Hotel 2-Star di Guangxi, China

I was quite disappointed when I first arrived at Chengyang Eight Villages. It was a Friday, and I was told there was no 'Baijia Banquet' (Hundred Family Feast). Plus, besides us, there were no other tourists in the scenic area. I thought this trip would be incredibly boring and dull. Coming with a group of friends, I wasn't sure what we could even do, and I didn't want to spend more money on tickets for a bonfire party. The owner of the guesthouse, Mr. Yang, recommended we book a farmhouse bonfire party. We could eat at a Dong family's home with local performances and toasts, costing about 100-200 yuan per person. Alternatively, we could eat at the guesthouse and have locals come perform, which would be cheaper. We decided to eat at the guesthouse at 7:30 pm. After exploring three villages, it was perfect timing for dinner. The Dong sisters were already waiting for us, serving us with great enthusiasm and politeness. Everyone ate and drank to their heart's content that evening. (The guesthouse food is all homemade by the landlady, with very fresh and delicious ingredients, and the liquor is also excellent – you can try it first). We had a wonderful time with the Dong sisters; we really bonded! Their singing is truly beautiful and captivating. Even my usually reserved husband was swept up in the fun! My friend asked if we could dance, and they taught us their traditional dances. The guesthouse rooms are spacious. We rented a twin room and a triple room (which was huge!). Our room had a view of the bridge. The guesthouse is located in Yan Village, very close to the other two villages and the Yongji Bridge (which has a very interesting and fun welcoming ceremony). My husband drank too much and managed to clog the basin, but the owner wasn't upset and unclogged it for him. The facilities in local guesthouses aren't as modern as city hotels, after all, we were staying in an ancient building. I found the room very clean, the bathroom had everything needed, and the towels had no strange odors. The landlady also suggested we go for a traditional ethnic costume photoshoot the next morning, costing 50 yuan per person (outfit + makeup) or 30 yuan without makeup. The young lady at the ethnic costume shop was very professional and patient. There were many costume choices, and the materials were excellent. Everyone looked beautiful, and many people on the street kept taking photos with us. Finally, my friends all had a wonderful time and were happy with their purchases. The owners also gave us discounts on souvenirs and tea (we got to sample the tea, and the recommended ones were delicious). The next day, the same Dong sisters who came last night served us lunch, and we had another delightful meal. The landlady also helped us find a 7-seater car to take our group of five to the high-speed train station (for 80 yuan). What I initially thought would be a dull trip turned out to be the most enjoyable and relaxing part of our 7 days in Guangxi (including Yangshuo and the rice terraces)! **Previously, due to other reviews, I had doubts about the landlady's cooking! After the landlady's repeated assurances, we decided to try the first lunch. To my surprise, the ingredients were incredibly high-quality. Even my friend who dislikes eggplant ate a lot, and I, who doesn't eat potatoes, ate quite a bit. The meat was so delicious that we ordered ribs for every meal! Although the beef wasn't tender, it was very fragrant and fresh! We just weren't used to the cured meat, and the luosifen (snail noodles) could be skipped. The landlady seasoned everything perfectly; we didn't feel thirsty afterward, and the flavors suited both our Malaysian and British palates. Consequently, we ended up having three more meals at the guesthouse.

