Boutique hotels in Yunnan, China

Here's my review of the Banyan Tree Lijiang; overall, it was a very comfortable stay. The room featured a king-sized bed and a sofa bed. The entire place was spotless, and any request we made to the staff was met with a prompt and thorough response. I particularly loved the room layout. The sleeping area with the large bed, the living area with the sofa, and the bathroom each had doors that could be closed off, creating separate, private spaces. It felt as spacious as a two-bedroom suite. It also came with a private courtyard that included a hot spring jacuzzi, with the water temperature perfectly adjusted. The whole garden was incredibly quiet, making for a truly relaxing soak.

I spent a long time choosing a hotel for our trip to Kunming because I wanted somewhere that would keep the kids entertained, but also be suitable for celebrating our wedding anniversary and a birthday. I chose this place primarily for the bathtub in this room type and its convenient location. However, once we arrived, I was truly impressed by how comprehensive the amenities are. From meals to entertainment, and catering to both children and adults, everything is taken care of. The staff were also incredibly friendly and attentive. The biggest surprise was the handwritten birthday card – in this digital age, a handwritten card really warms the heart. We booked two nights, and we didn't even leave the hotel for one of them; we spent the entire day there with the kids and never got bored. My children are already talking about coming back again.

1. **Check-in Area:** The check-in counter, or front desk, was quite shabby. The computer keyboard was practically caked in grime, and don't even get me started on the sofa next to it – it looked very unhygienic. 2. **Dining:** The breakfast area was a bit cramped, with just four small tables by the street. If you're a party of more than two, you'd have to sit separately, or you might even have to stand and wait for a table. The coffee, however, was good. I only had breakfast once: a cold quinoa salad (see Photo 6) served with bread that had an overpowering artificial creamer flavor. I had been looking forward to the rice noodles for the next day, but serving didn't start until 8:30 AM, which was far too late for my rumbling stomach. Early risers and those who prefer hot meals should seriously consider other options or make alternative arrangements. 3. **Room (2nd floor) - Noise Issues:** Don't even think about getting any sleep at night. After 11 PM, there was still noise along the street, along with the clanging of the garbage truck. (Seriously, I'd strongly advise against staying in the Old Town.) The next day, it started pouring before dawn, and the sound of the heavy rain kept me awake as well. 4. **Room - Facility Issues:** The room I stayed in was supposedly the quietest in the entire hotel. It featured a large bathtub and a bathroom where the toilet and shower area lacked wet/dry separation. Unable to deal with the wet floor, I decided to shower in the bathtub. That's when I discovered Problem #1: the glass partition was completely transparent, with no curtain or frosted glass. The staff member claimed this was 'design.' Then came Fatal Problem #2: the bathtub had no running water, haha! 😄 5. **Room - Odor Issues:** Upon entering, there was a strong musty smell. The staff claimed it was due to 'raw wood,' but it's been 8 years and it still smells like that? Quite amusing. 6. **Staff (Pre-Check-in):** Before I even checked in, they asked me to cancel my booking on the platform and pay them privately for a discounted rate. I have this in writing. This is definitely a huge red flag, and I'm surprised they even dared to suggest it. 7. **Staff (General):** The individuals themselves were nice enough, but I was surprised to find that all the 'Jixiashan' staff were quite young, without uniforms, and seemingly without direct supervision, which gave a very disorganized and casual impression. 8. **Housekeeping:** I was quite satisfied with the housekeeping. Seeing the clean duvet and towels gave me peace of mind (P.S. the pillows were also comfortable). The hotel's facilities are very old; no matter how clean the bathroom tiles were, they still looked run-down, compounded by the dim lighting. Therefore, I feel the housekeeping staff here really have a tough job. 9. **Building Structure:** One morning, during a heavy downpour, when I opened my 2nd-floor room door, the entrance was essentially flooded up to my heels. It was quite a feat that the water didn't spread into the room. At night, there were no lights, so I had to grope my way back to the room along the dark corridor. It would be quite difficult for someone who doesn't remember their way (see Photos 1-2). 10. **Hotel Amenities:** One night, I heard the guest next door return, unable to open their door with the key, and had to call a staff member for help. They chatted for a bit outside the door before the staff member finally told the guest a 'trick': 'The key needs to be inserted a certain way, and the lock has a particular mechanism...' That's quite a struggle – needing a special technique just to get back to your room! 11. **Minor Details:** The room key had a very large, bulky leather tag attached to it. Absolutely no consideration for travelers on long journeys with limited luggage space. Who would want to carry such a bulky thing around? I originally had high hopes for the 'Jixiashan' brand. When I was in Shangri-La, I heard their Meili store had a collaboration with Kolon, which made me think they had good taste. This Dali Ancient City location is their first store, but it turned out to be such a low standard. Given the daily rate, I guess I understand why. This particular store cannot be found on 'Jixiashan's' mini-program; it's categorized under 'Wang Shenme Chuan Qu Le'.

