first floor began with freshly made wontons in a clear broth, floating with dried shrimp and seaweed—so fresh it tasted like morning itself. The flaky Suzhou-style savory mooncakes, paired with a handcrafted latte, perfectly balanced sweet and salty. At dusk, I ordered the "Jinling Afternoon Tea" in the lobby lounge: osmanthus cakes’ delicate sweetness, crispy duck-fat pastries, and the twinkling lakeside lights outside made me feel like I’d stepped into *The Qinhuai River with Oars and Lanterns*. IV. Family Time: Seamless Connection from Hotel to Nature Families will adore the "hidden gems" here: the front desk offers free children’s books and sand toys, the pool provides cartoon life vests, and even the elevator is decorated with cute animal stickers. A 10-minute walk to Xuanwu Lake’s Lingzhou Eco-Park lets kids feed goats in the petting zone while parents relax on the lawn, gazing at Purple Mountain. The breeze carried the lake’s coolness, mingling with children’s laughter and distant pigeon whistles—this is the true ease a holiday should bring. V. Urban Strolls: Effortless Switches Between History and Modernity The hotel’s location is a "cultural hub" of Nanjing: the Xuanwumen metro station whisks you to Xinjiekou’s shopping district, and when tired, you can return for a calming tea. A 20-minute walk from Liberation Gate along the Ming city wall leads to Jiming Temple, where golden walls and black tiles frame the lake and mountains—every snapshot oozes "Nanjing vibes." Late at night, passing by Hunan Road’s night market, I brought back sweet taro soup to my room. The warm, sugary broth, mixed with the lake’s cool breeze, soothed the day’s fatigue. Epilogue: More Touching Than the Scenery Is the Warmth Within Reach This hotel is like a carefully sketched "urban vignette"—no luxury pretensions, just thoughtful design and service that blend Xuanwu Lake’s elegance and Nanjing’s lively spirit into a traveler’s everyday. Whether for efficient business trips, playful family stays, or romantic moments by the lake, it’s a gentle vessel holding each guest’s unique idea of a "holiday." Next time in Nanjing, I’ll choose it again—after all, who wouldn’t want to wake up to such lakeside mornings, over and over?