Hotele z: bar w Fujian, China

This place makes me wish there was an option for six stars. I study Asian art for a living, and I travelled to Jianyang to visit the home of Jian ware, classic tea bowls of the Song dynasty (960 to 1279 CE), distinguished by their black and brown glazes. Over the last few decades, firing Jian ware in the Song tradition has been revived in the area. I chose Nanping Colourful Village Homestay because it was in Jianyang, affordable, and accepted international guests. What I found was a luxury resort with all the warmth and personal attention of a homestay. I asked the front desk about an excavated Song kiln site in a nearby village, and the receptionist brought me the manager, who arranged for someone to take me the next day. My driver was Ms. Huang, an employee of the resort whose job involves buying and selling contemporary pieces. She knew everything about Jian ware! The kiln site isn’t run as a tourist site, so I was only able to view it because Ms. Huang arranged for it to be opened for me. I had told them I was vegetarian, so for lunch they took me to lunch at a vegetarian buffet. Then we visited the town’s Jian ware museum, where they have exhibits on the history of tea and Jian ware, historical pieces, and the work of contemporary Jianyang potters. To my delight, Mr. Gao, the potter-in-residence at the resort, uses a Song-style wood-fired dragon kiln, built right on the grounds! His pieces that range from beautiful but quite affordable to exquisite and appropriately expensive. They include both iridescent silvery oil spot and orange-to-black hare’s fur pieces. I am still thrilled that I was able to purchase wood-fired pieces on my limited budget. For dinner, the resort’s restaurant prepared vegetarian versions of Fujian cuisine for me. The food was all delicious, featuring classic Fujianese mountain ingredients like local bamboo and mushrooms. Then we visited Mr. Gao’s dragon kiln, and later his studio, where he experiments with different local clays and glaze recipes. The rich colours and iridescence of Jian ware are the result of the iron-rich local material fired at high temperature, and the results are as unpredictable as they are beautiful. The next day, they drove me to Mr. Chen’s family tea plantation in the mountains, where they grow famous northern Fujian teas. These fine teas were all wonderful, smooth and rich with a touch of smoke, and sometimes fruity in flavour. We strolled through mountainsides of tea bushes and visited groves of centuries-old tea trees. This is a perfect place for an immersive experience in China that is also very comfortable and convenient. I often find tourist experiences in China claustrophobic due to the press of people, but the resort was spacious and airy, and they took me to places where there was no one else but us and the occasional local going about their business. Everyone was very patient with my limited Chinese language skills. They were also happy to work with translator apps on our phones, so if you don’t speak any Chinese, you will be fine. This would be a great place to come as a family. There are gardens and rides for kids right next to the resort. You can learn how to whip Song-style tea and carve your name into the base of your own Jian ware cup. Not far away is a historical theme park with a collection of real architecture from the Ming (1368 to 1644 CE) and Qing (1636 to 1912 CE) dynasties. The employees wear period dress and there are performances and activities. Nearby there are hiking trails, historical sites, and lovely villages to visit. It’s also very close to Wuyi Mountain National Park, so it would be a perfect place to stay if the mountains are your destination. If you ask, they could arrange for you to visit famous sites or take you to breathtaking places that only locals know, whatever you want. They can also arrange transport to and from the train station or airport.

My good friend came to Fuzhou for a vacation. With the comfortable weather and slow pace, the overall experience was fantastic! We specifically chose Shuxiang Wenru Hotel located within the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys (Sanfang Qixiang). The historic courtyard has incredible charm, and the rooms feature a grand, traditional Chinese design. Upon check-in, a complete set of tea-making utensils and welcome snacks were thoughtfully provided. Right next door is the Michelin-starred restaurant Wenru No. 9, making dining extremely convenient—authentic Min cuisine is just steps away. During the day, we explored the ancient streets of Sanfang Qixiang, and whenever we got tired, we’d head back to the hotel, brew a pot of tea, and relax in quiet comfort to wash away all the fatigue. Combining great accommodation with dining, the environment is peaceful and elegant, and the service is attentive. It’s an ideal spot for a relaxing getaway in Fuzhou, and I will definitely choose to stay here again next time!

This is a very good hotel. It is right next to the shopping mall, so restaurants and coffee shops are everywhere. We really appreciated the friendly front desk staff getting us an upgraded room. It is spacious, cleaned, comfortable, and fully stocked with everything we need. We love their long and cleaned pool. It’s perfect for lap swimmers. Definitely we will recommend this hotel to our friends and family.