My partner and I stayed at Pullman Lijiang Resort & Spa for two nights during the Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Overall, our experience was mixed. The highlight of our stay was definitely the villa itself. It was clean, spacious, and comfortable. The bed was excellent—one of the most comfortable hotel beds we have slept on in a long time. We had two very restful nights, and the room provided a peaceful environment to relax after exploring Lijiang. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience did not live up to the hotel’s luxury branding, price point, or rating. While the property may once have been a premium resort, it now feels dated and in need of renovation. Many of the facilities and amenities appear worn, and the overall condition of the hotel gives the impression that it has not been maintained to the standard expected of a luxury resort. The biggest disappointment was the breakfast. The Western selection was very limited and of questionable quality, while the Chinese options were equally underwhelming. Even basic items such as the baozi did not taste freshly made. For a hotel in this price range, the food quality was surprisingly poor and far below expectations. Having stayed at many other hotels across China, including less expensive and less prestigious brands, I have often enjoyed significantly better breakfast offerings and overall value. The dining experience simply does not reflect the premium rates charged by this property. In summary, if you value a large villa and a comfortable bed, this hotel may still be worth considering. However, those expecting a true luxury resort experience, modern facilities, and high-quality dining may find themselves disappointed. The accommodation itself was enjoyable, but the amenities, maintenance, and food quality need significant improvement to justify the hotel’s reputation and pricing.

This hotel is perfectly situated at the entrance to Qiyi Street, south gate of Dayan Ancient Town. It's ideally located at the historical Tea Horse Road gateway into the city, yet far enough from the hustle and bustle of Sifang Street. My biggest impression is 'small yet beautiful'. Being small, it's a courtyard-style building nestled within the ancient town, avoiding the impersonal feel of larger hotels and allowing for more focus on the guest experience. Because it's integrated into the fabric of the old town, stepping out means encountering flagstone streets and Naxi life, while stepping in offers the privacy of a quiet courtyard. It's not some cold, mass-produced product; its unique character is something I really appreciate. Indigo and the InterContinental across the street belong to the same group, so all facilities and resources are shared. You can freely access the InterContinental. If you get tired of Indigo's set breakfast, you can go to the InterContinental for their buffet, or even visit their lobby to see the 'Sunlight on Golden Mountain' view. I've stayed in both the deluxe boutique room with a courtyard and the suite at Indigo, and I loved them both. The decor beautifully reflects Naxi and Tea Horse cultures, making them truly worth experiencing. Last but not least, I must commend Manager Pu. He was incredibly responsive to every request, from helping with luggage to coordinating details, making us feel truly at home. You couldn't ask for more. I look forward to returning 'home' again someday.

I did a lot of research before my trip and finally chose one of the top 50 guesthouses in the country, and it turned out to be the right choice. The day before my trip, the butler arranged airport pickup service. The driver arrived on time, was friendly and polite, and the butler was there to greet us at the drop-off point. The bumpy stone road was indeed difficult to navigate, so luckily, a rickshaw took our luggage to the hotel. Stepping into the hotel, the garden landscape was delightful. The room was set up exactly as I requested—clean and with a broad view. The biggest difference between a guesthouse and a hotel is that a guesthouse truly considers guests' daily living habits. A dryer, dehumidifier, bathtub liners, facial cleanser, and laundry detergent were all provided. There were also disposable slippers and eco-friendly bath towels that you could take with you. The guesthouse thought of everything a guest might need. Whenever you feel like a drink, just head down to the lobby, and the butler will freshly grind and prepare a small coffee latte for you—fragrant, rich, and delightful. During leisure time, children can do crafts in the lobby. Everything was very satisfying.

