Hotele Romantic w: Hunan, China

Cool property! It’s an old building, so insulation is not existing, so keeping the climate nice it’s a bit of a balance. But the stay is absolutely unique and the location could not be better. Yes, you don’t have a direct view on the waterfall, but you don’t need that when you are in this town. You get it from all the restaurants and from the walking around. The view from this hotel is also absolutely fantastic, to the bridge and to the village. The rooms are spacious and the staff is very nice. We will come back.

Zhangjiajie Idyllic Pondside Timber Lodge feels like a quiet retreat designed for people who want to slow down and reconnect with nature. From the moment you arrive, the setting stands out—lush gardens spread across the property, carefully maintained yet still natural enough to feel authentic. Walking paths wind through greenery, leading you past tranquil ponds where the water reflects the surrounding trees and sky. It’s the kind of place where even a short stroll becomes part of the experience. The ponds are a highlight. They’re not just decorative; they create a calming atmosphere that carries throughout the lodge. Sitting by the water in the early morning or at sunset is especially memorable, with only the sounds of birds and the occasional ripple breaking the silence. The rooms continue that same sense of comfort and simplicity. Built with timber elements, they feel warm and grounded rather than overly polished. Inside, everything is thoughtfully arranged—clean, spacious, and equipped with the essentials for a relaxing stay. Large windows often bring in views of the gardens or ponds, making it easy to feel connected to the outdoors even when you’re inside. The service was outstanding. All my needs and questions were answered promptly. What really defines the lodge is its balance: it offers comfort without losing its natural charm. It’s not trying to be flashy or luxurious in a conventional sense—instead, it succeeds by creating a peaceful environment where the surroundings take center stage. Overall, Zhangjiajie Idyllic Pondside Timber Lodge is ideal for travelers looking for a calm, nature-focused stay. Between the gardens, the serene ponds, and the cozy rooms, it provides a refreshing break from busier, more commercial accommodations.

The hotel's exterior looked grand, and I was quite pleased with the room upon entering. The air conditioning was already on, and they even tidied up the room for us before bed and provided fruit. The next morning, I opened the door and ran into a robot attendant – it was so cute and endearing! It even automatically called our room when it arrived at the door. [Strong][Strong][Strong][Strong][Strong] Very nice, highly recommended! [Love][Love][Rose][Rose]

The best hotel we had on a 30 days trip through China starting in Chongquing to Shenzhen. This was THE ONLY staff speaking English fluently. Especially the super friendly girl doing the reception. She is the soul of this hotel. She managed everything people needed and was always smiling and really cute. The room are huge, the bathroom as well. It’s excellent clean and super cozy. They offer 2 washing machines, 2 tumble dryers and laundry detergent for free 👏👏 great. Best breakfast we ever had in China for both Chinese and foreign guest. Definitely world class premises- the only one in 30 days roadtrip. Free parking spaces and a very well equipped supermarket right in from the reception 👌 only negative thing is the woman sitting right in front of the hotel, screaming 10 times „hello“ at the guest and trying to sell her raw pumpkins. Not once, not twice- but everytime a guest shows up. I mean-what should a hotel guest do with a raw pumpkin??? I won’t start a barbecue in my room 🤦🏼♀️ she is extremely stupid and extremely annoying. If the hotel could manage to remove her from that place, that would be nothing negative to mention. Thank you guys for making our stay really remarkable. 🙏🏻❤️

Unbeatable waterfall views and wonderful staff, but serious maintenance issues for a €250+ hotel I’m sorry I can’t give this hotel the five-star review we were asked for, but I believe an honest review is important, especially considering the price. At over €250 per night, this was one of the most expensive hotels of our entire honeymoon in China, where we generally paid around €60 per night for excellent accommodation. At this price point, expectations are understandably very high. First, the positives: the location is absolutely extraordinary, probably the best in all of Furong Ancient Town. The rooms overlook the magnificent waterfall directly, offering breathtaking views, especially when it is illuminated at night. It is truly a unique experience. The staff were also incredibly kind and welcoming. They arranged complimentary transfers to and from the railway station and surprised us with a bottle of wine and some snacks. These thoughtful gestures were genuinely appreciated. Unfortunately, the condition and maintenance of the room were far below what anyone should expect from a hotel in this price range. Several issues were particularly disappointing: * Missing bathroom door: Instead of properly repairing or replacing it, the hotel had simply installed a curtain. Completely unacceptable for a room costing over €250 per night. * Mouldy and deteriorating silicone seals: The bathroom seals were visibly old, damaged, and covered in mould, giving an impression of poor maintenance. * Dirty bed curtains: There were squashed insects stuck to the curtains surrounding the bed, suggesting they had not been properly cleaned or replaced. * Damaged window seals and poor sound insulation: The windows did not provide adequate soundproofing, which affected the comfort of the room. Another disappointment was the complete absence of breakfast. At this price, even a simple pre-prepared breakfast basket delivered to the room would have been a thoughtful and relatively inexpensive addition. What makes these shortcomings particularly frustrating is that most of them could be resolved with basic maintenance and a relatively modest investment. Considering the room rates charged, it is difficult to understand why such obvious problems have been left unaddressed. This property has enormous potential: an unbeatable location, unforgettable views, and genuinely wonderful staff. However, charging luxury hotel prices also means delivering luxury hotel standards, particularly when it comes to cleanliness, maintenance, and attention to detail. I sincerely hope the management takes this feedback constructively and invests in improving the property. With these issues resolved, it could truly become one of the most exceptional places to stay in Furong. For now, the view deserves five stars, and so does the staff, but unfortunately the room’s condition does not.

