11 Best Hotels in Guilin, China

Guilin is home to incredible natural scenery. When we visited the city for the first time and when we returned the second time, Guilin’s natural beauty never ceased to amaze us. We think this is a beautiful place that feels like heaven on earth. We never get tired of it. Guilin has been a popular destination for thousands of years. You’ll be surrounded by beautiful and fresh scenery wherever you go. There’s also so much more to explore. The city has everything from tranquil lakes to clean rivers and lush hills. We’re going to show you all the best hotels in Guilin. That way, you can have the greatest comfort while wandering around the city.

Guilin is the second-largest city in Guangxi. This city has the hallmarks of most Chinese megalopolises. Yet, it has a more relaxed atmosphere. Thanks to its spectacular setting among the limestone karsts. That’s why we highly recommend exploring Guilin instead of other big cities in China. Did you know that Guilin was the first city to develop tourism after 1949? For decades, textbooks proclaimed Guilin’s landscape as the best under heaven. Until this day, Guilin’s natural endowments never cease to amaze. If you love this city, you’ll also love Qingdao as the atmosphere is similar. So, also check out the best hotels in Qingdao.

Guilin is a convenient base to plan trips to the rest of the province. This city is as clean and modern as Beijing. It also offers plenty of greenery among its city lakes. This is your perfect spot if you don’t like the hustle-bustle of the city. So, ready to immerse yourself in the lush and beautiful surroundings? Here’s the best accommodation in Guilin for your most memorable trip to Asia. 

Lijiang Waterfall Hotel

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Lijiang Waterfall Guilin is a landmark in itself. This beautiful classic hotel features an indoor swimming pool and fitness center. The Guinness record-making artificial waterfall performs every night. We could take in the city’s natural beauty while enjoying the hotel’s city center location.

Lijiang Waterfall Guilin sits in the downtown area of Guilin. It faces the beautiful Lijiang River in the East and Xiangshan Park in the south. Also, we were able to see Duxiu Peak and Diecai Mountain in the north. Isn’t it great that we were surrounded by magnificent panorama no matter which direction we saw?

From our room, we had beautiful views of Shanhu Lake and the city. We got to choose the view we prefer. All rooms come with cable TV and spacious bathrooms with bathtubs. Ironing facilities and a safe are also available. For leisure, we preferred taking a dip in the indoor pool or exercising in the fitness center. Besides, there’s a spa with steam baths and a sauna.

Holiday Inn Express Guilin City Center

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Best for budget travel. Sometimes, all we need is a simple and comfortable hotel. Since we were going to explore the city anyway, we only needed a convenient place to rest. That’s why we recommend checking out the Holiday Inn Express Guilin City Center. Exploring the city was easy for us, too, as we were in the heart of the city.

Not only is it affordable, but it has a prime location. Here, we were always steps away from Gulin’s top attractions. This hotel sits on Yiren Road, Xiufeng District. It’s only 3km from Guilin Railway Station. Some nearby attractions include Elephant Trunk Hill and Fubo Mountain. The Sun and Moon Towers and Zhengyang Pedestrian Street are also close.  

This hotel has 108 cozy guest rooms. Each room is inclusive of everything we need. It offers high-speed Wi-Fi, a comfortable bed, and a refreshing shower. There’s also a complimentary daily breakfast buffet featuring Chinese and Western dishes. Affordable, but still offers free buffet breakfast? There’s no better deal than this!

Sky Palace Hotel

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Trying to find an ideal family-friendly accommodation in Guilin? It doesn’t have to be that complicated. Welcome to Sky Palace Hotel! This is an excellent accommodation for a family trip to Guilin. The Sky Palace Hotel sits at 31 Jiefang East Road. We think this is an ideal location for any occasion.

The highlight of the hotel is its interior design. It’s full of ingenious designs, elegant bamboo curtains, and retro stone walls. All come from recycled waste materials and environmental protection concepts. We also loved that this hotel was quiet and cozy. We would always take the exclusive direct elevator to check in the guest room. Then, we immediately took off the journey.

Here, we got to choose the scenic view we prefer. The room offered us views of the mountains or river through the bay window. Our room came with air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. Besides, a shower and 24-hour hot water were also available. The bathroom came with slippers, a hairdryer, and complimentary toiletries.

Riverside Inn Guilin Central

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There’s nothing better than staying in the city center but still in the middle of nature. How is that possible? Well, the Riverside Inn Guilin Central makes it possible to enjoy the best of both worlds. The Riverside Inn Guilin Central sits on the Bank of Taohua River in the center of Guilin. It offered us beautiful scenery beyond our expectations. This is one of our favorite hotels in the city, and it offers the perfect balance between cityscape and nature.

This is a beautiful riverside villa hotel with an elegant and natural environment. With mountains and water, delicate and chic, we never wanted to leave. The hotel has a small bar for leisure, warmth, and fun. Take a stroll at leisure at the tree-lined avenue near the hotel. Or relax using the leisure facilities including darts and billiards. It’s an ideal place for everybody traveling to Guilin.

