Anantara Xishuangbanna Resort, overlooking the Luosuo River, is an inviting heaven for those seeking a breath-taking natural sanctuary or a discovery of the ancient culture that shaped this region of Asia. Anantara Xishuangbanna’s refined luxury provide an indulgent backdrop for explorations through China’s oldest and largest botanical garden, diverse ethnic tribal villages, and hillside tea plantations that produce the world-renowned Pu’er tea.
"A perfect vacation, completely rejuvenated by Anantara Xishuangbanna! I've stayed at quite a few Anantara properties both domestically and internationally, but this one, in terms of both location and thoughtful service, easily ranks as my #1.
The hotel boasts a rare immersive resort layout. The entire property is a massive tropical garden, nestled right next to the original rainforest, creating an unbeatable natural forest oxygen bar ambiance. From dawn to dusk, you're serenaded by birds and insects, and the lush greenery is incredibly therapeutic – truly a spiritual haven for city dwellers seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle.
The dining experiences each have their highlights: The breakfast spread isn't overly extensive but perfectly adequate, with authentic local specialties from Xishuangbanna served daily. The flavors are exceptionally good for a five-star hotel. The limited-edition buffet BBQ during the May Day holiday was decent, but I only tried it once. However, the Peacock Feast at the Chinese restaurant was truly stunning; the signature grilled fish far surpassed local restaurants in the city. My taste buds were completely captivated.
The family-friendly atmosphere is fantastic, with a rich variety of immersive activities: painting, ancient papermaking, handmade beading... non-stop fun all day long. The classic bubble blowing was the biggest hit, even my nine-year-old was completely engrossed for two whole hours – full of childlike wonder.
The service is truly impeccable! During the peak occupancy of the May Day holiday, the staff-to-guest ratio was nearly 1:1, or even 2:1. You'd encounter staff everywhere, and they would always greet you warmly and proactively. This level of meticulous hospitality is rare in high-end hotels in China. When I checked in, I accidentally left an item at the front desk. When they couldn't reach me by phone, the front desk attendant immediately called my room – so thoughtful and reliable. The cleaning staff were incredibly considerate, always managing to tidy up the room discreetly when we were out, and replenishing amenities thoroughly. Room service was also top-notch, with impeccable delivery speed and food quality.
The most pleasant surprise was the laundry service! The rare 'per-bag' pricing model is so humane. I'd pack a bag daily, and by the afternoon, I'd receive my clothes back, clean and neatly pressed – so convenient and thoughtful.
The entire trip to Xishuangbanna was perfect and healing. We visited fireflies at night and encountered elephants in the Wild Elephant Valley. My child had an absolute blast throughout, returning home completely satisfied. Grateful for Anantara's gentle hospitality and enamored with the landscapes of Xishuangbanna. I'll definitely be back!"