Why is the brand-new Suning Zhongshan International Golf Hotel so stunning? Follow me to find out!
Highly anticipated, at the close of 2020, the hotel industry celebrated a joyous occasion: after “a year and a half of rejuvenation,” the Suning Zhongshan International Golf Hotel grandly opened on December 26! (You should know, originally opened in 2006 as a Sofitel, it was not only a star hotel representative in Nanjing but also a benchmark for golf hotels in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai. Both historically and today, its significance far exceeds the mere label of “hotel,” as detailed below.)
With every new opening comes a wave of “fan perks,” so this recommendation is well worth your attention!
Many people have asked me, why is Nanjing worth visiting again and again?
“A city without traces of its past is like a person who has lost their memory.” Nanjing is remarkable; it broadcasts its innate epic grandeur to the world.
As a land of beauty in Jiangnan and an ancient imperial capital, your impression might still be stuck at guidebook sights like Qinhuai River and Fuzimiao. So this time, Suning, a local brand that knows Nanjing best, partnered with CCD, experts at blending locality with new chic, to create a “manor wonderland” inside the Zhongshan Scenic Area at the foot of Zijin Mountain, adding a new resort label to the city inside and out.
Having rushed to explore the hotel and tested it for a few days, I can say this is by far the best hotel I’ve experienced where both the stunning “rebranding renovation” aesthetics and the quality of soft and hard facilities are fully on point!
First and foremost, praise goes to the hotel’s environment. Located on Huanling Road, one of Nanjing’s most beautiful streets, it sits in a natural oxygen bar with gorgeous scenery all year round.
As a super-luxury brand hotel self-operated by Suning Real Estate Group’s hotel management company, it boasts a surrounding golf course and private classical manor-style landscape unmatched in the city.
Symmetrically designed, with lawns and fountains, it feels like stepping into the manor of an English noble.
The black-and-gold color scheme fully showcases European elegance, and the custom Lasvit crystal chandelier is dazzling...
Even before reaching your room, you’ll encounter many luxury brand pieces everywhere.
Walking through the hotel, large open spaces are furnished with sofas or benches, and even floor lamps beside them, allowing you to sit down anytime. It’s one of the rare hotels that genuinely extends its resort hospitality to public area design.
The paintings on the walls capture memories of Zhongshan Golf.
What’s more, the dining, accommodation, and experiences ahead will all prove why it’s chosen as the “benchmark for Nanjing luxury hotels in 2020”!
(▲ Italian restaurant)
Continuing the legend, dominating Jinling: Suning’s first major “flagship store” has finally arrived.
📕 Irreplaceable old memories
For locals, the Suning Zhongshan International Golf Hotel, situated at the foot of Zijin Mountain on the grand, beautiful, and tranquil Huanling Road, is itself a city calling card they can “show off” anytime.
(▲ Nanjing Zhongshan Scenic Area, photo source: Shetu Network)
First, because it’s hidden within the Zhongshan Scenic Area, which frequently dominates photography network covers. Many must-see attractions (Zijin Mountain, Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum, Meiling Palace) are all “around” it. When you stay here, you become a VIP in this poetic landscape straight out of Tang and Song poetry.
Second, because it’s adjacent to the nearly 4,000-mu Zhongshan International Golf Course, which holds many memories.
In terms of size, Suning Zhongshan International Golf Hotel ranks among the top in Jinling.
Just circling the hotel’s perimeter in a golf cart takes at least half an hour, let alone walking, which easily covers tens of thousands of steps.
From the city center (Xinjiekou, for example), it’s a half-hour drive or a total of 13 stops by subway plus bus — away from the hustle but not isolated. Not only out-of-town tourists but also locals bring their families here for lazy weekend getaways, nestled in this forest oxygen bar.
📷 Creating new memories at no expense spared
With the right timing, location, and people, and the mission of “writing a new chapter for a classic legend,” Suning Hotels & Resorts announced its “closed-door renovation” in April 2019, inviting CCD (Cheng Chung Design, a 2019 Asia Top 500 Brand) to lead the interior redesign.
After a year and a half, Suning Zhongshan International Golf Hotel made its stunning debut on December 26, 2020!
Not managed by any international brand, it was crafted and operated entirely as Suning Hotels & Resorts’ “flagship store,” destined to perfectly interpret domestic luxury: the architecture and environment break the old to build the new, and the interior aesthetics are absolutely stunning!
Driving here: passing through lush forest-lined roads, past vast undulating lawns and waterways, it’s like entering a classical manor. The red-roofed, white-walled European palace-style architecture becomes more vivid as you approach.
Arriving at the main entrance, first accept the manor-style fountain and the “little golden golf man” welcome display.
After dark, you can enjoy a spectacular musical fountain show here.
Then, a concierge will open the heavy bronze doors with custom “S” handles for you...
