5-Star Hotels in Shanxi, China

I did not want to leave. That is the most honest thing I can say about Xihe Academy. ”Guest house” is a label that does not prepare you for what this place actually is. If you are American and hearing that term for the first time, forget whatever image just came to mind. This is not a MIL suite tucked behind someone's garage. This is a fully realized, deeply considered experience wrapped inside one of the most stunning environments I have ever walked into. The courtyard alone stopped me mid-step. The surrounding area looks like an active film set -- you keep half-expecting to hear ”action” called from somewhere just off camera. And then you step inside and somehow it gets even better. I genuinely lost my words. The room is the kind of space where you realize someone has actually thought of everything. Included minibar. Fresh fruit and snacks. Loose-leaf tea so you can brew a proper cup. Bathrooms fully stocked down to the shower shoes. You can arrive with nothing but your clothes and be completely at ease. They have handled the rest. The staff made all of it feel personal. When a language barrier created a small miscommunication, they were patient and gracious without a flicker of frustration. When I joked that I had gone a little crazy shopping and could not close my suitcase, they immediately offered suggestions to help. That warmth is not a policy -- it lives in the people. They coordinate meals as well, and mine was delivered to my room and genuinely delicious. One thing I will say without hesitation: use their driver. This is a private, gated area and you cannot simply grab a random car or rideshare. Arrange your pickup from the train station or airport in advance -- it is seamless, affordable, and completely worth it. Do not skip this step. This was my first guesthouse experience, and Xihe Academy has set a bar I was not expecting to clear so soon. If you stay here, you will not regret it. Five stars is not enough.

I stayed for 3 days and was very satisfied! On the first night, I checked in around 10 PM. I had booked a twin room by mistake, but after speaking with the front desk, they changed it to a business king room. There was already fruit in the room. The breakfast buffet the next morning, although crowded, had a rich variety of fresh dishes, which I was very pleased with. For dinner on the second night, I chose the hotel's Chinese restaurant on the 11th floor. They had a set meal for 2-3 people for only 98 RMB, which was incredibly good value for money. For two consecutive nights, I received late-night snacks and thoughtful cards. My stay was excellent, and it left me with a very positive impression of Datong.

The hotel's location is good. Although it's a bit old, it still has all the hardware facilities expected of a five-star hotel. Let me focus on the most unpleasant service experience this time. We booked a family room, which included three breakfasts. Our child had an upset stomach the night before and was throwing up and had diarrhea all night. So, in the morning, only the two adults went to eat, thinking of getting a takeaway box for the child. This is where the unpleasant experience began. The person in black, who seemed to be a supervisor at the restaurant, said that if we had already started dining, takeaway boxes wouldn't be provided (at this point, we thought we only had two breakfasts included). Later, after checking the order, we confirmed that the family room included three breakfasts. We went back to the restaurant reception to ask for a takeaway box, clarifying upfront that our room included three breakfasts and that we wanted to pack something because our child was unwell. Even then, the front desk staff said that after 6:30 AM, it's recommended to dine in, and takeaway boxes are generally not provided. She also claimed it was busy and she couldn't authorize it (even though there were no guests waiting at the front desk at that time) and that only the supervisor could approve it. I had to wait for her to call the supervisor over again before I finally got a takeaway box. Throughout this entire process, both of them had cold faces and showed absolutely no service意识 (service awareness). This definitely deserves a negative review!!!

1. The hotel boasts luxurious decor, particularly the four teal-colored pillars in the lobby paired with an icicle-shaped chandelier, which create a unique and charming ambiance. The rooms are well-appointed with solid materials, including many teal stone accents, and are well-maintained. 2. Upon check-in, the front desk offered us a choice of rooms. Although she warned that rooms near the elevator might be noisy, we didn't think much of it, assuming it was just guests coming and going. However, the real issue arrived. Before 5 AM on Sunday morning, a wedding photography team of over a dozen people showed up in the stairwell, complete with a wind machine and other equipment, to take pictures of the bride. They made a ruckus for over an hour. The most outrageous part was them smoking in the elevator area – isn't this supposed to be a non-smoking floor?! A word of caution for weekend guests: avoid rooms facing the elevator lobby, as you might get woken up. 3. As for breakfast, it's incredibly substantial here. They have freshly grilled fish and steak made on the spot early in the morning, along with beef and potatoes, braised pork, and large shrimp. Of course, standard hotel breakfast items like bacon and sausage are also available. The downside is that it gets crowded; even between 7 AM and 8 AM, about 70-80% of the tables are occupied.

This is my second stay at this hotel, and both times have been incredibly comfortable. The rooms are large, clean, and tidy. The breakfast is really diverse; I especially recommend the lamb soup, it's delicious. The front desk staff are also very warm and friendly. Plus, getting around is super convenient, as the subway entrance is right downstairs from the hotel.

An old five-star hotel with very high cost performance. In particular, the front office service is very good, and the lobby manager Wang Jue is attentive.

The Xinghuacun Hotel boasts an excellent location right in the heart of Pingyao Ancient City, directly across from the county government office. A right turn out of the hotel brings you to the bustling South Street, where all the major attractions are located. The rooms are incredibly spacious and feature double sinks. They're also super cool; we didn't even need to use the AC at night, making for a very comfortable sleep. The abalone millet porridge at breakfast was delicious, and the pour-over latte coffee was just as good as what you'd find in a coffee shop. The mini-fridge was stocked with various complimentary beverages, and all the bottled water was Baishui Mountain brand. What surprised us most was the complimentary fruit delivered every afternoon, and a thoughtful farewell gift upon check-out. The service truly was superb! 👍 Highly recommended!

The hotel's location is superb; it's the perfect choice for exploring the old city, with all the sights and great food nearby. The hotel is very clean, the restaurant food is delicious, and the staff provide excellent service. As I was traveling alone and wanted to try local specialties, the staff kindly reduced the portion sizes, which was great – tasty and no waste! The room facilities are new, but there's a minor issue: the sink and shower are in separate areas, and the bath towels are kept under the sink. This makes it inconvenient to grab a towel after showering. If you take it into the shower beforehand, there's nowhere to hang it. Perhaps a hook could be added?

When I visited Mount Wutai, I was torn between booking the Marriott or a guesthouse. My main concern was the Marriott's distance from the scenic area and potential inconvenience. However, I ultimately chose the Marriott for its reputation for excellent service. After checking in, all my worries disappeared! Every morning, there are three scheduled shuttle buses that go directly to the central scenic area. If you miss one, it's no problem at all; the hotel's electric car will take you to the Route 8 bus stop anytime. When you return, just call the hotel from the designated stop and they'll pick you up immediately. It was incredibly convenient and I was very satisfied. The food at the hotel restaurant was also delicious. All in all, it exceeded my expectations!

A very cozy and comfortable B&B, located right in the ancient town's pedestrian street, offering a peaceful retreat amidst the bustling area. The courtyard is spacious, the rooms are clean, and all amenities are of high quality. Breakfast is plentiful, and the staff are friendly. The location is excellent, with all of the ancient town's attractions within walking distance, which is great when traveling with kids as it saves a lot of hassle. Plus, many popular restaurants often have long queues, but because this place is so close, you can easily grab takeout and enjoy your meal back at the hotel, saving a lot of waiting time. I'll definitely stay here again next time I visit Datong.