Guilin's Hidden Gem: Guiin Homing Hotel - Unforgettable Stay!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the surprisingly wonderful world of the Guiin Homing Hotel, a so-called "Hidden Gem" in Guilin. And let me tell you, after my stay… well, let's just say I’m still humming the theme song of that particular jade-green pool. SEO? Yeah, we'll sprinkle some of that magic in, but first, the real story.
First Impressions & the Surprisingly Smooth Arrival
Right off the bat, the "Hidden Gem" moniker feels a little… dramatic. It's not hidden per se. It's… there. Accessed easily, thankfully! (Gotta love a hotel that’s actually accessible. Because seriously, some places make you feel like Indiana Jones just to get to the lobby.) The elevator, a godsend for anyone with luggage and/or a general aversion to stairs, was smooth and reliable. This is important, people! Because I’m one of those who always seem to have a suitcase that weighs more than I do!
- Accessibility: CHECK. Elevator, ramps where needed (I assume, I didn't need them, but saw them!). Fantastic!
- Check-in/out [express]: Surprisingly efficient. No endless paperwork. A huge relief after a long flight!
- Check-in/out [private]: I didn't get the private version, but the regular one was speedy enough. Kudos!
- Airport transfer: They had it! A lifesaver. Landed, got whisked away, bliss.
The Room: My Cozy Little Fortress (with a View!)
Okay, the room itself? Delightful. And CLEAN. That's crucial, right? Especially these days.
- Cleanliness and safety: A+! I even peeked under the bed (judge me, I dare you!) and it was spotless. They clearly take their hygiene seriously. Lots of Anti-viral cleaning products, and room sanitization between stays. Phew!
- Rooms sanitized between stays - double check!
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Wi-Fi [free] (and it worked! Praise the internet gods!), a comfy desk (because I work from anywhere!), and a window that opens – a small joy, but a joy nonetheless.
- For the kids: Didn’t see any kids, but the Family/child friendly label is there, so maybe book a room in advance?
- Non-smoking rooms: HELL, YES. That’s a must, for me, anyway!
- Additional toilet: Nice to have, but not a dealbreaker in my case!
- Wake-up service: Worked perfectly. Unless you're me, and you're already wide awake at 5 am staring wildly at unfamiliar ceilings.
- The Bed: Oh, it's was an Extra long bed, so I didn’t dangle my feet over the end!
- In-room safe box: They had one, and I always use it.
- Shower: Hot, good water pressure. The ultimate test!
- Bathroom: All the toiletries were great!
- Blackout curtains: These are amazing, blocking all light for a perfect night’s sleep!
The Food: A Delicious, Rambling Detour
Now, let's talk food. Because, let’s be real, that's a core part of the travel experience, isn't it?
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: SO MUCH CHOICE!
- Restaurants: Several!
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: A must-try!
- Coffee shop: Essential, for me!
- Breakfast [buffet]: I love a buffet! Especially a good one. The Guiin Homing Hotel’s? Decent.
- Breakfast service: Also available in the room.
- A la carte in restaurant: For more selective diners.
- Poolside bar: Loved this, such a great place to grab a drink.
- Poolside bar: Perfect to chill!
- Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver after a long day.
- Snack bar: For those midnight cravings.
- Vegetarian restaurant: They had one!
- Western breakfast They made a great Full English for my American friends!
- Bottle of water: They provide it, a small touch of kindness.
- Happy hour: Definitely worth it!
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: A HUGE relief.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They were very accommodating!
The food options were plentiful and varied, offering a good taste of both local and international flavors (I'm talking both Asian cuisine in restaurant and Western cuisine in restaurant).
- Desserts in restaurant: Delicious. I had them all!
- Salad in restaurant: Fresh, crisp, and exactly what I needed after days of noodles.
- Soup in restaurant: Lovely soup!
Ok, I digress. Let's get back to the serious experience – the pool!
The Pool: Pool With a View… Pure Bliss
This is where the Guiin Homing Hotel truly shines. The Pool. Oh, the pool.
