This stay was also booked for my parents. I’ll mainly write about their experience at Hilton Yuxi Fuxian Lake, which was incredibly generous! I have to say, using Hilton points in China really offers excellent value!

Hotel Overview and Redemption

Hilton Yuxi Fuxian Lake is located on the shore of Fuxian Lake in Yunnan Province. Built by the lake and nestled against the mountains, it offers beautiful lake-and-mountain views, a private lawn, and an outdoor swimming pool. The hotel is only about a 1-hour drive from downtown Kunming and nearly a 1-hour drive from Kunming Changshui International Airport. This hotel has extremely high reviews, and I highly recommend trying it if you have the chance.

For this stay, I booked one night for 30,000 Hilton points. The cash rate was about 1000 after tax. I then emailed the hotel ([email protected]) on behalf of my parents, and with my parents’ Diamond status, they were upgraded to a lake-view suite, which would have had a cash value of 2000+. It is worth mentioning that this hotel and Hilton Xishuangbanna are both resort hotels, so you can use the $250 credit from the AMEX Hilton Aspire. However, simply adding the card information when booking online may not be enough; you have to swipe the card on site, so it is best to get your parents an authorized-user card.

Hotel Exterior and Lobby

The hotel is built along the lake. The outdoor pool extending from the center of the property toward Fuxian Lake serves as a focal point, perfectly combining the beauty of nature with the hotel’s grand design. The overall architecture uses many arcade elements, making you feel as if you are in a European palace. The buildings are arranged at varied heights, dividing the property into different areas; with every step, the scenery changes and reveals a new space. The details are also decorated with Yunnan characteristics, showing how much thought went into the hotel’s overall design. The lobby feels even more magnificent, with various installation-style murals, huge chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, smooth marble columns and walls, and a spiral glass staircase. There is so much to take in that it is almost dazzling.

Guest Room

The suite was very large, with a well-designed layout. To the left upon entering was a separate restroom, with an interior door leading directly to the bathroom inside the bedroom. After passing through the entryway, you arrive at a huge living room. The wooden floors and furniture paired with white sofas create an elegant, warm overall color palette and a strong feeling of being at home. The mini bar was fully stocked, quietly waiting for guests to enjoy it. Entering the master bedroom, the first thing you see is a queen-size bed decorated with a rose-petal heart, along with a white sofa next to it for guests to rest. The whole room looks clean and simple, making you want to settle down and relax for a while. There are two balconies off the living room and bedroom, facing Fuxian Lake directly, with beautiful views. Lying on the sofa or on a balcony lounge chair, resting your eyes, feeling the lake breeze, and listening to birdsong is truly an incredibly pleasant experience.

In the master bedroom, a sliding door separates the bedroom from the bathroom. The bathroom has a separate shower room, a bathtub, and a very large vanity. As mentioned above, there is an interior door on the side of the vanity leading to the restroom, so whether you are in the living room or the bedroom, you can reach it conveniently. This is quite a thoughtful design touch. Even better, the space between the restroom and the partition wall of the living room has been turned into a walk-in closet, connecting the bedroom and the entryway. It is also an efficient use of space.

Dining

They went to the lounge in the afternoon, and it had the same luxurious style. The lounge’s afternoon tea and dinner were both very good. Dinner was served as a small set menu, which was especially friendly for members. When my parents visited, it was not peak season, so there were not many people. The staff were very warm and attentive, making them feel both the hospitality of Yunnan and the hotel’s high standards for service quality. When they returned in the evening, the hotel had thoughtfully provided turndown service, with two cups of hot milk and a few cookies placed by the bedside.

Breakfast was also very generous, with a wide variety of items, including various snacks and rice noodles. Members also received milkshakes and a fruit plate.

Hilton Xishuangbanna

A quick introduction to Hilton Xishuangbanna. The hotel is located in the Xishuangbanna Sunac Resort area, less than 10km from the airport. For this stay, I booked one night for 15,000 Hilton points. The cash rate was 400+ after tax, and with Diamond status, they were upgraded to a suite, which would have had a cash value of 1500+. This hotel is also a resort hotel, so you can use the $250 credit from the AMEX Hilton Aspire.

The lounge was under renovation, so afternoon tea and happy hour were served in the lobby bar, but both were very impressive. Breakfast was also excellent!

Summary

Both hotels treat members very generously; you can generally get upgraded to a suite, and the lounge and breakfast are both excellent. The views are also beautiful. After all, these are resort hotels, so you can book with points or use Aspire to cover the cost!