Lhasa's most stylish accommodation comes thanks to the Songtsam chain, which runs seven boutique lodges in the Tibetan area of Yunnan. The 50 rooms here are scattered in nine stone-and-wood villas and are spacious, stylish and very comfortable, with separate living rooms and bedrooms, and private balconies. Upper-floor rooms have distant views of the Potala (¥200 extra).
The free in-room ground coffee and complementary minibar are nice touches, as are the antique Tibetan carpets that decorate the main lodge. One pleasant surprise is the Provençal cuisine and unexpected selection of French wines (the manager is French). The only downside is the location, inconveniently south of the Kyi-chu river, 6km southeast of central Lhasa. The hotel is also known as the Songtsam Retreat.
