Hotel Boutique di Jilin, China

My butler, Xiaoman, was excellent. September was the super low season, and the entire resort was deserted, very quiet. The best part about the suite was the kitchen, fully equipped with tableware and cookware, just missing seasonings—perfect for us older folks. We came from the North Slope and bought some groceries in Erdaobaihe to cook ourselves, and even a watermelon. The perks supposedly only applied once regardless of how many nights, but the butler extended it, so we got to take the cable car both days. Other perks were more than we could use. The age restrictions for the perks were strictly enforced; we older folks couldn't sneak onto the slides or go-karts. During the low season, the suite building didn't offer breakfast, so we had to go to Jinhua, which shows how few people there were. Breakfast was quite simple, no ham or cheese, not even as good as a four-star hotel. The pool was great.

I was a bit hesitant about booking this hotel after reading so many reviews and Redbook posts, but in the end, I decided to go for it because the hotel environment seemed good, and with a 1.5-year-old baby, we'd spend a lot of time at the hotel. When we first arrived, it was indeed a bit old, as other guests had mentioned, which was a slight disappointment. However, it wasn't as bad as some made it out to be, and of course, it can't compare to five-star hotels from major chain groups. What truly stood out was the incredibly warm service. Unlike the somewhat cold and formal guidance you sometimes get at other five-star hotels, the staff here were genuinely enthusiastic. They reminded me to schedule the private hot spring, provided hot tea every day, and were available to answer any travel questions via WeChat. The driver they arranged was also exceptionally helpful and enthusiastic – highly recommend! The breakfast selection was indeed small, but the taste was genuinely excellent. The Cantonese dim sum was even better than what I've had at some restaurants in Guangzhou! Plus, the restaurant is situated right above the river, offering fantastic views. The complimentary dinner was also delicious. Ordering additional items might be a bit pricey, but the food here was definitely the best we'd had during our stay in Erdaobaihe Town. I would absolutely recommend this place to friends next time.