Crowne Plaza Kunming Ancient Dian Town by IHG

My husband was attending a conference here, so I stayed too. There was plenty to do around the property, including activities for children, and adults can join in without being judged. Breakfast was really good, with lots of choice.

The room was the biggest problem for my family. The air conditioning was set to 15°C but seemed not to work, so it stayed uncomfortably warm all night. The mattress was very firm, and mosquitoes bit my children repeatedly on their hands, legs, and faces, leaving them quite swollen. We raised this the next morning. Staff suggested we had left the insect screen open, though we hadn’t. They did take some steps, but they weren’t enough: an extra blanket didn’t help with the mattress, the air conditioning still wasn’t fixed, and the mosquitoes were only partly dealt with. The children were bitten again on the second night. I’m especially concerned that staff seemed to know about an ongoing mosquito issue in the room, yet there were no preventive measures and no warning to guests. With children involved, that’s a health and welfare concern, not just an annoyance. Keeping the air conditioning working is basic upkeep too. Check-in was also an unwelcome start. The desk staff gave us no help with our two large suitcases, despite our having young children, and simply pointed us toward the lift. A considerate staff member stepped in on his own to help, but that initiative should have come from the front desk. Given Crowne Plaza’s standing as an established international brand, this stay fell far short of what we had every right to expect. I can’t understand the high rating; our family’s experience was horrendous.

Keep in mind the hotel is outside town, so the location may not suit everyone. We found the rooms comfortable and the staff very friendly, with people clearly making an effort to give guests a good stay. Breakfast had a huge range, and a chef could make fresh dishes when asked. We didn’t use the leisure facilities. I’d recommend the hotel if being out of town works for you; otherwise, I had no complaints.