
From
United StatesThe hospitality and care for the wellness of their guests go beyond expectations and anything I have ever experienced in a hotel. From the first moment of walking through the doors and being greeted by May and HeiMi (the cat), I felt the warmness of stepping foot into Bivou-instantly, I was at a place that felt like home. Right when we stepped through the threshold, we were offered homemade bread (that I could still taste even now) and some delicious apple tea. The ayis (aunties) helped move our heavy luggage into the beautiful room, and spent time introducing the activities in the hotel, activities we could do around Lijiang, and different hikes that we could go on. Our room was so COMFORTABLE - high ceilings, spacious bathroom with a rain shower, clean and woodsy interior, and firm beds with warming mats. The welcome package included lotion, lip balm, and the most comprehensive maps of Lijiang, as well as a binder filled with activities to do. The activities weren't your typical "tourist" activities but they were incredibly curated, local gems like biking to Baishi village and going to see the Naxi orchestra (Nomi helped booked for us! Thank you!). The owner of Bivou is so fun and helpful - she gave us a map for Tiger Leaping Gorge and even helped us arrange a hotel on the trail! For a lot of my stay in Lijiang, I was sick (some food poisoning), but the ayis, especially May, kept me alive - not even exaggerating. They went out of their way to cook porridge for me, recommended and brewed red tea for my stomach ache, delivered homemade soup and dumplings up to the room, and changed the bed sheets at midnight for us. The Bivou cafe was the ONLY place I trusted to eat at because I wasn't feeling well. The food is so healthy, fresh, homecooked with love, and absolutely healing. Bivou is not your typical boutique hotel, not the Banyan, nor the Four Seasons.