5-Star Hotels in Dali City

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.

Afternoon Tea: There's afternoon tea every day, and it's not just a perfunctory offering – they have really delicious cakes and such. Welcome Fruit: Freshly washed fruit is provided daily. Service: The service is truly excellent. As someone who used to work as a server, I can say the attitude here is outstanding. Environment: It's exceptionally clean and tidy, and the staff are very friendly and never superficial. Hygiene: Superb. I'll definitely recommend this to my friends and family next time! 👍

The location is excellent, not far from the center of the old town, and taxis can drop you off right at the entrance. The food is fantastic, especially the breakfast which is incredibly rich. The complimentary afternoon tea is also thoughtfully prepared. On the third floor, there's a self-service area with fruits, drinks, and coffee, and in the evening, they offer 'goodnight' desserts. The service is very attentive; any questions in the chat group are answered promptly. The hotel provides a 'comfort pack,' sunscreen spray, shawls, and umbrellas. We happened to stay during a period of rain and a temperature drop, and these items came in very handy. The only minor drawback is the soundproofing, which is indeed poor. This is a common issue with old wooden houses. Our sleep quality is generally good, so it didn't really bother us. If we visit Dali Old Town again, An Yu will still be our first choice.

We absolutely loved our stay at Mengjing Yayuan. For context, we usually stay at 5 star hotels when traveling internationally. The location of Mengjing Yayuan was hard to beat, as it is quite literally a block away from the entrance of Dali Ancient City and the reviews were great, so we decided to book. It is more of a boutique style hotel, but with very good management, facilities, and amenities. The air conditioning in our room was modern/updated and worked very well, which was great since that's not always the case in China. Communication with the front desk/reception was very easy through Wechat, and any requests were fulfilled very quickly and happily. I speak Chinese, but I don't think it would have been much of a problem if I didn't given the in-built translation on Wechat. They also provide a free laundry service, which was invaluable! Breakfast was simple, but delicious and filling. You choose a cooked noodle dish out of several options that's made fresh for you, and also have a buffet available, so there was something for even pickier eaters. Overall, lovely stay and we would totally come back for our next visit!

We stayed here from 12–15 May during our honeymoon and decided to do our Yunnan trip entirely on our own. Dali was our first destination after landing in Kunming the night before, and it turned out to be the perfect start to our journey. Since our train arrived early at around 9:00 AM, I contacted the host a few days in advance to ask if an early check-in would be possible. Not only were they happy to accommodate our request, but they also kindly offered to pick us up from the station. Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by our host, Mei, who gave us a tour of the property after check-in. The hotel exceeded our expectations. The architecture is absolutely stunning, from the outside, it feels like staying in a beautiful traditional palace within the old town, while the interior is thoughtfully modernized with every comfort you could need. Our room was incredibly spacious, and we especially loved the heated bathroom floors and the bidet, which was a pleasant surprise. There is also a rooftop area where guests can enjoy a beautiful sunrise view. Breakfast was another highlight of our stay. Guests are given several options, and parts of the menu change daily, which kept things interesting. What we looked forward to most every morning was the amazing yogurt served with homemade rose jam, it was honestly the best we've ever had. We mentioned how much we loved it, and at the end of our stay, Mei surprised us with a jar to take home. Such a thoughtful gesture! Every evening, the hotel served a warm dessert, introducing us to flavors that were completely new yet delicious. We were also treated to a complimentary afternoon tea. To make our honeymoon even more special, Mei and her team surprised us with a personalized cake, which was incredibly touching. The location is very convenient, with several Muslim-friendly eateries within a 10-minute walk, as well as convenience stores nearby. What truly sets this place apart, however, is the hospitality. Out of all the accommodations we stayed at during our Yunnan trip, this was by far the best. Mei went above and beyond to make us feel welcome, constantly sharing recommendations, travel tips, and local insights to help us make the most of our time in Dali. We genuinely felt cared for throughout our stay. I would highly recommend this hotel, especially for honeymooners and newlyweds looking for a memorable and heartfelt experience. InsyaAllah, we will definitely return on our future trips to Dali.

