Hotel Dengan bar di Xinjiang, China

We were playing in Tashkurgan, and this hotel, newly opened, is very close to the town center. After eating at 'Guest from the Iceberg' (冰山上的来客), it was just a 10-minute drive to the hotel. It's a chain hotel, so the value for money is quite good. Service gets full marks; the pretty lady at the front desk even gave me coffee. The security guard at night was also very nice, it's just that there was no cleaning lady available in the evenings! The disaster, though, was our first night. We booked a family room. It was very spacious, especially the bathroom, which was huge! There was also a U-shaped sofa 🛋️ by the entrance. The two beds could be pushed together, which was convenient for our family. My first impression was that the bedding wasn't great; it didn't feel like pure cotton, it had a rustling texture and wasn't very soft against the skin. There was also a bug flying around in the room, which I swatted and killed on the sheets. So, I asked for the sheets to be changed. Since it was late, I just thought, 'Let's just change the sheets and sleep.' Next, for better sleep, I asked the security guard to get me two buckwheat pillows. The moment I replaced the pillows, I was genuinely speechless – there were several dead bugs under the pillow... different types of bugs, not just mosquitoes. At that point, I demanded a room change. We moved to another room, but there were still bugs flying around! Because it was so late and we had an early start the next day, we decided not to switch hotels again! My first night's impression was really bad. We had originally packed our luggage and left it at the front desk, planning to pick it up that evening. However, after a tiring second day of sightseeing, and with the kids wanting to go to the hotel's billiard room, when we went to retrieve our luggage, we just decided to book a family room again on the spot. We requested a clean and tidy room from the hotel. The second night's room faced the same direction as the hotel entrance, and the distant view was quite nice! No other mishaps. Overall, it offers great value for money. The breakfast is good, the service is excellent, the hotel laundry room is well-equipped, and the billiard table and kids' play area are also satisfying. The lobby is bright and spacious! Mineral water is directly placed at the front desk for guests to take. The only downsides were the hygiene on the first night, and the lack of a cleaning lady on duty at night. There was only the security guard and one front desk staff member. The front desk said she couldn't leave her post, so changing rooms, changing sheets, and dealing with dead bugs all fell to the security guard, who had to run back and forth. It was a bit inefficient and slow. Given our long journey and late arrival at the hotel, all this dragged on until past 1 AM. We were truly exhausted! I would still choose to stay for a second night because the family rooms are suitably large and the service is good. Please, hygiene definitely needs to be improved; it would help elevate the hotel's standard!

Traveling to Kanas, I stayed overnight in Altay and chose this hotel. The lobby and bathroom in the room are decorated in a gemstone style, which is very distinctive of the region. The room was spacious, clean, and tidy, the bed was just right – neither too soft nor too hard – and the soundproofing was excellent. Our room was close to the elevator, but we barely heard any noise and slept soundly until morning. What truly deserves praise is the rich breakfast; it was the most abundant we had at any hotel during our trip to Xinjiang, featuring local delicacies, and it was quite popular. There are some minor drawbacks: the shower water pressure wasn't great, and the trees on the street outside the hotel were small, making the surroundings seem a bit ordinary. However, considering this is in the remote northwest, and you can't compare it to standards in large coastal cities, you'll realize this hotel is quite good for the Northwest. Oh, and the hotel offers a complimentary private car service to the airport for Trip.com customers.

For foodies, this place can be described as ”absolutely delightful”! The fresh welcome fruit was crisp and delicious (as expected from Xinjiang)! The local yogurt was rich and amazing! The freshly ground coffee, Nescafé, had an inviting aroma – pure bliss with a touch of therapy! And let's not forget breakfast! The variety was truly extensive: hot dishes, pastries, porridges, snacks, fruits, eggs freshly fried by the chef at the live cooking station, yogurt with a multitude of toppings, toasted bread, and so many kinds of cakes. There were so many choices, no need to settle for anything less. We had a hearty and satisfying breakfast, then headed straight to the Nalat Grassland Scenic Area, saving us the trouble of finding breakfast outside early in the morning. We took some dry food for lunch while exploring the grasslands, so we didn't have to rush back for meals all day. The itinerary was relaxed and comfortable, perfectly suited for visiting the scenic area. Yep, that pretty much sums up all the foodie joys, haha!

What a hidden gem of a hotel! We arrived at 11 PM and called ahead to order dinner from the hotel restaurant. The lamb hotpot was absolutely incredible – seriously, so, so good. The service was outstanding and so welcoming. The staff helped with all our luggage; even if I walked past with just a backpack, someone would immediately offer to carry it. The coffee at breakfast was also the best I'd had in all my days in Xinjiang. Beyond the beautiful environment, the hotel also offers horse riding (for a fee) and archery (free). We stayed at the hotel until well after noon before checking out, which was incredibly relaxing. We initially thought it would be a two-hour drive to Kokesu, but a staff member told us about an entrance that was only a 20-minute drive away. That was a huge help, truly. All in all, everything was perfect. We didn't get to see the stars because it rained that night, but we had no regrets at all because this hotel is just phenomenal. Oh, and the hotel also has fast charging stations for electric cars!

Before coming to Urumqi, I saw many people say that hotels can be hit or miss, but my experience staying here exceeded my expectations ✨. The front desk service was attentive, and they proactively upgraded my room for free. The room was 38㎡, spacious, and well-ventilated. The vanity, toilet, and shower were completely separated, with a sensible layout that was very comfortable to use. The hotel also offers a variety of pillows to choose from, and you can even soak your feet at night. The attention to detail was excellent, and overall, my stay was very relaxing.

