5-Star Hotels in Guangxi, China

We stayed at New West Street International Hotel for total of 10 nights as we accompanied our child at a nearby Chinese school in the summer. This extended time gave us the opportunity to really got to experience the hotel facilities, the food, and the service.  First the location.The actual location is about a 10 to 15 minute walk from the actual West Street. To us, the distance is actually a good thing. Food, shops, and amenities at West Street are overly tailored for tourists. The hotel location is quiet and peaceful. Nearby are many local restaurants and shops that we much preferred. In fact, we found ourselves walking away from the West Street direction to get some great local foods everyday of our stay. That said, the hotel offers an excellent shuttle service beginning at 3:30pm until late at night if that's what you are into.  Second, the hotel building itself is in excellent condition. It appears many of the facilities and rooms were recently renovated. The lobby is open and airy and makes a comfortable gathering spot for us to meet our friends before heading out. The hotel sometimes accommodates tour groups. Even when we see as many as three tour buses parked in the back, the hotel does not feel congested nor noisy. The room itself is tastefully updated with a large flat screen TV, USB-C chargers, and automated curtains. The beds were comfortable and our balcony room faced a beautiful karst mountain and a nearby pond. The room appears to have great noisy insulation. We did not hear our neighbors like we did in other Chinese hotels. Third, the place is always clean. We see staff cleaning public areas all the time, wiping down handrails, elevator buttons, countertops. etc. As for our room, the home keeper always kept it clean and orderly. We had some problems with smell the first day. A housekeeper came and troubleshoot the problem to durian smell in the mini-fridge. Not only did she wipe it down, but even without us asking, the later came back with another mini-fridge to make sure no smell was left. That really made an impression on us. Next, the staff. Everyone we encountered was always friendly and greeted us. From the cleaning staff to the front desk reception to the restaurant waiters. Everyone was friendly. We can only speak limited mandarin but the staff still talked to us best they could in English. Rachel, the manager on site, was especially friendly to make sure we got everything we needed. She understands we were staying for an extended period of time so she was always asking what can be improved for our long stay. The hotel added us to WeChat where they respond quickly to all the typical requests like room service to sending us extra water. I wish more hotels do this.  Finally, the facilities. We used the laundry room daily. There are 5 washers and 3 dryers by my count. Most of the time, I can find an empty machine to wash my laundry. Mornings are best for doing laundry. After dinner time is the busiest time. We occasionally had to take out other people's laundry that were just sitting there but it's rare. The pool is large, warm, and clean. The shallow end is perfect for kids or just wading around. The deep end is 1.7M deep so it's plenty for actual swimming. We also used the on-site travel agent to book a private transfer to the Guilin high speed station. Rachel happened to be nearby when we did this and she helped with some translation with the agent and it was very appreciated. The restaurant was large and there was always space for us to sit even when there are large tour groups. It offers mainly Chinese options but also have some Western items. Food was abundant and delicious. The Guilin rice noodles in the back is tasty and the broth is excellent. The only thing is the coffee could be a little bit better! We loved our stay at the New West Street International Hotel and would not hesitate to go back next time we visit Yangshuo. 

The hotel is right next to the scenic area, with a small gate for easy access. The night view of Rong Lake is beautiful; you don't even need to take a boat, you can just stroll around and visit all the sights. The hotel itself has a lot of historical character and is a great spot for photos, offering a wonderful experience. A special thanks to the hotel for upgrading us to a balcony room. The balcony was huge and offered direct views, making it feel very luxurious. The only regret is that, probably because it was on the first floor, there was a slight musty smell due to dampness. The breakfast was also good, slightly exceeding expectations with everything you'd need. Overall, it was really great value for money.

Staying at the Xi Shi Jin She Hotel was an incredibly healing experience amidst the beautiful landscapes of Yangshuo. The hotel is located right by the Yulong River, and with the panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, you're greeted by stunning karst peaks, with bamboo rafts slowly gliding by on the river – it feels like living inside a traditional Chinese ink painting. The room was clean and tidy, the toiletries were of excellent quality, and the facilities were exquisite and comprehensive. The butler service was attentive and thoughtful, and the authentic Guilin rice noodles for breakfast were fresh and delicious. The rooftop infinity pool offered amazing photo opportunities. It's also super convenient for visiting the Ten-Mile Gallery. This is definitely my top choice for a stay in Yangshuo, a perfect experience!

Our Guilin trip had us staying at 'Poetry and Far Away - Lijiang Courtyard' (Shi Yu Yuan Fang - Lijiang Yuanzi). True to its name, it's right by the Li River, offering picturesque river views without even leaving the building. The restaurant also boasts great scenery, and the rooftop pool is fantastic for photos. The service was excellent, and my child loved it, saying they want to come back again. The location is very convenient, right in the city center. The hotel's travel photography experience was also a nice touch; both the service and the photos were great.

The indoor afternoon tea area has an amazing ambiance; every photo taken there is a masterpiece 📷✨. The hotel also features a kids' playground 🎠 and an outdoor pool 🏊, making it easy to keep the little ones entertained. The rooms are clean and tidy with excellent attention to detail 🏠. The breakfast buffet offers great quality, and the authentic Guilin rice noodles taste superb 🍜. A good breakfast sets you up perfectly for the day ahead. Located by the Li River, with smooth access to the underground parking. It's also very close to the commercial district, making dining and getting around super convenient. Again, the rooms are clean and tidy with great attention to detail. The breakfast buffet is high quality, and the authentic Guilin rice noodles are truly delicious.

