Suzhou Marriott top pick for business and leisure

Elegant guest rooms, comprehensive meeting facilities, business-friendly amenities and outstanding services make the Suzhou Marriott Hotel a perfect escape from bustling urban life.

The downtown Suzhou hotel enjoys distinct advantages in terms of its location, according to its General Manager Joseph Beck. The hotel stands at the intersection of the New and Hi-tech Development Zone, adjacent to Suzhou Government and Administrative Service Center and has easy access to highways, the Suzhou International Expo Center and China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park.

The hotel has 302 guest rooms and suites, which are on the 29th to 48th floor, and feature plush bedding, high-speed Internet and full-size desks with ergonomic chairs.

"Every room in our hotel has a fantastic view," Beck said. "We attract both business guests as well as leisure guests, because we have many tourist sites within five kilometers, including Hanshan Temple, Tiger Hill and Shantang Street."

"We also have a very beautiful garden at the back of the hotel, where we can have cocktail parties and do wedding receptions. During all seasons it is nice to use the garden," he said.

Beck said that the longer he stays in Suzhou, the more he falls in love with the city.

"Very strong tradition is kept in the old town and modern life exists in the Suzhou-Singapore Industrial Park," said Beck. "But not too many people have realized how beautiful the city is."

Many guests enjoy meals at the hotel's Asia Bistro and Alto Vino Italian Restaurant, indulge in a glass of wine at its Pulp Bar, or experience traditional Cantonese cuisine and seafood at its Man Ho Chinese Restaurant.

The Asia Bistro offers Asian and Western style dishes while the Alto Vino Italian Restaurant provides romantic Italian meals. The Lounge serves afternoon tea, a wide range of wines, cocktails and other beverages and is an appropriate venue for social business meetings.

The Italian cuisine at Alto Vino is served with an extensive selection of wine. The restaurant boasts an open pizza oven and an individual wine cellar.

Man Ho offers authentic Cantonese cuisine and Suzhou specialties. The restaurant seats 136 people and five private rooms are also available.

A wide selection of wines, cocktails and other beverages are on offer at the Pulp Bar. A health club on the hotel's third floor features an indoor pool with heated whirlpool, sauna and steam rooms. There is also a fully equipped fitness center with various facilities including treadmills with individual televisions, stepping machines, cross trainers, bikes and free weights.

The hotel's 1,580-square-meter meeting space includes one ballroom and 12 meeting rooms. It offers comprehensive conference facilities complemented by expert catering and audio-visual resources and can house private parties, company events or weddings.

Contact the writers at hangxuefei @chinadaily.com.cn and cangwei@chinadaily.com.cn