Hot Springs Hotels in Yunnan, China

When I started planning our itinerary for our 15 day Yunnan holiday, I plotted out our path to go all the way up to Shangri-la, back down to Kunming and then to Jiaozi Snow Mountain and Dongchuan Red Land. Then I chanced upon a video of Aini Garden and fell in love! The only reason we came to Pu'er was to get to Aini. This was the first place I booked, and I really took a chance because it has a no cancellation policy and I really had to stick to the date once it was made. The initial pre-arrival experience was less than pleasant. I didn't know how we were going to get to the manor and my WeChat messages went unanswered. The hotel we stayed at in Pu'er finally got in touch with someone and got them to message me. I asked how we could get there and the answer was a curt ”take a taxi or charter a car”. No pleasantries of ”we look forward to seeing you” or offering to arrange a car. When we arrived, no one was at reception and no one came out. Our driver was so perplexed he wondered if we were in the right place and if the place was open. Finally a young girl came out and registered us in. There was an air of aloofness from everyone else. However, once we were checked in, things warmed up quickly. We were offered coffee and freshly cut papaya and had a nice introduction chat with the lady staff. The bedroom and bathroom is well appointed, spacious and comfortable. We would have enjoyed sitting on the balcony if the chairs were more comfortable. I love the floor to ceiling glass windows but the panel above the door should also be glass (it is just netting) so traffic sounds from the road actually comes through at night. I actually wanted to book the cottage in the hills but opted for the standard room in the main house because I was worried it would be cold. Big regret as it is actually magnificently located with stunning views. However take note that you will need to call for a buggy ride or make a 1km hike every time you want to eat or get to the main house. If you are self driving, no issues as you can park right next to the cottage. Anyway it's a small price to pay for an unlimited view of the milky way and seclusion. This is as close to a Ryokan experience as you can get in China, minus the hot springs. 3 days 2 nights of blissful, carefree living is not quite enough. They make sure they feed you well, with the freshest produce available for hotpot dinner and home-cooked Yunnanese dishes for lunch. There are so many activities organised, from taking you up the mountain for a glimpse of sunrise (with mountain goats for company ❤️) to coffee plantation education tour to horseback riding along the mountain ridges (the view is spectacular!) to scavenging for wild vegetables and fruits to drinking, dancing and singing around the campfire! So much to do, so little time! One area of improvement I personally would like to see is the coffee serving. They tend to be quite snobbish about how their coffee is taken. Neat, with nothing else. Asking for sugar or milk feels nearly scorned upon. Coffee is a versatile drink and can be savoured in a huge variety of ways. How else is Starbucks so successful? I felt kind of stifled and deprived because I love a good latte and had looked forward to enjoying an unlimited indulgence of coffee throughout our stay. Anyhow, I love the ecotourism efforts here. It feels natural and unpretentious. I love the people and the camaraderie they cultivate. I especially enjoyed talking to their consultant 敬梅, a beautiful lady with extensive knowledge in Yunnan culture and ecological progress. Also thank you to 徐芳 for arranging transport back to town and giving helpful recommendations. We hope to return again.

Back in Dali, I decided to revisit the Xianyun 360-degree Cliff Seaview Hot Spring B&B, and it truly lived up to expectations! The front desk staff were incredibly polite and attentive. I later found out that the humble and helpful manager, who was always ready to assist, was also from Beijing, which made me feel right at home. The B&B's environment is serene and immaculate. The private hot spring pool in the room is definitely the highlight. Soaking in the hot spring, you're directly facing the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake – it's like a landscape painting come to life. During my downtime, I loved sitting on the balcony, gazing at Cangshan and Erhai, which was incredibly therapeutic after a long journey. The restaurant's dishes were delicious and flavorful. My experience was as excellent as ever, truly a hidden gem of a seaview B&B. Choosing to stay here twice speaks volumes about its reliable quality. It’s my top choice when visiting Dali, highly recommended! Amenities: Excellent Hygiene: Good Environment: Beautiful Service: Fantastic

The room was very spacious and well-equipped. The decor and design were fantastic. The renovation of the historic building is quite unique, and the courtyard is breathtaking. The housekeeping service was excellent, and any requests were promptly addressed. The breakfast was also delicious, featuring some unique dishes. I'll definitely stay here again next time I'm in Yunnan.

## Facilities: Although the interior facilities are a bit dated, they come with up-to-date features like electric curtain openers. ## Hygiene: Generally, the hygiene was good. The staff (front desk, housekeeping, and pool staff) were all very enthusiastic and responsible, offering me a lot of help. However, some corners and edges could use improvement, such as the large water stains on the balcony. ## Environment: The environment is quiet. While the location isn't exceptionally unique, it's convenient for getting to the train station and Dianchi Lake, and it's very peaceful for sleeping at night. ## Service: All the staff were very hardworking and enthusiastic. Thank you for all the help during my stay. We had two children, and they even gave them a hot spring ticket and a souvenir. Overall, this is an excellent choice for a family trip to Kunming.

