5-Star Hotels in Yunnan, China

This was my 12th visit to Lijiang, and this time I chose the Banyan Tree. **The Bad:** The facilities are old and outdated. The doors on both the first and second floors are so old and worn out that they no longer close properly; you can only勉强 align them and use the chain lock. The shower water temperature fluctuates wildly, going from scalding hot to ice cold in an instant. The overall decor is dated, and the equipment is showing its age. The carpets, tables, and other furniture are all worn. **The Good:** The excellent housekeeping auntie. She seemed to be a local ethnic minority, and she brought a small gift every day. She was honest and simple, and kept the room very clean. A definite thumbs up for her. **The Good:** The outstanding hotel concierge, Elin Zhou. She was incredibly responsive and fulfilled every request promptly. The original pillows in the room were too soft to sleep on, and the concierge quickly sent someone to bring firmer pillows that same evening. She also arranged a complimentary airport transfer when we checked out. She messaged us daily during our stay to check in. Such an excellent employee – the hotel should definitely reward her. **The Good:** Although the selection at the Chinese restaurant wasn't vast, the food quality was excellent. The stir-fried Naxi ******* pork was outstanding; I literally ate two plates of it. **Overall:** The hotel offers great privacy, and the gardens are lovely. The exterior maintenance is commendable. However, it's a case of 'all that glitters is not gold' – the interior of the rooms desperately needs renovation and refurbishment. The internal facilities simply can't compare to other five-star hotels in Lijiang anymore. That unforgettable musty smell when you enter the room... ugh.

This was my first time in Lijiang, and after doing some research online, my friend and I decided to stay at this hotel. The experience truly exceeded our expectations. The guesthouse is tucked away in the ancient city's alleys, offering a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle, yet it's only a few minutes' walk to Sifang Street, meaning no long treks with luggage. It's a charming traditional courtyard, and sitting there, soaking up the sun and sipping tea, was incredibly relaxing. Our room was spotless, with an antique charm, and the bedding was soft and comfortable. It was exceptionally quiet at night. The owner was incredibly thoughtful, meeting us at the alley entrance to help with our luggage. They also recommended authentic local food and less-traveled routes, helping us avoid many tourist traps. The bathroom had a separate wet and dry area, plenty of hot water, and all the amenities we needed. It's a great location, with a quiet atmosphere and heartwarming service. Plus, there are all sorts of cute little pets you can interact with and take photos of. I genuinely loved it here, and staying at this place in Lijiang Ancient City is definitely a no-brainer. I'll choose it again next time I visit!

This newly opened downtown hotel, built in 2025, is a gem! It's just a 3-minute walk to Kunming Old Street, Shuncheng, and Jinma Biji Archway. Plus, there are tons of amazing food options nearby, making it the perfect base for any food-loving adventurer. The entire room features smart controls, and the bedding is incredibly comfortable. While the hairdryer isn't a Dyson, the Laifen is still excellent. We even received complimentary welcome fruit upon arrival, and the minibar is entirely free. The concierge was proactive in helping with our luggage, and the views from our 28th-floor room, overlooking the city lights at night, were stunning. The 24-hour gym is a huge plus, allowing me to work out whenever I wanted – a truly thoughtful amenity. Many star-rated hotels are still stuck with traditional satellite TV, so it was a delight to find that this one offers screen mirroring that works seamlessly. The smart entertainment system is a standout feature, and I give it a big thumbs up! (*≧∪≦)👍🏻 Now, let's talk about breakfast: The selection of Chinese and Western dishes is extensive, including many authentic Yunnan specialties. The rare pea flour, kumiss, five-color glutinous rice, and flower cakes were all outstanding and delicious. My only regret is not getting to try the Eggs Benedict – a slight disappointment. The restaurant service was exceptional. The staff were friendly and attentive, proactively guiding us to our table. They even offered coffee to go, cleared plates promptly, and provided warm and thorough service throughout. This truly enhanced my experience. Justin Liu deserves a special mention for his proactive enthusiasm and prompt responses. Five stars!

The location is good, right at the entrance of Gaozhuang, so you can walk there. However, the facilities and service don't live up to a five-star (or diamond) rating. The decor and amenities are quite simple, feeling more like an apartment. The concierge service was great; they actively helped with luggage and were very polite about storing it. But the front desk was just average – expressionless, and looked annoyed when I asked for a bag. Although it's on a high floor, I'd advise light sleepers to reconsider, as there was loud music outside early in the morning, not sure if it was a public square dance or what. Overall, the experience was just okay.

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.

