GuiLin HeShe Hotel

We were four people and booked two lakeview rooms. The view of the lake ringed by mountains was the best part of our trip. At night we opened the curtains and enjoyed the peaceful scenery from bed. Before we even entered, Fanglian Lake had us mesmerized. Inside, the lobby smelled of sweet potatoes baking over a fire pit, and the atmosphere felt like home. Lu Yao at the front desk spoke English very well compared with staff at other hotels in China, and she was attentive and helpful throughout our stay. Breakfast was simple: plain soup, noodles, a sweet potato, an egg, milk, and an optional coffee. It was enough for us, though not as impressive as a buffet. Afterward we could walk around Fanglian Pond for a quiet morning. We also cycled the Taohua River Trail in cool weather, enjoying the riverside scenery along the dedicated route. We saw many restaurants along the way and visited Lujia Village. Reed Flute Cave is just across the road, so we walked there. To reach the Guilin City area, it was a short ride of about 9 km by Didi to Elephant Trunk Hill, costing less than 20 yuan as of 2024-Dec. The hotel is actually at "25.306184, 110.264953 Chang Hai, Xiufeng District, Guilin, China, 541002" (Plus code: 8747+FXG Xiufeng District, Guilin, Guangxi, China). Google Maps currently points to the wrong place. Search for Fanglian Pond instead, since the hotel is on its bank. For our 2024 China trip, this was the best value for money of all the hotels we stayed in. It does have some shortcomings, but the scenery and home-like warmth made up for them.

We loved staying at this little gem. The staff were lovely and helpful, and the location had a charming old village feel. Our little one said He She village looked like it belonged in a Ninjago world, and we had to agree. The hotel is next to a small lake, where you can hire a boat for a 15-20 minute trip for 50 Yuans (2019), which is great for keen photographers. There are nice local restaurants nearby, and it's close to famous attractions, including Reed Flute cave, one of the most impressive places we've ever visited. Our lake-facing room had some of the best views we've ever had in a hotel. I could sit by the windows all day. The town is about 15 minutes away by taxi, with lots to do. Mountains form the backdrop, giving it a striking old-meets-new look, a bit like Ninjago City. The breakfast menu left a lot to be desired, though it should be fine if you're not fussy. I can highly recommend this place. For food, we also recommend the small restaurant across from the hotel by the lake. The lovely shop owner said its local dishes and produce are fresh and locally sourced, and they also have a good selection of wines and spirits. We went three times, and all the dishes were delicious, though some might find certain ones adventurous. I believe it's called “He She Xiao Yu” (Little fish of He She).

Qin made arranging a ride from the airport feel easy, which was especially helpful for me as an American traveling around China without speaking Mandarin. At the hotel, Melody at the front desk welcomed us and was very helpful, giving us recommendations so we weren't left to figure everything out alone. The hotel was clean. It looked a little older, but its style and location made it beautiful. The stay was pleasant from before we even arrived, and the hospitality was hard to beat. Definitely worth a stay in Italy.

We spent four nights at this fantastic hotel by the lake with our family of four. The staff were very friendly.