This was my first time booking this B&B, and I got so lucky! The scenery was absolutely stunning. The room was beautiful, spacious, and very clean, equipped with everything you could possibly need, including smart home features and a comprehensive set of toiletries. Being right by Erhai Lake, the views were incredible. It was also very quiet at night, and the bed was super comfortable. You can take amazing photos without even leaving the property. I especially want to commend the front desk and all the other staff. The guy who helped us was incredibly attentive, always ready to assist with anything from room service to other requests. They even helped us carry our luggage to the roadside. It was a five-star service experience all around. The breakfast and pastries were also prepared with great care. Although we had a minor hiccup during our trip, it was perfectly resolved with the help of the staff. Truly exceptional, absolutely flawless! I'd love to come back again if I get the chance!

1. **Check-in Area:** The check-in counter, or front desk, was quite shabby. The computer keyboard was practically caked in grime, and don't even get me started on the sofa next to it – it looked very unhygienic. 2. **Dining:** The breakfast area was a bit cramped, with just four small tables by the street. If you're a party of more than two, you'd have to sit separately, or you might even have to stand and wait for a table. The coffee, however, was good. I only had breakfast once: a cold quinoa salad (see Photo 6) served with bread that had an overpowering artificial creamer flavor. I had been looking forward to the rice noodles for the next day, but serving didn't start until 8:30 AM, which was far too late for my rumbling stomach. Early risers and those who prefer hot meals should seriously consider other options or make alternative arrangements. 3. **Room (2nd floor) - Noise Issues:** Don't even think about getting any sleep at night. After 11 PM, there was still noise along the street, along with the clanging of the garbage truck. (Seriously, I'd strongly advise against staying in the Old Town.) The next day, it started pouring before dawn, and the sound of the heavy rain kept me awake as well. 4. **Room - Facility Issues:** The room I stayed in was supposedly the quietest in the entire hotel. It featured a large bathtub and a bathroom where the toilet and shower area lacked wet/dry separation. Unable to deal with the wet floor, I decided to shower in the bathtub. That's when I discovered Problem #1: the glass partition was completely transparent, with no curtain or frosted glass. The staff member claimed this was 'design.' Then came Fatal Problem #2: the bathtub had no running water, haha! 😄 5. **Room - Odor Issues:** Upon entering, there was a strong musty smell. The staff claimed it was due to 'raw wood,' but it's been 8 years and it still smells like that? Quite amusing. 6. **Staff (Pre-Check-in):** Before I even checked in, they asked me to cancel my booking on the platform and pay them privately for a discounted rate. I have this in writing. This is definitely a huge red flag, and I'm surprised they even dared to suggest it. 7. **Staff (General):** The individuals themselves were nice enough, but I was surprised to find that all the 'Jixiashan' staff were quite young, without uniforms, and seemingly without direct supervision, which gave a very disorganized and casual impression. 8. **Housekeeping:** I was quite satisfied with the housekeeping. Seeing the clean duvet and towels gave me peace of mind (P.S. the pillows were also comfortable). The hotel's facilities are very old; no matter how clean the bathroom tiles were, they still looked run-down, compounded by the dim lighting. Therefore, I feel the housekeeping staff here really have a tough job. 9. **Building Structure:** One morning, during a heavy downpour, when I opened my 2nd-floor room door, the entrance was essentially flooded up to my heels. It was quite a feat that the water didn't spread into the room. At night, there were no lights, so I had to grope my way back to the room along the dark corridor. It would be quite difficult for someone who doesn't remember their way (see Photos 1-2). 10. **Hotel Amenities:** One night, I heard the guest next door return, unable to open their door with the key, and had to call a staff member for help. They chatted for a bit outside the door before the staff member finally told the guest a 'trick': 'The key needs to be inserted a certain way, and the lock has a particular mechanism...' That's quite a struggle – needing a special technique just to get back to your room! 11. **Minor Details:** The room key had a very large, bulky leather tag attached to it. Absolutely no consideration for travelers on long journeys with limited luggage space. Who would want to carry such a bulky thing around? I originally had high hopes for the 'Jixiashan' brand. When I was in Shangri-La, I heard their Meili store had a collaboration with Kolon, which made me think they had good taste. This Dali Ancient City location is their first store, but it turned out to be such a low standard. Given the daily rate, I guess I understand why. This particular store cannot be found on 'Jixiashan's' mini-program; it's categorized under 'Wang Shenme Chuan Qu Le'.

