China Converts Sugar Mill Into Hotel

A former sugar mill in China has been converted into a luxury hotel. The Alila Yangshuo hotel is set in the dramatic mountains of the Yangshuo area of Guangxi, making it a great place to take in the scenery.

The former mill was built in the 1960s, and the architecture firm Vector Architects from Beijing led the conversion to a hotel. They incorporated gabled masonry to complement the mill’s existing industrial architecture.

The new buildings are surrounded by fresh landscaping, including a garden with ponds. The former loading area used to load sugar cane onto boats is now a swimming pool.

The profile of the building was kept low-key to complement the original design and to show off the surroundings. The project repurposed much of the original structure while also building new accommodations. On site, there’s also a café, bar, gallery and library, all facing a reflecting pond and sunken plaza at the heart of the complex.

Some rooms have private balconies overlooking the mountains. Ground-floor suites look out onto a bamboo garden.