86 Highlands

The owner was thoughtful about the practical details, including letting us leave our bags if we arrived early or checked out early. They told us as soon as our room was ready, which meant we could get inside and get out of the Xiaoliuqiu sun. Booking a scooter through the guesthouse also made it easier to move our heavy luggage around. I’d definitely choose this guesthouse again. We were a mixed group, with divers heading out as soon as we reached the island and others planning walks and time splashing in the waves. Our six-person room had plenty of space for suitcases and camera gear, plus lots of outlets for charging cameras and flashlights. The bungalow layout made hauling heavy equipment easy. The guesthouse is on the east side of Xiaoliuqiu, between Baisha Harbor and Dafu, about a 5-10 minute ride by bike. It’s close to the street but quiet at night, so we slept well. During the long holiday we chose Dafu instead of crowded Baisha Beach. We’d booked late and had trouble finding a scooter there, but the owner managed to arrange one for us, which we really appreciated. Before check-in, the owner also asked whether we needed help with ferry tickets, motorbikes, or other water activities.

Getting pushed to move our luggage out before checkout time, even after I explained we had other plans, made the stay really uncomfortable. The hostess showed no understanding. She was willing to pay for the overstay, but still didn’t want us to feel like we were being evicted. The room hadn’t been cleaned well and had lots of bugs. The bathroom had no separate wet and dry areas, which was inconvenient, and the B&B was quite far from town, making transportation difficult. The accommodation itself was average, but the service was a major letdown. The hostess was very cold and unfriendly. She offered to help book things like barbecue and snorkeling, but wouldn’t explain the details, kept asking for extra information, and responded as if it were up to us. A very disappointing stay, and I won’t return.

There were four adults, each with a separate bedroom, and we shared the living room. The beds were really comfortable and had just the right firmness. Each room had its own air conditioner with an adjustable temperature. We didn’t see any ants or other insects, and for the price it felt like good value. The only thing that seemed a little odd was having deities in the courtyard.

The location is a bit far from the city center, so getting around is slightly inconvenient. The room was moderately clean and the overall environment was acceptable, but the bathroom had no separate shower and toilet area, which made it awkward to use. The service left a poor impression. The hostess didn’t have the friendliness and enthusiasm I expected. She offered to arrange barbecue and snorkeling and to store our luggage, but seemed passive. When I asked about booking details, she didn’t proactively help contact the merchants. I was also reminded repeatedly to check out before the scheduled time. Even after I explained I had other plans, she didn’t show much understanding. The accommodation was average overall, and the service could be better. If I came back, I might look at other places.