Lijiang Conifer Lishui Yangguang Hotel

This property is situated in the ancient town of Shuhe. Our Chinese guide decided not to book accommodation in Lijiang as she felt it was not an authentic experience and very much a "tourist" town. The low rise buildings are built around courtyards in the ancient style. The courtyards were beautifully landscaped with plenty of running water. Our inital impression was of a new or very well kept property. The town did not permit motorised traffic. Horse drawn carts provided wheels for those unable to walk. Our rooms backed onto a commercial street and though noisy until about 10 pm, the noise was good sort and did not annoy us. As noted by previous visitors, there are not lifts but porters took our bags to the well appointed, spacious, comfortable rooms. We ate in the hotel because we were a large group of 23 people. I would advise eating elsewhere if you can. The dining room was overstaffed by bored people and was only really well utilised at breakfast. On the plus side, I can heartly recommend exploring the town. In the evening we went to a large square in which a bonfire had been lit and people were dancing. The main entrance to the town is a short walk away and features a colourful arch. Once inside there are good bronzes commemorating the "Tea Horse Route". shopping was varied and inexpensive.

Lijiang Guan Fang Garden Villas Hotel claim to be a 5-star hotel with state of the art facilities. I would at most put it at 3 and def not state of the art...at least not the rooms (maybe the lobby). We stayed 2-nights in April as part of a tour group. It seems that most people here are apart of tour groups. They have 3-story villas which remind me more of dorms. The first floor has common space (TV and sofa, desk with computer, dining area and kitchen. The upper two floors have 2 bedrooms each. There was an assigned very helpful and lovely staff member to our villa. She only spoke Chinese, but others sharing our villa helped translate. She prepared our room and Chinese breakfast each morning. We shared breakfast with other guests on same tour. The rooms have very dirty carpet and bathrooms could use a facelift. The tile grout on floors and shower was pretty bad. Flip flops for sure. One of the vent grills was displaced where I could see into the attic. Sheets and towels were clean and satisfactory. Beds were comfy; it helped that I brought my own pillow. I sleep with two. We had a third floor room with a balcony which was really nice because it was a much bigger room than the room next door. Unfortunately, there are no elevators, but for a small tip the staff will carry your luggage to your room. The grounds were gorgeous with water fountains or ponds throughout. Very picturesque at night. It felt very safe to walk around the complex to see all the ponds and courtyards.

Stayed one night with group tour. No heat in room with temps in the 50s IN THE ROOM ITSELF. Some excuse about the government and energy controls. Mattresses seemed like nothing more than gauze-covered plywood. Towels thread bare and bathrobes shabby. Long black hairs on bathroom floor (I'm blond). Waited in unstaffed bar in vain for desperately needed beer. Breakfast was sad. On the plus side, the Old Town is just out the back door...as are far better places to stay.