The hotel is quite large. You can take a bus from the high-speed rail station to the town for 7 yuan per person, and the hotel is just a few dozen steps' walk from there, making it very convenient. There is also a place right downstairs where you can rent ethnic costumes. The only issue was that there was air freshener placed under the bathroom sink, likely to mask a musty smell. People with allergies or sensitivities should be cautious.

Could not fault service. Wendy greeted us when we arrived and was very warm and welcoming. The hotel is impressively large with very grand, neoclassical public areas. There is a small supermarket with lots of snacks, drinks, ice creams, toiletries and local souvenirs to buy. There was also a Chinese restaurant but the menu did not appeal to our Western taste buds. There is also a cafe serving coffee and tea but it’s quite expensive and the coffee isn’t great. Rooms were huge. Beds were comfy. Air conditioning very effective. Bathrooms were large and well equipped with a bath, separate shower and a fancy self flushing and heated seat. A drying rack was provided so we could catch up on family laundry during our travels. So there are lots of positives and value for money is good. However, the photos of the hotel show a hotel that once was. It looks very tired and dated. Part of our reason for booking was the table tennis room and pool room. However on inspection, it was like these rooms had not been used in years. The lights were switched off and the air was super musky, that it felt difficult to breathe in there. The musky smell fills the air of the basement that also leads you to the swimming pool. The swimming pool opens at 3pm - I’ve never known a hotel to open the pool so late. Getting to the pool involves walking through a cold, dirty trough of disinfectant which was full of hair and dead bugs. Quite disgusting. The outdoor pool itself is gloriously positioned and is serviced by at least 4 lifeguards! The indoor pool was closed. Apart from the musky smell in the basement, smoke permeates corridors and air diffusers are used to try to mask the smell which just makes the air not pleasant to breathe. Corridors are also very hot. The hotel advertises a western restaurant but it wasn’t open during our 4 night stay. The hotel’s location is isolated. It’s about a 20 minute drive from the nearest restaurant. This isn’t ideal for dinner after a long day out. We tried the delivery services - very limited and the quality did not match what is available in the towns. Breakfast there is lots of choice but again the quality and choice did not match our western take buds. The hotel would do better to offer less choice but improve the quality. Perhaps offering some better quality cereals and a wider choice of fruit, yogurt and pastries? There was bread to toast but we noticed that guests were buttering the bread and then placing it in the toaster. The coffee was very unpleasant. In summary, I’d give the hotel 3 stars. Service excellent but amenities and their cleanliness did not match the advertising. Location is isolated which the hotel can’t do much about but they could perhaps offer better dining options. Even a cafe serving snacks would have been great.

A wonderful stay that truly deserves ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ One of the best hotels I’ve stayed at. Everything was easy and comfortable, and I didn’t face any difficulties during my stay. The reception staff were absolutely amazing—very kind, helpful, and always ready to assist with anything I needed. The view of Tianmen Mountain and Heaven’s Gate is beautiful, and the location is excellent, very close to the station for going up Tianmen Mountain. It’s also conveniently close to halal restaurants, which was a big plus for me. A great experience in terms of location, service, and views. I highly recommend this hotel and would definitely stay here again on my next visit. 🌟

Excellent value-for-money hotel, stayed for 4 days! Location: Close to Tianmen Mountain! Room: The hotel's design incorporates raw wood. There are many room types, and most rooms have a balcony or a courtyard! My room was the largest, truly a fantastic deal! It had a living room, a bedroom, and a courtyard. Host (Service): This B&B is run by a young couple (Xiao Liu). Their service is incredibly personal and full of passion. During our four-day stay, they proactively planned our entire itinerary for us. Based on the weather, they suggested where we should go and then helped us book all our tickets! Even after we checked out and moved to Wulingyuan, they continued to help us book tickets for attractions there! Food: Breakfast was included in the room rate. The hostess makes delicious Hunan rice noodles (after eating it one day, I told her I wanted to eat it every day for breakfast!). There was also toast, many pastries, and fruits. It's worth mentioning that while many B&Bs use instant coffee, this one uses coffee beans to make coffee. In Zhangjiajie, a rich and delicious breakfast is really important because it marks the start of a lot of walking!

We had a fantastic stay at Forest Homestay at Sunrise and would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The room was spacious, comfortable and spotlessly clean, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Waking up to the scenery each morning was a real highlight of our stay. The food in the restaurant was excellent. We ate there multiple times and everything we ordered was fresh, delicious and very reasonably priced. It was a lovely place to relax after a long day exploring the park. What really made our stay exceptional, however, was the staff. They were incredibly kind, patient and helpful from start to finish. Before we arrived, they helped organise our transfers to and from the hotel, making the journey completely stress-free. They also took the time to plan our itinerary for Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, explaining the different routes and helping us make the most of our time there. Thanks to their advice, we managed to avoid the long queues and see all of the major highlights efficiently, making our visit far more enjoyable. The genuine warmth and hospitality of everyone at the hotel made us feel very welcome. We would happily stay here again and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone visiting Zhangjiajie National Forest Park.