Lijiang Guanyan Scenic Area

The staff go way beyond the ordinary to make sure your stay is the best possible. I really have to commend the staff in every way. For one, when you check out, they intentionally time a quick check of your room to make sure you didn’t forget anything. If you did, they call within minutes of your checkout to let you know. The staff also prepare meals if you have received a free breakfast. Meals are awesome and filling. There are a number of breakfast menus to choose from and you can add items at cost if you like. I tried several while I was there and they were all great. The views of the mountains are unmatched. The pool also makes images really cool. The grounds are kept by a gardener and I found the whole area just awesome. Note, they are right on the river, which is also quite cool. There are other hotels in the city, but I would remind those considering those options that while convenient, it is very noisy in the village center. This hotel offers a free shuttle twice out and twice back. You can also use their taxi service or get a taxi via didi. Given the immense noise in the village center, I’d generally stay away from that area. Also, almost no hotels offer home stay like apartment hotels to foreigners. If you are a local, then I’m sure the number of options is significantly increased. Nevertheless, I found this hotel a true winner.

The rooms at the Yangshuo Fairyland Hotel have the most spectacular views I have ever woken up to in any part of the world. The designer of the hotel knew how to feature the lovely valley ringed by the distinctive mountains that seem to be alive. That alone would make a stay here worth while. Add to this, the incredibly welcoming and communicative host, Mark Ma, who along with his staff in the reception, coffee house and cafeteria, make the place seem like home away from home. Pick-ups from airport and train station are offered and all-day sightseeing as well. And walking around the village next to the hotel offers many interesting sights and encounters with super friendly vendors. In short, thanks to Mark and all for a wonderful stay. Communication was made easy by translation apps, and as more English information is available in writing in the rooms, it will be even easier for non-Chinese speakers to fall in love with the Yangshuo region, people and hotel.