Unlike Nanjing’s historical temperament and Zhongshan’s resort vibes, the hotel’s interior is chic, modern, and somehow familiar; its scene control completely aligns with contemporary aesthetics.
Lobby at first glance: stunning; second glance: warm; third glance: a sense of having “strayed into a European gallery.” Black wood-textured furniture paired with golden ceilings and floors fully showcase the elegant luxury tones, recreating the imperial Jinling atmosphere of Nanjing’s Republican era.
To cleverly incorporate Nanjing elements, CCD used the Republic-era octagonal motif throughout the hotel. The most striking is the front desk area, featuring a specially customized reception backdrop wall and four continuous mosaic artworks that fully express Nanjing’s historical depth.
During check-in, staff quickly offer welcome towels and tea, preserving the resort label of a trendy hotel.
A few steps further is the lobby lounge. My summary: beautiful, exquisite, and intimate.
Floor-to-ceiling windows face the golf course directly, and the outdoor dining area built by the water adds even more feel.
(▲ Winter-themed afternoon tea)
Afternoons spent chatting and having afternoon tea here naturally evoke a chic, bourgeois atmosphere.
I love the lobby lounge because its coziness far exceeds the commercial notion of a lounge: many decorations and sofa seats incorporate 1930s Art Deco geometric patterns, and the partition screens with a lake-blue base feel light yet offer privacy.
The teardrop-shaped Lasvit crystal chandelier in the center resembles a galaxy hanging in midair; it’s even more dreamy after dark.
Re-setting the standard for luxury hotel room amenities in Nanjing: King Koil, Hermès, Dyson, and more all in one room
(▲ Jingxi Golf View Room)
Before renovation, the hotel rooms had already won many fans with their “gorgeous balcony views.” Now, with CCD’s touch and Suning’s no-expense-spared investment, not only does the beauty remain, but the taste and amenities rank among the top in Nanjing hotels.
(▲ 180-degree view outdoor terrace golf view room)
With 262 rooms starting at 50 sqm, every room is a view room with a balcony. Some even feature a 180-degree outdoor terrace and stunning golf green views—a “forest and lawn feast” right outside your door.
The rooms have distinct functional zones, practically a “warm home reference guide.”
The entrance has a sitting nook and an umbrella holder, as if reminding you to slip into comfy slippers once you’re home. The black-and-gold theme continues, accented with a touch of orange, perfectly balancing seriousness and liveliness.
Warm-toned lighting, with brightness control that meets modern daily needs—thumbs up! The bathroom’s black wooden doors can be opened or closed, offering both privacy and openness with imaginative flair.
Each room has a cozy lounge area with a cotton-linen sofa, black-gold bookcase, beige-gray striped curtains, and even a wireless phone charger—very thoughtful.
The soft amenities redefine my idea of a Nanjing resort hotel. It’s like a “brand collection store”: King Koil mattress, Dyson hairdryer, standard room amenities by Hermès (Eau d'Orange Verte series), suites get Acqua di Parma; bathroom fixtures are Kallista, the same brand used in the White House.
Meanwhile, there’s a bathtub, BOSE speakers, Nespresso capsule coffee, and what surprised me even more: Schott crystal glasses in the minibar (each one unique)...
Four restaurants, each a signature establishment; even the hard-to-book Kurogi Japanese cuisine is here—reserve now!
As a foodie paradise celebrated in Once Upon a Bite, whether it’s the classic eats of Laomendong, Sanba Lane known as the “kitchen of old south Nanjing,” the stylish restaurants along Shanghai Road, or the snack haven Mingwalang... when you mention Nanjing, beyond history, it’s all about food.
As Suning Hotels & Resorts’ first “flagship,” Suning Zhongshan Golf maximizes the pursuit of high-quality and diverse cuisine with four restaurants, each distinct in design and flavor.
Kurogi · Zhongshan | Japanese Restaurant
(▲ Rendering)
If you’re a top foodie in fine-dining circles, you’ll know that “Kurogi” is a Japanese restaurant in Tokyo that’s extremely hard to book. Just hearing the name, you understand: it’s expensive, delicious, and exclusive—a kaiseki meal can cost more than a night’s stay.
(▲ Rendering)
Aside from Shanghai, Nanjing is only the second location in China. The restaurant features a Japanese garden design with stone paths, decorative tile walls, and a Zen atmosphere amid the plants. Wooden tables and chairs, tatami-style private rooms, Japanese wallpaper, and textured lacquer walls—each private room’s window view is especially unique. When you open the window to dine, it feels like floating on water; look up, and the slender skylight on the ceiling is another inspired touch from the designer.
(▲ Actual photo of restaurant outdoor view)
Here, you can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine that delights all senses. The restaurant’s legendary chef Kurogi Jun brings out the full essence of respecting nature and seasonal ingredients in his selection and preparation. The restaurant is beautiful, the dishes are beautiful, the taste is beautiful, and yes, the price is also quite “beautiful.”
