Datong Grand Hotel

You truly appreciate the difference when you have something to compare it to. I first stayed at Datong Hotel thirty years ago, so naturally, it was my top choice for this visit to Datong. Let's start with the 'positives'. For my first night, I chose the VIP building, thinking that with the country's rapid development, hotel accommodations must have advanced significantly. The promotional materials also touted its spacious and new rooms. However, upon checking in, I felt it wasn't worth the price. The front desk clearly had better rooms available but was unwilling to offer them without an additional charge for these 'so-called' superior rooms. It makes me wonder if the front desk staff has ever stayed in a four-star hotel or above. The VIP building's only real 'plus' was its larger space; otherwise, nothing felt particularly impressive. In the VIP building, the bathroom fixtures were broken, the walls didn't appear thoroughly scrubbed, and the carpet was dirty. This judgment was drawn from a direct comparison. Dissatisfied with the VIP building, I decisively checked out and opted for the old building, where I had stayed three decades ago. I was touched by the elderly gentleman at the front desk even before seeing the room. Upon checking in, I discovered that apart from the room size being smaller than in the VIP building, everything else was equally good, if not better. The elderly gentleman at check-in introduced the amenities along the way – his service was truly commendable, and I plan to get his name for a special mention in a future review. The old building's walls were freshly painted, and the carpet was notably cleaner than in the VIP building. The toiletries also felt superior to those in the VIP building. The headboard cushions were clean and tidy, and the curtains were elegantly neat and clean. Suggestions for the old building: The TV is quite old; replacing it shouldn't be too expensive. Attention to detail is crucial: the faucet handles, though old, have a noble appearance. The only imperfection is the missing small cap on the handle – a small blemish on an otherwise noble piece. The bathtub drain was malfunctioning. The shower curtain could be raised slightly higher. Since there are paintings, their frames should be clean and clear. The small cap on the toilet seat was also missing. Most importantly, the bathroom floor was quite slippery; measures should be taken to prevent guests from falling. Additionally, the old building's self-promotion is lacking. Enlarged photos of renowned figures who once stayed here should be displayed prominently. No other hotel in Datong boasts such an honor, and that's precisely your unique selling point.

I absolutely loved this hotel! Not only were the rooms and bedding comfortable and the shower water hot, but I have to give a special shout-out to the breakfast. The hotel clearly has extensive experience hosting international guests, and their breakfast selections truly catered to Western palates. My children, born and raised in the UK, had been struggling with food for a few days in Shanxi. Upon arriving at this hotel, they were thrilled to find not only cereal but also baked beans for breakfast, just like a proper English breakfast! For a Chinese hotel to be so incredibly thoughtful and considerate was genuinely moving! The hotel even paid attention to the smallest details, offering a choice of hot and cold milk – that's truly excellent! Every morning, I enjoyed breakfast with a heart full of gratitude.

Do they not change the bed linens during cleaning anymore? Both beds in our suite, inside and out, had blood on them in multiple places. So much blood! I've truly never seen anything like it. Blood on a hotel bed... Absolutely disgusting. We called housekeeping to get the sheets and duvet covers changed, and it's only because of the blood that we even realized you don't change them! The question is, how did the blood get there?! That's beyond disturbing! If I wasn't traveling with my family, I would have checked out on the spot! The door was also difficult to close, slamming shut with a huge noise. And the lobby had a distinct metallic smell, like rust – or even blood... This stay was truly awful!!!

I genuinely thought that a hotel located right next to a government building, even an older one, would at least be decent. What a joke! For a room costing over 600 RMB, it was completely moldy and had water leaking everywhere. To make matters worse, my Ctrip booking was non-refundable. I managed to switch rooms, which was only slightly better. The door wouldn't close properly, and it even had visible pry marks. And right from the first day, the shower drain was incredibly slow.

Traveling to Shanxi with my children, we chose a well-established hotel. The room exceeded our expectations and was surprisingly good. Every single hotel staff member was incredibly helpful, always ready to answer any questions and with a wonderful attitude. The overall experience was excellent and made us feel very comfortable. Our booking included a daily buffet breakfast; however, due to our travel schedule, we weren't able to make it for breakfast on two of our three nights. So, after inquiring with the hotel, they kindly prepared simple breakfast bags for us each evening, perfect for taking with us the following morning. We are incredibly grateful for their thoughtfulness.