Boutique Hotels in Yunnan, China

Banyan Tree Lijiang is absolutely beautiful! Even though it rained both days of our stay, the traditional Chinese courtyard felt perfectly in tune with the weather, offering a unique charm. Before booking, I was a little worried after seeing the hotel's pictures – I'm not sure how they took those promotional shots, because in person, the scenery far exceeded my expectations. All my photos were taken with a phone, so they're quite authentic. The service was also excellent; when my child wanted to sleep alone, they even set up an extra bed for them. The hotel offers plenty of activities to keep kids entertained, and there are small animals and many fruit trees on the property. The osmanthus flowers were already blooming during our visit, filling the air with their fragrant scent. On our last day, they even arranged a travel photoshoot for us. All in all, it was definitely worth it!

I stayed at this hotel for 5 nights. I was quite hesitant before choosing it, especially after reading about the negative elevator incident, which made me really worry about safety. So, every time I took the elevator during my stay, I was on edge. The main reason I decided to stay was for the hot springs and swimming pool, as it's been raining a lot in Kunming recently, and I figured we'd just enjoy the hotel. Honestly, I wasn't particularly impressed with the service, and the facilities are quite old, very old. If it weren't for the constant rain and traveling with a child, I probably wouldn't have chosen this hotel. Especially after visiting Fuxian Lake, the comparison really highlighted its shortcomings.

1. **Check-in Area:** The check-in counter, or front desk, was quite shabby. The computer keyboard was practically caked in grime, and don't even get me started on the sofa next to it – it looked very unhygienic. 2. **Dining:** The breakfast area was a bit cramped, with just four small tables by the street. If you're a party of more than two, you'd have to sit separately, or you might even have to stand and wait for a table. The coffee, however, was good. I only had breakfast once: a cold quinoa salad (see Photo 6) served with bread that had an overpowering artificial creamer flavor. I had been looking forward to the rice noodles for the next day, but serving didn't start until 8:30 AM, which was far too late for my rumbling stomach. Early risers and those who prefer hot meals should seriously consider other options or make alternative arrangements. 3. **Room (2nd floor) - Noise Issues:** Don't even think about getting any sleep at night. After 11 PM, there was still noise along the street, along with the clanging of the garbage truck. (Seriously, I'd strongly advise against staying in the Old Town.) The next day, it started pouring before dawn, and the sound of the heavy rain kept me awake as well. 4. **Room - Facility Issues:** The room I stayed in was supposedly the quietest in the entire hotel. It featured a large bathtub and a bathroom where the toilet and shower area lacked wet/dry separation. Unable to deal with the wet floor, I decided to shower in the bathtub. That's when I discovered Problem #1: the glass partition was completely transparent, with no curtain or frosted glass. The staff member claimed this was 'design.' Then came Fatal Problem #2: the bathtub had no running water, haha! 😄 5. **Room - Odor Issues:** Upon entering, there was a strong musty smell. The staff claimed it was due to 'raw wood,' but it's been 8 years and it still smells like that? Quite amusing. 6. **Staff (Pre-Check-in):** Before I even checked in, they asked me to cancel my booking on the platform and pay them privately for a discounted rate. I have this in writing. This is definitely a huge red flag, and I'm surprised they even dared to suggest it. 7. **Staff (General):** The individuals themselves were nice enough, but I was surprised to find that all the 'Jixiashan' staff were quite young, without uniforms, and seemingly without direct supervision, which gave a very disorganized and casual impression. 8. **Housekeeping:** I was quite satisfied with the housekeeping. Seeing the clean duvet and towels gave me peace of mind (P.S. the pillows were also comfortable). The hotel's facilities are very old; no matter how clean the bathroom tiles were, they still looked run-down, compounded by the dim lighting. Therefore, I feel the housekeeping staff here really have a tough job. 9. **Building Structure:** One morning, during a heavy downpour, when I opened my 2nd-floor room door, the entrance was essentially flooded up to my heels. It was quite a feat that the water didn't spread into the room. At night, there were no lights, so I had to grope my way back to the room along the dark corridor. It would be quite difficult for someone who doesn't remember their way (see Photos 1-2). 10. **Hotel Amenities:** One night, I heard the guest next door return, unable to open their door with the key, and had to call a staff member for help. They chatted for a bit outside the door before the staff member finally told the guest a 'trick': 'The key needs to be inserted a certain way, and the lock has a particular mechanism...' That's quite a struggle – needing a special technique just to get back to your room! 11. **Minor Details:** The room key had a very large, bulky leather tag attached to it. Absolutely no consideration for travelers on long journeys with limited luggage space. Who would want to carry such a bulky thing around? I originally had high hopes for the 'Jixiashan' brand. When I was in Shangri-La, I heard their Meili store had a collaboration with Kolon, which made me think they had good taste. This Dali Ancient City location is their first store, but it turned out to be such a low standard. Given the daily rate, I guess I understand why. This particular store cannot be found on 'Jixiashan's' mini-program; it's categorized under 'Wang Shenme Chuan Qu Le'.

