A Faux Cruise Getaway on Suzhou’s Jinji Lake

Traveling with Mom

It had been a long time since I traveled with Mom. This time, I took her to the shores of Suzhou's Jinji Lake for a short vacation. Near the landmark Gate of the Orient, there is a uniquely shaped hotel that immediately caught my eye—the hotel, designed like a cruise ship, is the Crowne Plaza Suzhou. It’s very convenient to get from Shanghai to Suzhou: just a 20-minute high-speed train ride to Suzhou Industrial Park Station, then a 10-minute taxi ride to the hotel.

I booked a lake-view room, and from the window you can see Jinji Lake, Linglong Island, and the Gate of the Orient. Before it got dark, we wanted to take a walk along the lakeside promenade downstairs. There were quite a few people strolling around. Both the daytime and nighttime views are beautiful, especially at night when the hotel’s exterior looks like a yacht sailing on Jinji Lake—really spectacular.

The room’s decor, including the items, all have nautical elements, making you feel like you’re actually staying on a cruise ship. When you wake up and open your eyes, it might feel like a whole new journey awaits.

So this time, let’s pretend it’s a cruise vacation with Mom. Most of the hotel’s dining is concentrated on the first floor: lobby lounge, bar, buffet restaurant, Western restaurant, etc. The 7th floor has an executive lounge, open daily from 11am to 9pm.

Western Restaurant – TBoat

For dinner, we decided on the Western restaurant, TBoat, and tried the 298 RMB set meal for two, which includes four courses. Overall, the dish design at TBoat felt rather exquisite. Although some dishes are ones I often order at other Western restaurants, they were prepared with great care here.

Quinoa and avocado salad: A salad I often have after working out—low-calorie, filling, yet super delicious. Mom tried it for the first time, and after one bite she fell in love with the flavor.

Spanish garlic shrimp: As soon as it arrived, a fragrant garlic aroma wafted up. The shrimp had a texture a bit like “spicy chicken,” but not too spicy, suitable for the Jiangsu-Zhejiang palate.

Texas Wagyu burger: A pure beef burger. The waiter recommended medium-well to well-done; I asked for well-done, and it was still tasty. Their well-done means no blood, but when you cut it, there’s still a pinkish part—so it’s not too dry, very delicious.

Tuscan handmade pasta: Basil-scented pasta with Parmesan cheese, arugula, and shrimp, a main dish that leaves a lingering fragrance after eating.

Also included: two soft drinks and complimentary bread.

Bar – Mariana

After dinner, I kept wanting to visit the open bar on the ground floor mezzanine—Mariana—which I saw every time I took the elevator. With Christmas approaching, it was a good time to try a Christmas special drink. I heard that during the day they serve hot mulled wine, but at night there’s only one option. I ordered a non-alcoholic Cinderella mocktail for Mom to try.

The bar features live piano and singing performances in the evening. One of the singers seemed to be a foreigner, really nailing the American blues style, occasionally slipping in a few Chinese songs.

I took a closer look at the bar’s decor: lots of nautical notes, postcards, related books, etc., giving it a bit of a nautical antique collection vibe.

Coffee Bar – Xiang Ming Fang

What surprised me most was the Christmas afternoon tea series at Xiang Ming Fang in the hotel lobby. All the stylish young ladies in Suzhou seemed to gather here. I heard this Christmas afternoon tea was extremely popular, so I booked a spot a week in advance. One afternoon tea set includes a two-tier pastry stand and four drinks, recommended for 2–4 people.

There are Christmas decorations on the tables. If you arrive early, you can pick a table with fresh red flowers—very elegant. Unfortunately, I arrived late and ended up with a more cute table setting.

When the server brought over a big white gift box, the thoughtful Christmas dessert tower was hidden inside. The moment you open the box feels truly ceremonial. As the warm afternoon sunlight fell on the pastries, the exquisite and sparkling afternoon tea feast unfolded before me.

Classic Christmas treats like gingerbread, durian cream cubes, and five-flavor chocolate Christmas cake were all there.

Recommended drinks: TWG hot tea (served with milk and sugar so you can mix your own milk tea), latte (with a unique Christmas pattern latte art), and sparkling wine (tangy on the palate, pairing perfectly with the desserts to cut the richness, and especially photogenic in hand). Price: 498 RMB for two.

The hotel’s buffet restaurant is located on the first floor near the bow of the ship-shaped building, and breakfast buffet is also served here. For those who love sunbathing, the row of south-facing seats is very comfortable—enjoying the sunlight sparkling on the lake while eating breakfast feels simply wonderful.

The breakfast selection is extensive, with both Chinese and Western options. One thing I found particularly special was the freshly squeezed vegetable and fruit juices: cucumber, carrot, celery, and the rarely seen beetroot juice—a whole glass of anthocyanins, looking super healthy. Don’t you want a glass?

Lunch buffet is, of course, richer than breakfast. Seafood joins the lineup, and hot dishes vie for your attention. My favorite stations were the barbecue area and the clay pot section, plus the dessert area that every girl loves.

The 7th-floor Executive Lounge

Located above the lake-view rooms, also near the bow of the ship, the lounge offers a 180-degree panoramic view, overlooking Jinji Lake Avenue, Linglong Island, and the Gate of the Orient. The view is broad, open daily from 11am to 9pm. If you’re not terribly hungry, you can skip a full meal and come here for a little drink and some snacks.

At the executive lounge, there are around 5–6 varieties each of fruit, Chinese hot dishes, cold plates, and Western pastries—not a huge amount, but enough to tide you over.

If staying in the hotel feels a bit stuffy, just step off the “cruise” and you’ll find an S-shaped lakeside trail, perfect for a morning jog or an evening stroll. I imagine in summer, the vacation vibe here would be even better.