4-Star Hotels in Dali City

Staying at this Bai ethnic courtyard guesthouse on Renmin Road in the ancient city was a very satisfying experience overall. The location is a real advantage, right on the core Renmin Road of the ancient city. It's super convenient for exploring alleyways, finding food, and sightseeing. It perfectly balances being lively yet quiet; despite being on a busy street, it's completely undisturbed by the crowds. The courtyard itself is serene and tranquil, offering a comfortable blend of activity and peace. The courtyard is an authentic traditional Bai ethnic residence, featuring intricately carved wooden windows, ancient tiled roofs, and lush greenery with pomegranate trees, all exuding a strong sense of antiquity. Looking out from the carved windows on the second floor, the entire courtyard view is very atmospheric. The owner is down-to-earth and enthusiastic, helping with directions and luggage upon arrival, and thoughtfully providing tips for exploring the ancient city and local culinary recommendations. The service is attentive without being intrusive. The guest rooms are clean and comfortable, and the living environment is quiet and stable. For a trip to the ancient city, staying here offers both convenience and a relaxing experience. It's excellent value for money and highly recommended.

Exceptional Stay! Sanjian Seaview Hotel was truly one of the highlights of my trip to Dali. Facing the beautiful Erhai Lake with breathtaking views of the majestic Cangshan Mountains, the scenery was simply stunning from sunrise to sunset. The room itself was spacious, clean, comfortable, and impeccably maintained. I especially loved the fully smart-controlled features adding a modern and luxurious touch to the stay. Combined with the panoramic views of Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain, it created a truly relaxing and enjoyable experience. Every corner of the property is thoughtfully designed, making it incredibly aesthetic and Instagram-worthy. The food was another highlight. Breakfast, afternoon tea, and supper were all included, with a wide variety of choices and incredibly generous portions. As someone with a smaller appetite, I requested reduced portions, and the staff were more than happy to accommodate my request. Their attentiveness and flexibility were greatly appreciated. One unique feature was the complimentary photography session offered by the hotel. With such stunning scenery as the backdrop, it was hard to resist. The photographer was young, passionate, professional, and knew exactly how to make guests feel comfortable in front of the camera. Fair warning - you may arrive intending to enjoy only the complimentary photos, but you might find yourself purchasing a photo package because the results turn out far better than expected! Although the hotel is located slightly away from the popular tourist attractions, I found this to be one of its greatest strengths. Away from the crowds and bustle of the tourist hotspots, the hotel offers a peaceful and tranquil retreat where guests can truly relax and appreciate the natural beauty of Dali. The staff were warm, welcoming, and always ready to help, making the stay even more enjoyable. Overall, this was more than just a hotel stay, it felt like a place where time slowed down. Leaving was the hardest part. For a brief moment, I found myself wondering what it would be like to stay a few more days, or perhaps forever. It was the kind of place that made the outside world feel a little less urgent and every moment a little more precious. A truly memorable stay, and one that I will look back on fondly long after leaving Dali.

I traveled to Dali, enchanted by Cangshan and Erhai. This Southeast Asian-style hotel, tucked away in an alley in Shuanglang, brings the poetic beauty of the mountains and sea into everyday life. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer direct views of Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain. Waking up to see the sea of clouds embracing the mountains in the morning, and watching the sunset paint the sea in the evening—every moment is a healing masterpiece. The retro Southeast Asian aesthetics blend with Bai ethnic charm, and the exquisite soft furnishings create an immersive atmosphere, making every casual photo look high-end. The hardware is top-notch, with Dyson amenities, Marshall speakers, and high-end bathroom toiletries. The service is warm and thoughtful, with an attentive butler, breakfast, afternoon tea, and a sweet bedtime soup. Far from the hustle and bustle, lying back and relaxing here, listening to the wind and watching the sea, is the perfect way to experience a Dali vacation.

