My Suzhou: Gerhard Bosse, General Manager, Kempinski Hotel Suzhou

Born in Germany, Gerhard Bosse started his 20-year career in hospitality in Germany with Kempinski Hotel Airport, München. He then held management positions with different Kempinski hotels in properties around Europe and the Middle East. Prior to his move to China in 2013, he served as Hotel Manager of Hotel Indonesia, Kempinski Jakarta. After two years in Suzhou, he is ready to tell Talk why Suzhou is indeed “paradise on earth”.

Talk: What is your favourite spot in Suzhou?
Gerhard Bosse: I like the Paulaner Beer Garden at the Kempinski Hotel Suzhou best, and I also like to walk along our jetty with the view over Dushu Lake.

Talk: Suzhou is divided into three sections, the Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), the old city and the Suzhou Development Zone (SND). What do you think is the character of each?
GB: I enjoy the contrast between the old part, where Suzhou really looks like it was 100 years ago and then the modern part, where I compare Suzhou to Singapore, Dubai or any other modern capital. The best part is that I can reach both areas by bicycle and I can get to Shanghai in 30 minutes by train!

Talk: What’s your favourite sightseeing spot in the old city?
GB: I like to stroll the Pinjang Road, sit somewhere and watch the people.

Talk: Is there is a local type of food that you’ve discovered you like?
GB: I like all Chinese food, but my top favourite is Suzhou savoury mooncakes filled with meat, but I also like the Suzhou noodles very much. Suzhou’s Hairy Crabs taste nice, but I find them pretty complicated to eat.

Talk: What differentiates Kempinski Hotel Suzhou from the other hotels in and around the garden city of Suzhou?
GB: Kempinski Hotel Suzhou is one of the leading MICE hotels in East China, with meeting capacity for up to 3000 guests. For potential MICE guests, the hotel has outstanding banquet facilities, including a pillarless 1850 square metre Grand Ballroom with a 15 metre high ceiling, plus a pillarless 630 square meter State Ballroom with an eight metre high ceiling. In addition, the hotel offers ten meeting rooms ranging in capacity from 20 to 200 guests. All public areas also have complimentary Wi-Fi connectivity. The three restaurants (international, Chinese and German) offer a combined seating space for up to 1000 guests per meal period. This is excluding the outdoor park where we can arrange, subject to weather conditions, anything from a 1000 person lunch buffet to romantic candlelight dinner by the lake for only two guests. For weekend leisure guests, the hotel has a marvellous lakeside garden that encourages them to step out and appreciate the green scenery and enjoy the refreshing lake breeze during their stay. Apart from this, our 50-meter, Olympicsized, indoor heated swimming pool and our family entertainment and education programme are highlights as well. The hotel also offers a 27 hole golf course right next door, which is managed by IMG.

Finally, Kempinski Hotel Suzhou will launch a professional Sailing Club in March. We will offer cruises along Dushu Lake and Jinji Lake for up to 30 guests for pure pleasure, and we will offer professional sailing lessons for children and adults to learn the secrets of this fantastic sport.

Talk: What are the main differences between your old life in Jakarta and your new life in Suzhou?
GB: Compared to my hotel next to Dushu Lake, Jakarta was very noisy. When I wake up at the Kempinski Hotel Suzhou, I sometimes check whether everything is ok, because it is so silent.

Talk: What’s the international community like in Suzhou?
GB: It’s growing and many international companies have at least one or two expats on their payroll. I believe that the saying, “Suzhou is China light” for newcomers is absolutely right, since it is a very convenient and modern environment.