Aerial view of the homestay

A cluster of traditional stone cottages nestled in Tanjiaodi Village, Pingtan, has been given a new lease on life by three millennial entrepreneurs from Zhejiang Province. Once overlooked, these historic structures have been transformed into a coastal boutique guesthouse called Lazy Home. By blending century-old antiques with a soothing, modern minimalist aesthetic, the property offers guests sweeping views of the sea and sky through massive floor-to-ceiling windows. With 19 rooms spread across five buildings, Lazy Home captures the essence of seaside living while anchoring a shared dream of three lifelong friends.

Waking up to the rhythm of the sea

Driving south along a winding village lane, travelers eventually arrive at No. 83 Tanjiaowei. While the house number itself is unassuming, the striking layout of the five interconnected buildings immediately sets the property apart. Unlike the densely packed, traditional stone dwellings nearby, Lazy Home features crisp, elegant white exterior walls that contrast beautifully with the surrounding historic stone architecture. Along the stone steps leading to the entrance, lush greenery thrives—monsteras, fiddle-leaf figs, and bird of paradise plants create a vibrant, layered look. A tall, sharp cactus stands guard at a corner, flanked by a mature lemon tree with gnarled branches and bright green fruit.

Even before stepping inside, many visitors stop to take photos against the contrast of the white walls and lush plants. "We were just passing by and wanted to ask about room rates, but we ended up taking photos outside for nearly 20 minutes," said Ms. Huang, a tourist from Quanzhou. "The white walls against the green plants make every shot look picture-perfect."

Inside the reception lobby, hotel manager Wu Yunying is often found working at a vintage round table. The setup allows her to look up and chat naturally with arriving guests, making the check-in experience feel more like catching up with an old friend than a formal transaction. The entire lobby steers clear of forced design elements, choosing instead to showcase the natural patina of time through wooden fruit platters, a historic fireplace, and a meticulously replicated wine cabinet.

Most of these vintage pieces were sourced one by one from cities across Fujian Province, including Quanzhou, Zhangzhou, and Fuzhou, by the founders: Shen Hengqing, Qiu Zhenwei, and Ye Peng. Many of the items are nearly a century old. "Some of the antiques were heavily damaged," Shen said, pointing to a corner of the lobby. "Take that wine cabinet, for instance—the doors wouldn't close and parts of the carvings were broken. We took photos from every angle, measured it exactly, and asked a master carpenter at a furniture factory to recreate it from scratch using a 1:1 ratio. We had to find matching old elm wood and get the aging process just right. Replicating that single cabinet took nearly two months."

Warm yellow lights light up as night falls.

At Lazy Home, the most striking element is the play of light. As dusk falls, the warm amber lights of the guesthouse turn on one after another, glowing through the lower panels of the floor-to-ceiling windows like a giant lantern guiding fishing boats home. This gentle radiance immediately eases the exhaustion of travelers. One guest shared on social media: "The moment I pushed open the door, I was completely captivated. There are no redundant decorations, yet every detail exudes quality."Lin Xiao, a traveler from Shanghai, noted: "I stayed in Pingtan for three nights, and saved my last night for Lazy Home. In the morning, I didn't even have to get out of bed to see the sea. It felt as if the ocean had woken up just for me."

Three friends and a shared coastal dream

Shen Hengqing, Qiu Zhenwei, and Ye Peng all hail from Lishui, Zhejiang Province. They have been classmates since junior high school, each eventually running different businesses before teaming up.

In 2020, Qiu visited Pingtan as a tourist and was captivated by the island's famous "blue tears"—a natural phenomenon caused by glowing marine plankton. "That night, a friend took me to see the blue tears, and it happened to be a major outbreak," Qiu recalled. "The entire sea was glowing with a brilliant blue fluorescence. When the waves crashed, it looked like stars crashing into the water. I had only ever seen it on phone screens before; seeing it with my own eyes left me completely speechless. Right then, I thought how wonderful it would be to have my own space here, where I could open a window to this view every day."

In April 2024, the three friends returned to Pingtan together—this time, not for a vacation, but to scout a location for their business.

