The hotel is a modern and high-rise hotel in the centre of Kunming and just off the shopping mall. The service is excellent and although not all staff spoke English on the front desk, some did.
The room was a good size and very comfortable. The bathroom was also a good size and clean. The room was well appointed and had a safe in the room as well as internet connection. Facilities for coffee/tea were also available in the room as was complementary water. There was limited cupboard space in the room.
There were many restaurants in the vicinity of the hotel which served the traditional "over-the-bridge noodles" and the dry hotpot. The hotel had an excellent breakfast restaurant on the 28th floor and although Chinese fare was predominent, there was more than enough western fare available.
A definite hotel for a return visit to Kunming.

My wife and I stayed at the New Era hotel for three nights during our visit to Kunming and the Stone Forest. It's a great central location as other reviewers have mentioned, but what sets this hotel apart from others we've stayed at in China is the ultra-professional, ultra-caring service from all it's employees we encountered, from the bellhops to the lady serving the tea.

We especially would like to commend Miss Chen, the supervisor who checked us into our executive room on the 26th floor. She was so helpful, always smiling, and while her English was limited, she bent over backwards to make our stay a positive one. For example, my wife and her jacket was a victim of a woman who vomited while exiting the lobby elevator as we entered it. I kid you not. As we got to our floor, we showed Miss Chen what happened, and she offered to have her jacket cleaned, and it was returned the next morning. The hotel did not charge us for this unfortunate occurrence, and we really appreciate their understanding.

The room itself was fine with outstanding views, but the furniture and fixtures need updating. The bed was ultra hard, even by Chinese standards, and the shower, even though a modern rain shower style, contained moldy spots along the tile grout. Miss Chen told us all rooms probably have such mold as it has been a while since the rooms have been renovated, so we didn't bother to move to another room. We were told the 25th floor is "green", ie non-smoking with tubs instead of showers, so mold may not be an issue there. We opted to stay on the executive level, though, which also comes with teatime between 3 and 5 PM, including a nice selection of fruits and cakes,

The buffet breakfast is outstanding with enough selection for Chinese and Western tourists alike. Don't believe reviewers who say otherwise. Many hotel staff are there, serving coffee and getting the elevators. They are so nice and service oriented. This is as well-run a hotel as we've encountered, in or out of China.

The New Era Hotel is an excellent choice: it is situated in the very heart of the city, in walking distance to major malls, restaurants and supermarkets. The rooms are sufficiently big and clean. Free water, milk, coffee and tea is provided. Vibrating condoms for 40 Yuan are a remarkable peculiarity. There is free internet in the rooms via LAN, wi-fi is only available in the lobby, but both can be occasionally dead slow. Breakfast in the 28th floor is a highlight, but you shall try to arrive early to avoid the crowds: very comprehensive Chinese options and some Western Choices, which you do not really need because of the excellent, freshly prepared Chinese noodle soup.

Nice hotel in the town center. Shopping malls, old street market and restaurants right around the corner. This is a big modern 28 floors hotel. The reception staff don´t speek much english, but they try very hard to be helpfull.
The room was pleasant and the beds were soft by chinese standards.
Don´t miss the restaurant Laofangzi 老房子 "The old house" just a few minutes walk from the hotel.