Tongli Zhengfu Caotang Hotel

I traveled around China for a month and Old Town Tongli and Zhengfu Caotang Hotel was the highlight of my trip. It was an extraordinary and unique experience. However, I would not call it a hotel. It is more like being a guest in a home. It is a beautiful historic building with a Suzhou style inner garden courtyard with a pond stocked with gold fish. As most of the buildings in Tongli, it was at one time a home and has been converted to a lodging for tourists. The architecture is Ming Quing style which has been restored; and then upgraded with modern bathrooms. The bathroom facilities are not completely closed off rooms and are rather open. One suite has a glass wall in the shower viewing a private garden. Lovely. The furniture is a mix of traditional and modern. Very pleasing and comfortable. Some of the rooms have beautiful red lacquered furniture. The bed was comfortable with luxury linens. Details in decoration are carefully chosen with exquisitely elegant taste. Some pointing back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. There is a tearoom for guests to relax with a cup of tea. And there are several other common areas for reading, visiting, or simply relaxing. There are several shrines spread through out the common areas that have candles and incense burning at night. This provides a delightful ambience for the evening. It is not located in the center of Tongli where most of the tourist congregate, but at the south eastern end which is mostly quiet. My room was upstairs away from the street side and was completely quiet. The staff is friendly and helpful. Especially the manager, Andy, who speaks excellent English. He was a delight to talk to and gave me good information. I also enjoyed the fresh fruit left in my room regularly and each time on a different beautiful Chinese porcelain plate. I highly recommend Zhengfu Caotang Hotel! Penny H.