Tonino Lamborghini

Upon first entry, the sleek, shiny and spacious Tonino Lamborghini appears to be the antithesis of the quaint, postcard charm that attracts so many tourists to the cobbled streets of old Suzhou, known to many as the ‘Venice of the East’. But while brand name might conjure notions of Italian style, the hotel is actually built to mimic a traditional Suzhou garden house, surrounding a central pagoda and classical Chinese gardens replete with bridges, moon gates and streams. The rooms themselves are filled with Ming Dynasty-inspired furniture, and just tempered with Italian details such as in fabrics, furnishings and finishes. While the setting lacks the charm of the old town, Jinji Lake is pleasant enough – and all in all, Tonino Lamborghini is likely to be the fanciest place you could find in Suzhou.