Santayuan

“A pleasant place to stay”

Clean, comfortable, quiet, in a lovely setting, right next to the famous Dali Three Towers. It's not right in town, but the hotel will give you a ride to the town (takes 5 minutes), and you can take a taxi back (it's very cheap).

“Pretty Place, Pleasant Stay”

I'm finally getting around to a review of the San Ta Yuan hotel in Dali, China after...ahem...almost two years. Doing so now because I figure not too many people get to Dali, and as it's a worthwhile place to visit in China, the hotel deserves to be recognized for its value. I give it an 'above a… more

I'm finally getting around to a review of the San Ta Yuan hotel in Dali, China after...ahem...almost two years. Doing so now because I figure not too many people get to Dali, and as it's a worthwhile place to visit in China, the hotel deserves to be recognized for its value. I give it an 'above average' ranking for that reason. The hotel is a large, sprawling 'courtyard' kind of place, with all rooms accessed via outdoor (but covered) corridors. My room was basic but clean and pleasant. A TV, as well as bathroom supplies (soap, shampoo, comb, what-have-you). A table, a couple of chairs, and a set of drawers. It was probably a standard, low-cost room. And judging by the prices I've seen quoted on Expedia, it must have been dirt cheap (I can't remember what I paid anymore). The location is a bit out of the city center. You'd likely have to hire a taxi to get to the center of town, which is easy enough to do...The front desk staff are helpful and pleasant (though don't expect much English to be spoken). The hotel is situated on an elevation above the town, with the three pagodas looming prettily behind the building. Very quiet and sort of exclusive feeling in that sense. There are koi ponds, babbling streams running underneath bridges along the various walkways, and things are kept up quite nice. The only thing noteworthy I remember was that I was about fifteen minutes late to miss the end of breakfast, served in the dining room. The staff, however, was all too happy to fix me a cup of coffee. And they were also helpful in arranging a flight to Beijing for us. In all, a nice, pretty, peaceful hotel with (potentially 'only average' but) perfectly fine amenities. I'd stay there again if I ever returned to Dali...Which I wouldn't rule out...It's a cool little town.

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