Design Hotels The ArcadiaPlace, Lugu Lake

This hotel, located in the Sichuan part of Lugu Lake, is currently one of the top three hotels in the area. The scenery is breathtaking, and trust me, it's absolutely worth every penny. The hotel is nestled halfway up a mountain, offering panoramic views of Lugu Lake. Upon entering the lobby, you're immediately greeted by the immense floor-to-ceiling windows, perfectly framing Lugu Lake's blue skies and white clouds. The impressive wall of foreign liquor behind the bar is also quite a sight. They've even built a dedicated bonfire area in the Mosuo style, perfect for evening tea gatherings. I stayed in a lake view twin room, and since there weren't many guests, I was assigned a room on the same level as the lobby. The room is about 55 square meters, and you can simply sit on the balcony and admire the stunning Lugu Lake. To the left of the entrance is the washroom, stocked with Appelles toiletries in small bottles, which have a lovely scent. The bathtub even came with a rubber ducky, bath salts, and a special herbal sachet formulated by the hotel, incorporating local Mosuo customs. You can enjoy a truly beautiful herbal bath. Of course, at this price point, electric toilets and Dyson hairdryers are standard. The welcome amenities were incredibly generous. I secretly asked the team, and apparently, everyone receives this, which made me, as someone without Marriott elite status, feel very balanced. The minibar was also complimentary, and the drinking water was from Bama Platinum Spring, I rarely see canned Bama water. For dinner, I decided to stay in and try the yak hotpot at the hotel restaurant. This is something I highly recommend trying! My impression of yak meat had always been dried jerky, so I'd never had fresh yak. The soup in this hotpot was indescribably delicious. Highly, highly recommend! Just remember to book about 5 hours in advance, as the soup is slow-simmered, and it's absolutely delicious! I gulped down two bowls in one sitting! In the evening, you can arrange a hotel photo shoot, go to a local bonfire party, or simply take a stroll around, watch the sunset over Lugu Lake, admire the 'water hyacinths' (a local flower), and see Mount Gemu Goddess in the afterglow. After sunset, everyone can gather by the bonfire in the lobby. Local Mosuo uncles will freshly churn butter tea for guests, roast sweet potatoes and regular potatoes, and share stories of Mosuo walking marriages (P.S. stay until the end, and there might be a bonus surprise). Later at night, if you're not sleepy and the weather is good, you can go to the outdoor pool on the 5th floor to photograph the stars. The vast universe is breathtakingly beautiful. It's strange, only photos taken with an iPhone looked natural; Huawei and Samsung just didn't cut it (don't argue, if you do, it means my photography skills are lacking). The next morning, you absolutely *must* try the chef's Roujiamo (Chinese meat burger) and steamed buns. That Roujiamo kept me longing for more; I ate one and a half of those and five buns, I simply couldn't eat any more. The Roujiamo was even better than what I've had in Xi'an. Finally, I want to say that the entire hotel team is the best I've encountered in recent years. From the General Manager to the Head Chef to the front desk ladies, everyone was wonderful. Whether it was the welcome tea upon check-in or the sweet oranges they insisted I take when I checked out, every detail, every interaction, made me feel like this is a truly special place. Because of them, the entire hotel shines brightly on the shores of Lugu Lake!

Our trip to Lugu Lake led us to this hidden gem of a hotel! It boasts an incredible view, overlooking the lake and surrounding mountains. The lobby has a fantastic design, and our room's floor-to-ceiling windows offered an unbeatable lake view. The hotel's dining was also excellent, featuring fresh local ingredients and delicious flavors. They offer a rich variety of cultural activities as well; I participated in a fireside chat, sipping butter tea while learning about Mosuo culture. It gave me a wonderful insight into the local customs and traditions, truly experiencing the unique charm of Mosuo culture. What deserves the most praise, however, is the hotel's service. All the staff are genuinely sincere, treating every guest with warmth and attentiveness. I'd especially like to thank Tess from the front desk; she was incredibly kind and thoughtful. As we were checking out and heading back to Lijiang, she thoughtfully offered me an oxygen tank, and knowing I get motion sickness easily, she prepared some motion sickness medication for me – I was truly touched. I also want to thank the gentleman from the restaurant (I don't remember his name); after breakfast, he packed us some bread and fruit for our journey. Our stay at Lugu Lake Indulge & Retreat was truly amazing, and I'm already looking forward to returning in December to stargaze.

After a long day of traveling, the moment I stepped into the hotel lobby bar, I knew I made the right choice – definitely a Design Hotel! From Kiki, the concierge who helped coordinate my transport beforehand, to every staff member I met, everyone was wonderful. It felt like a warm homecoming with old friends! The hotel also offers a variety of engaging activities. The fireside chats were cozy, the canvas bag printing was fun, and my first travel photoshoot experience was made fantastic by the super nice photographer, Yoyo. Now, I'm already craving more of their food today – I just can't stop eating, haha~

I planned this trip for three months, specifically to visit Lugu Lake for this hotel, and it certainly didn't disappoint my boyfriend and me. The hotel's location is perfect for someone like me who enjoys peace and quiet. The hotel's environment and facilities are really nice; you can open the curtains and see the lake directly from your bed. The most important aspect of this stay was the hotel's service: our butler, Alice, provided excellent service from the initial booking. The hot pot at the hotel restaurant is an absolute must-try. Miss Ge from the restaurant provided wonderful service, and the photographer's skills were top-notch. I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the hotel staff, especially all the ladies and gentlemen who served us. I will definitely choose this hotel again for my next visit. Lastly, I'm not a shill; you truly have to stay here to experience how wonderful it is ❤️

Overall, the hotel far exceeded our expectations in terms of facilities, scenery, experiences, and most importantly, the people. The hotel's facilities meet Marriott's Design Hotels standards, and the scenery is simply breathtaking. We enjoyed watching the sunrise over the lake every morning until the sunset in the evening. The hotel's activities also kept both adults and children very happy, especially the chicken catching experience. Our child caught a free-range rooster himself, and it tasted incredibly delicious when we ate it later that night! The spa treatments were also excellent. But what truly stands out are the hotel staff; they made us feel completely at home. Chef Liu, Manager Xiao Ge, front desk agent Ava, General Manager Xu, and all the other staff members truly made our trip to Lugu Lake much more enjoyable. We will definitely be back!

