Jinling Mandarin Garden Hotel Nanjing

The room was good, but communication at reception was really difficult because the staff didn't speak English. I called to ask for toilet paper, and a few minutes later someone knocked and brought me printing paper instead :-) Breakfast was just OK, nothing special.

The interior feels old, though the location is good.

The Qinhuai River view from my room was lovely at night, with the lights on among the old buildings. I stayed in a standard double. It was spacious and warmly decorated, the bed felt soft and clean, and the bathroom was tidy with steady hot water and moderate pressure. It had the essentials. Breakfast had both Chinese and Western choices. I tried local dishes like salted duck, xiaolongbao, congee, and pickles, alongside bread, salad, fruit, and coffee. Staff kept the food replenished and the dining area clean. There are also meeting rooms, a gym, and a tea ceremony space. Guests can watch calligraphy demonstrations or take photos in traditional clothing. The hotel is in Nanjing's old city, right by the Confucius Temple and Qinhuai River scenic area. The food street is just a few minutes away on foot, and it's easy to walk the old lanes by day or see the river lights at night. The staff were friendly and efficient at check-in, and gave me tips on nearby sights and transport. I liked the mix of modern comfort and traditional Chinese details in the lobby, including mahogany screens, calligraphy and paintings about the “Zhuangyuan” top scholars, and antique touches. The whole place has a strong historical feel. My stay at Jinling Zhuangyuanlou Hotel was more comfortable than I expected, and the location and cultural atmosphere made my Nanjing trip memorable. For a first visit, it was a convenient base for experiencing the old capital.

The location is a real plus. A main shopping street is nearby, and the pedestrian entertainment area behind the hotel has plenty of restaurants and shops and runs down to the river. Despite a few drawbacks, I'd recommend it for Nanjing. The hotel feels more like a 4 to 4.5 star place than the big-chain five-star hotels I've stayed in in other Chinese cities. The lobby has traditional Chinese decor, and the quiet rooms have the usual comforts but don't feel luxurious. Service was good, including fresh fruit brought to the room. The Wi-Fi was weak, and I lost access to Western internet. Breakfast was a letdown by comparison, though the mostly Chinese dishes looked quite good.