1. Why I Chose This Hotel
On the Qinghai–Gansu loop, your schedule is extremely tight—most days you’re out for 10+ hours. Realistically, hotels are just for sleeping.
But near Water Yadan, accommodation options are very limited. I compared three:
- Wusute Water Yadan Hotel (inside the scenic area): ¥1000–1500, but known for poor service and lots of mosquitoes
- Xingjian Yadan Future Camp (a cheaper alternative): ¥700–1000
- The “Lonely Planet Desert Hotel”: ¥2000+ per night
All three are basically similar in concept—glass domes, RV-style units, desert camp vibes—and located close to each other.
👉 So why did I choose this one?
1️⃣ I wanted to stay near Water Yadan (location necessity)
2️⃣ I was curious about the “space-themed” viral hotel
But honestly, from the beginning, this choice was about paying for the scenery and concept.
Lonely space Hotel
2. Main Highlights: Atmosphere Over Comfort
🌌 Stargazing & Desert Vibes
This hotel’s biggest selling point is simple:
👉 “A place to stay in the middle of nowhere”
- Daytime: Yadan landforms + vast desert
- Night: camp lights + (hopefully) stars
📸 It’s extremely photogenic, especially at night—it really does feel like a sci-fi movie set.
BUT:
- The skylight in the dome room is quite small
- You won’t get a full “sky full of stars” experience
- The best stargazing spot is actually a hill outside the camp
👉 Tip:
Go after midnight when lights are off—the view is much better.
🔥 Bonfire Party & Fireworks
- Time: around 9–10 PM
- Includes Tibetan-style dancing and group interaction
The vibe is fun, but…
👉 Most people miss it because the itinerary is too rushed (we did too).
🚙 Activities (Almost All Paid)
Important to know:
- Sand slide: ~¥50 per ride
- Off-road desert drive: ~¥300
- 8km self-driving experience (recommended)
👉 Free facilities are very limited:
- Viewing platform
- Swimming pool
⚠️ Don’t expect an all-inclusive experience—most activities cost extra.
Lonely space Hotel
3. Rooms: Concept > Practical Comfort
🛏️ Dome Stargazing Room
Honestly: smaller than expected
- Two suitcases = almost no walking space
- Shower is inside a bathtub
- Toilet is semi-open
👉 Fine for couples
👉 Awkward for friends
🚿 Water & Amenities
- Cold water: pumped from underground
- Hot water: 50L tank (just enough for 2 people)
Toiletries:
- L’Occitane (large refill bottles, not take-away)
- No conditioner
🏠 Villa Option (Better Experience)
If budget allows, the villa rooms are much better:
✅ More space
✅ Proper dry/wet separation
✅ You can park right outside
✅ Private terrace for stargazing
👉 But price goes up to ¥3000+ in peak season
⚠️ Real Downsides
- Sand inside the room (understandable, but noticeable)
- Poor sound insulation (wind + other guests)
- Disorganized front desk, weak service
👉 In short:
The hardware is acceptable, but service doesn’t match the price.
4. Food: The Worst Hotel Breakfast of the Trip
This deserves its own section.
- Very small dining area
- Limited choices
- Hot food (rice noodles, pho-style noodles) tasted bad
- Hygiene issues (tables not cleaned properly)
👉 Easily one of the worst breakfasts on the entire trip
📌 Tip:
Bring your own instant food or snacks.
Lonely space Hotel
5. Location: The Only Real Advantage
Why is this hotel expensive?
👉 Location. Period.
- Close to Water Yadan
- Easy access to East Taijinar Lake
- Surrounded by core desert landscapes
👉 What you’re really paying for is:
The right to stay in this remote location.
6. Is It Worth It?
✔️ Recommended For
- Photography lovers
- People who want desert + stargazing experience
- Travelers with flexible budgets
❌ Not Recommended For
- People who expect high-end service
- Comfort-focused travelers
- Those wanting to “enjoy the hotel itself”
Lonely space Hotel
7. My Honest Advice
👉 If you only want photos:
- You don’t need to stay here
- Just drive in or use a drone
👉 If you want to stay:
- Worth it at ~¥1000 (off-season)
- Overpriced at ¥2000+
👉 If your schedule is tight:
Don’t book it. You won’t have time to enjoy it anyway.
