Banyan Tree Lijiang

I arrived at Banyan Tree Lijiang with high expectations, expecting the level of luxury, attention to detail and hospitality that the Banyan Tree brand is known for. Unfortunately, the reality was deeply disappointing. The room was noticeably dated, poorly maintained and showed clear signs of neglect. There were multiple cobwebs in the bathroom, a thick layer of dust around the bed, and several maintenance issues that should never exist in a property positioning itself as a luxury resort. Both the Jacuzzi and the door leading to it were broken and unusable. What was even more alarming was the condition of the bathroom. The shower ceiling was leaking and covered with large water stains, creating an impression of a property that has been left to deteriorate rather than properly maintained. Basic housekeeping standards were also lacking — only one bath towel was provided for the room, and a pillow request submitted via the turndown service form was ignored. This stay was supposed to be the highlight of our Yunnan trip. Instead, it became the most disappointing hotel experience of the entire journey. What made it even more frustrating was that these were not isolated issues, but a series of failures spanning room maintenance, cleanliness, housekeeping and service recovery. Having stayed at numerous luxury resorts across Asia, I struggle to understand how this property continues to carry the Banyan Tree name in its current condition. Ironically, some of the smaller boutique local hotels we stayed at during this trip far exceeded Banyan Tree Lijiang in every aspect — from room upkeep and amenities to service standards, warmth of hospitality and attention to guest comfort. They delivered the authentic luxury experience that Banyan Tree Lijiang failed to provide.

This was my first time in Lijiang and it certainly will not be my last. The city itself is already full of charm. But Banyan Tree Lijiang made the entire journey even more memorable. I stayed for 4 nights with friends and the overall experience was truly flawless from beginning to end. We received a very warm welcome from Nancy and her team upon arrival. As we arrived early, we decided to enjoy breakfast while waiting for our rooms and it turned out to be one of the first highlights of our stay. The breakfast selection was outstanding with a beautiful variety of local and international dishes. Some of the flavours were new to us, which made the experience even more exciting and meaningful. The hotel is perfectly located, not far from Shuhe Ancient Town. From the moment we walked towards the entrance, we were greeted by a serene pond, traditional architecture and the stunning Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the background. It created such a strong first impression and immediately gave us a sense of place. Once we entered our rooms, we felt even more connected to the heritage of Lijiang. The design of the buildings reflects the local character beautifully, while the rooms are clean, tidy, comfortable and very functional. Every detail feels thoughtful, calm, and well maintained. Nancy also kindly shared recommendations on attractions and places to visit around the area. The hotel is only around a 10-minute walk from the Ancient Town, which made it very convenient for us to explore, wander around, shop and enjoy the atmosphere at our own pace. We also had a chance to spend a full day at the hotel and it was just as enjoyable as going out. We fed the ducks and fish, tasted their unique local tea and tried the flower cakes. One of the most special highlights was the local costume and photoshoot experience, which made our stay even more memorable and fun. Banyan Tree Lijiang truly offers everything in one place, beautiful scenery, warm hospitality, cultural experiences, comfortable rooms and a peaceful atmosphere that reflects the soul of Lijiang. I would definitely love to come back again.

"I stayed for five nights at the Banyan Tree Lijiang, and it was a magnificent stay, starting with the beautiful hotel that looks directly out at the snowy peaks of the Yulong Mountains. The villa I stayed in (number 121) was very large with a heated pool; it wasn't even one of the highest-category rooms, which made me even more surprised. The service is on par with the beautiful Banyan Tree brand. The staff is very attentive, and the food at the Bai Yun restaurant is of the highest level. This alone would have been enough for a perfect stay, but something exceeded my greatest expectations. As we know, traveling in China can be somewhat difficult for foreigners, and Ms. Nancy Peng from the Banyan Tree made the difficult parts simple. She helped me install WeChat and set it up to work with DiDi (the taxi app). She coordinated my visit to the Bank of China to exchange money into local currency. She organized my visit to Blue Moon Valley, the Impression Show, and the cable car ride up the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (which I wouldn’t have been able to do alone). As if that weren't enough, she organized my transportation to other cities in the Yunnan Province. I have traveled a lot in my life and stayed at the best hotels in every location, but I have never seen service like what Ms. Nancy Peng provided. This has made me a fan of the Banyan Tree chain, and I will undoubtedly return to the one in Lijiang."

I came to Yunnan in search of the mythical Shangri-La—and I may well have found it at Banyan Tree, Lijiang. An unexpected upgrade to a jet pool villa was a wonderful start, and throughout my stay the resort felt tranquil and exclusive, as though it had been designed for complete relaxation. The setting is beautiful, making it easy to slow down and fully unwind. While communication could occasionally be a little challenging due to limited English among some staff, their warmth and attentiveness more than made up for it. The resort is also just a short walk from the historic Shuhe township, though it’s so peaceful and inviting that it can be hard to leave.

We had an amazing stay in a garden suite as a family of 4 (2 young kids). The grounds and suite are stunning, but it’s the service (as usual for luxury hotels) that set it apart. We had an English-speaking concierge Abby who was very helpful. Everyone was very friendly and attentive and patient with kids. Breakfast had a big spread of Western and Asian food, and included a chocolate fountain. The double bed was huge (it could fit 4 people but we also had the sofa bed made in the living room) and you can choose your pillows. Little carts are available at all times to take you from the villas to the lobby. The hotel also has a big kids’ playroom (no staff in attendance though). The hotel is a 5min walk from Shuhe old town, which is beautiful and filled with cool shops and cafes.