Shangri-La Hotel
Three pool types on one five-star Guilin property
About this hotel
Guilin's humidity and winter chill each rule out an outdoor-only or indoor-only pool for weeks at a time, and the Shangri-La sidesteps that entirely by running both, plus a jacuzzi, on the same compound. A morning swim outdoors gives way to an indoor lap session if the afternoon turns muggy, and the hot tub takes over once the sun drops and a warm soak beats a lap swim. The resort grounds near Liangjiang Sihu keep that flexibility within ten minutes of downtown rather than forcing the hour-long drive toward Yangshuo that quieter resorts require. Three restaurants and two bars ring the pool deck, and the spa and fitness center round out a stay built for guests who want the water to be the center of the visit rather than a side amenity squeezed between sightseeing days.
- Outdoor pool
- Indoor pool
- Hot tub
- Spa
Our take
This suits travelers who want pool flexibility above everything else, since the combination of outdoor, indoor, and jacuzzi water covers Guilin's full range of weather on one property. Couples and families both do well here given the range of restaurants and bars. Budget travelers should look elsewhere, the five-star pricing reflects the resort package rather than just the pool access itself, and simpler stays exist for a fraction of the cost.
- ✓Use the indoor pool on humid August afternoons, it stays far more comfortable than the outdoor deck at that time of year.
- ✓Book a table at one of the three restaurants early, the pool-facing seats fill up fast during peak dinner hours.
- ✓Take the ten-minute taxi to Liangjiang Sihu in the morning before the day's heat sets in properly.
Why we love it
- Outdoor pool, indoor pool, and jacuzzi on one property
- Ten minutes by taxi from Liangjiang Sihu
- Three restaurants and two bars around the water
- Nearly 300 reviews back the 9.0 rating
Why guests love itGuests choosing between Guilin's pool types often end up here specifically because the Shangri-La refuses to make them choose at all. The outdoor deck handles the postcard karst view on a clear morning, the indoor pool takes over once afternoon humidity turns unpleasant, and the jacuzzi closes out the evening after the restaurants empty. That range, spread across a five-star compound near Liangjiang Sihu, is unmatched by any other hotel in this guide, backed by nearly 300 guest reviews at a 9.0 average.