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.

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 stay exceeded my expectations. The room was clean and tidy, with a fantastic frontline sea view. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered breathtaking scenery of Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, truly healing. The butler was attentive and thoughtful throughout our stay, providing warm and detailed service. The package included a rich breakfast, an exquisite afternoon tea, and a complimentary travel photoshoot. Everything from accommodation, dining, to photography was seamlessly arranged with great attention to detail. The location is perfect, quiet yet close to everything. I'll definitely choose this place again when I visit Dali next time!

We booked the private manor villa come with private bath pool and private courtyard. However both private pool and courtyard are surprisingly disappointed. The pool was dirty, moldy, there was just left over water inside maybe by the rain, it had a greyish , murky appearance instead of being clean and inviting. When we questioned the butler he then said if you wanted to use we can clean it up.  One of the main reasons we paid extra to book this room was for the private pool, it’s frustrating and disappointing that it was not in a condition we felt comfortable using. Ended up we didn’t use it despite staying for 3 nights.  The courtyard was poorly maintained and look neglected as well. As you can see all cushion was exposed under the rain and when sun comes out it dried it which caused the cushion get mold and stains. Service overall not bad and helpful. The only incident was when during check in, my wife asked one of the receptionist  politely if they could help me make a booking as the place need call to book. We do not have China number , line that can call or app to book. The lady that was serving us was hesitant to book for me and initially told us to book online ourselves until my wife highlighted the reason to her again. Public place is well maintained, location is good. Walkable distance to ancient town. Also nearby to few other must visit spots.  Overall decent but won’t be coming back.

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!

Dali Hotel, Take Three: Living in an Underwater World! Bringing the kids to Dali and fulfilling their dream of an underwater room! 🌊 I’ve put together a super honest guide to our stay! I'll cover prices, floor choices, hidden costs, and food and drink, so first-timers can just copy this plan! 💰 Room Prices & Floor Pitfalls ▪️ Standard Rooms: 400-600 RMB/night No underwater view, great value for money if you just need a place to stay. ▪️ Underwater View Rooms: 1600-1900 RMB/night Prices vary by floor, and here’s the key thing to avoid! ❌ Definitely don’t choose the 1st floor! The floor is too low, the window is quite small, you can only see corals and small bottom-dwelling fish. Photos turn out very ordinary, and the experience is poor. ✅ Go for the 2nd floor first! Best value for money overall! The price is moderate, the viewing window is super large, and the view is expansive. You’ll get great photos effortlessly. Call the front desk in advance to reserve a room with a good view. We stayed in room 8220, and the view was quite good. ⭕ The 3rd floor is slightly more expensive. The view isn't significantly different from the 2nd floor. If you're looking for value, just go for the second floor. ⚠️ Charged Activities The mermaid and golden storm performances, which used to be free, are now all charged! 200 RMB per show. Other self-funded interactive activities: ▫️ Touching dolphins for a photo: 100 RMB ▫️ Feeding seals: 50 RMB ▫️ Feeding penguins: 100 RMB ✅ Perks Worth Praising Booking a room includes a complimentary diving experience 🤿. There are no hidden secondary charges, which is really thoughtful! 🍜 Food and Drink ▫️ The mini-bar in the room has a rich variety of snacks and drinks, all free of charge. ▫️ There are very few restaurants around the hotel. If you want a proper meal, you'll need to take a taxi for about 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can order takeout or dine at the hotel. ▫️ The hotel’s own breakfast is of good quality, and the à la carte dishes in the restaurant are also very reasonably priced. (It’s advisable to order takeout in advance, as delivery times can be quite long.) Many people think almost 2000 RMB for one night is expensive. But seeing the kids pressed against the window, watching the underwater world with eyes full of surprise and wonder ✨, makes all the expenses feel super worth it! A true fairy-tale experience exclusively for children! 👧🏻