A Tour of the Grand Mansion and Banyan Tree: Experience the High-End Luxury of Guilin’s Top Hotels

▲ The Grand Mansion is Guilin’s first 5-star hotel.

Text & Photos / Nine-Five Nasty Wife

As travelers’ expectations for the quality of mainland China trips rise, “hotels” have become a key factor in evaluating travel itineraries. In the Guilin and Yangshuo areas, renowned for their picturesque landscapes, the two most talked-about luxury hotels recently are theGuilin Grand Mansion, and theYangshuo Banyan Tree, which presents a natural resort feel.

▲ The grand lobby and luxurious decor showcase the elegance of the Grand Mansion.

The Guilin Grand Mansionis Guilin’s first 5-star hotel. It officially opened at the end of 2014, and its architecture is most notable for its blend of “Chinese exterior and Western interior” styles. So, as Nine-Five Nasty Wife observed, on the outside you can see traditional Chinese elements such as upturned eaves and carved wooden fences, but inside the imposing grand lobby, there are Greek-style features like arched ceilings and marble columns. You might even spot the unusual combination of crystal chandeliers paired with Chinese redwood furniture—a rare sight in Taiwan. According to Grand Mansion staff, this mixed style from inside out is designed to offer guests a rich visual experience that blends both Eastern and Western aesthetics.

▲ The Grand Mansion adopts a design philosophy that fuses East and West, so you’ll see both Chinese and Western-style furniture coexisting.

In terms of accommodations, the Grand Mansion has a total of 735 rooms. Due to its proximity to the Peach Blossom River, room types are categorized by views: garden view, deluxe, mountain view, river view, and suites. The color schemes inside the rooms mainly feature gold, brown, and white. Compared to the East-meets-West public spaces, the colors are not overly bold, and the layout is well-planned, giving an overall sense of harmony and stability. For those who love choosing “tuhao gold” or “rose gold” tones for their phones, they’re sure to enjoy their stay even more. The cat-foot bathtubs in the bathrooms also enhance the overall sense of luxury.

▲ The rooms use a color scheme of gold, white, and brown, mostly featuring a luxurious Western style.

As a 5-star hotel, a swimming pool is pretty much essential. Aside from an indoor heated pool, there’s also an outdoor pool in the courtyard designed with a tropical theme. The palm trees and swaying coconut palms alongside create a laid-back holiday vibe.

In terms of hotel facilities, it includes a swimming pool, fitness center, Chinese and Western restaurants, spa, KTV, and banquet hall. Plus, free Wi-Fi is available throughout the entire hotel, making it very convenient for mobile users.

▲ The bathroom is also filled with an air of luxury.

Another newly opened top-tier hotel is theYangshuo Banyan Tree. Banyan Tree is a resort brand that originated in Phuket, Thailand, and has now grown into an international chain of hotels and resorts, with 38 properties worldwide—including locations in Bali, the Maldives, and more. Its presence in China includes cities like Hangzhou and Shanghai.

▲ By the Banyan Tree’s pool, you can enjoy views of the Li River’s shoreline.

More Guilin Banyan Treetravel experiences

The newly opened Yangshuo Banyan Tree mainly continues the aesthetic of Huizhou-style architecture and the harmony between the resort and the surrounding Yangshuo landscape. Within the Banyan Tree, you’ll find white walls, gray tiles, and the traditional upturned gable walls on the rooftops—elements that carry a refined, traditional Chinese charm—forming a strong contrast with the opulence of the Grand Mansion. Throughout the resort, there are also traditional features like lush green lawns, small bridges over flowing water, and classic Chinese hexagonal pavilions, all blending seamlessly with the surrounding limestone mountains and Li River scenery.

▲ Elements such as gray tiles, white walls, and upturned gables highlight the traditional Huizhou architectural style of the Banyan Tree.

Since the Banyan Tree is a villa-style resort, guests need to use shuttle buses to get around the property. The room designs combine a refined Chinese style with a resort-island atmosphere, using plenty of wooden furniture and earth-tone colors to create a warm environment. As soon as you step into the room, you’ll feel a sense of relaxation and comfort. Features like carved wooden sliding doors, antique-style pendant lights, and wooden flooring add a unique charm to the rooms.

▲ The rooms mainly feature wooden furniture and earthy tones, adding a cozy, homely warmth.

For those who love spa treatments, the Banyan Tree offers its signature spa services. Additionally, thanks to its proximity to the Li River, guests can use the fitness center, library, and spa, or even take a bamboo raft trip arranged by the hotel to experience the landscapes of Yangshuo. From the Banyan Tree’s infinity pool, you can also admire the gentle beauty of the Li River.

▲ A boat trip on the Li River is one of the most popular activities at the Banyan Tree.

The Guilin Grand Mansion features a blend of Chinese and Western styles with a strong sense of luxury; the Banyan Tree Yangshuo combines Chinese aesthetics with an island resort vibe, offering a relaxing holiday experience—each with its own unique charm. Although both Guilin and Yangshuo are well-established tourist destinations that many Taiwanese travelers have visited before, the opening of new luxury hotels allows returning visitors to experience Guilin and Yangshuo in a whole new way. For those who haven’t been yet, staying at a top-tier hotel is also a great opportunity to create more unforgettable memories of their trip to Guilin.

Guilin Grand Mansion
Address: No. 2 Zhongyin Road, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China

Banyan Tree Yangshuo
Address: No. 168 Zhengdong Street, Fuli Town, Yangshuo County, Guilin City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China

More ~ Guilin Banyan Tree Travel Experience

%Jia miao pao?? The elegant fusion of Chinese and Western design elements.