After exploring all the leisure facilities, we would just get back to our room and have a rest. Our room provided us with air conditioning, an electric kettle, and a flat-screen TV. Even better, we could step outside onto the balcony to catch a sweet breeze from the river.

Zen Tea House Seven Stars Park

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This stunning Zen-style boutique hotel is situated in the picture-perfect countryside. We could immerse ourselves in a remarkable world of nature. Here, we had spectacular Karst mountains and nearby secret caves and rivers. The Zen Tea House Seven Stars Park sits in the most beautiful travel destination that we’ll never forget. It offers a complete package of adventure, peace & beauty. It was the perfect place where we felt a true sense of Zen.

It’s one of the best hotels for a peaceful retreat. Zen Tea House facilities include large rooms and studios. There’s a chlorine-free swimming pool, cultural workshops, and an on-site vegetarian restaurant. We could also take organized local tours when we wanted to explore easily. Or sometimes, we preferred to spend our afternoons on the open rooftop.

Relax while enjoying the spectacular panoramic views. This beautiful hotel has a shared lounge, garden, and views of the river. Among the facilities of this building are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, and a shared kitchen. There’s also free Wi-Fi to stay connected.

Jolie Vue

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Best for families. Jolie Vue is a fantastic choice for those coming to Guilin in a group or on a family trip. According to the reviews, the hotel provides a high level of service. That’s why this hotel can maintain its high rating. Once we entered the hotel, it already exceeded our expectations. It was beyond the traditional luxury model.

The hotel creates a private place to stay away from various things. Jolie Vue sits in the middle of paradise. It’s located along the Li River. During our stay, we were also close to Sha Lake as well as the wonderful vantage point of Elephant Trunk Hill.

Each room here provides us with a TV, air conditioning, and a seating area. There’s also a mini-bar and an electric kettle. No need to go out to enjoy a cup of coffee. What we loved the most was that we had a panoramic view of the Elephant Trunk Hill and the Li River through the windows. Every second we spent here was memorable.

Ease Hostel

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We love a hotel that lives up to its name. The East Hostel helps us travel with ease. Sometimes, we don’t need to stay at the fanciest hotel in the city. We only want a cozy place to have a rest and connect with other travelers. If that’s what you prefer, then this is the perfect spot for you!

Ease Hostel sits in the Xiangshan district in the downtown tributary. Here, we were close to the Peach Blossom River. The good thing was that we were less than a mile from Gunanmen Gate and Sun and Moon Twin Pagodas. What we loved about this hotel was the on-site bar. This is where people can connect to each other and share their stories. Besides, it holds a 120-square-yard public leisure space. This space includes billiards, a private theatre, reading, coffee, and drinks.

The guest rooms feature low-carbon environmental protection materials. You’ll also find a TV and comfy bedding. And don’t worry! There’s also complimentary Wi-Fi so that you can stay connected with family and friends during the holidays.

Li River Resort

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Best luxury. Li River Resort offered a luxury environment and many helpful amenities to enhance our stay. During our stay, we always took advantage of the amenities provided, like the pool and complimentary breakfast every morning. For travelers arriving by car, free parking is also available. It’s a great place to explore everything Guilin has to offer.

It’s close to some of Guilin’s most famous landmarks. From the hotel, we could easily visit the Flying Tiger Heritage Park and Guilin ZhengYang BuXingJie. In addition to that, we also loved to enjoy delicious dumplings at the Mcfound. It’s one of the most popular local recommendations in the city.

After a full day of exploration, we would go back to our room and relax. Our room was luxurious and super spacious. We got to enjoy the picture-perfect location. Besides, we had a beautiful view of the river and karst mountains. Our room came with air conditioning, a TV with satellite channels, a fridge, and a coffee machine.

Aroma Tea House

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Best location. We think this is the most unique hotel in the city. This hotel is one of a kind. If you want a different experience that feels special, you should stay here. It’s a charming accommodation that brings the best of Guilin to our doorstep. The hotel brings a unique combination of culture and art.

“When we stayed here, we couldn’t stop appreciating very aspect of the hotel. The interior, the exterior, the service are all excellent.”

WOW Travel

Aroma Tea House is located on Ronghu South Road. This is the core scenic spot of 2 rivers and 4 lakes in the center of the city. Staying here also meant we were close to Gu Nan Men, thousand-year-old Gu Rong, and Huang Tingjian’s boat Pavilion. The Jiuqu Bridge and Xicheng Food Street are also within walking distance.

The guestrooms at Aroma Tea House feature views of the lake. Each room comes with a work desk, an electric kettle, and a flat-screen TV with cable channels. Some rooms offer views of Rong Lake if you prefer that one. This traditional-style hotel features a collection of antiques for guests’ viewing pleasure. To keep ourselves busy, we would attend the hotel’s cooking lessons, tea making, and painting classes.