A perfect, super satisfying stay from start to finish! I wholeheartedly recommend this hidden luxury retreat as the top choice for anyone visiting Lugu Lake. As a Marriott design hotel, the overall quality is exceptional, blending unique Mosuo flair with a sophisticated, atmospheric touch – truly a secluded paradise. Check-in at the front desk was efficient and thoughtful, with staff who were gentle, patient, and provided meticulous service. The room hygiene was impeccable; the entire space was clean, airy, and spotless. The bedding was very comfortable, and the attention to detail in cleaning made for a truly reassuring and comfortable stay. I must particularly highlight the hotel's food! All ingredients are fresh, local, and organic. The dishes are exquisite, authentic, and taste superb – every single one was a hit, delicious and true to its origin, completely exceeding my expectations. Additionally, the hotel's amenities and experiences are top-notch! I booked the hotel's half-day tour, which included a visit to a Daba family home for an authentic Mosuo family meal (the sausage was incredibly delicious, I could eat a whole plate myself!), offering an immersive experience into the local Mosuo culture of Lugu Lake. The newly opened spa has a serene environment and professional techniques, providing both stress relief and healing. The hotel also has a professional photography team that selects excellent locations and creates a fantastic atmosphere, making every shot picture-perfect. As an extra recommendation, the hotel offers paragliding, which you can book. Ascend to the highest point overlooking Lugu Lake to take in the entire lake area. The panoramic views of the mountains and lake are breathtaking and stunning – a must-do when visiting Lugu Lake! In the evenings, there are also bonfire activities! The warm, tranquil lighting creates a relaxed and healing atmosphere, perfectly setting the mood. From the environmental design, hygiene details, and attentive service, to the delicious food, distinctive folk customs, high-altitude paragliding, and photography experience – everything was perfect. This was the most rejuvenating stay I've had at Lugu Lake, and I will definitely return on my next trip!

The biggest surprise of our entire Lugu Lake trip was staying at this hotel! From check-in to check-out, the service was excellent, the room was spacious, and the facilities were top-notch. From my room, I had a full view of the lake right before my eyes. The public areas are beautifully designed, and there are daily activities, like evening chats around the fireplace with local Mosuo people. Oh, and the food was fantastic! I'll definitely be back next time!

My stay at the Lugu Lake Hidden Luxury Inn was an absolute delight! The service, cleanliness, dining, facilities, and activities all exceeded my expectations. On the day of my arrival, it was drizzling, and Lugu Lake was enveloped in a misty, hazy atmosphere. Without the usual bustling sunshine, it felt incredibly serene and gentle, like stepping into an ink wash painting – a truly poetic and healing experience. The hotel staff were exceptionally warm and thoughtful! Everyone was so nice and attentive, genuinely friendly and sincere. Check-in at the front desk was efficient and smooth, and they even shared insightful local travel tips. There was no excessive interruption throughout my stay, striking the perfect balance that made me feel incredibly relaxed and comfortable. Cleanliness was impeccable. The room was spotless and airy, the bedding soft and pristine, and the bathroom dry and odor-free. Every detail exuded quality, making for a very reassuring and secure stay. Dining was also a wonderful surprise. The ingredients were fresh and natural, focusing on authentic local flavors. Dining in the lake-view area, accompanied by the hazy lake scenery, created such a fantastic ambiance. Both my taste buds and my mood felt truly healed. The hotel's facilities were subtly luxurious and elegant, with a design that blended local cultural characteristics, perfectly integrating with the natural beauty of Lugu Lake. There were multiple prime viewing spots, perfect for capturing atmospheric photos everywhere you looked, offering a strong sense of quality living. What truly captivated me were the hotel's unique experiences! Besides the warm and therapeutic bonfire activity, I also participated in a very meaningful fabric printing workshop. I personally collected plants from around the hotel and printed them onto a cloth bag, capturing the spring greenery and spiritual essence of Lugu Lake. It felt like bringing the spring and gentle scenery of Lugu Lake home with me – a truly memorable souvenir. Overall, the experience far surpassed my expectations. This is a hidden gem of a hotel with warmth, attention to detail, and a real sense of character. It's my top choice for a trip to Lugu Lake, and I highly recommend it! I'll definitely be back...

Facilities: The facilities are quite good, but there's still a slight smell from the recent renovation. Cleanliness: In the evenings, there was a charcoal fire burning in the lobby downstairs, and the smell was very pungent, even seeping into the rooms. The room itself seemed clean with no obvious dirty corners. If the balcony door was left open, small flying insects would come in, but that might just be how it is by the lake. Environment: The hotel is located on a hillside, offering a beautiful view overlooking Lugu Lake. Service: There's room for improvement in the service. After adding the customer service WeChat, they just sent a pre-written message, and then in the middle of the night, I was asked about the options for tomorrow's buffet breakfast. There's definitely room for improvement in the overall experience.