- Swimming pool: The outdoor pool, and the view… well, let's just say it was what dreams are made of.
- Pool with view: Yep. And a stunning one!
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: So refreshing!
Picture it: Me, after a long day of navigating the wonders of Guilin, sinking into the cool, clear water, the karst mountains rising majestically in the distance. The sun, the water, the quiet…It was pure, unadulterated bliss. Pure, unadulterated, "I don't want to move EVER" bliss. I think I spent a full afternoon just existing in that pool. I can still feel the aftertaste of the afternoon snacks I had at the Poolside bar. Life changing, people! And I'm a pretty jaded traveler. If the Poolside bar is open, you must go there.
The Spa: Pampering and Perfection (or Close Enough)
Alright, now for the spa. My inner self jumped at the fact that the hotel had one.
- Spa: Yes!
- Massage: Yes!
- Body scrub: They offered them!
- Body wrap: Also there!
- Steamroom: A nice extra.
- Sauna: Also, very nice!
- Spa/sauna: Yes, yes, and yes!
- Foot bath: A little taste of heaven, especially after a lot of walking.
The massage was pretty good, and the staff at the spa were friendly and professional. I did experience a moment of… awkwardness. The therapist had, shall we say, a unique way of applying the pressure? I'm not sure if it was because the towel was too thin or she was new to the art of massage, but I spent a good portion of the treatment trying not to yelp with surprise. It’s not the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. You can only go up from there, right?
Amenities and Conveniences: The Little Touches that Matter
The Guiin Homing Hotel understands the importance of the little things.
- Services and conveniences: Packed with stuff!
- Concierge: Helpful, friendly, and spoke GREAT English.
- Cash withdrawal: Needed!
- Dry cleaning: Good for travel!
- Daily housekeeping: They were so good!
- Ironing service: Essential!
- Luggage storage: Super helpful.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Reassuring in these times.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Followed diligently.
- Hand sanitizer: Plentiful!
- Doctor/nurse on call: Always good to know!
- Elevator: Check!
- Facilities for disabled guests: They had it.
- Safety/security feature: All of it!
- CCTV in common areas: Felt safe!
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always there ready to help!
- Safe dining setup: They did excellent, especially indoors.
- Hand sanitizer: Lots and lots of it!
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms Yes!
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Yes!
They also had loads in the For the kids section, too, so don’t exclude that!
The Not-So-Perfect Bits (Because Let's Be Honest)
Okay, no place is perfect. I’m not a robot, and neither is this hotel.
- The occasional language barrier: Some staff members had limited English, but they were always eager to help, and we always managed to get our point across.
- The gym: The gym was…functional. A bit small and basic, but hey, it had treadmills, and that's all that really matters. Gym/fitness – check!
- The gym was a little cramped, but it existed!
But hey, the imperfections are part of the charm, right?
Safety and Peace of Mind
I felt very safe and secure during my stay.
- **Clean
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sterile, perfectly-planned travel itinerary. This is going to be more like a diary entry, a mental scrapbook, a messy love letter/hate letter (mostly love) to the Guiin Homing Hotel in Guilin, China. Expect tangents, expect existential dread, and expect me to completely lose track of the time, which, let's be honest, is probably already happening.
The Unreliable Guide to Guiin Homing & Guilin - A Hot Mess (Probably)
Day 1: Arrival & the "Where Am I?" Stage
- 7:00 AM (ish) - Beijing Airport, the Gate to Despair (and Noodles): Okay, so the flight from Beijing was… long. Really long. Like, I'm pretty sure I aged 20 years in those three hours. I'm also convinced the in-flight noodles were trying to kill me. They were so… intense. But hey, we made it! Guilin, here I come (after a necessary caffeine injection).
- Reality Check: I forgot my travel pillow. Rookie mistake. My neck is already screaming in protest.
