5-Star Hotels in Tongren

Staying at Xieshan Jingshe, nestled at the foot of Fanjing Mountain, felt just like going back to my grandma's house when I was a child. Stepping off the car, crossing a small bridge, and entering the courtyard, there was an immediate sense of familiarity and peace. A babbling stream flowed in front, while silent mountains loomed behind. The courtyard was lush with greenery, exuding the scent of damp earth and the passage of time. Moss slowly spread along the flagstone path, and bamboo shadows swayed gently. Koi fish glided serenely in the pond, and the bell by the entrance chimed softly in the breeze, making you instinctively lighten your steps. This wasn't some contrived 'Chinese style,' but a place truly lived in. Their attentiveness was subtle but profound. Knowing roughly when we'd arrive, they'd already warmed the room, even the comforter was toasty. A wisp of sandalwood incense was slowly burning, and the tea set was neatly arranged, as if awaiting its owner's return. The moment I opened the door, my heart felt at ease. The furnishings inside reflected a restrained and tasteful Chinese aesthetic. Carved wooden window lattices, soaring double-leaf Chinese doors, and soft, warm lighting – each item seemed to have stepped out of an earlier time. The collected artifacts and calligraphies were not flashy, yet each quietly told its own story. For dinner, we decided to stay in rather than venture out, opting for a 'home-cooked meal.' Upon hearing our request, the auntie immediately sprang into action – she went to another part of the property, caught a chicken, and stewed a fresh pot of chicken soup. Then she dug fresh fiddlehead ferns from the vegetable patch, still carrying the aroma of earth. There were also her homemade salted duck eggs, not overly salty, yet oily with just one bite. The firewood slowly burned, the soup in the pot gently simmered, and the aroma of the food gradually filled the air. That scent wasn't the refined fragrance of a restaurant, but the long-missed, comforting taste of home. This isn't just a 'chic' guesthouse; it’s far more touching than many of them. It's like a well-preserved slice of life – quiet, authentic, and full of warmth. This is a place one will remember and want to return to for another short stay.

After a strenuous hike up Fanjingshan, we drove to the hotel for a much-needed rest. The front desk staff was incredibly welcoming and courteous, even providing a complimentary room upgrade. A staff member then kindly escorted me to the elevator. The lobby was grand and impressive. Our room was spacious and felt well-appointed, clearly benefiting from a recent renovation. I particularly appreciated the bathroom's 'three-separation' design (separate wet and dry areas), and the overall cleanliness was excellent. The mattress was very comfortable, and the air conditioning was strong yet quiet. Breakfast offered a wide variety of delicious options, truly having something for everyone. We also had dinner at the hotel restaurant, where the male server was very attentive, and the prices were quite reasonable. However, there were a couple of minor drawbacks. All the pillows were uniformly high, which was uncomfortable for me as I prefer a lower pillow, making it difficult to fall asleep. In the morning, when I went to shower, it took over ten minutes for the hot water to come on, and even then, it was only lukewarm. It wasn't hot enough to properly wash my hair, so I just quickly rinsed off and got out to avoid getting cold.

We embarked on a 14-day trip to Guiyang this time. We took a direct bus from Zhenyuan Ancient Town bus station to the East Gate of Fanjingshan. After a short walk of a few minutes, crossing the Heiwuan River Wind-Rain Bridge, which spans the Taiping River and features typical Dong ethnic architectural style, we arrived at the hotel. I'd say the transportation was incredibly convenient. During check-in, we met front desk attendant Xiao Le (No. 02). He was very enthusiastic and smiling, taking our two pieces of luggage and escorting us to our room. He also presented us with complimentary welcome fruits and shared a Fanjingshan travel guide, which we found very touching. Since this was our first time in Guizhou and we were traveling independently, we weren't very familiar with the transport connections. Before our trip, I called the front desk to ask which Fanjingshan gate the hotel was closest to. The person who answered the phone was impatient, said they were busy, and hung up after just a couple of words. It's the same hotel, yet due to differing service attitudes, guests experience very different feelings. If Guizhou wants to develop its tourism industry, even with the national government building highways right to its doorstep, the service awareness still needs significant improvement.

Since it was the off-season, they upgraded me to a suite for free. The environment is really nice, and the room's constant temperature control works great. There's a humidifier, and the living room is spacious, making it perfect for a vacation. Having a private hot spring in the room saves the hassle of going out to a public one. The hotel offers room service for meals, and the food delivered was quite delicious. The only slight letdown was that the TV doesn't have screen casting, so I couldn't watch my favorite shows. Otherwise, it would have been a truly perfect getaway!

I looked at many hotels before finally choosing this one for my trip to Fanjingshan. The hotel is a little over an hour's drive from Tongren Railway Station, which was very convenient as I took a taxi from Tongren. It's a ten-minute walk from Fanjingshan, and the hotel offers a shuttle service. It's a garden-style hotel with a nice environment. Since it wasn't peak season, the hotel proactively upgraded my room upon arrival. The room was spacious, and the bedding was comfortable. The room I stayed in the second night had a bathtub, which was very relaxing after hiking. Perfect for a vacation. The hotel also thoughtfully provided us with hiking gloves and offered to bring raincoats when the weather was bad – very considerate! Overall, I highly recommend it and give it a thumbs up!

The hotel's surroundings are great, and the facilities are comprehensive. There's a washing machine, a dryer, and even a large swimming pool. I heard they used to have a wellness area, but it's no longer available. Overall, the room hygiene was good. We were supposed to check out at 2 PM, but knowing it was raining on Fanjingshan today, they let us come back, take a shower, and rest before checking out. Very considerate.