Located on the island of Gulang Yu (just a 5 minute ferry ride from Xiamen) Hotelin is lovely. It is a 10 minute walk from the ferry terminal and it is an easy walk, even with luggage. The hotel has been remarkably restored from ruins and its exterior is a simple Colonial style. The hotel displays framed photos of what it looked like before it was restored and it has truly come a long way. They have also, quite rightly, won an architectural award in 2010 for the restoration. The grounds are lovely and the hotel is a combination of several 3 story buildings with rooms on the ground and second level and the dining room below ground level. Stairs throughout with no lift access (that we found). It has a relaxing courtyard where you can sip cocktails or a coffee after a long day of walking around the island and this activity is a great way to finish the day. The courtyard has big old trees and a trickling waterfall and comfortable seats with umbrellas. People walk by the fence line as they tour the island. The reception area also provides a computer with free internet access.

Our room is very different in style to the exterior and not what you’d expect to find. It is modern, a little purposely 1970’s in style but very new. The room is sufficient in size but doesn’t provide specific room to lay suitcases. It has a large king-size bed with lots of large pillows and it is firm but comfortable. The room provides a desk, cupboard, fridge and safe. The view from our room is of the lovely courtyard garden.

The bathroom has clean lines, is tiled in white from floor to ceiling and is uber-cool with modern lighting. The shower is lovely and everything is clean and fresh. They provided plenty of complementary shower products but we didn’t think they provided soap until we asked at reception and found out that the flower in the dish in the bathroom was, in fact, soap!

Breakfast is buffet style with a combination of Chinese and western style dishes and is fresh and nice enough.

The staff at the hotel are very friendly, attentive and we can make ourselves understood in English. Most of the clients they host would be Chinese and there are very few western faces on the island or in Xiamen; but don’t let that put you off visiting this area. The island is well worth a visit, even if just for one night. It has lovely colonial feel to it and many buildings have under gone restoration work in keeping with their original style. The island is strictly pedestrian access only and it has a relaxed and Chinese-style holiday feel to it and it is very safe to walk around. This hotel was superb and is only a short walk to the main shopping area where you can find everything from trinkets, souvenirs, scarfs, clothes, (none of which is really worth buying but worth a browse) to eateries, “Western” style cafes and bars and traditional Chinese restaurants. The island was fun and relaxing and I’d certainly recommend staying at Hotelin.

We stay there few times already. overall, it's good. we love to wake up by the birds sing and the sounds of fountain outside. Good service from receptionst, bell to housekeeper and the girls in resturant. the quality of breakfast is not the same level with hotel, hot dish is too oil and less options.