Get this hotel!!! We were supposed to stay for a night and then decide what to do - we ended up staying 3 nights and were very sad to leave. Every so often when you travel your hotel experience significantly improved your holiday - this was one of those cases! First of all the basics, we were looking for a nice family friendly hotel walking distance from the beach - and this certainly fit that category. The rooms are fine, you could see the sea from the windows, comfortable beds, pretty clean, slippers, plenty of towels, wifi everywhere etc. There was also a small playground for small kids and hammocks (picture) etc which was cool, we also saw mahjong tables, but didn't have the time to play. The hotel is located near a fairly large field, filled with exotic birds, butterflies and crickets etc. There were also geckos everywhere (love them), but we didn't see any inside the room. There were some mosquitos outside on the terrace (don't love them), but the repellent took care of those and we didn't have any in our rooms. Felt like you were near nature, in a good way. The kids loved to play on the beach, it's great for sand castles (the hotel had buckets and shovels free of charge) and searching for crabs, fish, shells, sea snails etc... The moms loved it too, especially to walk around and explore during low tide. (the hotel also provided equipment to catch crabs and other sea creatures etc if you wanted to - they also had a service to cook them for you) We especially enjoyed playing under a nearby pier during low tide to avoid getting badly sunburned. The supermarket across the street sell dozens of single malt whiskys and beer from all over the world (they also have ice cream and other stuff) - and the dads recommend the roof terrace for that after the kids are asleep. (picture) If you know how to ride a scooter/ebike they rent them across the road too, and it's the best way to explore the island. The small roads (almost devoid of cars) were awesome to drive on, just remember to stay safe. I don't usually care much about breakfast, but the included breakfast was great! (picture) The kitchen staff was also super laid-back about the whole thing - this whole hotel radiated a very laid back tropical island feel that made you forget you were in China. However the reason I write this review is because of the owner. (last picture) (I'm not sure if he speaks English though, but I'm sure you'll manage) Super chill guy! Immediately after booking he contacted us to arrange the transport from the boat. He helped us buy tickets for the trip back. He was willing to come and pick us up at any time if we got lost on the island. He had great recommendations about basically everything, and whenever we made plans we were sure to ask for his advice. He was basically always reachable over wechat too. These are just some of the things that he didn't have to provide, but did (or offered): unlimited cold drinking water, ice, proper glasses, a coffee grinder, buckets, shovels, hats, umbrellas, sunscreen, aloe vera plants, flashlights, mosquito repellent etc etc and it feels like we only scratched the surface. It feels like whenever I asked him for something he always had a solution that exceeded my expectations. Great host! I've traveled to almost 100 countries and while this wasn't the fanciest hotel I've stayed in by any means, this was one of the most memorable hotel experiences I've ever had. If anyone I know plans to visit this island I will for sure recommend this place.

Very satisfied! We booked a triple room. **Amenities:** All pretty comprehensive, they even have a smart voice assistant (Xiao Du) to control the AC. **Cleanliness:** Decent, just a bit dusty on the floor, but everything else was quite clean. We used our own disposable bed covers. **Environment:** The location is excellent, right next to Dongxi Lane. You can find food within a few minutes' walk downstairs, and Jingjiang Royal City is right behind. Because it's on a main road, it can be a bit noisy. Also, the soundproofing in the room isn't great – you can hear conversations from the hallway clearly inside, and vice versa. The sound of doors closing at night can be a bit disruptive, but otherwise, no major issues. **Service:** The front desk lady was very nice and provided great service.

We arrived at 1 o'clock in the morning on October 8, and the boss came out to pick us up. It was so late at night without the boss to guide us, so I might not be able to find it. The next morning I visited the main attractions, traveling during off-peak hours, so it was comfortable with fewer people. After lunch, the boss delayed check-out until 14:00, and went back to the hotel to rest for an hour before leaving. The hotel is a 3-minute walk from the scenic spot. When you go out, the car will park in the parking lot of the hotel across the road.

The first thing worth mentioning is that this hostel accepts international guests without any problems. This is not always a given in China, as some hostels and hotels still do not accommodate foreign travelers. If you are visiting from Europe or any other country, you can book and stay here with confidence. Most importantly, everything you see in the photos is exactly what you get in reality. The pictures are 100% accurate and perfectly reflect the actual condition of the hostel. Everything is genuinely new, very well maintained, and exceptionally clean. There are no misleading photos or unpleasant surprises upon arrival - what you see online is exactly what you will find when you check in. Despite having only a small number of reviews, I believe this is mainly because the hostel is still very new. You can immediately notice that almost everything inside is new and extremely well maintained. The cleanliness is outstanding. I have stayed in more than 100 hostels around the world, and this is honestly one of the cleanest hostels I have ever experienced, if not the cleanest. Another thing that deserves special mention is the facilities available to guests. The hostel has a refrigerator, which is surprisingly uncommon in many hostels. There is also a fully equipped kitchen, so you can easily prepare your own meals if you prefer. A dining area with a table is available as well, making it comfortable to sit down and eat. The hostel also provides free laundry facilities. Washing detergent is included, so you can do your laundry at no extra cost. There is even a dedicated area where you can hang your clothes to dry afterwards, which is incredibly convenient for long-term travelers and backpackers. The hostel is located on the 25th floor and offers fantastic views of the city. It is also very quiet, making it a great place to rest after a day of exploring. The host is an incredibly kind and caring woman who genuinely looks after her guests. She checks on your arrival, asks about your travel plans, gives recommendations on what to see in the city, and even suggests local food and dishes to try. You can really feel that she wants every guest to have a pleasant stay. Although she does not speak English, communication is still surprisingly easy thanks to the AI translation available through Trip.com. We had no significant communication problems during my stay. If the owner continues improving her English over time, I honestly believe this could become one of the best hostels in Nanning. She has a genuinely kind heart, and her hospitality is exceptional. I will remember this stay for a very long time. It was one of the best hostel experiences I have ever had, and I would happily stay here again.

