A Perfect Spring Outing from the Magic City: Flowers, Opera, and Gourmet Delights at HUALUXE Kunshan Huaqiao

The Magic City welcomes its most comfortable season of the year. With spring warmth and blooming flowers, it's ideal for countryside outings, savoring seasonal dishes, and exploring the charms of life around Shanghai. This time, I chose to venture just a stone's throw from the Magic City to Kunshan Huaqiao, where I enjoyed a relaxing weekend at a brand-new hotel.

HUALUXE Kunshan Huaqiao

Kunshan Huaqiao is known as the 'East Gate of Jiangsu, the Land Bridge between Suzhou and Shanghai.' The HUALUXE Kunshan Huaqiao Hotel is perfectly located here, close to the Huaqiao International Expo Center and adjacent to the scenic Central Park. Driving from Shanghai is easy, and the hotel is only about a 10-minute drive from the Beijing-Shanghai Expressway entrance. For eco-friendly travelers, Metro Line 11 goes directly to Guangming Road Station, and the hotel is a 7-minute walk from the exit.

HUALUXE is an international luxury hotel brand created by IHG in 2012, deeply rooted in Chinese culture. There are now over 20 properties in China. Over my years in media, I've visited many HUALUXE hotels.

The fine weather this time made it hard to resist a drone shot. Through the drone's lens, the hotel building and Central Park stand majestically by the lake, surrounded by blooming flowers and lush greenery—a scene brimming with life.

The hotel's design beautifully interprets the depth of Chinese culture in every area. For example, the fountain at the entrance echoes the round sky garden, concretely expressing the ancient philosophical idea of 'round heaven and square earth.' The lobby features greenery, palace lanterns, cascading water, bridges, and potted plants, momentarily making me feel as if I were outdoors. This courtyard garden adds a touch of nature. A chandelier that 'cascades down' from the top floor symbolizes the gathering of talented people from all over.

Four counters at the front desk handle check-in, shared with the sister hotel Holiday Inn Kunshan Huaqiao. The concierge team was very attentive, assisting with luggage from the moment I walked in until it was delivered to my room.

| Cozy and Comfortable Rooms

The design philosophy of 'close to nature yet luxurious' runs through every space in the guest rooms. Inspired by contemporary Chinese style, the rooms are full of oriental charm and fresh ambience. Every detail is thoughtfully crafted to create a cozy and pleasant stay. The Chinese-style minimalism appeals to modern aesthetics but is far from plain. Rooms feature both a rain shower and a bathtub. In high-floor rooms, windows overlook Huaqiao Central Park and the cityscape.

HUALUXE rooms also come with a customized tea set, making it a delight to enjoy tea during your downtime. During my stay, I loved the mattress, which gave me a comfortable sleep. The hotel uses the renowned American brand King Koil; the bedside Bluetooth speaker is from high-end brand JBL, so you can easily play your favorite music. The asymmetrical bedside layout adds a sense of liveliness, and abstract paintings representing Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze) images, placed behind full glass frames, lightly tell the cultural essence here. Bath amenities are by Essential Elements, a well-known spa brand from San Francisco, based on aromatherapy principles, leaving you relaxed in body and mind after a bath.

If you have a generous budget and want an even better experience, I recommend the suites. Various styles range from 108 to 201 square meters. Suites include a separate work area, with distinct living and dining spaces. The bathroom features a more spacious and luxurious round bathtub, along with a separate vanity and a touch-lit makeup mirror, perfectly catering to those who want to dress up and strike poses for selfies. The shower is also equipped with a Bluetooth sound system, so you can play your favorite tunes while showering or bathing.

Rich Dining Experiences

'Making friends over tea' is the hallmark of HUALUXE hospitality. Jumingyi, on the first floor, is a spacious lounge where guests can watch tea ceremonies by skilled tea masters and enjoy the hotel's special afternoon tea. If you need private space for a business chat, four semi-open VIP rooms are also available here.

| Xianyan All-Day Dining Restaurant

Xianyan All-Day Dining Restaurant is where breakfast and dinner are served during your stay. The decor is distinctly Jiangnan in style. The designer incorporated oil-paper umbrellas, rattan weaving, carved openwork windows, and other elements, set against the 'rafters' (a key structural feature in Chinese architecture), beautifully evoking the water-town charm of Gusu (Suzhou). It perfectly interprets the simplicity and refinement of neo-Chinese style. The floor-to-ceiling windows fill the restaurant with natural light, whetting the appetite. I enjoyed a wide variety of global cuisines and local snacks here—the selection is truly abundant.