Back in Dali, I decided to revisit the Xianyun 360-degree Cliff Seaview Hot Spring B&B, and it truly lived up to expectations! The front desk staff were incredibly polite and attentive. I later found out that the humble and helpful manager, who was always ready to assist, was also from Beijing, which made me feel right at home. The B&B's environment is serene and immaculate. The private hot spring pool in the room is definitely the highlight. Soaking in the hot spring, you're directly facing the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake – it's like a landscape painting come to life. During my downtime, I loved sitting on the balcony, gazing at Cangshan and Erhai, which was incredibly therapeutic after a long journey. The restaurant's dishes were delicious and flavorful. My experience was as excellent as ever, truly a hidden gem of a seaview B&B. Choosing to stay here twice speaks volumes about its reliable quality. It’s my top choice when visiting Dali, highly recommended! Amenities: Excellent Hygiene: Good Environment: Beautiful Service: Fantastic

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!

We stayed at this hotel for 2 nights as a family of 3 adults and 1 child. We paid approximately SGD600 extra to upgrade to the 2-Bedroom Family Suite. While the extra space was appreciated, we felt the upgrade did not provide good value for the additional cost. Pros * The suite is spacious and comfortable, with two separate bedrooms. * It provides good privacy for family members or caregivers looking after a child. * The hotel staff were responsive to my messages via Trip.com and accommodated my requests whenever possible. Cons 1. Family Suites are only located on Level 1. Although advertised as an ocean-view room, the view is much more limited compared to rooms on the higher floors. 2. Limited mermaid show experience from Level 1. Even if you pay for the mermaid interaction, the mermaids do not swim down to Level 1, making it difficult to enjoy the experience from the suite. 3. The Level 1 aquarium view mainly features large marine animals such as sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and large fish. Guests who prefer colourful reef fish may find the higher floors more enjoyable. 4. The upgrade does not include hotel privileges. After paying for the Family Suite upgrade, we were surprised that benefits such as complimentary Ocean World admission were no longer included. We had to purchase the entrance tickets separately. 5. Housekeeping needs improvement. After the second day’s housekeeping service, the bathrobes were left on the TV console instead of being neatly arranged, and the coffee cup in the coffee machine had not been cleaned. 6. Strong cigarette smell in the toilet. Although the room was designated as non-smoking, the bathroom had a cigarette smell throughout our stay. 7. Insufficient towels. Our booking was for 4 guests, but housekeeping consistently provided only 2 bath towels. We had to request additional towels on both days. 8. The bathroom layout is not ideal for a family. Although the suite has 2 toilets, there is only 1 shower area, which can be inconvenient when multiple people are getting ready at the same time. 9. The corridor lighting system is confusing and inconvenient. When we left the room, it was normal for the corridor lights to switch off. However, when we returned, the motion sensor did not activate the lights. Pressing the regular light switch also did not work—we had to press the “Meeting” button to turn the corridor lights on. As a result, the corridor was often completely dark at night, and we ended up hanging our own portable light near the shoe rack for better visibility. Overall The room itself is spacious and suitable for families. However, considering the significant additional cost of the upgrade, we expected better housekeeping standards, a smoke-free environment, and the same guest benefits offered with other room categories. Unless you specifically need the extra bedroom space, the standard ocean-view rooms on the higher floors may offer better value for money.