Guilaixi Yaxi Hotel

My first time checking into this hidden gem of a hotel, I was captivated by this elegant one-bedroom residence nestled deep in a bamboo forest! The courtyard design, with its own entrance and separate rooms, perfectly balances privacy and a sense of nature. Awakening to the rustling of bamboo leaves in the morning, and opening the window to a lush landscape, I felt like stepping into a landscape painting straight out of Wang Wei's poetry. A special thank you to our personal butler, **Xiao Hu**, for his attentive service, from pre-check-in itinerary suggestions to daily arrangements. Upon learning we wanted to upgrade to a lakefront one-bedroom, he even requested the price difference. The hotel's **organic breakfast** deserves special mention! Most of the ingredients are sourced from their own Buck Rabbit Farm. The dew-soaked vegetables, handmade multi-grain bread, and even the simple scrambled eggs exude the natural sweetness of the ingredients. While dining at the open-air restaurant by the rice paddies, I could watch the farmers picking their produce. This transparent "farm-to-table" approach made the meal particularly reassuring. My favorite aspect is the hotel's symbiotic relationship with nature: the adorable pets at **Buck Rabbit Farm** made the kids reluctant to leave, and the afternoon tea made with freshly picked blackberries was just the right sweetness. The **Rice Field Outdoor Pool** strikes the perfect balance between wildness and luxury; after a swim, you can just lie by the pool and watch the clouds roll by. The housekeeper said you can also experience rice harvesting in the fall, and I've already made a note of it. If urban hotels sell efficiency, this one offers the magic of "slowing down time." When I left, I took home a bottle of homemade lemon black tea from the farm, along with the long-lost peace of the bamboo forest. I'd love to try their hot spring villa next time; I hear it's even more special on a snowy day!