Defined by the dramatic interplay of Cangshan Mountain’s peaks and the stillness of Erhai Lake, Dali unfolds as a place shaped by nature, heritage, and a long-standing spirit of artistic and cultural exchange…
Set along the slopes of Cangshan Mountain at an elevation of 2,090 meters, The Dali EDITION overlooks the expansive Erhai Lake, a landscape shaped by centuries of trade routes and cultural exchange connecting Southwest China with its neighboring regions. Within close reach of Dali Railway Station and Dali Fengyi Airport, the hotel is positioned as a gateway to the region’s most enduring landmarks, including the Cangshan Mountain Scenic Area, the Three Pagodas, and Dali Old Town, anchoring the property within both the natural and cultural fabric of the destination.
“Dali carries a remarkable identity, shaped over centuries by exchange, artistry, and landscape,” said George Fleck, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Leader, EDITION. “With The Dali EDITION, we saw an opportunity to honor that history while introducing a distinctly contemporary point of view – one that reflects EDITION’s continued, thoughtful growth in China and our belief in creating places that feel both grounded and of the moment.”
Image credit: The Dali EDITION / Marriott Bonvoy
The hotel features 151 rooms and suites, including a collection of private villas with swimming pools, each thoughtfully oriented to frame views of the surrounding mountain, lake, or landscaped gardens. Conceived by Shenzhen Cheng Chung Design, the hotel unfolds as a modern neighbourhood, quietly integrated into its natural setting. Interiors are anchored in materials drawn from the region – including aged timber, bluestone, and Erhai Lake pebbles, resulting in spaces that feel tactile, restrained, and intentional. Uninterrupted views inform the hotel’s materiality and palette, using Dali’s natural elements as a guiding canvas. Expansive glazing and open layouts create a sense of fluidity, balancing Eastern craftsmanship with a distinctly refined, international sensibility.
Image credit: The Dali EDITION / Marriott Bonvoy
This design language extends within the guestrooms, where scale, proportion, and natural light establish a prevailing sense of calm. Beginning at 60 square meters, most rooms are oriented with views of Erhai Lake or Cangshan Mountain, with interiors layered in tactile materials and soft lighting to create an atmosphere of understated ease. Bathrooms, finished in white stone and articulated through subtle level changes and sunken soaking tubs, offer moments of stillness and retreat. At 250 square meters, the Presidential Suite expresses luxury through clarity and composition. An indoor pool, private courtyard, and expansive terrace extend the living room experience, while floor-to-ceiling windows reinforce a sense of openness and connection to the landscape. Ceilings rising over five meters, anchored by a suspended fireplace and a sculptural stone chandelier, introduce balance and a quiet drama to the space.
Image credit: The Dali EDITION / Marriott Bonvoy
At The Dali EDITION, culinary experiences are guided by seasonality and a close connection to the land, with local ingredients sourced from the hotel’s vegetable garden and fruit orchard, offering a new interpretation of Yunnan’s diverse flavors. Dining venues are designed as light-filled, tranquil spaces, allowing the culinary experience to take center stage. Market at EDITION presents an all-day dining experience rooted in a farm-to-table philosophy, with open kitchens that highlight craft and immediacy. KUSHO is centered on wood-fired cooking, drawing on the intensity of local hardwood charcoal to create a menu defined by clarity, depth, and precision. The brand’s signature Lobby Bar anchors the hotel’s social rhythm, transitioning from daytime tea service to evening cocktails, balancing moments of connection with quiet retreat. The hotel will also feature a Chinese Restaurant, where elements of Bai architecture unfold throughout the space, with lines, textures, and materials harmoniously interwoven to create a dining environment that reflects the surrounding landscape.
Main image credit: The Dali EDITION / Marriott Bonvoy