The room is a private courtyard with an outdoor hot tub, and the hot water is ready in about forty minutes – fantastic! 👍 There's a tree with some fruit in the corner of the courtyard, though I'm not sure what kind. The table and chairs with a parasol in the middle of the courtyard make for a very pleasant spot to enjoy tea or play cards. 👍👍👍 At night, the soft lighting makes the courtyard feel even more tranquil and elegant. 👍👍👍 The hotel has a great natural environment; I even saw a squirrel scurrying along the wall, which was amazing! 😂😂😂 The hotel service is excellent, with golf cart transfers and even food delivery right to your room. The gym was almost always empty, so I had it all to myself twice! 😂😂😂 You can even see the snow-capped mountains behind the hotel.

This guesthouse in Dali is absolutely fantastic! The room was spotless, clean, and tidy with no overlooked corners. The bedding was incredibly soft, skin-friendly, and fresh, making for a super comfortable stay. The whole house is equipped with smart home features, which are simple and convenient to use – a real blessing for anyone who loves ease. The owner was warm and thoughtful, patiently answering all our questions and even recommending some local, lesser-known activities, which was incredibly heartwarming. The location is also convenient for getting around. The overall experience was top-notch. If you're coming to Dali, choosing this place is a no-brainer. I genuinely recommend it to all my friends!

Honestly, I rarely post reviews—but this time I really felt like I had to, because this hotel was the highlight of my family trip to Yunnan. From the moment we entered the hotel gate, we were already amazed. The place is even more beautiful in real life than in the photos. The staff member who communicated with us via WeChat was incredibly helpful—from arranging our transfer from the station to the hotel, to accommodating my dietary restrictions as a Muslim. They kindly prepared a special breakfast for us: rice noodles with egg, along with sweet potatoes, corn, and boiled eggs. What made it even more special was that everything was cooked by a very warm grandmother. Despite the language barrier, we could truly feel the warmth and love in her cooking. The cabin we booked was absolutely perfect. It had a spacious yard, a hot tub, and a terrace with a table and chairs—great for dining or simply spending time together with family. Stepping inside the cabin was even more impressive: a large bed, lots of natural light, and equipped with smart home devices. One important detail for us was the bathroom—it had a bidet and a fully smart toilet with remote control. Since the temperature in Lijiang varies greatly between day and night, we were very grateful that the cabin had both floor heating and room heating. The bedroom also featured a large projector, and above it, a sunroof that can be opened—perfect for stargazing at night. It truly exceeded all our expectations. The hotel area is also next to a very aesthetic café with a stunning view called Yuntian Cafe. For those traveling with family, this place is perfect—the area is spacious and great for kids to explore nature. If you want to go out for meals, Baisha Ancient Town is just a few kilometers away. What I will remember the most is the kindness of the staff. Everyone was incredibly helpful and friendly, always doing their best to accommodate every request. Please never change—your hospitality feels just like being with family. Next time we visit Lijiang, we will definitely stay here again without hesitation.

Choosing the Bayue Hotel in Lijiang Old Town was absolutely the right decision, no regrets at all! The hotel is located near the South Gate, making it super convenient to get in and out of the old town, yet it's surprisingly quiet and peaceful despite being close to the hustle and bustle. The overall design has a charming, gentle 'mid-century modern' (中古风) vibe, and the courtyard atmosphere is just perfect for photos – every corner is Instagram-worthy. The private hot spring room I booked was an amazing surprise; the pool was clean and kept at a constant temperature. Soaking in the evening, I could even see the snow-capped mountains in the distance, truly therapeutic after a long day of travel. The room was spotlessly clean, the bedding was soft and comfortable, and the bathroom had a great dry-wet separation with high-quality amenities. The butler service was incredibly thoughtful – they arranged my airport transfer in advance, and free afternoon tea was delivered right to my room. Any request I had was met with a super-fast response. With its excellent facilities, quiet ambiance, and suitability for a relaxing getaway, I'll definitely stay here again next time I'm in Lijiang. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a slow-paced vacation!

This was my first time visiting Shangri-La, and this hotel truly stood out. The service was warm and welcoming, and they even had parking available. The staff helped us with our luggage to our room, which was a nice touch. The hotel itself was very clean and well-maintained, with excellent facilities and a peaceful atmosphere. Our room had a unique charm, and the heating and hot water were plentiful. The young owner was also incredibly hospitable; I even saw him sharing champagne with some guests during their meal – it truly felt like a harmonious place. The surroundings of the hotel are beautiful, and in the morning, you can catch the stunning 'Golden Mountain' sunrise over Shika Snow Mountain. I will definitely be staying here again on my next visit.

The room is indeed beautiful and very tastefully decorated. There's even a coffee machine, which is a great bonus. The hotel also offers many activities, making it very suitable for families with children. I suggest increasing the number of front desk staff for check-ins during the summer, otherwise, the waiting time in line can be too long. All other services were excellent. What was particularly surprising was how good the food at the hotel's Chinese restaurant was. It was just a bit pricey!