The Other Side of Sofitel: Xining Xinhualink Spire Luxury Serviced Apartments

It's like how having Guo Jing around makes the Jiangnan Seven Freaks seem more impressive. After a satisfying stay at Xining Sofitel, I decided to try Spire Apartments. Though the name doesn’t suggest any connection to Sofitel, it’s actually located in the same building. Previously, it had its own entrance, but now guests check in and enter through Sofitel’s main door. Shared public areas, facilities, and even member benefits make the two almost identical—except for the rooms. The apartment rooms are spacious, with the added advantage of dual bathrooms and a bathtub by the window. Upon entering, two distinct pathways unfold: one leads to an open kitchen, a hallway, and the bedroom, separated by sliding doors and different flooring materials. The other path features a storage area, dual vanity sinks, and a shower room by the window. The layout is highly functional and could serve as great inspiration for small home designs. As a serviced apartment, it caters to long-term stays with amenities like a washing machine, fridge, and a simple stove. For short-term guests, the washing machine (with two free detergent sachets) is useful, while the stove and fridge mostly just take up space. Downsides compared to Sofitel include a long walk to the apartment’s dedicated elevator, a narrow 1.2-meter-wide bed, no coffee machine, minibar, milk bubble bath, or turndown service. But given that the apartment is consistently ¥100–200 cheaper, these aren’t deal-breakers. Shared drawbacks with Sofitel include noticeable wear and tear on facilities, plus overcrowding and slightly lacking service due to high occupancy. In summary, Xining Sofitel and Spire Apartments share roots but bloom differently. Choosing either—or both—is a great option for a Xining stay. For more on Xining Sofitel, check my profile. Room details: Room No.: 1813 Official name: Luxury Apartment Size: 60 sqm Mattress: Slumberland Bedding & linens: Xinjie Weaving Bedroom TV: Toshiba Living room TV: Toshiba Shower & faucet: Kohler Vanity & bathtub: Kohler Main toilet: Manual, Kohler Guest toilet: Manual, Kohler Amenities: Bulk Aierni Electric kettle: WIK Tea bags: Chayuxuan Drinking water: Pure Water Minibar: None