Banyan Tree Lijiang

We appreciated the service that offered by F&B and Housekeeping, they are friendly, careful and enthusiastic, it really impressed us. But Front Desk needs to be improve. It seemed that they did not have normal training to entertain guests

I would recommend this property to my friends. Planning to come again in Autumn 18 or 19 with my Mum. Sohe Old Town is within walking distance but tend to wonder off the track and got lost. It will be good if there's signages of the property ard the shopping area to guide lost sheep (like me) back to the property!

The hotel is very nice, well located at walking distance from Shuhe old town. Breakfast buffet is well stocked and of good quality. The hotel has 2 restaurants, both Chinese for some reason. The western menu is extremely limited, and the Chinese dishes are very complex, it's difficult to find something for your taste. There are no deserts whatsoever on the menu. The in-room dining menu is very limited, with maybe only 10 items. We had some problems with the tours offered by the hotel (see my other review of Banyan Tree Ringha also). We organized a car transfer from Lijiang to Ringha, with 2 stops at Tiger Leaping Gorge and Baishuitai. The total rings at 1200 RMB per person. Just before reaching Tiger Leaping Gorge, the reckless driver hit something on the road under the car, and something broke (i guess the clutch of the automatic gearbox), the car seemd stuck in first gear. We had to stop on the side of the road, and wait for a replacement car. We waited for 2.5 hours in total. Our guide quickly say sorry, but we didn't get any word from the tour manager (William). When we saw William a few days after, he told us he was sorry, but when we asked for a discount for this incident, he started explaining that he could barely make any money since they had to find another car. He finally conceded a 100 RMB discount per person (so 2200 instead of 2400 total). Honestly, as a customer i don't care about how you run your service and if you lose money. The service was mediocre, no apology was sent, and the discount conceded is ridiculous. This is definitely not Luxury hotel standard. Following the incidents on this tour, and the other issue on the tour at Banyan Tree Ringha, we decided to cancel our last tour with Banyan Tree Lijiang (a day trip to Shaxi) to avoid any more unnecessary spending.

After many years, you will forget the poor service here, actually you might forget it very soon. But the astonishing view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain will remain forever! The blue sky, while clouds and splendid flower blossom during splendid are just fantastic. Now please forgive me writing all the unsatisfied experience here cause you might come across as well. Don't expect they will provide in villa check in for premium villa type as other banyan tree would do. For the complimentary fruits, the same. Unfortunately there is only average apple and orange provided. I would call it so shabby for a 740 USD accommodation per night. The interior of the villa is lack of renovation especially the wooden door and light. Sometimes they are not working. Staff here is also lack of training. On the 2nd morning, housekeeping staff entered my villa with Do Not Disturbed Sign on expected to do the cleaning earlier. I was just out of bathtub then and only can grab a bathrobe to wear. What made annoyed is when she left, she turned off the sign. Well, CLEVER SHE!!!. The in villa dining forgot put new menu in room. Only after I ordered several things they realized my menu is an old one. What makes me particular angry is the front desk staff. On the last night I requested an late check out to 2pm. The staff said I will check for you. Then after a second she said no due to availability, who is a totally liar. I specific clarified with her, is the 2 bedroom jet pool villa is full tomorrow? She said yes. Sadly I found the room type is still available online even on the second day. Besides if the occupancy rate is high, maintenance and in villa dining should have been raised by earlier guests because the problem is so obvious. I don't want to remember her attitude, which just like palming off a beggar. It sounds like I had a terrible experience. Well it's true. But nothing is perfect. The view is always worth a visit and you shall not satisfied with the nature.

Good - the customer-service. Everyone was polite, helpful, and well-mannered, and spoke excellent English. - the room/villa (whatever you want to call it). AMAZING. - the shower-area. The design was very thoughtful. For example, a pet-peeve of mine is the accumulation of the shower-water around your feet, in poorly designed shower-areas. Here, you are standing on an elevated platform, and the water will go down to a "moat" surrounding your standing area, so that you will never face this "accumulation-problem". Small thing - but very well done! - the view from the villa - when you open the door. You see the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in all its glory. Its very hard to beat. Can be better - the customer-service. While everyone was polite, helpful, and well-mannered, you cannot help but get the feeling that everything is very commercialized and artificial. There was a distinct lack of warmth.