Hotele Hot Springs w: 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.

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.

My stay here was excellent. The front desk staff were very friendly and attentive, and check-in was super efficient. They proactively informed me about the hot spring's opening hours and breakfast times, and even offered helpful tips for exploring the area. The hotel is about 4km from Dianchi Lake, and within a 2km radius, there are plenty of dining and shopping options. The hotel's breakfast spread was incredibly rich, featuring a great mix of Chinese and Western dishes. There were pastries, fruits, desserts, and various beverages. The ingredients were fresh and delicious, and the freshly prepared noodle station served authentic, tasty noodles. The hot spring area was clean and elegant, with a comfortable water temperature. My room was tidy and quiet, with all the necessary amenities. I would definitely choose this hotel again for my next vacation.

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.

The biggest surprise on my Lijiang trip was staying at Baiyuexiang. The most memorable part of the whole journey was Thirteen, the celebrity dog at the inn! As soon as you walk in, you're greeted by this Border Collie with heterochromia. She's incredibly gentle and well-behaved, never jumping or barking, and always super polite and kind to people. When you walk past her, she'll subtly nudge your hand, asking for a pet. Once she's had enough, she'll quietly lie down by your feet, never being clingy or bothersome – her sense of boundaries is fantastic. I heard Thirteen was a stray before, but now she's the inn's exclusive little manager. She's smart and well-behaved, walking with guests in the courtyard and playing with toys. Even just watching her spaced out is incredibly stress-relieving and therapeutic. The inn itself is also top-notch: Tucked away in an alley next to the South Gate of the old town, it's super convenient for exploring and dining, yet the courtyard itself is tranquil and serene. The vintage-style courtyard, paired with lush greenery, creates a fantastic photo-op atmosphere. The rooms are clean and tidy, and many room types come with private hot spring pools. Soaking in a hot spring while watching the sunset over the snowy mountains in the evening is incredibly relaxing and enjoyable. The butler service is thoughtful and attentive, from luggage assistance upon check-in and check-out to well-arranged breakfasts and afternoon teas – attention to detail is everywhere. Overall, it's a pet-friendly guesthouse. Besides the well-behaved Thirteen, there are other small animals, so friends who love animals definitely need to check this place out. Staying here isn't just about accommodation; it's a warm feeling like coming home. Gentle Thirteen added so much warmth to our trip. I'll definitely choose Baiyuexiang again next time I'm in Lijiang.

Shangri-La Impression Tianlu Hotel is nestled between Shika Snow Mountain and Napa Lake, where traditional ******* white buildings blend with snow-capped mountains and grasslands to form a breathtaking landscape. The highlight is the rooftop infinity hot spring, offering panoramic views of the plateau while you soak, though it can be quite windy in winter, so be prepared. The guest rooms combine ******* elements with modern amenities, featuring central heating to combat the high-altitude chill and soundproof windows for a peaceful night's sleep. The service is attentive, with paid shuttle services and customized itineraries available. Breakfast includes local specialties like highland barley cake. It offers great value for money during the off-season, but for scenic rooms during peak season, booking in advance is a must. This hotel is perfect for travelers seeking a unique experience, and having a car makes it even more convenient, as it's only a 10-minute drive from the ancient town. It's excellent, truly excellent. I stayed for 2 days and had a wonderful experience. The room even has a fireplace, which is a really nice touch.

This hotel exceeded our expectations and gave us a wonderful experience! Right at the entrance, there's a unique echoing pond, which is quite distinctive. The service was excellent; they drove us to our room in a small car. The room's decor has a Wabi-sabi style, exactly like the pictures! A nice detail was how the air conditioning vents were discreetly covered with wooden slats, making the airflow more natural and comfortable. The hand soap and shower gel had a fresh and natural scent, which I really liked. The hotel's design is very unique, and it's perfect for travel photography. We tried their travel photography service, and it was great; the makeup artist was very gentle and did a fantastic job, and the photographer was also excellent! Before leaving, we had a Chinese meal at the hotel. The portions were generous, the food was delicious, and there was so much beef we couldn't finish it all. The price was absolutely fair! The hotel also offers a shuttle service to the Dongfengyun Scenic Area, which was very convenient! We had a very comfortable stay and will definitely come back!

Staying at this luxurious wilderness hotel at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain was the most unexpectedly wonderful and healing experience of our Lijiang trip. As soon as we opened the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows in our room, the entire Jade Dragon Snow Mountain came into full view. The clouds drifted across the peaks, a sight both gentle and majestic. The hotel boasts a sprawling lawn, with winding wooden boardwalks leading towards the distant mountains. Lambs roamed freely, and every photo we took of the mountain scenery looked like it belonged in a magazine – truly an ideal wilderness retreat. Even more impressive than the breathtaking scenery was the incredibly thoughtful service that made us feel right at home. I accidentally spilled milk tea and stained the front desk, but the staff cleaned it up meticulously without a word of complaint. When we returned in heavy rain, a dedicated staff member walked us all the way to our car under an umbrella and back to the hotel. When my child suffered from altitude sickness, oxygen tanks were delivered multiple times throughout the night, available instantly whenever we called. I even left my facial cleanser behind in a rush when checking out, and the hotel proactively shipped it to our next hotel free of charge. With the romantic setting of the snowy mountain and the vast lawn, combined with such delicate and warm hospitality, there was no sense of unfamiliar distance. It truly felt like having a gentle home at the foot of the snow-capped mountain.