I feel like I'd be doing a disservice if I didn't give a glowing review of Dali Molv - Shanshe Smart B&B (Dali Ancient City Branch) after my three-day stay. 'Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I gaze at Cangshan Mountain with leisure!' Firstly, let me talk about the experience from booking to check-in. After checking rankings and the location, I chose a spot outside the ancient city, about 250 meters from the main road, with Honglongjing Gate just across it. It's about a 12-minute walk to the ancient city, depending on your pace. We booked four rooms for eight people: three tatami queen beds and one tea tatami twin. After a call, we added each other on WeChat for communication, including breakfast and afternoon tea, and they were almost instantly responsive, with the longest wait being five minutes. For someone like me who values service feedback, this was incredibly efficient and satisfying. Now, about the stay itself. While on the train from Kunming to Dali, we informed them 1-2 hours in advance of our estimated arrival time and afternoon tea preparation. The train journey was about 45 minutes. I initially thought about staying one night on the south side of Erhai Lake, but with seniors and children, I decisively opted for a continuous stay. Our subsequent dining and sightseeing experiences proved this to be the right choice, saving the elderly and children from unnecessary travel, especially the several folks in their early 70s. Upon arriving at the B&B, we were greeted by a Shiba Inu and another small dog whose name I don't recall (forgive my ignorance). Then, an aunt immediately went to call the front desk staff (the owner) for us. He promptly came out to welcome us and handled our check-in very enthusiastically. I must highlight a few check-in details: firstly, they upgraded two of our queen rooms. Secondly, they insisted on carrying our three suitcases to each room, though we 'rescued' our luggage from them. Finally, in each room, they patiently explained how to use the intelligent 'Xiao Ai' smart speaker, the bathroom equipment, the complimentary drinks in the fridge, and the humidifier's location. The fully smart toilet with disposable seat covers (which most hotels don't provide) was a great convenience for travelers like us. In short, everything in the room was free. After settling our belongings in the rooms, we headed to the tearoom to enjoy the custom-made, freshly baked afternoon tea. Two servings were already prepared, and two more were brought over as we sat down, totaling four servings, which confirmed they were prepared fresh. Both children and adults loved it, especially the waffles which disappeared instantly. The floral tea, fruit, rose cakes, and pastries were absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. Moving on to the overall experience during our stay, the rooms were very spacious, with an open-plan layout, and the bathroom, shower, and vanity areas were all dry/wet separated. But what I want to emphasize most is the quality of service. Firstly, regarding drinks, the young man told us not to hesitate to ask them for anything we needed, immediately alleviating any shyness we might have had. Secondly, breakfast only required 10-20 minutes notice for freshly prepared meals. There were A and B set menus to choose from, and the rice noodles were better than those found in chain hotels – abundant and satisfying. As for the environment, please refer to the photos; it's certainly among the top-tier B&Bs. They also have their own small bar, which I didn't visit, but I drank plenty of refillable iced lattes, which my son particularly loved and had every day. A crucial point is the complimentary sweet soup before bed every night, with different options for the two nights. The first night was red bean and peanut sweet soup; the bowl in the photo shows how delicious it looked. The second night was mung bean and coix seed sweet soup, and they proactively reminded us that it was available whenever we wanted. On the first day, we returned quite late from sightseeing and even troubled them to deliver it to our rooms (four people came back from dinner and walking around the ancient city). We returned after 10 PM, and after we told them, they quickly came to collect the bowls. They initially told us to just leave them outside, but their service was so good that I couldn't bear to leave them out, fearing they might be accidentally damaged. Soon, two young ladies came to collect from all four of our rooms. They were kind and beautiful, and every staff member we met greeted us warmly. On the second night, we had eaten too much and hadn't thought about asking for the sweet soup, but I was pleased that even without us asking, they proactively offered it. Another detail worth mentioning: on the first night, my son had a nosebleed while picking his nose in his sleep, staining the duvet and sheets. I informed them and offered to cover the cleaning fee, but they simply told me, 'Brother, it's fine, we can get it cleaned today,' which instantly made me feel very warm inside. Before our outings, they also provided us with travel suggestions. I've attached some beautiful photos and recorded my feelings for everyone's reference. I strongly recommend this place to any friends traveling with family who want to find tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle.

I rarely write reviews, but Wuyun (Cloudless) really made our stay incredibly comfortable~ Room: All facilities worked perfectly, and the room had ample space. The balcony offered great views with good privacy (I thought with guesthouses being so close, privacy might be an issue, but it wasn't at all); aside from a few small, natural flying insects in summer (which the housekeeper explained), everything else was excellent~ Breakfast: Delicious! Both the yogurt bowl and rice noodles were tasty. The balcony where breakfast is served offered a completely different beautiful view, making breakfast a very enjoyable experience. Environment: The entire guesthouse environment exuded a sense of quiet and tranquility. With abundant white decor and lush greenery in every corner, it's clearly a well-designed space. No need to worry about the coffee shop affecting the accommodation; the lodging area remains very quiet. Coffee!!! My partner and I had 2-3 cups each per day, not just because it's free for guests (this service is truly unique and outstanding!), but genuinely because the beans were delicious, and the housekeepers consistently made excellent coffee (as someone used to mediocre coffee in Shanghai, I was pleasantly surprised to find such great coffee in Erhai). All the other beverages were also wonderfully prepared. We even bought a lot of drip bags and coffee beans when we left, haha (my friends also said they were delicious!). Wishing you all the best, and thanks to the housekeepers for their care. Hope to visit again!

