Above average in all areas. Only 2 small things, but difficult to complain at all. Amazing service, above average for China. Food was not just above average - top level and not too expensive. All facilities were excellent, though the kyaking in the photos do not exist anymore. A small, but still a reason I booked was it showed kyacking for kids, which my son loves, therefore one (but not the only reason) for booking. Trip.com should update this image. I would suggest also redoing the lobby area, its way too small. Its one of the smallest lobby's in any 5 star hotel, and when its on the weekend and everyone booking in at the same time, its very noisy and crowded. The lobby and reception area should be 2-3 times the size. But these two negatives do not distract from the many positives which were above 5-stars. If these other two could be fixed it would be one of the top hotel stays in China.
GGreat Traveller💯The lady who checked us in on Day 1 was very good, but the staff did not wear any name tag so I can’t remember her name. We found that she is the only one who was prompt and alert to guests needs. She helped upgrade us to a room that is more handicap friendly, as my husband was on crutches. She also helped us order takeaway using her private mobile phone when the restaurant on site was closed for lunch as we had no china mobile phone number to order take away.
💯The location is great by the lake and near the Tianmu Lake scenic park.
💯Outdoor hot spring staff on duty are attentive and polite. She even instructed the buggy driver to the nearest point to pick us when she noticed that my husband had difficulty walking. However the buggy driver did not pick us from the recommended point as she gave the excuse that her buggy driving skills are not good enough. Therefore we had to walk a longer way to be picked up, which puzzled everyone as there was more than enough space and a road for buggy entry….
❌ Not enough staff, especially at dinner and breakfast. Food is slow to come at dinner even though we pre-ordered. Waited 30 mins and more. Staff are loud clearing the crockery, and had no sense of regard for those still dinning.
❌tour groups arrive in the evening by the bus load. The hotel did not feel premium with the crowd who were very loud.
❌the private hot spring in the room only had a fixed temperature of more than 40 degrees which made it very uncomfortable when the external temperature is more than 30 degrees. The solution was to mix it with cold water via tap, which was very slow and impractical. The hot water needs to be filled up by the staff, and you have to call them.
❌not suitable for those with difficulty walking or elderly. ideal to have your own car.
🤔Overall, I did not feel that I made a good choice with this booking. There are others private hot spring room near Yu Shui hot spring / Bamboo sea area for a better value and premium feel.
🫥I would also caution against the 100 yuan fish coupon - it is a discount coupon to offset about a third of the price of the dish, not a complimentary coupon for a fish head casserole.
I did not receive the welcome gift so I can’t comment. The public hot springs has 4 pools.
ผผู้เข้าพักThe service at the hotel was excellent, they were polite and very helpful. Any questions that you asked, they answered without hesitation. Overall the staff, were the best if I have to compare with other big and small hotels that I have been to. My friend and I booked the hotel together. The rooms were very very nice. We loved them. It was easy to travel around the resort, they have golf carts that can take you around the resort. So many activities to do there. You need to speak a little bit of Chinese though. But in case you don’t they will find someone to help you there.
The hotel package we took included the hot springs, spar and breakfast. It was worth it.
The springs are the best. There is also an infinity pool. The people there are very helpful, great service. It was easy to spot two foreigners but they treated us with so much kindness, especially the man and woman at the fish spring and the little cafe there names: 张浩川, 张刘纪 and 彭玉琴.
So Hentique hotels and resort is huge. The area and the activities you can do there are plenty. You can get on a helicopter(480rmb), boat(272rmb) it includes going to the islands and mountain hiking, horse riding and many more. You just have to come with a good budget. Breakfast is at the big hotel that has a great view of the lake.
Hentique pinecone has different restaurants around, the food is between 100 -300 per person. I suggest you bring snacks because there aren’t any shops close by. The big hotel has a shop where you can buy snacks for a price, and an all day restaurant. We ended up moving from hentique pinecone hotel to the big hotel but paid a little bit more and was worth every penny. The hotel really good, with a nice view, the manager on duty that day August 16th 2023 was the best manager, I forgot his name. His English was very very good. He answered all questions and helped us transfer from 松果 to the big hotel.
Having being in China for a long time, this was the best trip ever, with the best service. We will surely go back to this place.
Best service ever. Keep up the good work!!!
DdyhxThe hotel has its own onsen area that's open to non-hotel guests. So the entrance starts with the shoe cabinets before reaching the front desk that serves both onsen day-use guests and hotel guests.
The Japanese themed room was luxurious. Very clean and impeccably maintained, good sound proofing I could hear a pin drop in the room. Double basins, Dyson hair dryer, bidet toilet bowl, standing shower and a huge zen sofa couch area by the window, complete with tea and chess set. Pity there's not much of a view out there. There's also no phone here, just a speaker by the bedside table or one can use WeChat to communicate with the front desk and of course robot deliveries.
Bed and pillow was too soft for my liking. Service is excellent and they even provide turn down service. I left the room for onsen and came back to a room where the curtains are drawn, a plate of fruits on the table, floor towel laid out in the shower area with the bath towel, originally under the basin, now hung on the door of the shower.
The stay package came with an Afternoon Tea set of fruits, desserts and crackers. The cheesecakes were meh but the pineapple tart made up for it. Fruits were fresh and yums.
In-house guests were given unlimited access to the Onsen and I took my time to enjoy it fully. It's a full Jap style onsen, meaning going fully naked. A rather small onsen with just 3 pools but the outdoor one was the best, soaking in 43 degrees pool in the cold. There's a chill out area outside including a lounge, meditation room and a movie-cum-reading room (what an irony though). They also have private onsen rooms for rent at additional costs.
Leisurely breakfast the next morning at 930am. Yes, I had to choose a specific hour to be at breakfast as it's a Jap bento set with a partial buffet (of noodles and porridge). Not outstanding for me.
But otherwise, it was 5* experience and I recommend this to anyone planning to come to Taicang to experience the onsen.
DDrew JohnAbove average in all areas. Only 2 small things, but difficult to complain at all. Amazing service, above average for China. Food was not just above average - top level and not too expensive. All facilities were excellent, though the kyaking in the photos do not exist anymore. A small, but still a reason I booked was it showed kyacking for kids, which my son loves, therefore one (but not the only reason) for booking. Trip.com should update this image. I would suggest also redoing the lobby area, its way too small. Its one of the smallest lobby's in any 5 star hotel, and when its on the weekend and everyone booking in at the same time, its very noisy and crowded. The lobby and reception area should be 2-3 times the size. But these two negatives do not distract from the many positives which were above 5-stars. If these other two could be fixed it would be one of the top hotel stays in China.