Romantic Hotels in Gansu, China

"The butler service was excellent and very responsive. We stayed in both the RV and the tent. My family in the tent said the wind was so strong at night they felt like they were going to be blown away, haha, but the tent was beautiful and still worth experiencing. The breakfast buffet was very good. It's truly impressive to have so many fresh vegetables available in the desert. When we visited, there was a bonfire party and folk music performance, though the butler mentioned it's not held every night. I came here last year and thought this hotel, deep in the desert, was amazing. Unlike other tent hotels that put up a bunch of haphazard things just to attract guests, this one was just a large expanse of clean, simple desert. The environment was elegant and refined, and the experience far exceeded my expectations. I raved about it to my family when I got back. To be honest, this year was a bit disappointing because I noticed they seemed to be setting up amusement rides like carousels. The grounds looked messy and it wasn't as serene as last year. And a carousel in the middle of the desert really feels superfluous... The kids were all busy digging, sandboarding, and socializing. I really hope it doesn't turn into a messy tent hotel. However, the butlers were all very dedicated and provided excellent service, which is something I can't fault."

"The overall environment is quiet and livable, and the facilities are new and well-maintained. The cleaning staff are diligent and responsible; there are no unpleasant odors. The service staff are friendly, and the check-in process is simple and convenient. It offers good value for money and is definitely worth recommending to friends. The front desk even gave me half a portion of ribs, and there's free foot massage in the room, which was an even bigger bonus!"

"This hotel/guesthouse is absolutely fantastic! It's very close to Mingsha Mountain, and the Mogao Grottoes are just a 15-minute drive away. The lovely guesthouse owners prepared welcome apricot tea, and they do an excellent job maintaining the place. Our room was spacious and clean, and the triple room had a balcony, though we didn't use it much. The common areas, both on the rooftop and the ground floor, are perfect for relaxing and enjoying the breeze in the evening – very comfortable."

"Located right at the foot of Danxia Mountain, it's incredibly convenient for visitors to go stargazing after exploring the Danxia landscape. The owner is very welcoming and even helped guests take stunning starry sky photos late at night. The sky was full of stars, and the Milky Way was visible to the naked eye. The yurts are equipped with heaters and fans. The shared bathrooms are quite clean, and there were many foreign guests staying here. Breakfast is a blend of Chinese and Western options, quite plentiful for a B&B, showing the owner's dedication."

"Overall, it was decent and the price matched the conditions. The pros are the good location, spacious room, and nice breakfast. My first issue is I don't understand why checking in was such a hassle, especially since it's not a holiday like National Day or Chinese New Year. They told me at past 4 PM that my room wasn't ready yet. Second, after I finally checked in, the front desk staff told me I could have booked through their mini-program, and the price would have been 20% lower than what I paid. I was speechless. Saying that in front of my friend completely undermined me, didn't it? Either don't say anything, or help me rebook at the lower mini-program price on the spot. Why did they have to expose me in front of others? My third point is also about the front desk. When checking in, they said the mini-bar drinks were complimentary. But when I got to my room, there were only two bottles of mineral water. When I asked the front desk, they replied that this was the standard for my room type, but they could provide more if I wanted. This response left me not knowing whether to laugh or cry. If that's the standard, then they shouldn't have said the drinks were complimentary in the first place..."

"I checked in on September 5th, and the price was almost 1300. I just want to say, it was extremely bad value for money. It felt like paying 1300 to stay in a guesthouse. Luckily, I only stayed one night; if I had stayed two, I would have demanded a full refund! The moment I stepped into the hotel, I had a bad feeling, and I was right! Firstly, the service was mediocre, just average. Secondly, we arrived at noon and ordered room service. A plate of vegetarian dumplings for over 30 yuan – I have good reason to suspect they were frozen. And they were served on a plastic plate! After charging a 20% service fee, couldn't they at least use a white porcelain bowl? That wouldn't cost much, would it? The other dishes weren't very good either. Thirdly, the bedding was truly unbearable! I brought disposable bedding, and I didn't need to use it at any other hotel, only at yours! It's genuinely worse than an economy hotel! The hotel is old, and the hardware can't be changed, but couldn't you at least use better soft furnishings? The bath towels were thin and old. Surely, it wouldn't cost much to get better quality ones. I've traveled a lot and I'm not very particular, but your bedding and bath towels were the first that I simply couldn't bring myself to use! Fourthly, I booked this hotel thinking it was close to Mingsha Mountain, worried about getting a taxi at night. But it's actually still a 15-minute walk. Plus, there are plenty of taxis and buses available from Mingsha Mountain at night; outside of the summer holiday, staying in the city center would have been fine. The only praise I have is that the breakfast was pretty good. The beef noodles were freshly made, which I commend. Coffee was also offered."

"This stay was a truly pleasant surprise! From the moment we walked in, the staff were incredibly welcoming and helpful with our luggage. The room was larger than expected, with a cozy layout, and the cleanliness was impeccable – not a speck of dust even in the corners. The mattress was just right, not too soft and not too firm, and the soundproofing was excellent, so I had a wonderful night's sleep. Breakfast offered a wide variety of choices, including some delicious local specialties. They even gave us a thoughtful little gift when we checked out. Fantastic value for money, I've already recommended it to my friends!"

