Changshu Jinshiyuan Business Hotel

For a quiet weekend, Changshu is a pleasant place to visit, and this Hyatt is a solid stay that meets brand standards. The Kuncheng Lake area is still developing, so nearby amenities are somewhat sparse. County-level economies across Jiangsu are fairly balanced, though international chain hotels in Changshu continue to face operational challenges. I was visiting Changshu for the first time. It’s a county-level city administered by Suzhou, and this small town, once known as Qinchuan, has several decent hotels. I made Hyatt Regency Changshu Kuncheng Lake, opened at the end of 2023 and owned by Bosideng, my base. It stands on the city’s south side beside Kuncheng Lake. At 188 meters, it’s Changshu’s second tallest building, and there’s ample free parking for people driving. The 37th-floor executive lounge looks out toward Kuncheng Lake, a quiet spot to watch the sunset. Its evening happy hour has a live noodle station and is quite generous. Breakfast is served at the Café all-day dining restaurant, where there are some Changshu specialties, though the spread is fairly standard overall. On the 35th floor, the wellness center has a gym and sky pool, both with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows and wide views. There are 289 guest rooms, and standard rooms start at 40 square meters. All have floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. Globalist members have a good chance of a suite upgrade. I stayed in a Deluxe Lake View Suite of about 70-75 square meters. It keeps Hyatt’s minimalist style and adds guqin details. The triangular layout places the living room, bedroom, and bathroom at its three corners. The living room sofa is comfortable, and the TV supports screen mirroring. A feather-textured wall behind the bed reflects Bosideng’s industry, and the bedside lamps have a distinctive design. There’s only one vanity in the bathroom, a small drawback, but the lake view through the window makes up for it. For a small city Hyatt, the hotel has a full set of facilities: a high-altitude lobby, lake views, an executive lounge, four restaurants, and comprehensive wellness facilities. The building was designed by BLVD and Jinmao Decoration, drawing on Qinchuan culture and the aesthetics of the guqin, a traditional Chinese zither, and the Yushan School of guqin. The white spiral staircase in the 37th-floor sky lobby is a signature feature.

I’ve stayed at both the Hilton and Nikko in Changshu on earlier business trips, and chose the Hyatt this time. I won’t be going back. The room was far too hot for sleeping, at 24 deg C, even after I changed the thermostat setting. When I raised the issue, they brought me a fan. My Chinese colleague called the hotel and was told that one heat source sets the temperature for every room, so they’re all kept the same. I find it hard to believe guests can’t set their preferred temperature. I need 20 deg C. What’s the point of an adjustable thermostat if it doesn’t change anything? The windows don’t open either, so there’s no way to cool the room. It feels almost arrogant to assume they know what temperature is best for everyone. I’ll stay at the Nikko next time.

Breakfast at the “Market place” is generous, with a huge range of American, European, and Chinese dishes. Once it ends, an equally inviting lunch buffet takes over. Xiang Yue, the Chinese restaurant, serves modern Jiangzhe cuisine, with inventive dishes alongside classics and seasonal ingredients. Its wide choice of fresh fish and other seafood should please even discerning diners. At Yinxiu 26 diner, Asian specialties are prepared fresh on tepanyaki hot plates, and the basic ingredients are outstanding. The friendly, extremely helpful staff and the hotel’s excellent city location make this a very pleasant new luxury option in Changshu. The newly opened five-star Hyatt Regency sits on the east bank of Kucheng Lake and feels like a fitting addition to this enterprising, lively city. Rooms are spacious and well furnished, with large, thoughtfully designed marble bathrooms. Rooms on floors 17 to 30 have panoramic city views.

It’s a new, modern place, pretty much what you’d expect of a five-star hotel.