Banyan Retreat R10 Hotel

Set beside one of Guilin’s four lakes, this small boutique hotel is near shops for local residents and within walking distance of upscale shopping and places to eat. There’s a tiny tea garden, and the hotel’s huge collection of art and artifacts gives it a gallery-like feel. You’ll even see pieces in the restaurant. The staff were friendly, helpful and spoke English. When the ribbon came loose on my wife’s hat, one of them sewed it back on and returned it to our room. Don’t expect the clinical efficiency of a Hilton, though.

We spent two nights at Aroma Tea house and were very happy with our stay. The hotel was quiet and well located, and we could walk everywhere. Our room was clean and comfortable; we especially liked the tea spot and the day bed overlooking the lake, where we enjoyed tea provided by the hotel. The staff were lovely, helpful and spoke good English. They arranged tours, taxis and the cruise boat for us, and gave us a useful map with suggestions for things to do in Guilin and places to eat. Breakfast was good, with a mix of local and Western food. The restaurant serves simple meals and offers massages, but both need to be booked ahead. Free water is available, and they gave us a small parting gift of local tea. Highly recommend this stay!

Ronghu lake is right outside, and this cosy, charming hotel has a lovely feel throughout. The rooms are large, well arranged and spotlessly clean. Breakfast was good and ample, with enough Western and Asian options. The staff were fantastic, spoke good English and were happy to help plan trips, make bookings, and point us towards places to see and eat. Definitely one of the best places to stay in Guilin.

The room was incredibly spacious, and everything was spotlessly clean. I loved this hotel. The staff were friendly and spoke English well, and breakfast upstairs on the top floor was fantastic, with a beautiful view.