The environment is absolutely fantastic! It's a riverside campsite, and you can tell it's been thoughtfully designed, with clever touches everywhere. We unfortunately spent too much time at the attractions and arrived quite late. The campsite offers a bonfire, BBQ, and Uighur girls dancing. On the way to the river, there's also a splash pad for kids, so we really should have arrived earlier. The only minor thing is the gravel path at the entrance, which seems intentionally designed. You can contact the camp beforehand to have staff help with your luggage, as it's a bit difficult to drag suitcases yourself. Also, the soundproofing in the tents isn't the best, but that's to be expected when choosing a campsite. Overall, it's a great camp, and the breakfast selection is very rich. You can also request an oxygen machine.

Service: For check in on trip, it says to call a day in advance. I tried this, but the person who answered couldn't speak English. It was not a problem, because I then messaged on the online chat. That was perfectly fine and they responded very quickly. I'd say if you don't speak Chinese, just message online. The front desk staff were super helpful when I was there, and quick to use a translator so we could communicate well. Amenities: I did some washing, laundry detergent cost ¥10 I think, and again the staff were very helpful, finding as many hangers as I needed to dry my clothes. Location: The environment was so peaceful, the lobby was a nice air-conditioned place to hang out. The outside grass area was so lovely, with little lavender and rose plants and chairs to sit outside. There is also a bar across the courtyard, and a coffee shop. The area is a bit far out of the city, but it is right near the metro, lots of local shops, and a mall with some big chain stores. Things to consider: I stayed in the single room attached to the women's dorm. It was so handy to have my own space for a very reasonable price. However, the single room itself does not have its own air-conditioning. The women's dorm does, so to cool the room down, I would just keep the door between open for a bit. Still, it was never as cold as the dorm room because it went up to 40°c outside when I was there, and I preferred to keep the door locked when I went out to keep my belongings safe. The single room does have a fan and a window, so you can get some airflow through there. Overall, it was fine, just be aware if you are travelling during the summer. (Also one suggestion I would have is to put a mirror in the room, so you can get ready in there). The only other issue was no soap for washing hands in the dorm bathroom, although there was shampoo and conditioner provided in the shower. Cat: The cat was so cute! 🐈

Taking a break from my busy schedule, I pressed pause on work and embarked on an eight-day, seven-night trip to Yili. Without hesitation, I chose the Yining Green Valley InterContinental Hotel for my stay. As someone who travels extensively around the world, I've always trusted the InterContinental Group, and every stay has met my expectations. This hotel can truly be considered the pinnacle of accommodations in Yili. Having just opened, from its design aesthetics to its hardware facilities, there's almost nothing to fault. Even my son remarked that it was the best hotel experience he'd ever had. The front desk service was warm and attentive. We had booked two rooms with only four breakfasts included, but when Annie at the front desk learned that there were three people in one of our rooms, she thoughtfully helped us request an additional complimentary breakfast. Such attention to detail was incredibly heartwarming. The hotel's breakfast selection is truly top-notch in China. The variety is extensive, and I was especially delighted to find beef bacon – you can feel the hotel's dedication in every detail. Throughout the entire trip, I felt safe and comfortable. If I ever return to Yili, the Yining Green Valley InterContinental will still be my first choice. #YiningGreenValleyInterContinental #YiliTravel #XinjiangVacation

This stay exceeded my expectations! The room was very clean, and the bedding was soft, allowing for a great night's rest. The front desk was efficient with check-in, and the service was warm and attentive. The location is good, making it convenient for getting around and dining. The hotel facilities are complete, and the hot water supply is excellent. Overall, it offers great value for money. I had a very comfortable stay and will choose this place again next time. I highly recommend it to everyone!

My recent stay at the Silk Road Rendezvous B&B in Kashgar Old City completely overturned three of my preconceived notions about B&Bs in just a few days. Change 1: Re-evaluating B&Bs – More than just a place to sleep, it's about living your dream life. The moment I stepped into their private courtyard, the world instantly quieted down. Outside, there was the vibrant hustle and bustle of the thousand-year-old city, but inside the courtyard, it was a tranquil oasis where time seemed to stand still. Drinking tea and simply relaxing under the big tree, bathed in dappled light, I truly experienced a 'haven in the heart of the city.' This was exactly the Kashgar I'd dreamt of – the B&B itself was a destination. Change 2: Re-evaluating service managers – From 'call if you need anything' to 'being quietly accompanied and pampered.' Xiao Mu and Xiao Yue were warm, thoughtful, and incredibly attentive. They even kindly accompanied us on tours of the old city, explaining its history, helping us book show tickets, assisting us in attending a Uyghur wedding, and teaching us Uyghur dances. Their constant care made us feel incredibly warm, surprised, and touched! Change 3: Re-evaluating accommodations within a scenic area – Who says vibrancy and tranquility can't coexist? I used to worry that B&Bs in scenic areas would be 'noisy, chaotic, and expensive.' But here, opening the door brings you into the vibrant daily life of the ancient city, while closing it envelops you in the serenity of my private courtyard. It turns out that even in the heart of a scenic area, you can find the blissful feeling of a secluded retreat. Finally, I want to extend a special thanks to the two managers, Xiao Mu and Xiao Yue. You transformed 'service' into genuine 'companionship.' One created comfort in the rooms, and the other planted warmth in our hearts. While the beautiful sights and delicious food of Kashgar might eventually fade from memory, your smiles will stay with me forever.