Dali Hotel, Take Three: Living in an Underwater World! Bringing the kids to Dali and fulfilling their dream of an underwater room! 🌊 I’ve put together a super honest guide to our stay! I'll cover prices, floor choices, hidden costs, and food and drink, so first-timers can just copy this plan! 💰 Room Prices & Floor Pitfalls ▪️ Standard Rooms: 400-600 RMB/night No underwater view, great value for money if you just need a place to stay. ▪️ Underwater View Rooms: 1600-1900 RMB/night Prices vary by floor, and here’s the key thing to avoid! ❌ Definitely don’t choose the 1st floor! The floor is too low, the window is quite small, you can only see corals and small bottom-dwelling fish. Photos turn out very ordinary, and the experience is poor. ✅ Go for the 2nd floor first! Best value for money overall! The price is moderate, the viewing window is super large, and the view is expansive. You’ll get great photos effortlessly. Call the front desk in advance to reserve a room with a good view. We stayed in room 8220, and the view was quite good. ⭕ The 3rd floor is slightly more expensive. The view isn't significantly different from the 2nd floor. If you're looking for value, just go for the second floor. ⚠️ Charged Activities The mermaid and golden storm performances, which used to be free, are now all charged! 200 RMB per show. Other self-funded interactive activities: ▫️ Touching dolphins for a photo: 100 RMB ▫️ Feeding seals: 50 RMB ▫️ Feeding penguins: 100 RMB ✅ Perks Worth Praising Booking a room includes a complimentary diving experience 🤿. There are no hidden secondary charges, which is really thoughtful! 🍜 Food and Drink ▫️ The mini-bar in the room has a rich variety of snacks and drinks, all free of charge. ▫️ There are very few restaurants around the hotel. If you want a proper meal, you'll need to take a taxi for about 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can order takeout or dine at the hotel. ▫️ The hotel’s own breakfast is of good quality, and the à la carte dishes in the restaurant are also very reasonably priced. (It’s advisable to order takeout in advance, as delivery times can be quite long.) Many people think almost 2000 RMB for one night is expensive. But seeing the kids pressed against the window, watching the underwater world with eyes full of surprise and wonder ✨, makes all the expenses feel super worth it! A true fairy-tale experience exclusively for children! 👧🏻

An absolutely wonderful hotel! It's located right in the ancient city, making it incredibly convenient to walk to all the attractions. Yet, it's a rare find that manages to be peaceful amidst the hustle and bustle; you can't hear any street noise once you're inside. The facilities are complete, and the interior design is elegant and serene, making you naturally want to slow down, enjoy a cup of tea, and read a book. The service is gentle and thoughtful; the butlers were very responsive to our requests. They arranged our transfers and private tours perfectly. They also carefully confirmed meal reminders, housekeeping, and even bedtime desserts with us every day. And the choices they offered were abundant! From the daily breakfast dishes to everyday beverages and the brands of toiletries, there were so many high-quality options, making each day an exciting and interesting experience. Looking forward to coming back!

This hotel was recommended by a friend, and after actually staying there, I was truly blown away. I rarely, if ever, review hotels, but I wholeheartedly recommend this one. **Service:** As soon as I booked, a concierge added me on WeChat, providing hotel information and activity arrangements. They even arranged a business car for airport pickup. The service, from check-in to check-out, was incredibly attentive. One night, I felt unwell in the middle of the night and thought everyone would be off duty, but after I mentioned it in the group chat, they immediately brought me an oxygen tank. **Environment:** The hotel is located at the foot of a snowy mountain, right at the entrance of Yuhu Village, offering first-class scenery. The hotel provides shuttle services to the village whenever needed. **Food:** The cured pork ribs and free-range chicken hotpot included in the hotel package was absolutely delicious – far better than the restaurants at InterContinental or Aman. Although the breakfast selection wasn't extensive, it was exquisite, and I really enjoyed that style of breakfast. There's an all-day self-service bar with drinks and fruits, and the fruits are all high quality, including my favorite passion fruit. There's also a very tasty afternoon tea, which can be enjoyed on the lawn if the weather is good. **Activities:** During our stay, we participated in horseback riding and hiking to pick pinecones and mushrooms (the hotel doesn't allow guests to eat what they pick for safety reasons). The hiking scenery was beautiful, and even my seven-year-old child completed the entire trek. In short, it was truly a perfect experience.

This was an absolutely fantastic homestay experience. I've stayed in other places where the photos looked great, but the reality was a huge disappointment. So I didn't have high expectations this time, but wow, was I surprised! Could a homestay actually look as good as its pictures? Was the 'butler service' more than just a slogan? And could a room really be this beautiful without a wide-angle lens? This time, I truly experienced it all. If I had to nitpick, I'd suggest the host add a few more hooks in the room. Other than that, there's nothing else to say. If you're reading reviews and researching accommodations, go ahead and book this place with confidence – you won't be disappointed!

If you're visiting Lijiang's Shuhe Ancient Town, you absolutely cannot miss the amazing Guanxin Inn! The environment here is beautiful, with lush greenery in the courtyard and fresh air that instantly helps you relax. The bedding in the rooms is exceptionally comfortable – a good night's sleep here will leave you feeling completely refreshed! The service is incredibly thoughtful and attentive; no matter what you need, they'll help you out, making you feel as warm and welcome as if you were at home. Step outside the inn and you can immediately experience the ancient town's unique charm and leisurely pace of life, making it perfect for a relaxing vacation and capturing some great photos! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a peaceful and immersive experience of Lijiang's culture!