Romantic Hotels in Anhui, China

"Your name, the shortest love letter I've ever read. The Baiyun Hotel, where we stayed this time, is an asset of Huangshan Tourism Group, a state-owned enterprise under Huangshan City. It's true that an independent, state-run hotel like this can hardly compare to international chain brands in many aspects. Nevertheless, the hotel will most likely never join any international hotel group because there's simply no need. Its enviable, superb location alone guarantees it a fortune every year. As for anything else, it's completely irrelevant. The Baiyun Hotel is ranked 80th in Asia's Top 100 ”Scenic View” Hotels, a testament to its undeniable strength. It's worth noting that most hotels on this list are establishments like Four Seasons and St. Regis. Its inclusion reconfirms the irreplaceable beauty of its sunrise and sunset views, a feature unrivaled anywhere else in Huangshan. Due to its geographical location, cramped room sizes are almost inevitable. After all, there's limited space on the mountaintop, making expansion difficult. As for the observation deck, it's just a few hundred steps away, which is incredibly convenient for those with limited physical ability, such as the elderly, young, sick, or weak. Poor sound insulation, simple rooms, high prices, queues for breakfast, and mediocre management are all shortcomings that need improvement. But as I said, for the magnificent scenery (with vast landscapes stretching as far as the eye can see), for spending splendid time with my ”lovers” (my wife and two sons), and for a unique summer holiday experience, all the inconveniences become bearable. Regarding food, ordering takeout is naturally impossible on Huangshan, making the hotel restaurant the inevitable choice. It was neither good nor bad, neither surprising nor disappointing – just like any other tourist restaurant in a scenic area. The room provides complimentary rental jackets for watching the sunrise, as the temperature difference between day and night on the mountain is extreme, especially at sunrise. It's essential to prepare for the cold, even in summer. I've stayed in 1501 hotels and encountered many ”Baiyun” hotels, big and small, across various locations like Guangzhou, Chuzhou, Lanzhou, and so on. Of course, these numerous ”Baiyun” hotels are merely coincidences in name and have no affiliation whatsoever. Hotels on Huangshan's peak generally fall into three categories. The first type is boutique guesthouses, all from ”Yun Ji.” The well-known ones are Shilin Ya She and Shuguang Li, as well as the more niche Sanhua Jing She. The characteristic of these three is their tranquil setting amidst the bustling area, offering both comfortable, exquisite stays and easy access to natural scenery. The second type consists of standard guesthouses, such as Yunlu Beihai, Yupinglou, Paiyun Xinglü, Xihai, Shilin, and Bai'e. The advantage of these is their relatively lower prices and good value for money. The third type is the Baiyun Hotel, where we stayed this time, boasting exclusive access to the best sunrise and sunset viewing spots. For my two sons, who are ”traveling according to their textbooks,” it was absolutely perfect. Of course, the drawbacks are also super obvious. The hotel will celebrate its 30th birthday next year. Although it had a simple renovation 11 years ago (the family rooms and Mediterranean-style rooms are highlights), the hardware still clearly shows its ”old cadre” style and state-run guesthouse aesthetic. Regardless, you can't have your cake and eat it too. When choosing between scenery and a comfortable stay, I believe the vast majority would opt for the former. Looking at the entire Huangshan prefecture-level city, the undisputed leader in the hotel industry is naturally Banyan Tree. Of course, if you're not staying in Hongcun and only visiting Huangshan itself, then the Baiyun Hotel becomes an excellent, affordable alternative (even though the soft and hard facilities are incomparable, the scenery is truly infinitely beautiful). Huangshan's 3 districts and 4 counties have their culinary highlights mainly concentrated in Huangshan District, Tunxi District, and Yi County. I highly recommend Zhong Da Chu Stinky Mandarin Fish at Ziyun Pavilion in Gaoxin District (Tunxi). Tourist attractions are primarily in Tunxi District, Huizhou District, Yi County, She County, and Huangshan District. For instance, Xixinan Ancient Village is perfect for stunning photos in traditional costumes. Relatively speaking, the gastronomic and tourism resources of Qimen and Xiuning counties are slightly less impressive. Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it. Climbing mountains is extremely strenuous physical work. When traveling in Huangshan with family, the advantages of the Baiyun Hotel are self-evident. Among Anhui's 16 prefecture-level cities, Huangshan consistently ranks last in GDP. The reasons are simple: First, the population is too small, just over a million. Second, similar to Lijiang and Dali, ecological redlines cannot be crossed, making industrial development almost impossible. Third, the actual tourism revenue generated by transient tourism is not particularly substantial. Theoretically, Huangshan accounts for nearly half of Anhui's 18 5A scenic spots: Qiankou Folk Houses Museum, Ancient Huizhou Cultural Tourist Area, Bao Family Garden, Huizhou Ancient City, Chengkan (Aoyu), Xidi Ancient Village, Hongcun, and Huangshan. How to deeply connect these attractions and retain visitors is a profound art."

"The hotel's location is excellent, right next to Hefei South High-speed Railway Station, which is super convenient for those traveling by car. The room was spacious, and you could tell a lot of thought went into its design and layout. I specifically chose a room with a bathtub to relax after a long drive, and the hotel even thoughtfully provided a complimentary bottle of red wine. Soaking in the tub with a glass of wine created a wonderful ambiance, which was a delightful surprise. The room was clean and tidy, and overall, my stay was very pleasant. A small suggestion: The hotel primarily uses face recognition for entry, which is very convenient. However, it would be even better if they also offered traditional key card access as an option."

"Right downstairs is the bustling Huaihe Road Pedestrian Street, making it incredibly convenient for getting around and dining. The hotel staff were very helpful, and the stay was very comfortable. The breakfast buffet offered a great variety, and I even got to try Hefei's special 'mi jiao' (rice dumplings), which I really enjoyed!"

"Stayed at this hotel when I went back to my hometown on Friday. The room size was decent, pretty standard. The hairdryer was really good! And it was clean. I made a mess with my takeout, and when I called for housekeeping, they came quickly. The front desk staff was very enthusiastic. I'll definitely stay here again next time I'm in town!!"

"Service: It was okay, though there were a bit few staff members. Environment: Located right by the Yungu cable car behind the South Gate, the surroundings are beautiful. Facilities: For a hotel in the mountains, it's acceptable. You need to be careful with the items in the room, as each item has a clearly stated compensation price for damage. For example, a speaker costs 2800, though I didn't even see one in the room. There aren't many restaurants nearby, so I ate most of my meals at the hotel. The variety was limited, and the prices were quite high. Hygiene: I have to complain about this. I went there specifically to soak in the hot spring after hiking, but the outdoor pool was full of ants, big and small. I mentioned it to a staff member, and they actually told me that's how outdoor areas are. I said the ants were crawling all over me, and the staff member told me not to lean on the edge and go to the middle of the pool, and then there wouldn't be any. I was completely speechless. I guess it was my fault for going during the day; maybe if I had gone at night, I wouldn't have seen them, or maybe the ants would have been asleep. My whole body felt itchy after soaking, but I'm not sure if it was just in my head."