Avril Roam

I have to give a special shout-out to the breakfast at this B&B. The rice noodles were even better than those at restaurants outside! The broth was freshly simmered; one sip and you know it's not made from artificial seasonings. It was naturally fresh, and a hot bowl really warmed me up. The rice noodles themselves were smooth, and you could add your own toppings like chili, minced garlic, and cilantro. I ate it for two days straight and didn't get tired of it. They also had Western options like bread and coffee. After breakfast, you could even enjoy a complimentary freshly ground coffee while sitting by the window, looking at Erhai Lake. It truly made breakfast feel like a vacation. The auntie even remembered what you had the day before and would ask if you wanted to try something different the next day, just like being at home. I'd come back to stay here in Dali again, just for these rice noodles.

I could spend all day in the common areas of this B&B. It's like a small art gallery, with plants, archways, a book bar, and all sorts of little trinkets – every photo you take looks great, but it doesn't feel deliberately staged or 'influencer-y'. In the afternoon, I'd make a free coffee, cozy up on the sofa and read, with the sunlight streaming in from the floor-to-ceiling windows and the breeze blowing by; time just seemed to slow down. There are also lounge chairs on the rooftop, perfect for stargazing and enjoying the breeze at night – it's so comfortable you won't want to go back to your room.

This guesthouse was by far the most comfortable place I stayed in Dali these past few days. The bed was incredibly soft, like being enveloped in cotton, and the duvet was light yet warm. It can get a bit chilly by Erhai Lake at night, but it was just perfect once I snuggled in. Before sleeping, I used two sprays of the sleep mist by the bed, put in earplugs, and slept soundly until I woke up naturally, without even dreaming. In the morning, I'd open the curtains to a view of Erhai Lake, with sunlight streaming in. I felt completely justified in lingering in bed. After a few days, I felt like I slept even better than at home. This bed alone is reason enough to come back.

We stayed in Dali for five days with our two kids, and this guesthouse was our family's 'recharging station'. The room was spacious enough for the children to run around by the window without bumping into anything. There's an open space in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows, which we turned into their play area with a mat. They played while enjoying the serene view of Erhai Lake – it was incredibly peaceful. The guesthouse provided complimentary kids' toiletries and small slippers, which were already set up in the room when we arrived, saving us a lot of hassle. Breakfast included milk, bread, and eggs that the kids loved, and afternoon tea had their favorite egg tarts. They'd beg for afternoon tea every day [chuckle][chuckle][chuckle]. The laundry service was a lifesaver for traveling with kids; after a day of running around and getting sweaty and sandy, we'd just leave our clothes by the door, and they'd be washed, dried, folded, and returned the next day. No need to scrub or hang laundry ourselves, which saved so much energy to play with the kids. The kids absolutely loved the Jiamo rubbing experience at the guesthouse; they made several rubbings, saying they wanted to take them back to share with their classmates. The butler patiently taught them how to do it and even helped them pack everything up. The public garden and pool areas were also very safe. The pool was fenced, so adults could sit nearby, enjoy a cup of tea, and watch the kids play in the water with complete peace of mind. It's close to the airport, so on check-out day, we didn't have to rush. The whole family could enjoy a leisurely breakfast before leaving. As we left, my child even said, 'Mommy, let's come back to this place next time.' It's rare to find a place that makes kids actively want to return.

Came to this hotel on a friend's recommendation, and as soon as I stepped in, I was greeted by a strong natural ambiance. It's a very artistic hotel; the overall decor and atmosphere are incredibly elegant, and it features distinctive and vibrant local artistic characteristics. The owner also truly understands guests' needs; the service is thoughtful, always with a smiling face, and the complimentary breakfast is delicious. The room itself is very bright and airy, and the bed is exceptionally soft – it felt like being wrapped in cotton, incredibly comfortable. The duvet is light yet warm, just a perfect blanket. I absolutely love this kind of accommodation! Next time I'm in Dali, I'll definitely be coming back here.

This guesthouse itself is a work of art. Reportedly designed by an architecture professor, every line, from the exterior facade to the interior spaces, is clean and sharp. The high ceilings in the common areas are very comfortable, with sunlight streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The changing play of light and shadow throughout the day makes simply being there a pleasure. Inside the room, the material palette is thoughtfully textured; wood, stone, and fabric are integrated perfectly, neither cold nor flashy. What struck me most was the wall at the staircase landing, with just the right amount of negative space, adorned with a single painting – I stood there admiring it for a long time. Even the corridor lighting is well-designed, soft and gentle at night, making it feel like a stroll through an art gallery. The rooftop offers panoramic views of Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain; the sight at dusk is absolutely stunning. Standing there with the wind blowing, you truly feel that this building was born for this landscape. Next time I'm in Dali, I'll definitely stay here again just to experience this house.

On our last day in Dali, we found a guesthouse close to the airport. The previous guesthouses we stayed at were truly disappointing, but this one was genuinely fantastic. We booked a family room, and it was a proper one with a small separate room, not just two beds crammed together to fool us. It was super convenient for traveling with family. The scenery was amazing, with direct views of Erhai Lake from the window – every photo turned out beautiful! There were several common areas, each decorated very cozily, and there's also a small garden on the rooftop with absolutely stunning views! The service was truly exceptional; they called us a few days before check-in to communicate and even set up a group chat. After checking in, they offered afternoon tea and a goodnight tea… and even helped us find suitable pillows in the evening. On check-out day, which was quite early, they not only helped us arrange an airport transfer but also packed breakfast and souvenirs for us in advance. When we went downstairs, the auntie in the restaurant kept urging us to stay and have breakfast, she was so enthusiastic. Since it was the last day of our trip, we only stayed one night, but it was honestly the most comfortable stay we had all week. Next time we come to Dali, we definitely need to stay longer! In short, haha, we'll be back!🤩