Taihu Baopu LingXia Inn

The natural setting was a real draw for a relaxing stay. Right by Taihu Lake and close to an ecological area, the mornings came with birdsong and insects, while the surroundings felt fairly peaceful. There is still construction or expansion going on nearby, though the location also works well for golfing. Getting there is convenient from Shanghai, and the hotel sits near the Shanghai-Nanjing and Suzhou-Jiaxing-Hangzhou expressways, in the Suzhou Taihu Lake Tourist Resort and the heart of Wu culture. The lobby is on the small side, but the front desk team seemed very professional. The facilities are modern and service was excellent. Breakfast is served on the second floor, with Suzhou and Zhejiang dishes that were tasty and a pleasant surprise. I especially liked the tofu pudding, Suzhou-style pancakes, and fried dough sticks. I usually lean toward Western food, so I was glad to find salads, bread, and coffee too. There was a good range of Chinese and American choices.

The restaurant food was excellent, and the course itself was in good shape with a moderate level of difficulty.