My wife and I are getting a night away and leaving the kids at home. We are looking for a hotel to go to for this night away. We'd like somewhere that is quiet, relaxing, clean and comfortable (Western-style softer bed and pillows). Does anyone have a recommendation? A swimming pool is a plus, but not a must. Somewhere centrally located is also preferred, but again, we're open to where others have stayed and really enjoyed.

Do you mean in Kunming?
There is a Kunming/Yunnan Government Hotel set in large gardens with ornamental lakes right in the downtown area. It is open to all, unless a conference is on.
I can't remember the name, but it is easy to find.
On Beijing Lu walk south from RenminDongLu on the west side of the street. After less than 100m you will see a gateway, it is the first gateway at the end of the first block of buildings.
Go through the gateway and walk straight, the hotel is on the right.

We stayed there a few years ago, forget the price but it was not very expensive.

Also one beautiful hotel, with huge pools outside, great chinese breakfast at buffet. Inside rooms, a big stone bath tub (pretty sexy..). But I don't remember the name...when my wife come back later, maybe she knows... It's 5 min from the north bus station anyway

anning hot springs is only an hour away.

@blue:
Do you meant 'The Spring Hotel'? I always pass it on my way home from work. Looks fancy. Lots of greenery around and on the balconies.

What's the price of the rooms, do you recall?

The Intercontinental hotel just off Dianchi lu is pretty swish, just shame not central and no swimming pool I've seen! But it is very upmarket (the main thing) and I always enjoy going just for the meals, price about 1000rmb a night.

Forgot to say, yeah somewhere in Kunming. Anning would be nice, but we need to stay a bit closer to home with leaving 3 small kids.

Blue, did you find the name of the hotel near the north bus station? We've been to a hot springs place next to the north bus station, but didn't know of a nice hotel nearby.

I'm always confused when people are referring to the "north bus station". I live by the north transit terminal that often gets this title, but the real north bus station is far up Beijing Lu.
Beside the north transit terminal is a SPA called the Spring Water. You pay a fee for 20 hours that includes 2 meals AND they have rooms to sleep, but I doubt if they're western style comfortable mattresses.

The Intercontinental suggested by redjon77 does have both indoor and outdoor pools (according to their website) and you're guaranteed comfortable mattresses. It's also far away from the noise of the city so it might be worth checking out (and report back to us).

I can recommend the Intercontinental at Dianchi, they do have a swimming pool and decent fitness center, the grounds are expansive and great for a casual stroll with a large waterfall feature. I've stayed there three times now and they just keep improving. Very comfortable room and european mattress for sure, with a pillow menu to select from. The Market restaurant produces quality food all day long as well as a breakfast and dinner buffet. Chefs are very attentive if you have special requests they will try their best to accommodate. I've stayed in many Kunming hotels over the past 8 years and this is by far the best.

I've just been browsing the website for the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Qingnian Lu. They apparently have an outdoor pool. This place used to be the Bank Hotel but it was recently gutted and re-opened under the new brand last December. Crowne Plaza Hotels are part of the Intercontinental Group.