Four Points by Sheraton Guilin Lingui

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Have no idea about which local hotel to choose? In that case, we highly recommend the Four Points by Sheraton Guilin Lingui. Everybody already knows about the quality of Four Points hotels. They always deliver world-class service and outstanding hospitality. They have everything ready for our greatest convenience.

Business, Leisure, or both. The Four Points by Sheraton Guilin offers uncomplicated comfort. It sits in a convenient location in the heart of Guilin’s business district. The hotel’s complex includes a mall. Government and corporate offices are nearby. Whenever we wanted to kill some time, we would take a dip in the indoor heated pool or work up a sweat in the health club.

Each spacious and elegant room offers a flat-screen satellite TV and air conditioning. There’s also a mini-bar and an electric kettle. We never needed to go out to grab a drink. Extras include a seating area. In the morning, we would enjoy a buffet breakfast with all the delicious selections.

Shangri-La Guilin

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Best overall. All the hotels on the list finally lead us to this point. This is the star among all the best hotels in Guilin China. There are so many reasons why the Shangri-La Guilin is in the number one spot. When we want an uncompromised service, this is always on top of mind. Shangri-La offers the most unmatched environment and service. When we stayed here, it was guaranteed that we wouldn’t have anything to complain about.

Shangri-La Guilin is an excellent choice for rest and rejuvenation. This hotel is famous for its family-friendly environment and proximity to main attractions. We think this accommodation made it easy for us to enjoy the best of Guilin. It isn’t just another hotel. Besides, this hotel is also a mini amusement park. There’s a wide range of family recreational facilities and activities.

This swanky hotel has 439 rooms, including the terrace mountain view room and family room. All accommodations provide beautiful views of the Li River or the lush gardens. The Executive Terrace Mountain View Rooms feature outdoor terraces. Honestly, everything was there to make our stay unforgettable.

Our Verdict!

Whether riverside resorts with epic views of the famous Karst mountains or charming boutique hotels right in the city center, we’ve covered everything. Shangri-La Guilin may be the star of all the best hotels in Guilin. However, we also have a list of the other excellent hotels based on their respective categories. We have options for every travel style! If you love food, though, we recommend exploring Chengdu and check out the best hotels in Chengdu.

• Best value for budget travel: Holiday Inn Express Guilin City Center
• Best location: Aroma Tea House
• Best luxury: Li River Resort
• Best for families: Jolie Vue Boutique Hotel

Where to Stay in Guilin, China

In Guilin, there are 4 top neighborhoods to stay in. The first one is Yangshuo County. This area is famous for its stunning karst landscapes and outdoor activities. Yangshuo offers a range of accommodations, from riverside resorts to cozy guesthouses. It’s a haven for adventure enthusiasts, offering rock climbing, cycling, and bamboo rafting. The bustling West Street is a hub for dining and nightlife, providing a blend of local and international flavors.

Next is Downtown Guilin, which places us at the heart of the city’s vibrant atmosphere. This area is ideal for first-time visitors as it is close to major attractions like Elephant Trunk Hill and the Li River. It has an array of restaurants, shops, and night markets. Another area is the Qixing District. Named after Seven Star Park, it offers a peaceful environment with easy access to natural attractions. It’s ideal for families.

And lastly, we have Diecai District. It’s a quieter neighborhood compared to Downtown but still offers convenient access to many attractions. The Folded Brocade Hill and Fubo Hill are notable landmarks here. This district is perfect for travelers looking for a balance of nature and convenience.

What does the name Guilin mean?

The name “Guilin” translates to “Forest of Sweet Osmanthus” in English. The term is derived from two Chinese characters: “桂” (guì), which refers to the sweet osmanthus tree, and “林” (lín), meaning forest. Sweet osmanthus trees are renowned for their fragrant blossoms and have been historically significant in Chinese culture, symbolizing nobility and beauty. Guilin’s name reflects the region’s lush, verdant environment, which is famous for its picturesque karst landscapes, green hills, and waterways. If you love the culture of China, we highly recommend the best hotels in Suzhou and explore this city too!

What is the cost of living in Guilin?

The cost of living in Guilin, China, is relatively low compared to major Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai. For a single person, the estimated monthly cost, excluding rent, is around $420-560 USD. This budget covers essentials such as groceries, transportation, dining out, and entertainment. Rent in Guilin is quite affordable. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center typically costs between $280-490 USD per month.

What is the season in Guilin?

Guilin has a subtropical climate. In spring (March to May), the weather is mild, and it rains often, making everything green and lush. Summer (June to August) is hot and humid, with temperatures above 30°C (86°F). This is the busiest time for tourists because of the school holidays and beautiful scenery. Autumn (September to November) is the best time to visit, with pleasant weather, clear skies, and temperatures between 15°C and 25°C (59°F to 77°F). Winter (December to February) is cool and dry, with temperatures from 5°C to 15°C (41°F to 59°F). Snow is rare, and the city stays mostly green. If you prefer coastal vibes in China, check out the best hotels in Zhuhai for your next destination after exploring Guilin.