Kempinski Hotel Suzhou, China, opened on 18th May with a 250-guest celebration. Guests including top Suzhou government officials, were greeted by Reto Wittwer, President and CEO of Kempinski, and René Schmitt, President China for Kempinski. The opening ceremony was followed by a luncheon.

Owners of the hotel are Jinji Lake Grand Hotel Group Management Co., Ltd., who spent RMB1.2 billion (approx $US 172 million) on the new build. Kempinski will manage the complex under GM, Archim Brüchner, a native of Germany. He was previously General Manager of Sheraton Chengdu Lido Hotel. Prior to that he managed Le Meridien Hotels in the Middle East, Seychelles and Thailand for 7 years. Sited at 168 Guobin Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 215021, P.R. China, it is on the east side of Old Town, Suzhou, once called the ‘Venice of China’, because of its pretty canals.

Located in an estate that includes a 27-hole Jinji Lake International Golf Course and a state guesthouse of five villas, the hotel enjoys the stunning scenery of Dushu and Jinji Lake. Hirsch Bedner Associates designed the interior of the hotel, which is 270 km from Pudong International Airport, Shanghai, and 120 km from Hongqiao Airport.

Kempinski Hotel Suzhou
168 Guobin Road, Suzhou Industrial Park, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, 215021, P.R. China
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There are 381 luxurious rooms and 77 large suites over 21 floors. Most overlook either the lakes or the golf course. The usual business amenities are featured and the meetings and banqueting facilities include the largest grand ballroom in Suzhou, with space for up to 1,600 guests.

A number of eateries are on offer: a large Chinese restaurant, an all-day restaurant with international cuisine; a Japanese specialty restaurant, and a Paulaner Bräuhaus on two levels, serving traditional German meals and beers with live entertainment. The latter will open in October, as will the Panorama Cigar & Wine Bar, which is great for unwinding, with amazing views over Jinji Lake.

There is a 50 m indoor swimming pool, an exercise and aerobics room, and state-of-the-art gym in the Health & Recreation Centre, plus indoor tennis and squash courts. Features to open later in the year are spa facilities such as sauna and steam rooms, jacuzzi, and therapeutic spa treatments.

Barry HND(Distinction), BA, BEd, MA, PhD Napier