The Linden Commons Reviews

Magnificent place. The most beautiful hotel I have ever stayed in. Apart from being in the middle of an anncient town surrounded by mountains and close to a huge lake. Every once in a while over the 5 days stay I would lose myself in the beauty of the buildings and gardens. Large, comfortable rooms. Friendly and helpful staff, and nice breakfast and restaurant. The owners are wonderful people.

This guesthouse was the most pleasant surprise of our trip to Yunnan. Xizhou isn't just about rice paddies and the small train; more importantly, it allowed us to see the glorious history of the various businesses along the Ancient Tea Horse Road. Located right behind Yan Family Courtyard, Baocheng Mansion has been restored to its original splendor, just as it was back then. We stayed for two nights, and both the cultural experience and the stay itself were fantastic. The guided tour of Yang Pin Xiang Fu Mansion and the visit to Xizhou's morning market further enriched our positive impression of Xizhou. Plus, the restaurant's food and prices were very reasonable – another big thumbs up!

We made a spontaneous decision to visit Dali and stumbled upon Xilin Yuan Baocheng Mansion. It effortlessly wove the rich history of Xizhou into our trip! The hotel itself is an ancient Bai-style building. Its upturned eaves, carved wooden doors, and gilded antique furniture all reflect a sense of aged grandeur. The courtyard is tranquil and elegant; every photo you take here turns out beautifully atmospheric. What truly surprised us wasn't just the accommodation, but the profound cultural experience. After checking in, we received a detailed explanation of the ancient dwelling (Yang Pinxiang's residence, another Xilin Yuan property), which beautifully narrated the stories of the old house. We booked a market tour for the next day, and the manager personally guided us through the local market, offering a deep insight into Xizhou's local life, letting us experience its vibrant essence, and immersing us in Bai culture. Crucially, the manager's explanations weren't like a rehearsed tour guide script, but rather felt like a local friend sharing their personal stories. This kind of heartfelt, in-depth experience is truly rare! Every staff member we encountered at the hotel was incredibly enthusiastic and thoughtful, treating us with warmth and meticulous care. Their attentiveness was evident in every detail. Since it was the off-season and we were traveling with a child, they proactively upgraded our room. The hotel's library was another delightful surprise, with an extensive collection of books, each worth savoring. Every day, after returning from our outings, our child's favorite place to go was the library. You can genuinely feel the owner, Mr. Linden's, deep love and dedication to this old mansion and to Xizhou's culture; every detail is perfectly managed. For those who enjoy cultural journeys and want to avoid typical tourist hotspots, I highly recommend staying here!

A gem in Dali ! We could not have picked a better place for our first trip in China, to be immersed in a historic place and feel the cultural heritage. The house is very well maintained, spotless bathroom, comfy beds, plenty of amenities. it mixed modernity & historic. Great place for a retreat. Best part was to meet Brian and Jeannie, they were very welcoming and have a dedicated team to help. The free tour guide was great offering a moment to explore some temple and the local market. I highly recommend this place if you want an authentic and genuine experience.

Facilities: The Mansion of Xizhou's Richest Man

Amazing hospitality and very supportive and forthcoming staff! Highly recommend! 😊

This hotel was such a unique and great experience! Read the info book on the desk for fun things to do. The rooms were spacious and comfortable. A little chilly but that is normal for winter in this style old wood building. Shower is hot and food is delicious. Especially the corn pancakes! Be careful if you are vegetarian to ask if the vegetable dishes have meat or not… the gym and yoga room are really great!

What a fabulous place. I loved it here - not just the beautiful buildings/ gorgeous room / town - the staff & owner were so warm and welcoming - helping with ideas of what to do/ where to go and also helping with planning my onward journey. Thank you!

It’s not just the facilities but the service and the thinking behind things which makes this place world class and a friendly home away from home.

Excellent location for the old town. The historic building is very pretty from the outside. The ground-floor room is clean, but a bit dark since you have to draw the curtains (if you want privacy given the passageway), and a bit damp inside. Being a historic building, you can hear everything from the guests upstairs, footsteps, and voices. If you're a light sleeper, it's not pleasant, although they do provide earplugs. The price, in my opinion, is too high for the services provided. In that case, it's better to stay in Dali, offering more comfort and services at a better price. The breakfast is good, with both Chinese and continental options (I appreciated it).

The entire hotel space is antique and elegant, quite spacious, and connects to three courtyards. The hotel staff were friendly and gave us a tour of the entire hotel. We also met the owners and chatted with them to learn about their philosophy. It was a very good first stay experience. The food in the restaurant was also good, and hotel guests receive a discount, making it great value for money.

The receptionist was very welcoming, and the room was clean and tidy.

I was fortunate enough to experience both Yang Pinxiang's Residence and Baocheng Residence in Xilin Garden, spending a considerable six days in Xizhou. Baocheng Residence is spacious and grand, the former residence of Xizhou's wealthiest man during the Republic of China era. The rooms lack excessive extravagance, maintaining a rustic charm. The courtyard houses folk stone statues, murals, and furniture collected by Mr. Linden from the local area and across the country. Living there allows one to experience the interplay of light and shadow over a century—a unique experience unmatched by any other residence. I plan to visit again in winter to see the snow on Cangshan Mountain and the alleyways of Xizhou.

A very satisfying experience. Everyone in the courtyard was as welcoming as family. Although it's an older house, the facilities completely exceeded my expectations. The experience was excellent, with many thoughtful details. 🥰 They even upgraded our room, allowing us to experience the different views from the two courtyards.