- 12:00 PM (ish) - Arrival at Guilin Liangjiang International Airport: The airport itself was surprisingly modern. Actually, everything in China has been surprisingly modern so far. I'd expected something out of an old movie, but nope, sleek and shiny. But the heat! Dear god, the humidity. I'm pretty sure my hair immediately transformed into a sweaty, frizzy beast.
- Quirky Observation: The taxi driver was obsessed with his phone. Kept swerving to type. I considered faking a heart attack just to make him pay attention. (Don't judge me, I'm tired.)
- 2:00 PM - Checking into Guiin Homing Hotel: Ah, the hotel! Finally. After a brutal flight, I was praying the Guiin Homing Hotel was as cute as in the pictures online, which I know is always a gamble for a solo traveler. To my surprise, it was! Cute is correct. The lobby was adorned with stunning local landscape paintings! A welcoming smile, the language barrier (Chinese and English), I fumbled along and made it. I was ready to collapse. But first, the room…
- Emotional Reaction: Relief. Utter, blissful relief. The room! Clean, air-conditioned, a giant bed beckoning me. I felt like I'd won the lottery (except instead of money, I got a place to finally collapse). Then I realized the water pressure in the shower was… a trickle. Still, I wasn't complaining.
- 3:00 PM - Room exploration and jetlag meltdown: Took a nap on the awesome bed. Woke up. Walked around the room. Opened the curtains and had a view of other buildings. Jetlag is a real demon. I immediately started to question my entire existence. What day is it? What am I even doing with my life? Should I have brought more snacks?
- 4:00 PM - Wandering the neighborhood: I took a walk around the hotel to adjust to the time change. Found a small restaurant and ordered something. I had no idea what it was, but it was probably the best damn thing I've eaten. The street food was amazing.
- Imperfection: I got a bit lost. The alleyways were labyrinthine and filled with the most delightful smells. I nearly tripped over a sleeping dog. Twice.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner at a Local Restaurant (and a Near-Disaster): I decided to be brave and eat at a local restaurant. I pointed at pictures, used a translation app (badly), and ended up with something that looked like a cross between a chicken and a deep-fried cactus. It was delicious (I think?).
- Emotional Reaction: Then, disaster. My chopstick skills failed me. I dropped a noodle, the noodle was gone. I dropped my chopstick. Under the table. I wanted to run away.
- 8:30 PM - Back to the hotel. Exhausted: Shower. Collapse. Sleep. Hope I don't dream of deep-fried cacti.
Day 2: The River of Dreams (and Mosquitoes)
- 8:00 AM (ish) - Breakfast at the Hotel (or, the Great Dim Sum Adventure): Breakfast buffet at the hotel. Oh, the dim sum! So many tiny, delicious dumplings! I ate so many I think I might have actually exploded.
- Quirky Observation: The other guests seemed so calm and collected. I was covered in soy sauce and trying not to choke on a particularly spicy chili pepper.
- 9:30 AM - Li River Cruise: Today was the day. The cruise! I'd seen the pictures, the iconic karst mountains… It was even more breathtaking in person. The scenery was unbelievable.
- Messy Structure: Okay, so the boat. A little crowded. A LOT of people crammed on. But, the view! The water! And the sun! I had to fight the urge to burst into song.
- 11:00 AM - The Li River (Part 2): The cruise was an explosion of photo ops. The karst mountains were like giant, green, pointy things sticking out of the water. Every turn brought a new vista, more breathtaking than the last.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure joy. Honestly, I felt so small, so insignificant, and so completely captivated. This is why I travel!
- 12:00 PM - Lunch on the Boat: The on-board lunch was… passable. I managed to avoid any further chopstick-related incidents. The views more than made up for the food.
- 1:00 PM - More River! More Mountains! More Instagram Pictures!: Continued the stunning scenery. Found a perfect spot for a photo and completely lost myself in the moment.
- Imperfection: I dropped my phone in the water. Just kidding! Haha…But the thought lingered.
