Leya Dreamers Hotel - Xiamen

This is a small hotel that was probably once a family home. It's quite close to the ferry but away from the hustle and bustle. It's not luxurious but it's clean, the beds are comfortable and there's air conditioning, free wifi and a washing machine and the kit he. Is available to use if you wish. You can choose a room with a private or share bathroom but often no one else will be sharing with you. The cost per room is cheaper for week days than on the weekend. We were made to feel very welcome and were treated as special guests with tea being offered and time given to sit and chat. The staff even shared a meal with us one night, insisting they had cooked too much - and it was delicious. Good English was spoken by some and staff were very helpful with directions and finding bus numbers for various tourist spots. We had a memorable stay and it was so much nicer than an the impersonal reception from a classier hotel.

It is located on the other side of the island from the pier, a good 20 min walk, away from the crowd. The guesthouse provided manual labour to carry our baggage, which I requested in email before arrival. Reservation made in English through email with no problem at all. They accept only cash and deposit of RMB1000 was requested. Room 202 comes with a private steam room and round bath tub. There is window in the room but no view, just a wall so we never bother to open it. Bathroom is as huge as a room with window view of neighbouring building. I open this wndow most of the time. Paid RMB399 weekdays and RMB459 weekends. Room 401 is on the roof with access to balcony with sea view. It has a regular bath tub. It has 2 windows and is the brightest room of all. RMB359 weekdays and RMB399 weekend. There is a computer with Internet access on ground floor. Wifi throughout the whole building of 4 floors. Total of 11 rooms only. Every room is different. There is common area on every floor with balcony. On 3rd floor, washing machine for common use is available. There is also a Chinese tea set with electrical pot facility on 3rd floor and ground floor. Kitchen is also usable if you fancy to cook your own meals on ground floor. Balcony for common use on 4th floor has view of a faraway sea, soothing. Sometimes you can hear the neighbor playing piano from here. Staff is friendly and helpful in every way they can. You can easily get lost around this area, which we did. Buy a map from the reception. Turn to the right at the entrance of the guesthouse, you will pass some local restaurants, provision shop and fruit stall. There is a restaurant that is around the corner which sells Siao loong bao (steam dumplings) for RMB 5 for 10 pcs. Not the best dumplings but one of the cheapest and worth its value for money. Noodles RMB10. Clay pot rice with meat RMB15. Variety of soup RMB8. Tea boiled egg is RMB2 each. My recommendation would be the tea egg and pork tripe soup noodle. Too bad there is no reflexology or massage service in the whole island. Overall I am happy with the guesthouse. The only set back is it is long walk to popular places of interest but I guess for the price of a quiet area, you will have to walk a bit away from the crowd.

After travelling to different places, some places will get blurry in memory, but some will always be clear as it gives not only a lodging, but also a feeling that is just can not be forgotten... There are a number of family pensions and guesthouses nowadays on Gulangyu. But this inn gives me the best stay and a life memory.. Location is superb. It is in the local residence area, with a quiet lane diversing from the street and a few steps leading to this house. It is not as that crowded and busy as the ferry dock. Here you could just feel the tranquility and pace of Gulangyu.. and here you could live like a local islander. Some distance from the "downtown" area of Gulangyu and ferry dock, but you would really not mind it as the walk is just most enjoyable.. Not far from sea, and the top roof has a sea-view. Room decoration is unique and delightful.. you will have a pleasant surprise and a comfort stay.. Upon booking, the girl at reception told every morning, you would be waken up by just the birds singing.. its really like that when you stayed there.. just beautiful.. Another thing unforgettable is the young staffs here. They are sunny, friendly and full of youth and joys! When booking, they did not say any bad words about other inns on the island, but just happily and confidently told they believed theirs is the best; they were helpful and patient in answering all your queries, but never urged you for booking and deposit; when i was hesitant about the choices, they offered very lovely and smart suggestions... They are actually a big reason we chose to stay here and a key factor to make our stay here wonderful.. The trip is just once in the life. Thanks to this guesthouse for giving us the beautiful memory..