Hotel Indigo Dali Erhai
by the TopOfHotel team
A 5-star IHG boutique on Erhai Lake — a rooftop pool over the water, Cangshan behind, and a design built around Bai culture.
A 5-star IHG boutique on Erhai Lake — a rooftop pool over the water, Cangshan behind, and a design built around Bai culture.
In-Depth Review
Hotel Indigo Dali Erhai is a 5-star IHG boutique that opened in 2017 on the south shore of Erhai Lake in the Xiaguan district of Dali. It scores 9.5/10 on Trip.com from 6,592 reviews (with a 9.6 location sub-score), reflecting both the lake views and the distinctive design.
Rooms and decor
The hotel has around 255 rooms, designed around Bai culture with tie-dye (zharan) textiles and wood carving. Lake View rooms give 140-to-270-degree views over Erhai with the Cangshan range behind, and the higher categories add a window-side tub. Plenty of reviews single out the early-morning view when the water sits still as a mirror.
Pools and amenities
The signature feature is the rooftop pool looking out over Erhai and Cangshan — a popular 'sky mirror' photo spot. There is also an indoor pool, a children's pool and a top-floor 'oceanview' gym with floor-to-ceiling lake windows. The restaurant is styled after the Bai 'March Street' market, alongside a lobby bar and a café.
Location and getting there
It sits on Binhai Avenue in Xiaguan, on the south shore of Erhai next to Erhai Park, about 3.3 km from Dali Railway Station and 13 km from Dali Airport (DLU). Dali Ancient Town is roughly 13 km away (about 25 minutes by car), so it works as a lakeside base for day trips to the old town, the Three Pagodas and Xizhou.
Things to know before booking
The key thing: it is not inside Dali Ancient Town — it is by the lake in Xiaguan, about 13 km out, so a full day in the old town means a ride each way (Didi/taxi, ~25 minutes). It is the priciest pick on this list, and over Chinese holiday peaks it gets busy and rates climb, so book ahead.
Our take
If you genuinely want a lakeside luxury stay on Erhai with Cangshan views and a beautiful rooftop pool, this is the top pick. The Bai-culture design sets it apart from a standard chain, and it suits couples and anyone who prioritizes the view and comfort, with the old town as a day trip — and a Trip.com 9.5/10 from over 6,500 reviews backs it up.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A lakefront spot on the south shore of Erhai, with lake-view rooms running from 140 to 270 degrees.
- The rooftop pool looks onto the lake and the Cangshan range and is the signature photo spot.
- The design leans into local Bai culture — tie-dye textiles and wood carving — so it feels different from a standard chain.
- There is an indoor pool and a children's pool too, plus a top-floor gym with floor-to-ceiling lake windows.
- Reliable IHG 5-star service — it scores 9.5/10 on Trip.com from 6,592 reviews.
- It sits in Xiaguan on the south lake shore, about 13 km (25 minutes by car) from Dali Ancient Town.
- It is the priciest pick on the list, from roughly $99 a night.
- Over Chinese holiday peaks it gets busy and rates climb sharply, so book ahead.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Dali
Day tours, attraction tickets and experiences around Dali — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Insider Tips
- Ask for a Lake View room on the water side — Erhai is at its best early when the water is still.
- Head up to the rooftop pool before sunset to catch both the lake and Cangshan.
- Do Dali Ancient Town as a day trip (about 25 minutes by car) and come back to the lakeside in the evening.