YYxinyueNestled by the stunning Li River, with rolling mountains in the distance, this Banyan Tree hotel stands apart from those with artificial landscaping. It's built directly on the Li River, surrounded by mountains on three sides, uniquely occupying a corner of the Yulong River. Every evening, the lobby bar hosts a sunset ritual, accompanied by folk songs and the striking of gongs, symbolizing 'joy, auspiciousness, and a warm welcome.'
The hotel also offers numerous family-friendly activities, such as encountering peacocks, feeding ducks, watching fish by the lake, and playing soccer on the lawn.
Facilities: The standard rooms are 66 square meters, which isn't huge, but the decor is decent. The 1.1-meter-wide beds are a bit narrow. The mattress has a soft and a firm side; I found the soft side too soft the first night, but it was better after the staff flipped it to the firm side the next day.
Aside from bottled water, everything in the mini-bar is chargeable.
There are a few small fruits and two or three small snacks provided daily, and a complimentary small bowl of sweet soup is offered during the evening sunset ritual.
I tried the full-body relaxation spa massage, which cost over a thousand yuan. I fell asleep, so I can't really judge the technique.
It's very pleasant to simply stroll around the hotel daily, walk along the Li River, interact with the small animals, and watch the peacocks display their feathers!
Every staff member I encountered, whether at the front desk, in the restaurant, or for room service, was incredibly enthusiastic. The assigned 'little housekeeper' would send greetings in the morning and evening and quickly resolve any issues.
My only minor complaint is being asked for a review immediately after checking out, followed by a phone call in the evening. Guests are often tired from a day of travel and haven't even had a chance to rest properly. It felt like being hounded for debt, which ruins any good mood for leaving a review. Even excellent service can be spoiled by this! Especially considering other hotels that explicitly require adding the housekeeper's name for a five-star review, I don't understand the management's intention behind making employees do this.
Any service review should be a genuine expression from the guest's heart. How can hotels 'earn' a review instead of 'soliciting' it? The core lies precisely in the service process itself:
1. Provide sincere service that exceeds expectations.
2. Create memorable experiences.
3. Respect guests' freedom to provide feedback, giving them space without pressure.
For other potential guests, this is the most trustworthy guide.
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