GGuest UserBefore the New Year, I took my child and my elderly mother on a spontaneous trip. Out of many destinations, I settled on Kunming and Dali, places I'd never visited before. So, I excitedly started searching for hotels, which is one of my greatest joys when traveling.
I initially thought that iconic tourist cities like Kunming and Dali would have plenty of great resort-style hotels to experience, but after searching, I found that wasn't the case. Kunming had more hotel options than Dali (excluding guesthouses), but they were all surprisingly old; nearly every one opened before 2020.
It's not that I'm biased against older hotels, but hotels that have been open for too long inevitably face minor, unavoidable issues like outdated hardware, room odors, or old-fashioned decor.
I had initially planned to book the Shangri-La Kunming, as it was the only new hotel among the top-tier brands opening in 2025. But alas, at 2800 per night, it was quite expensive. So, I settled for its 'half-sibling' Jen, which is right next door. Besides the price, I also wanted to try out the brand as I'd never stayed with them before. Plus, following the principle of 'easy to go from simple to luxurious,' the first stay of a trip can be a bit plain; otherwise, if you start too high, you might feel uncomfortable later on.
Although Jen is a younger brand, it doesn't seem to be a budget one. Compared to Aloft, Moxy, or Element, which I've stayed at before, Jen's positioning is higher. Its own banquet hall, swimming pool, and excellent buffet breakfast already indicate a superior positioning compared to the aforementioned brands. And the Jen in Kunming even shares some public areas (including the pool) with the Shangri-La, which makes it even better.
Let me talk about the good experiences:
🍳 The breakfast was remarkable. While not extensive in variety, it excelled in being 'small but beautiful,' offering all the essentials, incorporating local specialties, and presented with exquisite care.
🏋️ The gym is massive. It's the biggest hotel gym I've ever seen, as you can tell from P7 and P8. I later learned that Jen indeed focuses on 'sports + social' as its core brand strength, with even larger gyms in Beijing and Shenzhen.
🛋️ The room was very new, with up-to-date hardware. You could charge your phone wirelessly, and the bedside charging ports were Type-C.
🚇 The location is superb. Turn left outside and you're at Metro Line 3, just one stop directly to Henglong Plaza. It's incredibly convenient for anyone exploring the city center.
💁 The service was good, albeit standard, which probably aligns with the brand's ethos. Their philosophy is 'stay with a friend,' hoping you feel as relaxed and happy as if you were staying at a friend's house.
Overall, my first stay in Dali and my first experience with Jen were quite good.
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