- 6:00 PM - Back to the Hotel, Shower of Shame and Sunset Viewing: After a long day. Back to the hotel to get cleaned . and take a long shower. I managed to get a glimpse of the sunset from the hotel, which was absolutely gorgeous.
- Emotional Reaction: Feeling blissful and exhausted at the same time.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner (and a Quest for the Perfect Cocktail): Determined to find a decent cocktail in Guilin. Apparently, this is harder than it sounds. Found a place that had a "cocktail" that was mostly sugary juice. Sadness.
- Rambling: Okay, maybe I'm being too picky. But after a day on the river, you just want a strong drink so you can sleep.
- 9:00 PM - Back to the Hotel, Sleep like a Log (Hopefully): Another day, another adventure. Hoping the mosquitoes don't find my window…
Day 3: Caves, Temples, and (Hopefully) Less Chaos
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast. Less Dim Sum This Time (I think): Tried to pace myself with the dim sum. Failed…again.
- Quirky Observation: I'm pretty sure the hotel staff are starting to recognize me. I'm the one who's always covered in food.
- 10:00 AM - Exploring the Reed Flute Cave: The Reed Flute Cave was, well, amazing. The stalactites and stalagmites were lit up in all sorts of colors. It felt like being inside a giant, sparkly, natural cathedral.
- Stronger emotional reactions: The caves were so beautiful. The scale of nature is astonishing. I could have spent hours there.
- 11:30 AM - Strolling around Seven Star Park: Exploring the various scenic spots around this park made me feel in awe of the natural beauty around me.
- Imperfection: I kept getting lost in the park, there were so many twist and turns and I am so bad at directions.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch in the Park: Lunch at a local restaurant.
- 1:00 PM - Exploring Fubo Hill: I enjoyed the climb to the summit of Fubo Hill, a good exercise.
- Imperfection: By the time I got to the summit, my legs were killing me.
- 2:30 PM - Back to the Hotel; More Planning for the Next Day: After another fun but busy day, back to the hotel for some rest.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner and Night Market: I was hoping for some more luck looking for good quality food.
- Rambling: After an exhausting day of adventures, I decided to return to the hotel.
Day 4: Goodbye, Guilin, You Hot Mess!
- 9:00 AM - Farewell Breakfast (and a Final Dim Sum Feast): One last buffet. One last chance to gorge myself on dim sum.
- Emotional Reaction: A little sad to be leaving. But also, my body is screaming for a break from dumplings.
- **1
Guilin Homing Hotel: The Honest Truth (and a Few Tears) - FAQs
Is the Homing Hotel *really* a hidden gem? I mean, *really*?
Okay, confession time. I stumbled upon the Homing Hotel by pure accident, the kind of accident fueled by jet lag and a desperate need for a hot shower. My initial reaction? "Huh. Okay. This place looks... different." Different in a good way. Imagine stumbling into someone's incredibly stylish Chinese aunt's living room, only instead of a slightly judgmental glint in her eye, there's a welcoming smile and a cup of jasmine tea. Yes, it's a hidden gem. A slightly dusty, quirky, maybe-not-immediately-obvious gem, but a gem nevertheless. You'll almost *want* to keep it a secret. Almost.
The photos online look dreamy. Is it *actually* that beautiful? Or is it all Photoshop magic?
Listen, those photos? Yeah, they're pretty. But they can't capture the *feeling*. They can't capture the soft glow of the paper lanterns at night, the way the rain seems to be absorbed by the ancient tiled roofs, or the subtle scent of sandalwood that permeates the air. Honestly? The photos are an *understatement*. I spent like, a solid hour just wandering the courtyard staring at the bamboo. I swear, I think I actually *heard* the bamboo whispering secrets. (Okay, maybe that was just the wind, but still!) It's more beautiful than you think, less perfect – in the best way possible. Don't expect sterile, magazine-perfect – embrace the imperfections, the character. Because that's what makes it truly special.
What are the rooms like? Specifically, are the beds comfortable? I'm a princess...sort of.