The weekend dinner buffet is often fully booked. The restaurant also introduces seasonal dishes. Recently, they launched a spicy Sichuan and Hunan menu, perfect for heat-seekers. Highlights include a spicy seafood pot, sizzling fish, signature cold skewers, and ice jelly—specialties from Sichuan and Chongqing.

During my stay, I also tried HUALUXE's signature dining spot: Mian Jia (Noodle House). The setting perfectly recreates an old Jiangnan water-town noodle shop. Rough white walls and a noodle stall reminiscent of old vendor carts exude a vibrant, down-to-earth atmosphere. Mian Jia has partnered with the Suzhou-style noodle brand 'Su Mian Fang' to create even more authentic Chinese noodle dishes. Here, you can watch master chefs prepare fresh noodles and other local snacks. These simple yet high-quality noodle dishes gave me more reason to spend time enjoying the hotel's facilities.

| Cai Feng Lou Chinese Restaurant

The hotel also features IHG's signature Chinese restaurant brand: Cai Feng Lou. In my opinion, this is a standout space, perfectly blending HUALUXE's brand characteristics with Jiangnan garden aesthetics. The restaurant design follows the flow of Suzhou gardens, with mountains, water, flowers, birds, and stone art as its soul. It uses Chinese metal latticework, 'palace lanterns,' a lifelike dragon art installation, and modern interpretations of dragon pillars and window openings. Many guests can't resist taking photos here. Rich color combinations and an artistic ambience evoke nostalgia for Chinese tradition within a refined modern setting. The restaurant has 12 private dining rooms, named after various birds following Cai Feng Lou's tradition—such as Phoenix, Peacock, Mandarin Duck, and Lark.

The experienced chef team delves into local ingredients and cultural heritage, blending Jiangnan and Cantonese cuisines to present innovative and distinctive dishes. Here, I savored classic Cantonese dishes, local specialties, and IHG's signature 'Cai Feng Ten Flavors' menu. The artistic presentation delighted both my palate and my eyes.

The hotel also has an Executive Lounge. Its design uses a jade-like emerald green as the main color, with misty rain-like roller blinds adding a decorative touch. Furniture is arranged loosely and comfortably, and Kesi silk tapestry paintings and artistic ornaments on side tables radiate an exclusive and noble ambiance. Guests staying in executive rooms can enjoy executive privileges at the lounge, which offers beverages, tea breaks, and dining for executive-floor guests.

The swimming pool is on the third floor. The indoor pool has a children's play area with a comfortable temperature for kids. The adult pool is 25.5 meters long, and near the window, Chinese-style rattan beds provide a resting spot, creating a strong vacation vibe. The gym is also on the third floor, open 24 hours, accessible with your room card. It's equipped with American PRECOR fitness equipment to ensure a comfortable and relaxing workout. There's also a spacious, bright yoga room where fitness enthusiasts can enjoy the pleasure of exercise.

Holiday Inn Kunshan Huaqiao

During my stay, I also visited the adjoining Holiday Inn Kunshan Huaqiao. A passageway resembling an ancient Jiangnan bridge connects the two hotels, so guests can easily walk between them for meetings, dining, fitness, or swimming. The Holiday Inn Suites continues the brand's signature understated style, with a clean entrance and quality amenities that bring comfort. Its 100 rooms, spread across floors 5 to 15, are warm and bright, with a simple, fresh, and vibrant atmosphere that harmonizes with the natural greenery of Central Park outside the window and the city's vitality. All rooms have a multi-functional business and relaxation area with chic lighting. The mattress is from the well-known American brand King Koil, and the bathroom features a separate wet and dry area and a bathtub to keep you in a good mood. Floral-scented bath products create a home-like comfort and relaxation.

The all-day dining restaurant at Holiday Inn Suites is on the third floor, offering nearly round-the-clock service that provides convenient and tasty meals for business travelers or families, helping guests relax and recharge for a more enjoyable trip.

Listening to Kunqu Opera in Mudu Ancient Town

Kunshan is the birthplace of Kunqu Opera, the 'ancestor of all Chinese operas.' In a city with such rich cultural and artistic heritage, HUALUXE Kunshan Huaqiao, deeply versed in Chinese aesthetics and traditional culture, not only incorporates Kunqu elements into its design but also collaborates with Kunqu artists from Mudu Ancient Town to present authentic performances. This time, we visited Mudu Ancient Town, listened to Kunqu in an old teahouse, and sampled local specialties.

So, when do you plan to visit this hotel that beautifully blends Jiangnan water-town charm with Chinese elements?