Doof Resort Hotel — Hotel in Lijiang City

First of all, you should know that this hotel is absolutely beautiful (ancient Chinese palace style) and perfectly located on the quiet edge of the Lijiang Old Town (making both car and pedestrian access easy). As long as you avoid the cheapest (single) rooms, the rooms are also 5 star and extremely comfortable. The breakfast buffet is good, perhaps not exactly what Westerners are looking for, but you'll find something edible to eat (I'd recommend the noodle station).||||But the reason I am not rating it "five stars" is the service problems I encountered as a foreigner. Frankly, this is a Chinese-managed luxury hotel, and Chinese management is simply not as good as Western-management in understanding and "taking care" of their overseas guests. ||||My first problem arose from my reservation, made on a discounted Expedia rate. The hotel had loaded the wrong rate into Expedia's computers -- basically offering small single rooms as normal (and much nicer) double rooms. Mistakes happen, although I think the "right thing" for the hotel to do was simply honor the rate as a double room. They refused to do that, and even refused to resolve the issue in advance when I had a Mandarin speaker call for me after I realized there was "a problem." The difference in price between the single and double rooms was less than US$25, and I ultimately paid this difference after arrival, but dealing with it was a needless exercise in confusion and frustration, all for no good reason.||||The hotel also "forgot" to pick me up at the airport (it was included in the rate -- they ultimately paid a taxi driver to get me, but I wasted almost a half hour making the alternative arrangements), and they were incapable of handling simple requests that one would expect to be easy for a 5-star hotel (like the room plugs did not fit my USA laptop computer, which is somewhat unusual in China, and the front desk said they couldn't find me an adaptor).||||Also forget about getting any concierge help (restaurants, attractions, transportation) that you might expect from a fancy hotel (or any hotel for that matter).||||These problems did not ruin my stay because, as I said, the hotel and rooms are absolutely beautiful and well-located. The good outweighs the bad, at least if you get a deeply discounted rate. Just know going in that, as a foreigner, you may run into some indifferent service, and adjust your expectations...

I stayed at Chateau L'Act during Christmas weekend with my husband and 20 year old daughter.||We booked a family suite: living room with fireplace, 2 bedrooms, bathroom and wraparound balcony.||Our rate included free pick up at Lijiang airport. Our flight was very delayed, due to fog in Chengdu. We had phoned the hotel to warn them of the delay; we had some concerns because their English was not very good, but we were relieved to find the car and driver AND a hotel rep waiting for us when we landed at 1AM.||Upon getting to our room, my husband and daughter were so enchanted they immediately took photos. So many nice little touches: a blazing (gas) fire and warm milk waiting for us in the suite, painted boxes throughout which would open to reveal useful purposes (amenities storage, mirror, tea caddy, wastepaper basket), interesting (if not the most practical) furniture, very comfortable beds and linens. ||The hotel is brand new, but imitates the old local architecture. The place is quite a maze, takes a while to learn your way around. Very quiet and peaceful. Nice use of water throughout, a reflection of Lijiang itself. ||The location at the southern end of the Old Town allows arrival by car (an issue for us since we had heavy luggage), and with another (pedestrian) exit directly into the Old Town, it is about 15-20 minute walk to the main square.||The breakfast is not sumptuous, especially compared to other 5-star hotels we stayed at in China, but it is more than adequate.||The front desk staff needs to improve their English skills. The first morning we commented that even though there were THREE of us staying in a FAMILY suite, there were only TWO of everything (2 bathrobes, 2 pairs of slippers, 2 teacups, 2 coffee packets, etc), and that we would like 3. They seemed to understand, but when we returned that afternoon, the problem was not corrected. Again we mentioned it, they said "yes, yes", but no action. Finally that evening I phoned Housekeeping directly, where someone spoke good English, and within 5 minutes we had our full complement of amenities for 3 people.||If we ever return to Lijiang, we would...

I desperately wanted to be in the old town but thought the guest houses looked too rustic/basic for me so I gambled and tried the new Chateau L'Act hotel. It is just inside the gates of the old town by the south entrance. It's very quiet. I booked a superior middle room in order to get a bathtub. The hotel is very new and built around a courtyard. It means that my room and presumably many others, don't really have windows. The door is glazed which lets in light but that's it. That was the worst bit about the room but if you need air/light the courtyard is lovely to sit in with ponds and running water and comfortable chairs etc. The room had a safe, small cupboard, couple of slightly upright chairs, relatively hard bed. The lighting was good. Big flat screen TV but only one Chinese news channel in English. The bathroom was spacious with big free standing bath. The shelf to store soap etc was up high though so not particularly convenient! Breakfast was ok but not hugely extensive and only lemon juice (no apple or orange juice on offer). I did manage to get fried eggs out of them though. Do stay in Lijiang it is absolutely stunning and a highlight of my entire trip. The hotel web address is [--] because I was never able to...