Four Points By Sheraton Xishuangbanna

After dark, the hotel sometimes puts on ethnic dancing for guests, and people from the neighborhood who are out walking, young and old, join in. It feels like a friendly community scene. Since the grounds aren't closed off, locals also use the square throughout the day to walk or take their children out. Jinghong has few public outdoor spaces, so it makes sense. We had a good breakfast in the restaurant tucked into the ground-floor shops at the northeast corner of the courtyard, connected to the rooms by an outdoor walkway. There was plenty of choice, the food was better than average, and staff kept dishes replenished and cleared quickly. Tour groups were around, but usually left by bus before 10, so later risers could still eat after 9. The hotel has only recently opened, and for now just the east and west wings are operating. The main building is still being built, with what seems to be a temporary lobby in the east wing. It's on a newly developed site north of central Jinghong. Nearby shops and quick food are easy to reach, though traditional restaurants aren't walkable. Even with a car, I'd leave it parked at the hotel and take a taxi to the old town, where parking is hard to find. Service was unusually attentive for a Marriott Select property. Before arrival they emailed and called to check our timing and ask about needs. When our room was in the west wing, a staff member even took us and our bags over to the east wing on a little train. My mom and I stayed a few days at the Yuntou Sheraton near the airport last year. This time we tried Marriott's other Xishuangbanna hotel, the recently opened Four Points by Sheraton. The rooms all have regular beds plus a sofa bed, which works well for families. We used our suite vouchers before year-end, and the room was more comfortable for three adults. There was barely any odor, though the living-room balcony wall was puzzlingly tall, about Yao Ming's height.