voco Nanjing Oriental Pearl

Rooms and decor

This is the first voco property in Jiangsu province, and it slots into IHG's lineup as a premium upscale brand — pitched between Holiday Inn and Crowne Plaza. The look mixes homey comfort with a 4-star-plus polish: a tall, open lobby in light brown and copper tones, staff in smart-casual dress, and a service style that's friendly rather than formal. The upgraded Junior Suite runs about 48 sq m with clearly split sitting and sleeping zones — a dark-brown two-seat sofa, solid wood storage and warm 2700K lighting with an adjustable bedside lamp. The marble bathroom separates a rain shower from a long tub, stocks Antipodes bath products from New Zealand, and adds a kettle with Chinese teacups. Wi-Fi runs around 150 Mbps and the 55-inch TV takes Chromecast. Guests rate the rooms around 9.5.

Food and amenities

Breakfast at Pearl Cafe is the highlight — a wide spread with a Live Cooking counter turning out clear noodle soup and steamed fried eggs to order. The hotel keeps a fitness centre on site. If you're in IHG One Rewards, you earn points here as normal; Platinum members get room upgrades and free breakfast, and one member review mentions landing a free Junior Suite. It's a comfortable, well-run mid-scale package rather than a full spa-and-pool resort, which suits the calmer setting.

Location and getting there

The hotel sits in a cream-toned building on Zhujiang Road, an 8-minute walk from Xuanwu Lake Park — an ancient lake at the city's centre with 5 small islands linked by bridges. It's a 12-minute walk to Xuanwu Gate on the Ming City Wall, where you can climb up at sunrise (ticket about $4) for pine trees and water views. Daxinggong station on metro Lines 2 and 3 is a 5-minute walk: Xinjiekou is one stop and Fuzimiao is three stops. Sun Yat-sen's Presidential Palace is a 15-minute walk (ticket about $5).

Things to know before booking

This isn't the place for mall-at-your-door convenience — you're one metro stop from Xinjiekou, so the main shopping and CBD energy is a short ride rather than a step outside. Amenities are simpler than a true 5-star, so set expectations toward a well-kept mid-scale property rather than a spa resort. And rooms fill fast in high season, so lock in your dates early if they're fixed. One naming note: the original article listed this as the Eastern Pearl Hotel — same property, since rebranded by IHG.

Our take

This one fits couples who like a resort-in-the-city feel, families who want the kids running around Xuanwu Lake Park in the morning, and IHG One Rewards point-chasers. What stands out is the warm, un-stiff service, the varied breakfast, and the lake views from the higher floors. Land a rate around $50 and it's strong value for a 4-star-plus stay just outside the crowds.