The Filming Location of 'All Is Well': Suzhou's Rainbow Cruise Hotel, a Scenic Attraction by Jinji Lake

"There is paradise above, and Suzhou and Hangzhou below."

There are so many ways to explore Suzhou.

Apart from the quintessential Gusu city with its picturesque bridges and canals,

you can also book a night at the viral Rainbow Cruise Hotel and fall asleep beside Jinji Lake.

One winter day, I finally drove out to Jinji Lake to check in at the much-recommended Crowne Plaza Suzhou Landmark—a hotel that had long whetted my appetite and sat on my travel list for ages.

The hotel’s location is truly unbeatable: it sits right in the core CBD along Jinji Lake, no more than three kilometers from the old town, and is just a stone’s throw from Suzhou’s new landmark, the Gate of the East.

The exterior design is stunning—the hotel resembles a cruise ship about to set sail, moored by the lake. No other hotel blends so seamlessly with Jinji Lake. From the lobby to the restaurants, from guest rooms to the swimming pool, you are constantly embraced by the lake. The weather wasn’t ideal on the day I visited, so my photos lack a bit of clarity, but the scenery was truly magnificent.

The guest corridor feels like a ship’s cabin passageway. I stayed in a Premier Lake View Room; it was spacious, around 42 square meters. When I pulled back the curtains, the wide expanse of Jinji Lake and the Gate of the East came into full view—a uniquely advantageous vantage point with uninterrupted lakeside panoramas.

Beyond the views, the room was equipped with state-of-the-art amenities: automatic curtains and sheers, a fully automatic toilet, JBL speakers, and a Dyson hairdryer. The bathroom was also generously sized, with dual sinks and a separate wet/dry layout, so even a family of three wouldn’t feel cramped. The Crowne Plaza’s consistent quality was on full display.

The hotel has many distinctive features. Aside from the room views, stepping into the lobby feels like entering a yacht’s cabin, with a soaring glass ceiling creating an airy, expansive feel, and subtle decorative touches that echo the cruise ship theme.

But what truly wowed me was the dining on this “cruise ship.”

Let’s start with the afternoon tea. I, Mumu, have had my fair share of afternoon teas, but this was the first time I’d encountered one so ceremoniously presented.

[Spring Festival Afternoon Tea Set] Every detail of the tea treats, from presentation to shapes, was infused with Chinese New Year elements. A large box emblazoned with the auspicious character “发” (prosperity) held an array of meticulously crafted pastries. So creative and grand, bursting with festive cheer! I ordered a cup of coffee and Earl Grey (TWG tea), and the quality was absolutely premium.

Isn’t it visually stunning? What do you think?

Let me describe each sweet and savory item. The pastries arrived still warm, and you could really taste the artisan care with every bite. To match each treat with its name, I took a close look at the menu. Durian lovers would be in heaven—the durian cake was intensely fragrant. The secret-recipe abalone puff featured a whole abalone in each piece, still warm when served. There was also bird’s nest soup dumplings, pan-seared scallops with carrot purée, sweet shrimp open-faced sandwiches with botan shrimp and mango popping pearls. Most amusing were the “Mahjong tiles” (with the characters 中, 发, 白) and “firecracker” pastries—so much ingenuity!

This afternoon tea is not just about premium ingredients; the preparation is equally thoughtful and the presentation simply enchanting. No wonder this viral afternoon tea is near impossible to book without an advance reservation.

People often say the festive New Year spirit is fading, but the hotel’s decorations immersed me in a strong sense of celebration. The tough year of 2020 is behind us—let’s make a wish for the new year, 2021!

In the evening, you can have a drink at the Mariana Bar on the hotel’s “cabin” lower level. Sitting against the wall, the paintings and the warmly moody lighting evoke the feel of an upper-class home from the last century. It’s not overly luxurious; instead, the vintage knick-knacks give you the sensation of stepping into an old classic movie.

This retro-styled bar offers a respite from the concrete jungle’s fast pace. Next to us, a family of three—with grandma in tow—enjoyed a cheerful, harmonious atmosphere. Who says bars are only for lonely singles?

The Shengxi Western Restaurant, voted “Most Beautiful Lakeside Restaurant,” was the filming location for the scene where Mingyu and Mingzhe dined together in the hit TV drama *All Is Well*.

The restaurant mainly serves buffets—for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and it’s a complete lake-view setting. Through the tall floor-to-ceiling windows, the beautiful Jinji Lake lies right outside, allowing you to savor your meal while taking in the scenery or simply daydream.

If you fancy Western fare, head to the Yacht Bar inside the hotel, where you can either choose from a Western buffet or order à la carte. I had the seafood soup, the salmon set, and a Texas Wagyu burger—all freshly made to order. You can also order a tomahawk steak or a surf-and-turf platter, all of excellent quality.

Another reason the hotel earns high praise from families is its dedicated kid-friendly facilities. It boasts both indoor and outdoor children’s playgrounds with slides, ball pits, swings, and more, ideal for children aged 3 to 8. I didn’t bring my little Miaoman with me this time, which was a real shame—I hope to make up for it in the future.

After your meal, a leisurely stroll along the walking path circling Jinji Lake is a wonderful choice. It takes only about 10 minutes to walk all the way to the Gate of the East.

Winter may be bitingly cold, but it’s the most magical season of the year. If Jinji Lake is usually Suzhou’s beauty icon, then in the misty white haze it becomes a wonderland, filled with poetic charm, like a natural ink-wash scroll in shades of black, white, and gray.

There’s an extra layer of tranquility, a little less bustle, adding a serene beauty to these winter days.