I highly recommend Chuxin Homestay; it was the most satisfying accommodation choice during my trip to Yangshuo! The location is truly unbeatable, very close to the Yulong River trail. In the morning, you can take an immersive stroll and enjoy the scenic mountains and rivers. It's also super convenient to get to Jima Pier for a bamboo raft ride. The 'Eternal Love' scenic area is just a few minutes' bike ride away, so you can easily return after the show without rushing, saving a lot of travel time. The room hygiene was exceptional. The bedding was soft and clean, the bathroom had no odors, and every corner was meticulously cleaned, making our stay very reassuring. The service from the owner was even more heartwarming; they patiently answered questions about travel routes and food recommendations before and after check-in. They were very responsive to our needs, making us feel completely at home. The room had great natural light, comfortable space, and was quiet, not noisy at all. The value for money is outstanding. This is my top choice for a trip to Yangshuo, and I'll definitely stay here again next time!

It was a perfect living experience. Not only was it comfortable to live here, but the owner and his family were also very welcoming and even invited me to have tea with them. Moreover, their food is super delicious, and the beer fish is also good. When you get up in the morning, you can watch the sunrise on the observation deck, watch the sunset in the evening, and you can see the terraced fields from the room. It can only be said to be perfect. However, the transportation in Longji Terraces is not very convenient, so you need to plan in advance before visiting.

The view from the ”Premium Double Room” is fake - the hotel admitted to adding the karst mountains during ”post-production”. Do not book the room if you want dual aspect views onto the famous karst mountains (one side of the room faces some mountains (good view), but the other side faces some buildings). When we raised their falsification on the advertisement with the reception they admitted to faking the views, and we were able to negotiate electric bike rental as compensation. However, overall the hotel is good. 20 minute walk into city centre, clean, friendly staff, and a decent view (even if not as advertised) from some rooms. Good for the price! I wouldn't normally comment on this, but given the other issues we faced it seems that this hotel manager is as opportunistic as possible to exploit and sort change guests. When we arrived, we were given a downgraded room (i.e. facing a concrete wall). When we raised it was the downgraded one we asked for the room we had booked (double aspect windows with the view of the mountains). She was able to give us that room, but as I already explained the photograph of the room advertised contains fake imagery to deceive guests. I hope they change this in the future so that other guests are not deceived like us. Regarding the compensation for staying in the hotel despite the false advertising, we had negotiated free electric bike rental for one and a half days, and a ¥20 discount to be collected at the end. (They only accepted after I threatened to write an honest review and complain to Trip.com). Unfortunately, on the last day they didn't let us use the e-bike because it was drizzling (only in the morning, it was a bright sunny day for the rest of the day), and then they refused to refund the ¥20 as agreed on the basis that we'd used the e-bikes for half a day (the previous afternoon). (I have written evidence (via my translation app history) of all of this should the hotel respond and say that I'm not telling the truth). I am sharing a REAL photo of the room so future guests are aware of the view. I recommend that the hotel improves the honesty of their advertising.

The room looks a little old but very clean, big and comfortable. Towels, rubber slippers, toothbrushes, soap and shampoo, water, teapot and cups are provided. The air conditioner works with a lot of noise, but at this time of year it is not needed at all. The price and quality ratio is equal. I would stay in this room again. Thank you.

This is a wonderful family run guesthouse, where you can enjoy peace away from the hustle of Xingping Old Town. Differently from other types of accommodation we have seen in Dahe Bei village, this guesthouse is a hidden gem with charme and character. The food was excellent and abundant, freshly cooked by the owner herself. The owner picked us up from the Dahe Bei ferry dock, organised an electric moped rental in Dahe Bei (we didn't see many on that side of the river) and gave us plenty of tips and suggestions for where to go and what to do around there, including a sunrise hike to a nearby mountain that you can reach directly from the guesthouse - if you're into hiking (it's a 1h walk uphill through pomelo and orange orchards, followed by a series of staircases), it's a great spot, as we found only a few photographers when we got up there. The ginger cat and the house dog are cute and extremely friendly, adding to the overall wonderful atmosphere. Our room was spacious and clean, with plenty of hot water for showers after a day of hiking or driving around to see the surroundings. If we were to travel again in this area, we would definitely go back. Highly recommended!