Where to Stay in Guilin — Best Areas & Hotels
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated August 2026
A Guilin trip has two homes: Guilin city, with its lakes, pagodas and the Li River cruise dock, and the karst-fringed village of Yangshuo downriver, all rice fields, bamboo rafts and sugarloaf peaks. Many travellers split their nights between the two. We’ve grouped the region’s most enduring, well-run hotels by style and character, each with an honest note and a Book Me link that opens that exact property on Trip.com so you can just choose your dates.
Luxury
Guilin city’s finest hotels sit by the lakes and the Li River, pairing five-star comfort with karst views and easy access to the cruise dock. Book here when you want polish and a landmark setting in the heart of town.
Shangri-La Guilin
A gracious riverside hotel on the banks of the Li in Guilin city, with lush gardens, large rooms, an outdoor pool and a fine spa, plus river-view rooms that make the most of the setting. Service is polished and the location handy for the cruise dock. The definitive luxury base in Guilin city for travellers who want comfort and a riverfront address.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Sheraton Guilin Hotel
A comfortable, well-run international hotel on the riverfront in the heart of Guilin, within walking distance of the famous Elephant Trunk Hill and the central lakes and night market. Rooms are spacious, with an outdoor pool and reliable service. A dependable, central choice for travellers who want a walkable base and a river view in the city.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Boutique
The region’s boutique hotels are mostly out in the Yangshuo countryside, where design-led retreats frame the karst peaks and rice fields from your window. Ideal for travellers who want scenery, character and calm over a city tower.
Yangshuo Mountain Retreat
A long-loved riverside retreat on the quiet Yulong River outside Yangshuo, framed by karst peaks and rice paddies, with simple, tasteful rooms, a lovely terrace restaurant and a genuinely peaceful setting. It’s a favourite for cycling, walking and just soaking up the scenery. Best for travellers who want the countryside idyll rather than the town’s bar street.
Book Me on Trip.com ›voco Guilin Yangshuo
A stylish, contemporary resort from the IHG voco brand set among the karst scenery near Yangshuo, with bright design-led rooms, a good pool and river and mountain views. It brings polished international comfort to the countryside without losing the setting. Ideal for travellers who want modern design and dependable service amid the peaks.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Budget & Value
Guilin is very affordable: a comfortable central room by the lakes or a reliable chain near the station costs little, leaving more for the Li River cruise and the rice terraces. Trade frills for a handy location and honest comfort.
Guilin Bravo Hotel
A long-established, comfortable hotel by the central Banyan and Fir lakes, within a short walk of the night market and Elephant Trunk Hill, offering roomy accommodation and reliable service at a fair price. It’s a practical, central base with the city’s best evening strolls on the doorstep. A solid value pick for first-timers who want to be in the middle of town.
Book Me on Trip.com ›GreenTree Inn Guilin
A dependable budget option from the nationwide GreenTree chain, with tidy, simple rooms, comfortable beds and a convenient central Guilin location for the price. It’s no-frills but clean and consistent — exactly what you want as an inexpensive base. Great for travellers who plan to be out on the river and in the hills all day and just need a comfortable, cheap room.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Family-Friendly
With children along, space, pools and central locations matter most. These larger hotels pair roomy accommodation and pools with easy access to the Li River cruise, Elephant Trunk Hill and the city’s lakeside parks.
Lijiang Waterfall Hotel Guilin
A large landmark hotel by the central lakes, famous for the man-made waterfall that cascades down its facade each evening — a hit with children — plus spacious family rooms and a big pool. The central position makes the cruise dock and night market an easy walk. A fun, roomy family base right in the heart of Guilin city.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Guilin Osmanthus Hotel
A large, comfortable riverside hotel near the Li River in central Guilin, with roomy family accommodation, dependable service and good value for its size and location. There’s space to spread out, and the cruise dock and city sights are close at hand. A practical, well-priced family choice for travellers who want room and a central spot.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Adults-Only & Romantic Retreats
The Yangshuo countryside is made for a romantic escape, and two design resorts stand out for couples — long on scenery, spa time and calm. Not formally child-free, but adult and serene in mood; confirm any specifics when you book.
Alila Yangshuo
A stunning design resort built around a converted 1960s sugar mill on the Li River, all raw concrete, art and a dramatic pool framed by karst peaks, with a serene spa and superb food. It is one of China’s most celebrated architectural hotels. The ultimate romantic splurge for couples who want striking design and jaw-dropping scenery.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Banyan Tree Yangshuo
An elegant resort of Lingnan-style villas and rooms strung along the Li River amid the karst peaks, with a beautiful spa, riverside dining and deep tranquillity. Many rooms open straight onto the water and the mountains beyond. A romantic, restful hideaway for couples who want space, spa time and the region’s finest scenery from their terrace.
Book Me on Trip.com ›Pet-Friendly Stays
Pet-friendly hotels are less consistently signposted in Guilin and Yangshuo than in the big cities, so rather than name a single property we’d steer you to search live listings and filter for pet-friendly, then confirm the policy directly.
A number of Guilin and Yangshuo hotels do accept pets, but policies vary widely and change often. Use the live Trip.com search below to see current pet-friendly options with real-time availability, and always confirm the pet policy, size limits and any cleaning fee directly on the booking page before you travel with an animal.
Browse pet-friendly hotels in Guilin ›Don’t see your perfect fit?
Browse every Guilin and Yangshuo hotel with live prices and availability on Trip.com. Booking through our links supports Destinations Guild at no extra cost to you.