Kimpton Bamboo Grove Suzhou

For Kimpton’s first hotel in mainland China, the brand has chosen an unusual location: not Shanghai proper, but Suzhou, an hour and change to the west. And rather than import the chain’s Californian look and approach wholesale, the Kimpton Suzhou Bamboo Grove meticulously tailors its experience to its setting. The result is a dynamic fusion of local architecture and planning, embodied here as a series of low buildings surrounded by gardens and canals, with ultra-swanky modern hospitality design.

The 178 rooms and suites are perhaps more luxurious than the Kimpton norm, without sacrificing any of the tastefulness or playfulness that characterize the brand’s visual identity. And Kimpton’s legendarily friendly service is a good match for the extravagant welcome expected of Chinese hospitality, while the brand’s signature pet-friendliness means this warmth is extended beyond the human realm.


There’s a well-equipped gym and wellness program, complete with Pilates equipment and a heated indoor swimming pool. And the restaurants and bars are among the hotel’s most impressive elements; The Grove interprets traditional Suzhou and Huaiyang flavors through a modern lens, Kappo is classic omakase in a thoroughly stylish space, and Bar 168, surrounded on three sides by water, is an unforgettable venue for a drink.