Searching for Jiangnan in the Mist

Where Shandong People Go for a Staycation During National Day
Room Type: Courtyard Suite

I originally wanted to list several hotels in Shandong suitable for staycations, but then I thought that Shandong’s luxury hotel desert isn’t worth a collection. There are only four truly entry-level luxury hotels: The St. Regis Qingdao, Diaoyutai Qingdao, Qufu Luneng JW Marriott, and Jinan Kempinski.
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Before check-in, there was a pre-arrival email greeting to understand my needs. The hotel is inside the ancient city wall, just one street away from the Confucius Temple, covering half the area of the Confucius Temple, but with only 188 rooms and 9 suites. Such a low space utilization rate actually guarantees a great guest experience, with small courtyards on the first floor and terraces on the second floor.
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This stay was in a courtyard suite, a “hidden room type.” It has the look and feel of an ancient grand mansion, a single-story house of over 100 square meters. Unlike other courtyard suites, it features the murals and living room design of the luxury courtyard suite but lacks a separate dining area and courtyard gate. This is the only one of its kind in the hotel.
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The room has a refined texture, furnished with antique display shelves and mostly antique-style furniture, exuding an old-world charm. The bedroom lighting is soft, the overall atmosphere is dim and simple, creating a calming vibe. It has a guest bathroom, double basins, and double toilets, all reflecting the strength of the Luneng owners. The mini bar is fully complimentary, and two baskets of welcome fruit were provided, with large, sweet ginseng fruits. Outside is a nearly 50-square-meter courtyard; sitting on the lounge chair with a pot of tea makes for a perfect afternoon.
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The hotel lobby uses a modern approach to interpret Confucian culture. The design is inspired by the apricot altar lectures and the story of Confucius’ son passing through the courtyard. The metal-cut ginkgo tree trunk is filled with characters from the Analects, and the statue under the tree is Confucius. Watching the koi swim back and forth, staying here for a while improves your whole aura.
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The resort Marriott hotel does not have an executive lounge, so guests can choose one of three welcome amenities. Since you’re in Qufu, Confucius Mansion cuisine is a must. Instead of dining at the hotel’s Couyuan, I went to Xinfuzhai. When I returned at night, the turndown service was ready, and they also gave a JW Garden handmade mugwort sachet.
Breakfast was indeed excellent, covering Jining’s specialty snacks: san tang (gruel soup), beng rou gan fan (braised pork with dry rice), and hu porridge. The bakery’s Western-style pastries looked appealing, and there was a rich variety of hot dishes and cold plates. It’s surprising that in a small county like Qufu, Marriott can still maintain such a high standard of food and beverage.
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As the cheapest JW Marriott hotel in the country, the Qufu property is well above passing standards. It’s just a few minutes’ walk to the Confucius Mansion and Temple, truly living inside the scenic area; it has a kids club, suitable for many child-friendly activities; the service is attentive, with thoughtful greetings before and after check-in. The only dissatisfaction was with cleanliness, which was promptly rectified with a sincere apology.
Without the two- or three-thousand-yuan room rates of The St. Regis Qingdao, without coldness or arrogance, you feel the warm and simple hospitality of the people of southwestern Shandong. The sea looks the same everywhere, but only the Qufu JW Marriott offers a deep experience of local Confucian culture.

Post by Emma~Smith-Olivia | Oct 7, 2025