5-Star Hotels in Shanxi, China

We were satisfied with the room facilities, cleanliness, environment, and service. The hotel is in a convenient location with a large shopping mall right next to it, and the breakfast was exceptionally rich. When we arrived by taxi, the driver stopped outside, and the doorman immediately came over to help with our luggage—definitely worth a thumbs-up!

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.

The hotel is conveniently located close to the ancient city, and you can enjoy a beautiful night view of it right from your room. The guest room is spacious; although it's an older property, the environment is well-maintained. There is a parking lot available, the room is fully equipped, and cleanliness is top-notch. What stands out the most is the exceptionally warm and attentive service—from the front desk and security guards to the housekeeping, logistics, and kitchen staff, every single employee we met deserves praise. All our requests were handled promptly. In addition to complimentary welcome fruits, they even delivered freshly made pear soup to our room in the evening, which was a very heartwarming touch. The breakfast buffet also offered a good variety of options. We had a pleasant 3-night stay here during the National Day holiday, visiting the Yungang Grottoes and taking a night tour of the ancient city, which left us with wonderful impressions of Datong. Highly recommended! Perhaps due to the season, the central air conditioning was turned off, making the high-floor rooms rather warm. It is suggested that a more efficient or scientific approach could be considered.

I stayed for 4 days. There was almost no service. I arrived at the hotel at 4 PM, and although they helped me arrange a higher floor, I waited for almost an hour, and the room they arranged was still not ready. They then switched me to another room on the same floor. The lobby was very hot, and all the temporary resting spots were directly in the sun. When I got upstairs, I was a bit dumbfounded to find my room directly facing the elevator. Oh well, I checked in. The check-in experience wasn't great. Disposable toiletries weren't replenished promptly; besides toilet paper, you literally only got them once. For a 4-day stay (2 days booked via a group deal, 2 days via other platforms), the bedside power outlet didn't work. I had to unplug the table lamp to charge my phone, and that outlet was just awful. The floor-to-ceiling window blinds were very dirty, covered in dust. For the same pre-sale price, Shangri-La offers much better value for money. Kempinski seemed forced into pre-selling, almost as if they don't want future guests. There are just too many options in Taiyuan for this price point.

The service staff and the cleaning ladies were all very warm and welcoming. Special shoutout to the staff member in charge of the fruit section at the buffet breakfast—a kind gentleman. He offered enthusiastic and warm assistance to special guests in need. Thank you so much, sir. During this trip to Datong, I truly felt the warmth, friendliness, and dedication of the local people. I look forward to visiting this beautiful city again.

I had a wonderful stay! The hotel is in a prime location, making it super easy to get around and explore. The room was spotless, the bedding was soft and comfortable, and the bathroom was fresh with zero odors. The front desk staff were warm, attentive, and handled check-in and check-out very efficiently. The room was also nice and quiet, so I got a great night's rest. It has well-equipped facilities and offers excellent value for money. It's also a great choice when traveling with elderly family members. I would definitely stay here again next time—highly recommended!

Traveling to Taiyuan, I booked the City View Hotel based on recommendations from others. As soon as we entered the room, it felt really comfortable. My son immediately said he loved it. The room was spacious and the layout was pleasing. The desk was quite large, perfect for my son to do his homework and attend online classes. The bedside table had a recessed surface, so things wouldn't easily fall off. Besides USB charging ports, there were also iPhone plugs. Under the TV, there was a long shelf for placing items. The toilet and bathroom were separate, independent rooms. There were two sinks and a large counter space. Upon entering, there was a large area where you could sit and place belongings. The Line 2 subway station is not far downstairs. It's a 15-minute drive from the airport. Getting to Zhonglou Street, Jinci Temple, and the Shanxi Museum all take about 20-some minutes. The only downsides are that the hotel is located near an elevated highway, so the soundproofing isn't great. You can hear cars passing by, which slightly bothered me as I'm a light sleeper. It seems to be in a newer district, so there aren't many places to explore nearby, requiring a bit more travel. This was my first time staying at a City View Hotel, and overall, I was satisfied.

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.

1. The hotel boasts an excellent location, and parking is incredibly convenient with plenty of available spaces. 2. Having stayed in hundreds, if not thousands, of hotels, I can confidently say that the cleanliness here is exceptionally rare. The sheets and floors were completely free of hair, the sink had no stains, and the toilet not only lacked any unpleasant odors but even had a subtle, pleasant aroma. The housekeeping is truly outstanding. They even thoughtfully provided hand cream on the bathroom vanity. 3. On the day of check-in, because I booked late, all the family rooms and suites were fully booked, leaving only twin rooms with 1.2-meter beds. These beds are a bit narrow. It would be even better if the hotel could replace the 1.2-meter twin beds with 1.35-meter or even 1.5-meter twin beds. 4. The hotel only offers a laundry service charged per item, with no self-service washing machines. For guests traveling for extended periods, a self-service washing machine is an essential must-have. It would be great if the hotel could add self-service laundry facilities.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, I stayed at Hongzeyuan Mansion, a guesthouse with distinctive Shanxi characteristics. The staff were all very friendly and the service was excellent. Staying inside the ancient city allowed me to soak in the historical atmosphere. It's also very close to the 'Meet Pingyao Again' theater. I even saw the guesthouse owners inviting local masters to handmake mooncakes 🥮. They were delicious, and in the evening, there was a special mooncake ritual to worship the moon. Highly recommended!