Gulangyu Flower Sound Garden Beauty Villa

The pictures online were a bit misleading. The TV only had two channels because it's connected to a set-top box, and the internet was terrible. Plus, the faucet only ran cold water. What really got me was that the room was in the annex, and I had no idea there was such a big difference in quality between the annex and the main building. The annex is quite a walk from the main building, and my room was on the third floor of a separate building, accessible only by a side staircase. It was noisy both morning and night. All in all, not a great experience.

This hidden gem of a guesthouse, tucked away in the alleys of Gulangyu, offered an absolutely amazing experience! It's away from the noisy crowds, yet incredibly convenient for getting around. The front desk staff proactively contacted me on WeChat, sending a hand-drawn map with landmark directions and even helpful tips for booking ferry tickets. Following their directions, I didn't have to climb any stairs or hills, making it super easy to pull my luggage. The guesthouse is a renovated century-old mansion. The courtyard is lush with greenery, and the vintage rattan chairs beautifully complement the plants, making every photo look like an artistic masterpiece. It's especially peaceful at night. The room was impeccably clean, the bedding was soft and smelled like sunshine, and every detail was meticulously thought out. The rooftop terrace was a delightful surprise. In the evening, I enjoyed the sea breeze while admiring the Twin Towers' night view, and in the morning, I had a Minnan-style breakfast accompanied by birdsong. The plain congee with dried fish was refreshing and comforting. The service was attentive yet unobtrusive, making me feel as comfortable as if I were staying at a friend's house. I'll definitely stay here again on my next visit to Gulangyu!

The customer service was incredibly warm and friendly, and the island scenery was beautiful, perfect for taking photos. We even got blisters from all the walking, and the front desk staff kindly provided us with medication. They also helped us mail back some items we'd left behind. Aside from the food on the island being a bit pricey, we were very satisfied with this trip.

The room was okay, but it wasn't like the main picture. I hope the owner can change the main photo; otherwise, it's not a good reference. The room was on the second floor, with a small courtyard downstairs that was beautifully kept. The whole villa was also very pretty, great for photos. The room's cleanliness was decent, but there wasn't much privacy, as people were constantly passing by outside the window.

Before coming to Gulangyu, I was hesitant to book a room, worried it might be cold or involve climbing stairs, which would be inconvenient with elderly companions. However, after seeing the place, I decided to go for it. Firstly, it wasn't as cold as I'd imagined, and secondly, this old house has a truly wonderful charm. So we slowly made our way up to the 4th floor, and the view from the balcony is incredibly pleasant, offering a panoramic overlook of Gulangyu. The staff at the front desk were also great; they helped fulfill all our requests. Very satisfied!