Lakeside Inn

Lakeside Inn is a hostel-style inn on the shore of Shanhu Lake in Xiufeng District, Guilin, Guangxi, China. The listed address is in the North Shanhu Road area, and Booking.com lists it as No. 104 Zhishan Road. The position puts the inn in the middle of the tourist core, a short walk from the Sun and Moon Pagodas, Central Square, Zhengyang Pedestrian Street and Elephant Trunk Hill, which is the main reason budget travellers choose it.

The inn is a small, informal property rather than a conventional hotel, with the mix of private rooms and dormitory beds typical of Guilin's backpacker places. Booking.com guests rate it around 8.9 out of 10 from more than 400 reviews, equal to 4.5 on this guide's scale, which is a strong score for the budget category. Typical private-room rates at Guilin hostels and inns are about ¥190 (roughly $28) per night, and dormitory beds cost less.

Room types are the Private Room and the Dormitory, with air conditioning and wifi. There is no restaurant or pool listed, but the lakeside district is full of noodle shops, cafes and street food, and the lake path is pleasant for evening walks when the pagodas are lit. Guests wanting tours can usually arrange Li River cruises, Yangshuo day trips or Longji rice terrace visits through local operators.

The service character is relaxed and traveller-oriented, suited to solo travellers, backpackers and couples on a budget who want to be in the centre and are not looking for hotel-style facilities. Visitors should expect simple rooms and some noise from the lively lake district.