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!

Traveling with kids, we stopped in Kunming for a night on our way back from Fuxian Lake and chose this hot spring hotel. The hotel was clean, the service was great, and we really enjoyed the water park and hot springs – it was so relaxing and perfect for families with children. Highly recommend for family trips!

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'.

Even an aging Ferrari is still a Ferrari. While some of the furniture is a bit dated and could use some maintenance, the rooms are exceptionally spacious, featuring a classic, charming decor and a truly beautiful Chinese-style courtyard. The hotel service was remarkably attentive; knowing my mother's birthday was coming up, they thoughtfully sent a birthday cake with their best wishes. Personally, I found it to be of incredible value for money. During the National Day holiday, traffic outside was gridlocked and everywhere was packed with crowds. Relaxing in the courtyard, soaking in the hot spring, and enjoying a glass of wine turned out to be a much more pleasant way to spend the time.

Service: A big thank you to our butler, King, for his meticulous attention to detail – it really made a difference. Room facilities: So many thoughtful design details, including a new smart toilet. I really love a place like this. Tucked away in a Naxi courtyard right by the south gate of the old town, you don't have to drag your luggage over cobbled streets. The moment you step in, the fatigue of travel just melts away. Every corner tells a piece of the Tea Horse Road story – saddles and old suitcases are displayed with understated elegance, avoiding any forced or artificial antique feel. The guest rooms perfectly balance exterior and interior. The wooden courtyard exudes Yunnan charm, while inside, Dyson and Marshall amenities ensure a refined and comfortable stay. Sitting idly in the courtyard, feeling the breeze through the leaves. The bustling life of the ancient town is just steps away, yet behind closed doors, you can enjoy absolute peace. This is probably the best way to travel – where you can reach out and touch the local culture, yet turn around and find a perfectly comfortable place to rest.

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.

This stay exceeded my expectations. The breakfast selection was rich, catering to both Chinese and Western tastes, and even offered freshly cooked rice noodles. The ingredients were fresh, and dining with a view of Erhai Lake was a truly healing and leisurely experience. The room's cleanliness was impeccable; the entire space was spotless and odor-free. The bedding was soft, and the bathroom was dry and clean. Housekeeping did a thorough daily tidy-up, paying attention to every detail. The butler service was attentive and efficient, coordinating our itinerary in advance and responding promptly to requests, quickly resolving any needs. They even provided sweet soup and fresh fruit in the evening, adding a heartwarming touch. With its prime Erhai Lake view, it's perfect for both leisurely vacations and short-term stays. A highly recommended choice when visiting Dali.

This hotel boasts a unique design, featuring a century-old towering tree at its entrance, and a charming antique interior. I especially want to commend the service. Since the hotel is located on a pedestrian street, the staff provides dedicated shuttle service and assists with luggage throughout. They offer afternoon tea and evening snacks, and the breakfast is also delicious. I'll definitely stay here again when I visit Kunming in the future~

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.

I've been to Lijiang several times this year for both leisure and business, and I've always stayed at this hotel. This time, it was cloudy with occasional rain, but the room thoughtfully provided an umbrella, which was a nice touch. The front desk staff were very clear with their instructions, and all the employees were incredibly attentive. I even noticed a new addition this time: a ping-pong table, which was great. The common area for tea and chatting is truly elegant and pleasant. It's so relaxing to come back to the quiet hotel after a tiring day out, catch some sleep, and then enjoy a pot of tea in the courtyard. There's also a market nearby with fresh and affordable seasonal fruits. Overall, this was a fantastic experience.