I am just going to say it: I love China. And for those that have not been, authoritarian rule works, especially if its capitalism masked as communism. The point is, the land of the dragon likes to do things differently, and in the grand scheme of things, they do it far better than us. But then again, as a man who is besotted with the idea of order and organisation, I am a tad biased.
This sense of officialdom is very much at the core of Sky Valley Heritage boutique hotel’s ethos. Timings here are everything: arrival, check out, and even the exact time you want to sit down for breakfast. If you are a go-with-the-flow type, close this browser tab because this is not the one for you. With such minute mollycoddling, the experience is a model that’s as practically effective as it is experiential. It’s military style living led by a team lost in translation, but who understood the basics. Liberating? Oh yes, for sure.
Style-wise, it’s as charmingly boutique as you can get. Housed in an old Imperial family home on the outskirts of Xianglong Village in Xizhou Town, the listed digs are period to the most minute of details. A patchwork of scarred Bai culture motifs and watercolours etch the walls along with illustrated stories of famous Chinese proverbs. Two giant open courtyards crowned by intricate wood carvings separate the apartments, and in between, nooks full of totems and Yunnan-style chairs and tables fill all of the landscaped and effortlessly demure communal areas.
The rooms are on the decorous, minimal side. Apart from a few minor Bai details in the wood shutter windows, sliding doors, and the odd handicraft, both the bedrooms and bathrooms are surprisingly contemporary in Chinese style. Lashings of mahogany panelling fill the entire space from head to toe, and beyond the mirror and lone love seats, the moody lighting leads the rest of the design talk. The beds are large and comfortable and are draped in traditional and snug Oriental linens. For the best, nab a suite with a courtyard view. You will get all of the élite designer niceties as a reward.
Foodies will be stretched here. There are two options: Chinese and American, and both have to be ordered in advance so the cook can bring them all in fresh. Fish, local veggies, and regional ethnic cuisines from Bai to Naxi are often on offer, and for those not brave enough, American and other western staples can also be ordered on request. As for breakfast, fried eggs, toast, fries, and turkey bacon are on offer as well as a traditional Chinese medley of noodles, veggies, and by-the-month delicacies.
Sky Heritage Boutique Hotel is as simple and historically stylish as you can get. It’s not for everyone, but if it’s a dose of yin, yang, and zen you are after, there’s a lot of beauty to behold in its wondrously quiet quadrants—a far cry from the hustle, bustle, and chaos outside of its four giant walls.
Top Takeaways
Location: Xianglong Village, Xizhou Town, China
Rating: Four-star
The vibe: Old school heritage Chinese living. Here, you feel like you are the main character in some distant noble family.
Food + Drink: Traditional and regional Chinese or American (yup, burgers, and eggs y’all)
Amenities: Bar, restaurant
Our Favourite Thing About the Hotel: The style. It is so demure, yet rich in fabled history, it almost seems as though you are in the pages of a novel.
What’s Nearby? The bustling city of Xianglong Village, Xizhou Town.
Any personal neighbourhood recs? Leave early and head to the local morning market. You will really get a feel for modern Chinese life as well as an insight into the minority cultures that make up Yunnan.
Rooms: 16
Pricing: From about 100 USD per night, including breakfast.
Closest Airport: Dali Airport
