This is the first time I've had an absolutely 10/10 experience with any hotel. This particular hotel also outranks every other Marriott I've ever stayed at. I genuinely could not think of a single negative point. I was only in Nanjing for 2 nights, in town for a meeting, and I'm so glad I chose to stay here.
Firstly, the room is exactly as advertised. Marriott hotels always have the fluffiest pillows, but this particular hotel had the most HEAVENLY pillows. The bed was so comfy that I ended up postponing my day plans just so I could sleep in! I didn't realise how desperately I needed that rest and recuperation, and am glad I chose to stay here and get what I needed. Also, this hotel does not skimp on the water - most hotels will only give you 2 tiny bottles a day, which if it's blazing hot outside, can be frustrating, especially if you want to boil water for tea/coffee in the morning. This hotel provides 4-5 complimentary bottles of water per day. In many ways, I felt like they anticipated what I'd need and would provide it before I even had the chance to ask. There is also an ironing board stowed in the room, which for me was a lifesaver as I had an important meeting.
As other reviewers have mentioned, the location is indeed fantastic. I was so relieved to find that after a long train journey, I only needed to hop on the subway for 1 stop - I didn't even need to exit the building, as the hotel is located inside the mall connected to the subway station.
The breakfast spread is not too bad either, with the highlight for me being the espresso machines. When I tell you this machine delivers the most divine coffee in 10 seconds, I am not kidding. It was one of my favourite things and a great way to kickstart a busy day.
At check-in, the reception staff ensured they gave me all the info I needed. I noticed this is often skipped at other hotels as staff are shy or reluctant to speak in English, which results in foreign guests missing out on relevant info or complimentary perks - but the Marriott team refused to let language be an obstacle. I was glad to learn free snacks and coffee were available in the executive lounge each evening. While I was there, the executive lounge manager - I think her name is Sheila, apologies if I've gotten this wrong - took the time to introduce herself and ask if I needed anything. She was so polite and genuinely seemed to want to improve the experience for guests. To me, these small touches are what set a service-oriented luxury hotel apart from others.
On my first night, I'd arrived pretty exhausted after having sat on a delayed train for hours, and I wanted to order takeaway as I didn't have the energy to go out. They have Meituan lockers positioned right at the hotel entrance, which you can unlock with your phone and collect your deliveries. Being a foreigner who doesn't understand Chinese very well, I wasn't sure how to navigate this, but the reception staff went out of their way to help me, ensuring they stayed with me until I'd collected my parcel - it was not at all necessary for them to help me so much, but they did, and I'm very grateful for that :)
I spent the entire month traveling in China and so, looking back, am able to compare all of the hotels and experiences from this trip. This particular hotel ranks 10/10 for me not only because of the location, but also because of the kindness and professionalism of staff. Things can sometimes be confusing or overwhelming for foreigners, and this was the only hotel where staff didn't hesitate to rush in and offer to help, no matter how small the issue. Even the gentleman at the coffee bar in the lobby was so kind and polite - and might I add, everyone at this hotel speaks English, so they really do cater to an international crowd. Housekeeping staff too were very sweet, always greeting you and asking if you needed extra bottles of water.
Thank you for a relaxing, delightful stay! I hope to come again and stay longer next time.
