Wonderful family run inn in the heart of Tongli. Parts of the inn are over a hundred years old, stay in history! The rooms are spacious and clean. The bathroom is modern. The location is unmatched. Right in the heart of Tongli Ancient Water Town, where the Three Bridges are. Close to all the main sites. Go to Pearl Tower during the day and Tuisi Garden at sunset/dusk when the lights turn own. You will see wonderful Suzhou style gardens in two ways on the same day. Staying overnight helps you avoid the day trippers at the front and back ends of the day. The whole place is so lovely without the crowds. You get to see how the locals live in Tongli, as it still has a real functioning town (as opposed to a sanitised tourist environment). They still wash clothes in the canal!

Access is a bit more challenging. Transport stops at the edge of the old town and you either have to drag your luggage several hundred metres to the inn or arrange for a scooter with flat deck to help you bring it to the inn (the inn can help arrange this).

The host are very nice, they are fast responsive and communicative. The environment is very nice and comfy. You can definitely feel some relaxing atmosphere living along the river in an antique town and experience some local culture.

the location is 10 minutes walk from the gate where you can park or taxin brings you to. If you have luggages, it's not that easy to carry all along the stone road. Another downside is the ticket you have to pay if you come between 8:00-17:00. However, beyond those time, entry is for free and parking is also for free. So consider both sides when you decide to live here.

I don’t think there is a better location for tourists to stay in Tongli. It is right in front of the waterway, though don’t expect a canal view. Immediately outside the inn is a path that runs along the canal. Turning left or right brings you to wonderfully authentic picturesque old town sights, full of shops, cafes, restaurants and ancient mansions. The inn is in an authentic old house with quaint windows and views of old tiled roofs, but with modern equipment (including a remote controlled toilet!). Best communicate with the inn on how to get to it especially with luggage. Cars and buses are not allowed in the town. It seems there are 2 points for your transport to drop you then you need to make your way to the inn on foot or 3-wheeled scooters. The first drop off point is a 5 minute walk from the inn. But it’s all cobbled stone paths with arching bridges so unless you have backpacks and/or can carry your bags all the way, don’t attempt this. The second drop off point is at the tourist centre just outside town along a major road. The inn will arrange a 3-wheeled scooter to collect you with your luggage.

Communication in English is difficult. I used Google translate to communicate with the hotel on WeChat, the Chinese WhatsApp, by pasting my Mandarin texts onto WeChat and using Google translate to read their replies. But I must say Ting Ting is a great staff. Despite her English language deficiency, she really tries to help and in some way manages to get things done for her guests.

Very cosy, has everything you need and the host was very helpful. Bathroom was very nice and location was amazing! I hope to return in the future.

If you have a big suitcase, it might be difficult to take it across the bumpy roads of Tongli to where the hotel is located (central). Plus there is no lift, so you’ll need to carry it up the stairs. Pack light!

The location is great. The hotel is at the most shady area along the river in TongLi, which makes it pleasant in hot summer. Directly outside the gate is the river with many trees. One can take a boat not far away. The garden is wonderful, small and elegant. There are many colourful fishes in the pond, and some beautiful tiny fishes in the water tank. The living room is big and nice: we often sit on the sofa while chatting with others, and we used the dinner table for one dinner with ordered delivery. Very very cozy living room. The password-locks at front gate and bedrooms are convenient to use. The front desk girl replied quickly to my questions, although she is not always familiar with the situation as she is new.

Everything else is great, but the cleanness was not good when we visited. What a pity. Apparently the cleaning lady was in vacation and the front desk girl had to take care of room cleaning but she is not experienced. There were clear marks on the floor when we checked in. And we had to remind her to refill toilet paper and clean the trash. The hotel management should be better to find a replacement for the cleaning staff when the regular one is away.

Location is excellent! It is central and located in the middle of Tongli. The furnishings are vintage. Although newly renovated, it preserves its traditional chinese design throughout the whole inn.

I do not dislike anything about the property. However, when I tried to locate the inn via a local Suzhou map app, it led me to the wrong place. We ended up dragging our luggage throughout Tongli for close to an hour. Thanks to the helpful locals, we managed to locate the inn eventually.

amazing. location was superb, you step right out onto views of the three bridges, restaurants everywhere nearby, very atmospheric. We loved it. Staff were very friendly and helpful and the place was spotless. The room we chose was a family room and they had books and some toys for kids too. very thoughtful.

I wouldn't change anything! the place was lovely

I made the right decision to stay overnight and experience the romance of Tongli when most tourists have left. The hotel is right in the centre of the scenic area , next to the Three Bridges. The girl at the office was really great, friendly and very chatty. Gave us all needed information of both hotel, where to eat (I am vegan). The hotel is more like a home, lovely setting, nice small pond with fish. Bedroom had 2 very comfy double beds and big shower too.

Very good location within the old city. Quiet hotel

Not easy to find the location if you don’t have any WiFi. It would be better that the hotel’s receptionist could speak a few words of English and it would be very helpful to get a map of main city’s attractions in English, not exclusively in Chinese.

Tongli watertown itself is very pretty which is why we decided to stay 1 night to enjoy its slowness from city life. Tongli 1917 Best South Inn is able to provide a good night stay being in the middle of the town. No problem walking around the quaint small town and finding good food.

Nil