Liuru Retreat | A Part of the Old Town's Soul

I absolutely loved this guesthouse! The owner was incredibly welcoming and helpful, and the rice noodles for breakfast were absolutely delicious. The courtyard design is charming and the location is excellent. It honestly rivals hotels that are two price categories higher. I'll definitely stay here again next time I'm in Lijiang!

The room size was pretty standard, but I was impressed by the cleanliness. I dropped something between the bed and the wall, and when I pulled out the cabinet, there wasn't a speck of dust! They told me at check-in that the room had been thoroughly vacuumed before my arrival, and I honestly thought they were just saying that [chuckles]. The overall layout of the courtyard was striking. This street is higher than the next one, and the courtyard is sunken, giving it a great sense of space. It's located right on the main street of Qiyi, making it super convenient for going out. It's also close to the intersection, which was perfect for me as I needed to catch buses to different attractions. The owner was really honest, no pushy recommendations, just thoughtful suggestions based on my itinerary. Even though it was similar to what I'd found online, the genuine sincerity was definitely a plus [rose emoji].

After booking, I saw a bad review on the platform and got a bit worried about the room. I contacted the host and they sent me videos of the room and courtyard, which looked exactly like the pictures. Communication with the host was excellent from start to finish; they were incredibly patient. Things like the laundry facilities, drying area, check-in reminders, and the pre-check inspection of the room all showed genuine care. Even though I rarely write reviews, I have to praise them. Such a patient, polite, and thoughtful host truly deserves a good review!

Overall, I was very satisfied with my stay. I just forgot to take photos, only capturing a few shots when the owner was making tea. The tea was delicious, and the stay was very comfortable.

1. Booking this room was a real disaster. The room layout was so bizarre; it was sunken below street level with only one small window for natural light. The other window was... indescribable. The whole room felt dark and deep, giving off a basement vibe! The further you walked in, the lower each section got, and you even had to go down a step to get to the bathroom. 2. The room's signal was also poor, and the shower in the bathroom had drainage issues. Since it was so late, I really didn't have the energy to ask the concierge to clear the pipes. 3. In the lobby where we checked in, the staff themselves were smoking, creating a smoky and unpleasant atmosphere. I had originally booked for two nights but couldn't stand it. I managed to stay one night and canceled the other booking.

This stay truly exceeded my expectations; it was a very comfortable experience overall. The owner was exceptionally welcoming and patiently answered all our questions. They even proactively helped us with our luggage during check-in, which was a really thoughtful service. I've stayed in many guesthouses in the old town before, but compared to them, this one has much better soundproofing. We weren't bothered by the noise from the streets and alleys. The room was spotless, making for a very pleasant stay. Many small details were handled with great care; laundry detergent was provided in the room, and upon arrival, we received a lovely fruit platter and fresh flower cakes. You could really feel the sincerity in every aspect. The newly upgraded small terrace of the guesthouse was a wonderful surprise. On clear days, you can overlook the snow-capped mountains, and if you're lucky enough to wake up early, you might even catch the 'Golden Mountain in the Sunrise' phenomenon. The overall accommodation experience was excellent.

Near the south gate of Lijiang Old Town, the owner helped us with our luggage. The service was very warm and welcoming, with complimentary Coke and welcome fruit. The breakfast rice noodles were delicious. The family room had a very large bathroom, clean and comfortable. It was very pleasant to sit in the courtyard after walking around all day. The owner even specially cut us a fruit platter. Highly recommended!

The facilities are top-notch, and the owner is incredibly friendly and helpful. Every morning, they even cooked rice noodles for us. The environment is also very peaceful and quiet. It's really close to the attractions, making it super convenient to explore the ancient city. Plus, the TV has screen mirroring!

The room was very clean, the bed was comfortable, and the bathroom was spacious with a double vanity, which is perfect for families traveling with kids. The breakfast rice noodles were also delicious. The owner was very friendly and provided excellent service, even giving us complimentary fruit and flower cakes upon check-in – those flower cakes were truly yummy! It's also very conveniently located near the South Gate, which is a big plus for getting around by taxi.