All-inclusive luxury in one of the most jaw-droppingly scenic areas of China.
For thousands of years, Chinese artists and poets have sought inspiration from Guilin’s stunning scenery. The region’s legendary beauty and unique limestone hills have long made it a popular holiday destination for the Chinese, but international visitors are yet to put Guilin at the top of their must-see list.
A Club Med resort opened here in 2013, providing the perfect base for luxury travellers eager to discover a different side to China than its bustling mega-cities. Set in the countryside fist an hour from Guilin city, the resort sits on 47 very private acres (part of a much larger area dedicated to a national park). Scattered throughout the manicured grounds are more than 100 modern sculptures by leading artists.
ROOM FOR TWO
Guest rooms are housed in two separate buildings: we were lucky enough to have a suite in the original chateau-style HOMA (Hotel of Modern Art), where each room is unique in layout and interior design. Set within a Zen Garden, it’s supremely luxurious – and easy to imagine it being part of Relais & Châteaux back in the day. The newer, purpose-built Courtyard Hotel offers 284 rooms and is popular with families, however with incredible views of the countryside (and a nightly rate less than HOMA), most loved-up couples would be equally happy there.
TASTE TEMPTATIONS
The Lotus Bar and Restaurant inside of Club Med Guilin – China, AsiaIt’s hard to imagine the logistics that must go in to the food and beverage offerings at Club Med, Guiln. It’s in the countryside of China yet the buffet restaurant offers an incredible international smorgasbord: we feasted on spicy Sichuan cuisine; pastas and pizzas; spicy Mauritian curries and Korean and Japanese delicacies – and still didn’t have time to taste-test the myriad other dishes. Couples can enjoy a more intimate dining experience in The Lotus restaurant at HOMA, while Mongolian barbecue is served at The Rooftop Restaurant in the main building. Oenophiles will love that wine is included with lunch and dinner, as well as a massive selection of cocktails, spirits, wine and beer.