Alright, Princess. The rooms themselves are a blend of traditional Chinese design and modern comfort. Think dark wood furniture, calligraphy on the walls, and seriously comfortable beds. The kind of beds that make you want to curl up and forget your responsibilities…which I definitely did. My room had a little balcony overlooking the most gorgeous garden. The *only* downside? The air conditioning was a little... temperamental. One minute I was sweltering, the next freezing. But hey, it's a small price to pay for such incredible surroundings, right? And the bathroom? Clean! And the water pressure? Surprisingly decent. I've stayed in far worse (shudders at the memory of a hostel in Budapest...).
Okay, so the hotel is beautiful. But what about the food? Is it any good?
The food... oh my god, the food! Let me tell you about breakfast. Actually, let me *show* you. Picture this: fluffy steamed buns, fragrant congee (rice porridge) with all the fixings, delicate dumplings bursting with flavor, and fresh fruit you've never even heard of. One morning, I swear they had these tiny, perfectly ripe strawberries that tasted like pure sunshine. Now, I’m not a morning person. I’m a “grumpy-until-coffee” person. But the Homing Hotel’s breakfast? Enough to make me, dare I say it, *enjoy* the morning. Dinner... was just as amazing. The on-site restaurant serves traditional Guilin cuisine. Spicy, flavorful, and totally worth the risk of accidentally ordering something that sets your mouth on fire (which I *may* have done). Just trust me, eat *everything*. And don't be afraid to experiment!
Anything I should be wary of? Any downsides?
Alright, here's the real talk. No place is perfect. First, the language barrier can be a bit tough. Not everyone speaks fluent English, so brush up on your Mandarin (or use a translation app). Second, the location, while central, is on a somewhat narrow side street. You might need to navigate a few scooters and stray cats to get there. Third, and this is a *BIG* one: prepare to fall in love. Seriously. I cried when I left. Actual, honest-to-goodness tears. I wanted to stay forever. It's that kind of place. The emotional attachment? That's the only real downside. Beware!
Can you tell me more about the "vibe"? What's it *really* like to be there?
The vibe. Okay. Imagine a place where time slows down. Where you can actually *hear* yourself think. Where the only sounds are the gentle rustle of leaves, the distant chime of a temple bell, and the occasional giggling of children. It’s a place to escape to. I spent an entire afternoon just reading in a bamboo grove. I felt so unbelievably calm. So… at peace. There's a sense of quiet luxury. Not "showy" luxury, more "genuine" luxury. The staff are genuinely kind and helpful. They’re not just going through the motions, they *care*. They offered me endless cups of tea, helped me with directions, and even managed to arrange a last-minute taxi when my flight was delayed. Honestly, the service? Impeccable. But it's more than just service. It's a feeling of being welcomed, of being *cared* for. Really. I'm getting choked up just thinking about it.
Is it kid-friendly?
This is tricky. Yes, children would love the gardens and the general serenity. There's space to wander and explore. The food is generally pretty kid-friendly, with options beyond the spicy stuff. But... and this is a big "but"... this isn't a place for screaming toddlers. This is a place for quiet contemplation. If you have kids who can appreciate that, then absolutely, bring them. If you have kids who are constantly running around, throwing things, or demanding constant entertainment... maybe not. Respect the space. Respect the other guests. Consider the vibe. Think about the peace you want to find, and ask yourself if your kids would be able to help you create that.
What about accessibility? Is it easy to get around if you have mobility issues?
This is something I don't have personal experience with, but I can tell you what I saw. The grounds are quite spread out, with winding paths and some steps, so it's *probably* not the most ideal place for someone with significant mobility issues. You would need to contact the hotel directly to ask about specific room accessibility and pathways. I didn't notice any ramps or elevators, but the staff seemed incredibly helpful, so I suspect they would do everything they could to assist. Best to check directly with them to ensure a comfortable stay!
Would you go back? Seriously?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I'm already planning my return. I've been dreaming about that breakfast ever since. The peace, the beauty, the feeling of beingCheap Hotel Search