Yangshuo Sugarhouse has always been a hotel I've wanted to visit, and a serendipitous opportunity finally brought me here, marking my first trip to Yangshuo. True to its pictures, it's exactly as you've seen it. Admittedly, it's no longer a new hotel, and I had some reservations beforehand, as similar-priced hotels in the same category might offer larger, more luxurious options. However, for design enthusiasts, Sugarhouse is special; it's a destination in itself. My first impression was that the hotel is reasonably well-maintained, and the service is always pleasant and attentive. I always assumed these were standard expectations in such hotels, not worth mentioning. Yet, it wasn't until I truly experienced the various facets of Yangshuo that I realized Sugarhouse is an oasis in this bustling, chaotic, and often less-than-pleasant destination. Yangshuo is beautiful, but its natural charm isn't always enough to offset some disappointing tourist experiences. You might exert a lot of effort trying to soak in the legendary landscapes, only to be left unsatisfied, perhaps due to early mornings or overwhelming crowds. But at Sugarhouse, you can intimately connect with Yangshuo's mountains and rivers, as they are right outside your room, beyond the iconic pool view. During the day, you can fully immerse yourself in nature undisturbed, and as dusk falls, the lights of Impression Liu Sanjie illuminate them, making you a part of the landscape. Finding such tranquility in this destination is incredibly precious, a realization I only had after switching to other hotels. The service here carries a hint of genuine, endearing awkwardness, and you can sense that achieving this level of service isn't easy. The bartender at 1969 Bar recommended a special concoction when I was indecisive, allowing me to savor the last season's season of loquat gin, which was unforgettable. Lucy at the front desk was incredibly helpful in resolving my issues, and when I pointed out some minor flaws in the room, they were already being addressed – truly tiny details that not everyone would notice, demonstrating their genuine care for guests. I met a gentleman at breakfast who enthusiastically and meticulously introduced me to oil tea and proactively helped me carry it to my upstairs seat when my hands were full. On my departure day, I even saw him standing at the lobby entrance at 36 degrees Celsius, assisting guests. Later, I learned he was the hotel's general manager. The people here are sincere and responsible, and what initially felt like minor imperfections transformed into a stark difference after comparison. I can give the experience here full marks. Some friends might find it too boring, with too many cars on the highway outside the rooms. But if you've experienced the endless swarm of electric scooters, the ubiquitous paid parking lots, and the so-called villas that cost 3,000 yuan with no view whatsoever, you'll realize that not only is the pricing here quite fair, but it's also almost the only viable accommodation option in Yangshuo. Of course, this is just for reference if you don't plan on venturing out, but Sugarhouse still offers many interesting services that make it a highly recommendable choice.

The cleanliness definitely needs improvement. The front desk staff during check-in and the duty manager who handled my subsequent issues were both excellent, with fantastic service attitudes. However, the overall hygiene still has significant room for improvement. When I checked in, there was a hair on the sink, and I initially thought it might be unavoidable due to the busy tourist season, so I brushed it off since I brought my own hygienic mat. But then I found an unidentified hair near the toilet, dust in the corner of the bedside table, hair on the bedside surface, and long hair on the footrest – seriously, that's disgusting! This is such a nice hotel; they really need to manage it properly.

My experience at this hotel was truly exceptional, offering not only picturesque scenery and cozy accommodations but also incredibly thoughtful service. Due to a typhoon, we had to cancel our trip to Weizhou Island and instead headed to Yangshuo earlier than planned. After carefully sifting through options online, we chose to stay at 'Poetry and Distance' for three nights, and it felt like destiny. The hotel's service is absolutely top-tier; every greeting and reminder was perfectly timed. The afternoon tea and evening desserts, though seemingly small gestures, always hit the spot. The concierge patiently answered all our questions and met every request. The room facilities were well-maintained, and the view from the window was simply stunning. The hotel's ZUI Lijiang restaurant also completely satisfied our culinary desires – I'd call it Yangshuo's best restaurant, and the prices are reasonable too. The swimming pool is heated, making it comfortable to swim any time, and my child practically went swimming every day. The hotel also organizes activities like intangible cultural heritage handicrafts. I highly recommend everyone discover and experience even more surprises for themselves!

Better maintained than I expected! I was initially hesitant to book, fearing the hotel might be old, but a 5-star is a 5-star. The service is excellent, and the rooms are clean and hygienic. Parking is convenient, and the location is great with everything you need nearby. The hotel's front desk is even a popular spot for photos! I'd definitely stay here again if I have the chance; it offers great value for money. Plus, the best Thai milk tea is right nearby—it couldn't be more perfect!

Seasonal welcome fruits: The fruits were fresh. Ambiance: Located within the resort area, with unique scenery. Zhuang brocade fridge magnet/straw hat/round fan/dyeing DIY: Lots of fruits on the hillside, available for picking. Fishing experience: There are several ponds where you can fish. Environment: Next to the Heishui River, there's a mountain-top rafting experience.