Yangshuo Xishi Jinshe Hotel (Shili Gallery Yulonghe Branch)

From the moment we stepped into the lobby lounge area, there was a sense we were in for an elevated experience. I must say, as someone unaccustomed to booking small boutique properties, that I had my fears and doubts. Walking into the lobby lounge almost erased all of those worries. The first thing that one notices immediately is how clean everything is - from the pool and lawn area, to the lobby itself, and then the rooms. It really brings a sense of calm and ease. With everything in the hotel there is so much intention and thoughtfulness to the details that make the experience so zen-like. This isn’t merely a property that wants to imitate a certain aesthetic in a cosmetic way, but rather something with a soulful integrity to it in the choice of materials that work in harmony. My kids loved their stay here and even made several new friends; they all had fun running around the pool, or playing in the playground area. The playground itself is very simple, but with a group of kids even a simple playground comes to life. The property is situated right along the Yulong River and throughout the day you see bamboo rafters drifting down the river and my wife found this very relaxing. The pool is gorgeous. It’s also very observably clean. While it was a bit chilly, my kids couldn’t resist and took a dip. While my elder child was able to handle the cold and swam quite a while, my younger one ended up in the bathtub on the balcony where I filled it with warm water so he had a chance to splash about as well. The property is also nestled amongst the tall karst mountains and you have an intimate view of them. As far as being a picture perfect property, this is as close as it gets. As for practical matters: toilets were clean with bidet function; we never had an issue with hot water; all electric sockets were universal; the appliances all worked as expected. Now, no property can be perfect and there are things that might be a matter of preference or interpretation. For me, I would say the rooms are cosier than the pictures might indicate. To be clear, the photos are accurate as far as how the rooms look and feel and also the layouts. But the photos are shot with a wide-angle lens, so just expect a slightly tighter lived-in experience. On this platform, the listed size of the rooms are large. For instance I believe the room I booked is listed at 100 metres squared; this, to me, most certainly includes the terrace as the indoor space doesn’t match my experience of 100 metres squared. The rooms are designed to maximise a sense of airiness and space which creates a lovely atmosphere, but of course this comes with some sacrifices. With my room, to achieve a more open feel, there is no partition separating the washroom area from the living room area. As a family this wasn’t a big deal, but if you’re staying with a friend this could be potentially awkward but also easily manageable. The food is terrific and the portions are generous. For some, they might find the breakfast somewhat repetitive (as some other reviewers have commented) but my family had no issues and rather looked forward to breakfast here! The coffee is also terrific. Really. I ended up buying the beans they use for their coffees. The lunch/dinner menu is also strong, although for children it can be a bit limiting although the staff do try to make accommodations as far as spice levels, etc. All in all, I would easily stay here again. It is true that the price point is on the higher end for Yangshuo, and that some people might not see the pure bang for your buck value in it, but if you’re looking for a headache free, clean, zen-like experience with picturesque views, I can’t recommend this property enough.