"We had a very enjoyable weekend at this hotel, and I must say, it was a fantastic stay. Both the children and the elderly were very happy, and every aspect of our experience left me satisfied. The room was clean, beautifully decorated, and came with comfortable bedding. Every staff member was incredibly friendly and helpful; everyone, including housekeeping, demonstrated professionalism and enthusiasm. The hotel breakfast was also truly diverse and delicious. Choosing to stay here this time was an excellent decision!"

"If you're coming to Jiayuguan, I'd recommend staying at this hotel. It's not a hotel that aims for luxury. There are no grand crystal chandeliers or deliberate attempts to evoke a 'Northwest China' style. Instead, it's understated, almost serene. You'll find natural wood, rough stone, a lot of blank space, and very little color. The moment you open the door, you'll feel like it's not trying to imitate the Northwest, but rather as if the winds of the Hexi Corridor have been brought inside the building. I've always believed that a hotel in a particular place shouldn't just be a place to sleep. It should belong to that land. Jiayuguan doesn't feel like the beginning of a story. It feels more like its end. The Hexi Corridor gradually narrows here, the snowline of the Qilian Mountains recedes into the distance, and looking west, the Gobi Desert unfolds like a map; beyond that lies a different world. So, when I met a mother and son from Poland at the hotel's front desk, I was a little surprised. It was their first time in China. Due to the language barrier, they had a bit of trouble checking in. I helped them translate a few sentences. After things were settled, I couldn't help but ask: ”Why Jiayuguan?” To be honest, for their first trip to China, most foreigners would choose Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an, or even Chengdu. Jiayuguan isn't typically on that list. The older lady didn't answer with ”because of the Great Wall” or ”because of Dunhuang.” She said it was because of a book. *Shadow of the Silk Road*. Many years ago, when she was a young girl, she read about the British travel writer Colin Thubron's journey along the Silk Road. Since then, the Silk Road has remained with her throughout her life. Not a plan, not a wish, but more like something that was bound to happen eventually. Decades passed, and she retired. So, she brought her twenty-eight-year-old son from Poland to China, to Jiayuguan. Afterwards, they would continue to Xi'an, Urumqi, Kashgar, and then travel all the way back to Europe. I suddenly realized that sometimes, people can be slowly changed by a book. Not in a week, not in a year, but over decades. The old lady's name was Margarita, and she was an English teacher. This was quickly confirmed. During our chat, I mentioned that a dish was a bit 'salty,' and she paused, then earnestly told me that 'savory' would be more accurate. I used an inappropriate tense, and she casually corrected me. I smiled and said: ”You're such a picky old lady.” She immediately shook her head. ”No. Not picky. We should use the correct English.” Later, I felt that she wasn't being picky. It's just that for a teacher, there probably isn't a retirement age. We met again at breakfast the next day. She proudly introduced her son to me. Her twenty-eight-year-old son was a young neurologist, and her older son and daughter were also doing very well in their respective fields. Mothers around the world are probably all the same. Whether from Poland or China, when they talk about their children, their eyes light up. At breakfast, she mentioned she liked red wine but was hesitant to try the unfamiliar brands on the hotel's wine list, eventually asking me to order a large bottle of beer for her. I twisted open the cap for her. She didn't pour it into a glass but instead took a direct sip from the bottle. In that moment, I suddenly thought she was very cool. Later, our conversation slowly drifted away from travel. We talked about life, and about those questions everyone encounters but for which it's hard to find standard answers. Travel always seems to have a strange power; it allows two people who wouldn't normally meet to exchange things in a strange city that they wouldn't easily say in everyday life. When I left, she invited me to visit Poland someday. I agreed. I don't know if that day will truly come in the future. But later, I kept thinking about something else. These days, we've become increasingly accustomed to letting algorithms decide our next trip. We open our phones, and trending lists, ratings, and guides tell us where to go and where to stay. But Margarita made me believe that there are still people who, because of a book they read decades ago, will cross half the globe to come to Jiayuguan. A book doesn't just change a person's mind. It can truly stay in a person's heart for decades. And then, in the winds of the Hexi Corridor, slowly come true."

"Staying at a tent hotel right next to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Lake was an incredible experience! It truly captures the romance between the sand and the oasis. We chose the Desert Starry Sky Ziwei Garden Tent Hotel, which is within walking distance of the Mingsha Mountain scenic area. However, the hotel was incredibly thoughtful and provided a private car to take us to the attractions. I originally thought a desert tent would be quite basic, but upon arrival, I was immediately drawn to its blend of ancient charm and modern design. The scenery, especially at sunset, was breathtaking – like a beautiful silhouette. The reflections of the sunrise and sunset on the water were so romantic... The hotel facilities are exceptionally well-equipped, with air conditioning, humidifiers, showers, and wet/dry separation. The bedding was super comfortable, and the fridge was stocked with various drinks. We enjoyed wonderful song and dance performances, savored the unique flavors of desert BBQ, and even rode camels... Our one-on-one butler provided attentive service, sharing stories of the starry sky and the romance of the frontier, as if centuries of romance were waiting to be discovered. It felt like we traveled through time to appreciate the desert's grandeur with ancient people! This was truly a fantastic and joyful trip! 🌹🌹👏👏"