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.

On my trip to Datong, I booked a stay at the Howard Johnson Jindi Plaza Datong, located right by the ancient city, through Trip.com. It's rated 5 stars online, and it truly lives up to the hype! As soon as I checked in, I was upgraded for free to a deluxe business suite. It was my first time seeing a suite with a dining table big enough to host over 10 friends and family. After one night, I switched back to my originally booked business king room. The king room was also incredibly comfortable, measuring a spacious 62 square meters. Opening the curtains revealed views of Datong's streets. If you walk to the end of the corridor, you can even see a panoramic view of the ancient city of Datong. What truly stands out is the fantastic Chinese restaurant at this 5-star hotel. I stayed in Datong for three days, and除了one lunch I had in Hunyuan Ancient City, all my other five lunches and dinners were enjoyed at the hotel's Chinese restaurant. Here, a bowl of Shanxi's specialty knife-cut noodles is only 6 RMB, and a bowl of cold noodles, even tastier than those in Hunyuan, is just 3 RMB. You can order half portions of shumai, and during the first dog days of summer, they even had dumplings. I tried the braised deer tendon with scallions, something I'd never had before, and it was superb, as were the husband and wife lung slices and jellyfish salad – perfect with drinks. Dining here is delicious and affordable. If you top up 200 RMB, you even get a complimentary plate of Shanxi's signature 'guoyourou' (fried pork in sauce). A huge shout-out also goes to the restaurant staff. They are warm, thoughtful, and genuinely care for guests, even advising against ordering too much, ensuring just the right amount! In summary, I give a 5-star rating to both the hotel and the F&B department. The last photo is of the hotel's breakfast, which was also excellent. The hotel has two breakfast restaurants, so even with many guests, it never feels crowded!

I stayed at the Kempinski for a business trip, and the overall experience exceeded my expectations. The hotel is centrally located with convenient transportation and a bustling commercial district nearby. The concierge proactively helped with my luggage, and the front desk service was professional and efficient, with no tedious waiting throughout. My room had excellent natural light, and the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a superb view. The bathroom amenities were high-quality, and the soundproofing was excellent, ensuring an undisturbed night's rest. Breakfast offered a comprehensive selection, from Western pastries to Chinese congee and noodles, and the freshly ground coffee was delicious. The Executive Lounge provided a quiet environment, perfect for meetings or relaxation, and the well-equipped gym was great for a workout during my business trip. The German hotel chain's attention to detail was exceptional, and it offered great value for money. I highly recommend it for business travelers.

The Taiyuan Nanzhonghuan Intercity Hotel is conveniently located directly opposite the International Financial Center, offering easy access to dining and shopping. Parking is convenient, making it ideal for guests traveling by car. The hotel is very new, with well-equipped rooms and a simple yet elegant decor. It's exceptionally clean, and the breakfast is extensive, featuring both Western and Chinese options, as well as local Shanxi specialties. The front desk service was excellent; they thoughtfully upgraded my room. Everything was thoroughly satisfying, and I'll definitely choose the Nanzhonghuan Intercity Hotel again on my next visit to Taiyuan.

Ctrip's target is five diamonds, except for the lobby and services, none of the other links meet this standard. Room facilities are old. But at this price, don't expect too good hardware. The breakfast was good, which is to be commended. There is no business district nearby, so it is not very convenient to eat. Service: The service is rated five points, very thoughtful and enthusiastic. Facilities: old. Will not live again in the future.

I only chose Yunlong Grand Hotel when I came to Datong, and was upgraded to Wyndham, but the room seemed a bit smaller than what I originally booked. The decor and amenities were impeccable, but the water was truly yellow. Even after running the water in the bathtub for two days, it was still yellow. Also, the swimming pool and bath tickets are basically useless; there's no shallow pool for kids, only a deep one, and you have to buy a swimming ring. Since we were traveling, buying a swimming ring was inconvenient to carry, and there were none available for rent.

Staying at Ruifeng Tower was definitely the best decision for our Datong trip! The hotel is located right in the heart of the ancient city, within walking distance of attractions like Huayan Temple and Shanhua Temple, making it super convenient. The rooms have an antique charm, and when you open the window, you're greeted with the sight of traditional courtyards and intricate eaves. What truly delighted me were the books in the room. Reading them before bed, the glory of Pingcheng during the Northern Wei Dynasty and the prosperity of the Liao and Jin secondary capitals came alive on the pages, adding a wonderful cultural depth to our journey. The breakfast buffet was abundant, and the staff were warm and professional. Next time I'm in Datong, I'll definitely choose Ruifeng Tower again, to immerse myself in the unique charm of this ancient capital amidst its scholarly ambiance and historic beauty!

The hotel is located within the scenic area, and the shuttle service is very convenient. We even received complimentary tickets to Fanyinli upon check-in! The indoor temperature was perfect without needing the AC, and the breakfast offered a variety of choices – I highly recommend the knife-cut noodles! I hope they can replace the toilets in the family rooms with more powerful flushing ones.

On this trip, after leaving my job, I've stayed in many places, but Datong was the most surprising city. It's full of historical sites, delicious food, and a vibrant, down-to-earth atmosphere. But what surprised me even more was the guesthouse I chose. I did extensive research and ultimately decided to stay within the ancient city, which turned out to be incredibly convenient for dining, lodging, and getting around. It was fantastic and perfectly suited me. Initially, I considered guesthouses in the Southeast District, but they were all new, and their styles were quite similar and unremarkable, much like guesthouses in other cities. So, I picked one with unique traditional Chinese characteristics, and it completely exceeded my expectations. The breakfast was exactly to my liking – nutritious and light. The room was warm and cozy, and the toiletry kit was amazing, with thoughtful items inside. Even though it's been in the ancient city for ten years, the decor and renovation show no sign of age; it's incredibly well-maintained. The housekeeper mentioned they had just upgraded all the rooms before my arrival, haha! 😄 This guesthouse truly helped my restless mind calm down. It felt like staying in a museum. The aunties and housekeepers working here told me stories about every single object and corner, which deeply moved me. This is what a guesthouse should be – unpretentious and full of stories. The biggest surprise this time was having the chance to meet the owner, a wonderful lady. She was so nice, I initially thought she was just another staff member; she had absolutely no airs. More importantly, her experiences and background are incredible – she does extreme sports and has even climbed Mount Everest! Talking with her made me feel so comfortable and helped me let go of a lot of things. Thank you for the encounter; it was truly destiny. This was the most unexpected gain from my trip to Datong, and I will definitely go back if I get the chance! It felt just like home, with no sense of unfamiliarity whatsoever.

Yun Jin Cheng Hotel is the ultimate guesthouse experience in Pingyao, located right in the heart of the ancient city on West Street, adjacent to Rishengchang, making it incredibly convenient for exploring. This three-hundred-year-old Jin merchant courtyard is wonderfully antique and the courtyard layout is perfect for travel photography. The butler provided a full guided tour of the mansion's history, giving it a rich cultural atmosphere. The rooms were spotless and very comfortable to sleep in, and the toiletries provided were excellent plant-based ones. When I didn't have time for breakfast because I was taking photos in my Hanfu, the hotel thoughtfully packed a portable breakfast for me – the attention to detail was exceptional. The service was gentle and attentive, perfectly blending ancient charm with thoughtful care. I highly recommend staying here when you visit Pingyao!