Yangshuo Sugar House

I had seen so many gorgeous photos of the hotel online before arriving, but being here in person was even better—every snap looked effortlessly Instagram-worthy. Our butler reached out before check-in and helped book activities we were interested in. When they found out there wouldn’t be a fireworks show during our stay, they even specially recorded and shared a video of one for us. In addition to a welcome fruit platter, the room came with cookies, candies, complimentary soft drinks, and plenty of bottled water (they also proactively checked if we needed refills). We ate at the hotel restaurant three times—for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They offer a great mix of Chinese and Western options with plenty of variety. I didn't order heavily, but everything suited my taste, was satisfying, and the breakfast in particular was fantastic! The sunlight streaming over the buffet counter made everything look so fresh and appetizing. Overall, it was a truly wonderful experience. I hope I get to catch the fireworks show on my next visit!

I was very satisfied with the architecture and tranquility of The Sugar House. It's a shame that it was too hot during my recent visit, so I couldn't spend much time exploring outdoors. The architecture and scenery here are so skillfully integrated that there's no spot you wouldn't want to stop and admire. Additionally, this hotel offers Black Diamond privileges, which included vouchers and some small gifts – a delightful surprise for my first experience. The room was very clean and tidy, with comfortable bedding and excellent blackout curtains, allowing for a very peaceful sleep. The outdoor view was also beautiful; lounging or working on the balcony was quite relaxing. The hotel offers many activities, so even if you don't leave the hotel during the National Day holiday, there's plenty to participate in. Unfortunately, due to my itinerary, I only got to experience the basket swing activity once. Dinner at the restaurant was slightly more expensive than outside, but the taste was decent. Western cuisine seemed to be a slightly better choice than Chinese. Breakfast had limited options, a combination of à la carte and buffet, and the taste was just okay, not particularly delicious. You can ask for dry mix rice noodles, as the default comes with soup, but I found the dry mix to be tastier. I highly recommend the travel photography session. The photographer here previously worked for Earl Travel Photography, so their skills are excellent. The shooting process was very relaxed, and I was happy with the finished photos. Some suggestions for improvement: the service staff seemed less professional. The restaurant staff stuttered when asked about dishes and mostly had expressionless faces. Some of them were interns. Also, the door leading to the balcony from the restaurant had no resistance and slammed shut if you let go, which was quite disruptive during meals. Furthermore, the body lotion in the toiletries was incredibly difficult to squeeze out; it took forever to get any out to use as a body lotion. I might come back again when it's cooler. Overall, it was a good experience, and this was the best hotel experience I had in Yangshuo this time.

Finally found the time to visit the Alila Yangshuo (Sugar House), which has been on my wishlist for so long. I joined the hotel history tour on the day of arrival—it's converted from an old sugar mill, keeping the original chimney, red bricks, and vintage slogans, while repurposing the former workshops. It matches the Karst mountains and the Li River like a match made in heaven. The room has a minimalist, understated style, and opening the curtains on a high floor reveals a stunning view of the peak forest. The pool in the evening is simply breathtaking; the industrial trusses combined with the river view and infinity pool makes for incredible photo ops. Breakfast was lavish, and having the kumquat osmanthus wine while listening to folk music at the 1969 Bar was quite romantic. The butler was very responsive and provided great service, and the turn-down service was a thoughtful touch. This is a hotel that stays in your memory long after you leave.