I stayed at Darling Darling Villa and overall had a pleasant experience, with a mix of highlights and a few areas that could be improved. Location: The villa is conveniently located about 10–14 minutes from Dali Ancient Town, which makes it easy to explore while still enjoying a quieter stay. Room & Facilities: The room was very spacious and big, which was a huge plus. The bathtub was exceptionally large, easily fitting a family of four. However, the area where the tub connects to the floor showed cracking paint, which suggests some lack of maintenance. The steps leading up to the bathtub were also quite slippery, so caution is needed. The toilet area lacked sufficient lighting and did not have an enclosed space. Considering that food in Yunnan often makes bowel movements very “smooth,” the ventilation for odors was rather poor, which could be uncomfortable. There were also flies around the shower area, which was not very pleasant. The basin was slightly low for face washing, but still manageable. Service: The staff were extremely friendly and helpful. They assisted with carrying our luggage during both check-in and check-out, which was much appreciated. For foreigners, do note that check-in may take longer due to the registration process. Communication via WeChat was fast and responsive, which made things very convenient. One suggestion: please provide clear instructions for using the washing machine—I had some difficulty figuring it out. Thankfully, the staff kindly helped me. Thank you, 小哥哥! 🥺 Rooftop & Views: The rooftop view was stunning, perfect for stargazing. However, we visited during winter and it was extremely cold, so dress warmly if you plan to spend time there. Transportation: The drop-off area is located in a narrow alley, so be sure to inform your cab driver in advance. Otherwise, you may need to carry heavy luggage from the main road, which can be inconvenient. Overall: Darling Darling Villa offers great views, spacious rooms, and genuinely warm service. With some improvements in maintenance, lighting, ventilation, and cleanliness, it could be an even better stay.

Location: Very close to Erhai Park, Erhai Moon Wetland, and Aegean Sea Shopping Mall. I was driving, so it was very convenient. Service: The staff were professional, enthusiastic, and super responsive. Facilities: The room was spacious and bright, the bedding was comfortable, and the amenities were complete. Cleanliness: Very clean and tidy, making for a reassuring stay. Breakfast: Being a Hilton property, the quality was on point, and the rice noodles were delicious!

Our 'butler service' means you get a dedicated butler providing one-on-one service from the moment you check in. They'll contact you in advance to confirm your arrival time, arrange shuttle pick-up, and send friendly reminders about breakfast times and other important notes via group chat. Facilities: The hairdryer's airflow is really weak, not even as strong as the wind off Erhai Lake! The bedside lamp isn't working, but everything else is okay. Cleanliness: Clean, tidy, and no strange smells – pretty good. Environment: The space is large and bright. My only complaint is the view from the window isn't great. Service: The service is excellent; anything we needed was delivered to the room very quickly, and the breakfast tasted good. Honestly, the view from the guest room window is quite disappointing.

I chose this guesthouse in Haidong, and it was so peaceful and relaxing in the evenings. The freshly made breakfast was delicious and authentic, with a wide variety of dishes to choose from. The ingredients were locally sourced and fresh, making me feel safe and secure. The surrounding courtyards were quiet and charming, full of the local small-town atmosphere. Overall, the value for money far exceeded my expectations. I genuinely recommend it to my closest friends and family. I'll definitely choose this place again for future travels. The service was very thoughtful and it was incredibly quiet. Highly, highly recommend! I'll be back next time! [Rose Foot Bath] Freshly picked petals for foot/body soak: Very thoughtful. [Boating on Erhai Lake] 2 ferry tickets to visit Xiaoputuo Island: It was a very short and convenient walk. [Travel Photography Outfits] One set of 'fairy' dresses: Many options to choose from, and the results were great.

This guesthouse in Dali is absolutely fantastic! The room was spotless, clean, and tidy with no overlooked corners. The bedding was incredibly soft, skin-friendly, and fresh, making for a super comfortable stay. The whole house is equipped with smart home features, which are simple and convenient to use – a real blessing for anyone who loves ease. The owner was warm and thoughtful, patiently answering all our questions and even recommending some local, lesser-known activities, which was incredibly heartwarming. The location is also convenient for getting around. The overall experience was top-notch. If you're coming to Dali, choosing this place is a no-brainer. I genuinely recommend it to all my friends!