I rarely write reviews, but I simply couldn't resist for this hotel – it's absolutely exceptional in every single aspect. The complimentary airport and train station transfers are a huge plus, and the service is incredibly warm and enthusiastic. They proactively help with all your luggage, big or small. The transfer vehicles are also very comfortable and spotless. Upon check-in, everything in the room is free except for the red wine – instant noodles, drinks, beer, water, coffee, yogurt, and Yunnan black tea are all complimentary. They bring a generous amount of fresh fruit daily, and there's 24-hour rice noodle service, which is a lifesaver for anyone not accustomed to local food; you'll never go hungry. Every evening, there's also tremella soup available. The front desk even has complimentary snacks, fruits, and flower cakes for guests to enjoy. And the room itself? Speechless. The videos and photos on their website are an exact, 1:1 representation of the actual rooms – absolutely no photo trickery. What you see is precisely what you get. The room is impeccably clean, and the array of amenities is extensive. My parents are usually quite picky about hotels, but they absolutely adored this one, praising everything from the room facilities to the balcony views and the spaciousness of the suite. They insisted that on their next trip to Dali, they must stay here again. And most importantly, the staff – from the front desk to the transfer drivers, the F&B team, the ladies who help with luggage, the gentlemen who deliver rice noodles and tremella soup at night, and the three cleaning ladies – everyone is incredibly polite, enthusiastic, and friendly. The owner of this hotel is truly fortunate to have assembled such a fantastic team. The hotel's location, combined with the suite facilities and the wonderful staff, makes for a top-tier experience. I wholeheartedly recommend that everyone visiting Dali *must* stay at this hotel at least once – it's absolutely worth every penny!

Perfect location in a walkable tree-lined neighborhood, where there are lots of upscale restaurants and bars and cafes. The hotel isn’t the newest and could use a touch-up in places but very interesting design, cool artwork in the lobby, huge rooms. A couple machines for laundry and gym on top floor. Service at the reception was super helpful. Breakfast is in a restaurant that is a German beer place during the day and night. Selection is modest but sausages and delicious broth and noodles, the bread could have been more fresh. Would stay here again.

This hotel is a hidden gem, offering peace and quiet right between the East and West Pagodas, and next to Jinri Building. The location is absolutely fantastic, with a huge tree providing shade right at the entrance. There are plenty of dining options nearby, which is very convenient. The hotel's design is elegant, and you can see the unique and thoughtful touches everywhere – in the rooms, lobby, and restaurant. I regret not taking more photos! We ended up staying an extra night in Kunming due to a cancelled flight and booked this hotel on a whim, and it was a delightful surprise. The front desk staff were incredibly warm, proactive, and attentive. While we were out sightseeing during the day, they proactively moved our stored luggage to our room. They even brought the afternoon tea we missed directly to our room. For breakfast, we chose the Crossing the Bridge Noodles, and the broth was incredibly fresh and delicious – honestly, better than the mushroom hotpot we'd had for the past few days.

The room was clean and hygienic, with plenty of hot water. The cleaning staff were very diligent, and it was a relief to come back to a clean and tidy room every day. We could even see a bit of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain from the side window. The hotel is only a two-minute walk from Black Dragon Pool, and it's easy to get a taxi nearby without getting stuck in traffic. The breakfast restaurant staff were all excellent. Breakfast started very early, which was convenient, and they offered a variety of options like four kinds of porridge, freshly ground coffee, hot dishes, and rice noodles – all clean, hygienic, and delicious. The hotel concierge was very responsible and provided attentive, excellent service. I highly recommend this place.