Zijin Pavilion | Chinese Restaurant
As one of the favorite cuisines of Nanjing locals, Suning Golf certainly doesn’t skip Huaiyang cuisine: highlighting the natural flavors, light and tasty, exquisitely presented, with superb knife skills.
Zijin Pavilion specializes in creative Huaiyang cuisine. Executive Chef Chen Rongping, with over 20 years of Huaiyang culinary experience, breaks the mold by incorporating high-quality ingredients from various regions, aligning with modern health-conscious tastes to ensure diverse and delicious dishes. Signature items include: lobster with mung bean noodles, Donghai premium yellow croaker, and gold-medal crispy roast pork.
The restaurant’s design is noteworthy: the beauty of symmetrical Chinese order is magnified, with elegant screen partitions creating a sense of layering and ceremony. The three colors of Nanjing glazed tile green, royal blue, and Chinese red pair with continuous copper decorative artworks along the corridor walls—very rich in charm.
There is both a main dining area and seven private rooms of varied decor. The “Jinling” room is recommended: with cloisonné-decorated walls featuring dragons and phoenixes, it’s opulent and faces the courtyard view.
Milan | Italian Restaurant
I think the choice of Italian among Western cuisines might have something to do with Suning’s acquisition of the Italian football club Inter Milan; after all, the young owner has lived in Milan for a long time and likely has a preference for local cuisine.
Moreover, the Italian restaurant “Milan” is helmed by Chef Andrea, a handsome Italian native! His carefully crafted menu includes all kinds of classic Italian flavors, most notably the specialty pizza with truffle that’s bursting with aroma, plus many of his private collection dishes, featuring flavors unique to Northern Italy.
The restaurant exudes nostalgic Italian charm everywhere, especially the arch design inspired by a collapsed limestone cave on the east coast of Capri Island: the natural arch. While dining, you’ll unconsciously sink into its exotic allure.
Lanting | All-Day Dining Restaurant
Compared to the highly distinctive dining options above, Lanting is probably the restaurant you’ll frequent most during your stay.
First, about its good looks: the overall space resembles the old streets of Nanjing. Walking past beautifully displayed dishes feels like strolling through Laomendong. The designer used wood, colors, and greenery to bring a lively “stroll-and-eat” vibe, so dining here feels familiar and welcoming.
The crystal glasses are also Schott, and the tableware is Luzerne bone china—high class.
Various stations present a buffet of delicacies: abundant seafood, assorted meats, all high-quality ingredients. French pastries are exquisite and petite, irresistible, and there’s a wide selection of fruit drinks.
The freshly cooked duck blood vermicelli soup, steaming hot, with crunchy duck intestine and smooth duck blood; the beef noodles are authentic too, add a bit of chili oil, and every spoonful of soup is pure fragrance.
A secret spot that makes fitness buffs never want to return to their rooms, and a dreamy banquet hall full of tech
Since I got hooked on fitness, having a gym in the hotel has become a “must.” But so far, the hotel gyms I remember can be counted on one hand. So, knowing that Suning Zhongshan Golf Hotel has a 24-hour gym, my impression shot up!
Plus, the gym is equipped with advanced Life Fitness equipment, covering all cardio and strength needs. Fat-burning, muscle-building, and body-sculpting enthusiasts, come after you’ve eaten and drunk your fill here. Next to the gym is an indoor heated pool with a glass dome that lets in natural light, classic lap-lane design; when sunlight streams in, it’s incredibly beautiful.
By the way, I rarely introduce hotel banquet halls in my reviews, but Suning Zhongshan Golf is different: it has a 1,200 sqm, 7-meter-high pillarless grand ballroom called Zhongshan.
The ceiling features an interactive LED mega-screen made of six independent screens of varying sizes and shapes, delivering an immersive, shocking effect from parallel views to 90-degree overhead viewing. Coupled with advanced lighting and audio-visual systems full of tech, it can create various atmospheres for different themes—very cool (a bit like the famous atrium at Shanghai’s Suning Bellagio Hotel). Rumor has it many sponsors have taken a liking to this venue and are planning to hold “new product” launch events here.
Outside the ballroom is the Zhongshan Garden; stepping in feels like a princess walking in a manor, with elegant European-style fountains and archways scattered around. I predict once temperatures rise, this will surely be a popular wedding venue.
Finally, I want to say that everyone has their own standards for liking a hotel, and I look forward to hearing your experiences after your visit.
Suning Zhongshan International Golf Hotel
Address: No. 9 Huanling Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Transportation: about 10 km from Nanjing Railway Station; about 20.6 km from Nanjing South Railway Station; about 50 km from Nanjing Lukou International Airport