Our little one wanted to see 'A Yuan's Home,' so we brought the picture book and came to stay. This guesthouse is located within the Tianluokeng Tulou Scenic Area in Nanjing. It's easy to find if you're driving, and personally, I found it even better than the Yunshuiyao Scenic Area – fewer crowds and stunning scenery. It's also very close to Taxia Village, which you can reach by cycling or walking. There, you can visit the 700-year-old Yuchang Lou, famously standing 'crooked but firm,' and grab a meal at the Xiaogqiao Liushui Restaurant. Just a heads-up if you're driving, be mindful of parking restrictions. Getting to Tianluokeng's iconic 'Four Dishes and One Soup' cluster is also super convenient, just a ten-minute drive. The Tulou are truly magnificent! The guesthouse hostess is incredibly nice, and they have a lovely Golden Retriever named Xiao Chai, who is very friendly and well-behaved. We booked a duplex room with a living area downstairs and the sleeping area upstairs. It even came with a projector, which was a huge bonus! But the real highlight was the in-room washer-dryer combo – such a thoughtful and convenient amenity!

The hotel environment is impeccable, with spacious public areas and beautiful birdsong and flowers. Perched on a hill, I was woken up every morning around 5 or 6 by the chirping of various birds. It's about a 15-minute walk to Xiamen University and Putuo Temple, though it's uphill and a bit tiring, but taxis are quite convenient. The room was also very large, with a bedroom offering a distant view of the rooftops of Xiamen University. All in-room facilities were well-equipped. While I wouldn't delve too deeply into the cleanliness details, it was acceptable, but the sound of water running from the rooms above or next door was particularly noisy. The service was excellent, with prompt responses to all requests! Overall, I was satisfied, with one exception: the breakfast was too basic. It felt like it cost less than five yuan to make, truly the most perfunctory breakfast I've ever had in decades of staying at hotels. We ended up ordering takeout for the kids for both days, so I don't think it's worth booking a rate that includes breakfast. I'd like to offer a suggestion to the hotel: with such a great location and environment, it should strive for perfection by putting more thought into improving the breakfast. For tourists, a hearty breakfast is truly important. If a buffet isn't feasible due to cost-cutting, at least the set menu could be more varied, instead of just offering a bowl of congee and one or two pre-made buns every day, which is quite unappetizing.

The front desk staff were incredibly friendly; check-in and check-out were both handled efficiently and quickly. They patiently answered all our questions about local dining options, and their recommendations for restaurants were spot-on – the food was fantastic! The complimentary buffet breakfast offered a great variety of dishes, and the quality was excellent. It was incredibly satisfying to start each day with such a rich and delicious meal. The accommodation itself was very comfortable and offered excellent value for money. I would definitely choose Fengdalin Hotel again on my next visit to Putian, and I highly recommend it to anyone!

The environment is excellent, and the service is very attentive. Afternoon tea and breakfast are both provided. Every day, when you open the curtains, you're greeted by the clear blue sea, which is incredibly satisfying. **Facilities**: Very complete. There's even a charging point for the electric scooter we rented. **Cleanliness**: Clean and tidy. They even provide face towels, and the toilet is sterilized. **Environment**: Facing the sea, with a warm and vibrant floral view. **Service**: Everyone is enthusiastic, and shuttle service is available.

Xiangyi is considered a relatively large hotel within the ancient town, boasting an excellent location and environment. It's incredibly convenient for exploring and dining, with several delicious restaurants just a short walk straight ahead to the right. The service was very satisfying. The day before check-in, a customer service representative contacted me by phone and added me on WeChat. Upon arrival at the east entrance of the ancient town, they arranged for a shuttle to the hotel and provided a detailed guide to the ancient town's attractions and dining spots, as well as travel tips. Any questions I had were patiently answered with helpful suggestions – truly thoughtful! They even upgraded my room, and I'd like to thank the ladies at the front desk. The facilities are also impeccable. Everything is clean and pleasing to the eye. The bathrooms are equipped with Arrow brand fixtures. The room was bright and airy, and the bedding and pillows were pristine, like new. It was a very comfortable stay for a few leisurely days. If I have the chance to visit again, I will definitely choose this hotel and recommend it to my friends.

Zhangzhou Hotel is a deeply historic, garden-style guesthouse. It boasts nearly 100 acres of 'urban oasis,' offering a tranquil and elegant environment. The location is excellent, right next to Zhangzhou Ancient City, making it very convenient for getting around. The hotel provides unique Pien Tze Huang bath amenities and attentive service, making it an ideal choice for experiencing the laid-back life of Southern Fujian and enjoying high-quality accommodation. However, the Lingbo Tower's decor is a bit dated, and the lack of non-smoking rooms is not ideal. It would also be better if the breakfast fruit selection were more extensive.

Every staff member I encountered greeted me with a warm smile—such wonderful manners! The bedding was super comfortable, and the view from the 53rd floor was incredible, perfect for watching the sunset. Perhaps because it's up on the 53rd floor, the shower water pressure was a bit weak. The daily breakfast on the 38th floor had a much better selection than the one on the 54th floor. The afternoon tea snacks in the Executive Lounge were the same all four days, which felt a bit repetitive. Overall, everything was fine, and I’ll definitely book the Conrad again next time I visit Xiamen!