I stayed in a deluxe two-bedroom villa with my parents. The whole hotel is like a huge garden, and staying there was a real pleasure. The rooms and courtyard were incredibly spacious, and the decor had a distinctive local feel. The bathtub was large, and the room was kept immaculately clean. Breakfast offered a wide variety of choices, and the restaurant overlooked the hotel garden, making for a very pleasant dining experience. All the staff were incredibly welcoming, and the electric shuttle service was prompt. The package also included a complimentary hotel photoshoot, a local chicken hotpot, and station pick-up service. They even thoughtfully decorated the room for a birthday celebration and provided a cake, all free of charge. While some facilities are showing their age due to the hotel's long history, it's clear they make a great effort to maintain everything, and it barely affected our stay. These minor issues are easily overshadowed by the positives; this hotel was definitely the highlight of my trip to Yunnan.

This was my first time in Lijiang, and I chose the Indigo, which I really liked. I heard that this used to be an inn on the Tea Horse Road, so a lot of the design elements incorporate horses. The hotel environment is excellent, and it's super convenient for getting around and exploring the old town! During my three-day stay, I saw squirrels running on the outdoor beams twice. The room was also very spacious, and at this time of year, the entire courtyard was filled with the scent of osmanthus. Our butler, Lison, provided great service and recommended two restaurants that were definitely worth checking out.

This has been the most satisfying B&B I've ever stayed in. The facilities are excellent, the service is attentive, and responses are quick. They offer free high-speed rail pickup, luggage transfer, welcome afternoon tea, and bedtime milk. When we found a drain odor in our room, the staff checked it out and upgraded us immediately, resolving the issue promptly. The toiletries are also high-end, and you can even take home the slippers, bath towels, and regular towels. Aside from the slight noise issue and a limited breakfast selection, everything else was perfect. I would definitely choose Po Xin Yun She again next time.

I stayed here two years ago, and I'm back in Dali again. After looking at various hotels and guesthouses, I still chose Lishire. Their service absolutely surpasses that of a five-star hotel. First, they arranged a pickup. When we arrived, we hadn't had lunch, so the driver immediately had a colleague prepare rice noodles for us. Knowing we were two adults and two children, and since there was availability, they upgraded us to a two-bedroom suite. Facing Cangshan and Erhai Lake, the scenery is absolutely stunning. After two years, all the hardware facilities in the room are still impeccably maintained. There's a washing machine, a steam iron, and a Toto smart toilet seat. The toiletries and laundry detergents are all Japanese brands we use at home, making it feel just like being back home. Breakfast runs until 12 PM, and in the evenings, they even ask when we'll be back to send up tremella soup or crab roe soup. Every staff member greets you with a smile, and their teamwork is incredibly coordinated. You can tell that the team goes above and beyond to meet almost every reasonable request, something many chain five-star hotels can't achieve. You can truly feel that the team and the owner are genuinely and professionally running this hotel/guesthouse.

Yet another amazing experience with Moonlight. If you are a culture lover like I am, this hotel is the perfect choice. This place is a total vibe and I'm more than happy to explain why. The air in the lobby is filled with the fragrance of freshly brewed Pu Er, with a tea station offering free tea tasting to guests. The hotel serves scrumptious local cuisine for breakfast such as the bridge noodles, sour soup noodles, and congee. They make it fresh when you are seated at the dining area. The best part is that the breakfast is available until 1pm. So thoughtful for those who wants to sleep in. They also offer Western and Kid options. As you walk out of the lobby, there is so much to take in. The first thing you'll see is an ancient building that takes you back in time. A group of elderly playing Chinese Chess by the tree. People walking their very well mannered fluffy dogs. All while breathing in the fresh summer air. The location of this hotel is amazing. It's walking distance to Shun Cheng shopping mall, cafes that serve very decent Americano are just across the road, and there's a highly rated restaurant on the same street. In the afternoon, the hotel hosts an art and craft activity. Ours was decorating a Chinese fan, absolutely therapeutic. Experiences aside, the stay itself has been so comfortable. Spacious room, big beds, blackout curtains, you can imagine how well we slept. 10 out of 10!

One day in Haidong, as if living in a picture frame I stayed in Kunming for two days on the weekend to escape from work Originally, I planned to stay in Haixi for two nights. By coincidence, I had dinner with an old friend at this hotel. I was shocked by the sunset in the restaurant. The key is that such a beautiful restaurant tastes good, so I decisively checked out of the room in Haixi and decided to stay immediately I booked a family room. The room is very large and the bed is super comfortable. The room is in a single-family villa with a large and beautiful terrace garden for taking pictures and watching the sea. There is also a function area downstairs where you can cook and play mahjong. It is very suitable for families or sisters to travel together The afternoon tea served in the sea view restaurant is also very exquisite. Sitting in the restaurant, you can overlook the 19 peaks and 18 streams of Cangshan Mountain. The unpredictable clouds cover the top of the mountain like snow. After a while, they slowly roll over and coil between the mountains like jade belts. Columns of light pass through the sky like crystals. I sat and watched the clouds for an afternoon, and I felt that I couldn’t see enough.

This stay was absolutely wonderful, especially the staff at the front desk. Not only were they sweet and smiling, but their service was incredibly thoughtful. The breakfast had a great variety and the environment was quiet. The hotel's afternoon tea was also exquisite and delicious. They even prepared a breakfast bag for us knowing we had an early start the next day, which was such a thoughtful touch!