The Apsara Lodge

We appreciated our stay, especially the beautiful view and convenient location. Breakfast was good, and the complimentary afternoon tea was a nice touch. Dinner was a letdown, though: the menu was limited and the food was poor. We’d suggest trying the Chinese restaurant across the river instead, where the pork with bamboo shoots was great.

The hotel is comfortable and furnished with real elegance, in a beautiful setting. The staff were very helpful and friendly. They arranged a van from the High Speed Rail station near Yangshuo, as well as a great guided hike through the surrounding mountains and along the Li river.

The lodge has only about a dozen rooms, and most were empty during our two-night visit. I imagine it would still feel quiet even when full. My wife and I wished we could have stayed longer. The staff were gracious and very friendly, and breakfast was lovely: you could order noodles, have an omelet, or choose freshly made yoghurt and baked goods. The pastry with nuts and honey was especially delicious. We also appreciated being able to use the washer and dryer for free. Our room looked out over the pool, river, and mountains. It had a poster bed and a well-equipped bathroom with both a tub and shower. The lodge is decorated throughout with art featuring ethnic minority metalwork and some Tibetan themes, and the overall style is rustic but elegant.

The setting is so peaceful and surrounded by nature that it was hard not to fall in love with the place. The hotel has a lovely design, with wood and stone in the rooms giving them a cozy feel. Staff were friendly and helped arrange transfers wherever we needed to go. Many thanks to the woman who takes care of breakfast. She cooks wonderfully and treated us like family. Everything was good, and we left with only warm memories. They also have amazing locally made lichi wine, with five other flavours to choose from.