"The island's northern part definitely offers breathtaking, rugged scenery, but it poses a practical challenge for guest convenience," Shen explained. "If guests want to order food delivery or explore the main downtown hub, traveling back and forth eats up too much of their day. The southern coastline is much more strategic—it's closer to the urban center and provides effortless access to top island attractions like the sprawling white sands of Tannan Bay and the iconic 68-Nautical-Mile Scenic Area, the closest point on the Chinese mainland to Taiwan Island."Following Pingtan's scenic coastal drive, they eventually set their sights on Tanjiaodi Village, which sits perfectly positioned as a tranquil midway oasis between the bustling city center and these prime coastal landmarks.

Once the location was set, they faced a new challenge: the five old stone houses belonged to different landlords. Developing them as a cohesive cluster meant negotiating with multiple villagers. "We were quite lucky," Shen said with a smile. "After we secured the first house, that landlord introduced us to the neighbors, and everything went smoothly from there."

Renovations began in August of that year. It took nearly a year of meticulous work and an investment of over 10 million yuan ($1.38 million) to bring their vision to life. The guesthouse launched its trial operations in May of the following year and officially opened on major booking platforms by July.

Though the quick transition felt like a dream, Shen emphasized that it was the result of careful planning. "I used to run traditional hotels, so I know guesthouses are different," he said. "Hotel guests usually just sleep and leave. But B&B guests sit in the lobby to chat with you, asking where to have fun or where to get the best seafood. That human connection is the most precious part of running a place like this."

Reflecting on the name Lazy Home, Ye laughed and explained, "Naming it Lazy Home is a reminder to ourselves to slow down. We wanted to escape the constant rush."

Today, the three partners maintain a clear and seamless division of labor. Shen handles external affairs and regulatory paperwork; Qiu manages daily operations on-site; and Ye works remotely, managing online pricing and marketing strategies. "Occasionally we have differences of opinion, but we always speak our minds directly," Shen said. "We might argue passionately one day, but the next day we are eating and drinking together, and the disagreement is completely behind us."

Putting down roots for the future

After opening for a year, what surprised Shen the most was the heartfelt support they received from their guests.

Guests capture the perfect shot for their social feed.

Wu Yunying vividly remembers a guest from northeastern China. "The first time he came to Pingtan, he stayed at a neighboring guesthouse and just glanced at our place while walking by. Second time, he booked a room online and was incredibly satisfied."Interestingly, when this guest noticed a negative review about Lazy Home online, he actively replied to defend the property.

"He wrote, 'How could anyone bring themselves to give such a beautiful guesthouse a bad review? I've stayed in guesthouses all over, and this place ranks among the best in terms of service, cleanliness, and views.' He wrote it so sincerely that it looked like we had hired him," Wu said with a laugh. That same guest went on to book five more rooms to bring his friends along for a return visit.

Outdoor swimming pool at the homestay

The service at Lazy Home is built into the details. Once a booking is confirmed, the staff reaches out to coordinate arrival times and arranges complimentary shuttle service from the high-speed railway station. All room amenities are complimentary, welcome fruit platters are provided, and breakfasts are tailored to the number of guests, upgrading to a buffet style during peak times. "We don't argue over the cost of an extra portion; making sure our guests are well-fed and happy is what matters most," Qiu said. They have also partnered with local travel photography teams and sea-fishing clubs to recommend trusted, vetted experiences to interested guests.

Of course, operating a coastal resort comes with distinct challenges, including sharp seasonal fluctuations and intense competition. "However, the hospitality industry in Pingtan still holds plenty of opportunities," Shen noted. "The natural resources here are truly exceptional, and we genuinely believe in the future of this place."

Shen's wife, Zhao Qiqi, initially found it hard to understand why her husband wanted to start over in an unfamiliar coastal town. "When I was early in my pregnancy, he told me he wanted to go to Pingtan, and I wasn't thrilled," Zhao recalled. "I thought, our business at home is doing well, so why run off to an island to take on so much stress?"However, each visit to Pingtan shifted her perspective. "The first time I saw the finished renovations, I was completely stunned. From the outside, it looks like a traditional village, but stepping inside feels like entering a completely different world. I didn't expect my husband, who usually seems so laid-back, to create something so detailed and beautiful."

A home facing the sea, where flowers bloom in spring

From the rooftop terrace of Lazy Home, guests can look out at the vast sea on one side and the quiet village on the other. As the ocean breeze sweeps through, time seems to slow down. By transforming five historic stone cottages, three young entrepreneurs have managed to anchor their coastal dreams firmly into the shores of Pingtan.