After travelling by train from Shanghai to Lhasa, we were staying in Yabshi Phunkhang Heritage Hotel which is the family home of the 11th Dalai Lama's family. During the first night we were put into 2 rooms on the groundfloor in the back yard. The rooms were not too clean, rather small (12 sqm) and loud, due to adjacent neighbours outside of the hotel playing card games until the wee morning hours. The next day, we were shifted into the 1st floor (Chinese 2nd floor) and got large and clean rooms of 20+ sqm. The hotel is perfectly located to venture into old Lhasa by foot (3 min to Barkhor and Jokhang Temple). People are friendly and trying to accomodate your wishes. During our stay the Hotel was partly booked7occupied by a Chinese filmcrew shooting a historic drama with the backset of the Hotel. In all a fantastic stay. Maybe just one remark, the breakfast could have a wider choice and a bit higher quality.

We recently stayed at this heritage hotel for 4 nights. The location of the hotel is fantastic, footsteps away from Barkhor market and the dining and shopping that can be found there. It really is the best area of Lhasa to stay in.

As you would probably already know, the hotel itself was built for the 11th Dalai Lama's family. The rooms are decorated in traditional Tibetan design and have lots of character.

However, I found that this is where the hotel's finer points end. The hotel staff whilst always friendly are generally rather inefficient. The same breakfast provided everyday (a fried egg, some potato and 2 pieces of toast) - it would have been nice to have had some variety.

In their advertisements the hotel does heavily promote that it provides Illy coffee. Note that the Illy coffee is not inclusive in the breakfast and I cannot speak too highly of its quality (it is ok but nothing worth shouting about).

Overall, I would recommend the hotel based on its location and traditional appearance. However any background and history of the residence itself is not communicated in the experience. As a result, it feels very much like a hotel business that has moved into a heritage residence as opposed to an all round Tibetan cultural experience.

The Yabshi (meaning parents) Hotel is a charming traditional hotel in the heart of old Lhasa. Formerly the home to the 11th Dali Lama's parents this hotel is on the edge of the Barkhor Market and along the clockwise pilgrimage routes to the Jokhung Temple (647 A.D.)
You can observe the Buddist faithful make their trek either walking and meditating with prayer wheels or those postulating their way (full body prone on ground with mats and hand protection) their way to Jokhung or other area monasteries.
The hotel is decorated with traditional wooden painted pillars, fabric coverings over the doors and various Tibetan cultural artifacts. Bathrooms are spacious and modern. The second floor room we stayed in had a window bench area with low chairs and table to overlook the rear courtyard. The stairs to the second and third floors are more like broad ladders that you will experience in the monasteries such as Potala. There are laptops for rental and WiFi in the lobby. There is both an interior courtyard (with bar, refreshments) and an outdoor courtyard. The breakfast selection is very limited however there are traditional Tibetan restaurants nearby such as Snowland, Lhasa Kitchen and Second Floor Teahouse. The area also has many massage studios run by blind Tibetans who have learned these job skills as means of support (such as Tenzin studio).
The staff at the Yabshi hotel are warm, hospitable people who typify the gentle and welcoming Tibetan spirit. This hotel is an excellent choice for those travelers who want to avoid the predicatable western hotels in the Chinese area of Lhasa and engage with the Tibetans and a centuries old neighbourhood.
Yabshi Phunkhang Heritage Hotel
Beijing East Road, Lhasa, Tibet, P.R.C. 850000
yabshiphunkhang@gmail.com, www.yabshiphunkhang.com
Tel. 86-89-6328885

A lovely old building very well restored with modern amenties. All good except one point. A fine layer of dust appears stuck to the floor. This will come off when rubbing with the finger, but wont come off with a normal mopping. Free wifi and very helpful staff in great location.
Overall, best place to stay in Lhasa I would guess.