Hotele z: breakfast w Shanxi, China

A relaxing, slow-paced trip! The room was spacious and cozy. The front desk ladies were enthusiastic, lively, beautiful, and thoughtful fairies. It was also very convenient for late-night snacks and ordering takeout – the delivery driver provided excellent and thorough service. I'm looking forward to my next stay! The laundry and drying facilities were very convenient. It's right across from Daiwang Mansion, so after exploring from the South Gate, it was super easy to head back for a good night's sleep.

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.

It was just an absolutely amazing experience from the very beginning and until the very end of our stay, not even just in the hotel, but in the city of Pingyao itself in general. Me and my friend are traveling very light and without guides, and in Pingyao we had only one day: from evening to evening of the next day. Huge huge thanks to everyone who made this day unforgettable and ultimately comfortable for tired us: Alice, Helen, Fenny, Hana, and all others who was there for us. The hotel service is simply excellent: as soon as they learned about our late arrival, they immediately offered to meet us at the railway station, which was absolutely the sweetest thing. They brought us to the city gate, met us there, and walked us to the hotel. There they gave us a map, on which they explained in great detail where everything is, what is worth paying attention to, how it is better to build the route, and what opening hours different sights have. They also helped us organize a private transfer to Shaolin Temple the next morning. It was just perfect: we got there in 15 minutes instead of one and a half hours by foot, and after our walk in the temple they met us and brought us back. Also on the evening of arrival they helped us immediately buy the ticket for visiting all attractions of the city, valid for three days. And also they advised us where to eat, and gave us a hotel discount in both places. We did not regret it even once, the food was amazingly delicious in both places! The hotel itself is just wonderful: it really looks exactly like in the photos. You want to photograph every corner and record how the sparrows are chirping on the roof, and how two wonderful cats are meowing. The room also matches and even exceeds expectations. A huge kang bed, very comfortable. Excellent shower with everything needed. Breakfast is included in the stay: the traditional Chinese one was very tasty! Unfortunately, we did not manage to eat the egg, it was freshly boiled and still hot, but we were hurrying to Shaolin Temple by opening time. Also the hotel has a laundry service, and special thanks for that too! Washing and drying were very fast, and we got our nicely smelling clothes back already after four hours, which was critical for us, because we were leaving the same day. We felt like we really were honored guests, and we really appreciated it, even if only for one day.

This guesthouse boasts a wonderfully elegant ambiance and a truly superb location. Stepping out, you're right on Gulou East Street, perfect for exploring, and Southeast Yi is just a few minutes' walk away. Despite its bustling street location, the guesthouse's courtyard offers surprising tranquility. We slept soundly through the night and woke up naturally, completely undisturbed. The owner and the housekeeper were incredibly thoughtful and attentive. They were always ready to answer any questions, from before our arrival until our departure, and their responses were always very detailed. Every day, the housekeeper would kindly ask us what time we'd like breakfast the next morning, and at the agreed time, she'd even come to our room door to let us know it was ready. I absolutely adored it!!! If I ever visit again, I would definitely choose Yishui Street.

Great place to feel at home in a very nice area of the old city. Big and pretty room, comfortable and cozy. And last, for me, the very best at this place is the welcoming and very helpful staff. I have been here already 2 times and I will come back for sure when more friends come to China and want to visit the amazing caves and the great atmosphere of the old town. I absolutely recommend this hotel. 🙂🙂👍👍👏👏

We took a 23-day trip through China, staying in 9 different hotels. Without hesitation, I can say that our stay at Floral stood out in many ways. First, the hotel's structure is very beautiful and has been renovated while staying true to the traditional style of the region. The hotel room itself was probably the most beautiful we had seen on our entire trip: spacious, with windows that actually opened, good air conditioning, and modern decor and furniture without being over the top. Second, the hotel's location is within the boundaries of the city wall and is part of the old town, so beautiful to walk around and see the traditional houses - many of them renovated according to the traditional style. And third and most importantly, the kindness of the people who work at the hotel. I have never felt so welcome anywhere on holiday as at this place. Unfortunately, I arrived with health problems and needed antibiotics - equivalents of the ones I had brought from Europe. I asked the reception where I could find the closest pharmacy, but rather than guiding me there, Xiao Liu, the lady at the reception, figured out for me which antibiotic would be the right one and got it for me. The same when we needed a suitcase, rather than sending me to the shop she inquired about our desired suitcase and in one hour it was there. Drinks are complementary at any time of the day, and the breakfast (Chinese and international - sandwiches) was generous and unlimited. When we were running late coming back from the grottoes and needed to catch a train, Xiao Liu helped us out by bringing us all our suitcases directly to the train station. We will never forget all these acts of kindness and we are still grateful to her and the entire hotel staff for making us feel so much at home. Datong will stay in our minds and hearts forever thanks to the people of the Floral hotel. Datong is special enough for all the incredible cultural sights you can visit - but our stay there will never be forgotten thanks to the beauty of the Floral Hotel and its amazing people. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

The location of the hotel is good, easy access from main road to get big bags to it and also to go around the ancient city both during day and night time to enjoy all the landmarks. Missing signages make it a bit difficult to find the hotel at first. Also, while we had paid for a bigger rooms the room barely had walking space. It had no luggage storage space or cabinet. The washroom and room floor was not cleaned. Staff on the other hand are very friendly and willing to help with all the questions - on local travel, places to see, vegetarian food, etc. They find a way to help to the best. All in all was a good experience and would have been better with some adjustments.

The hotel was very clean, spacious, and comfortable. Downstairs, there's a noodle shop that's reportedly been open for 20 years, making it very convenient for dining. Since I arrived a bit early and my room wasn't ready, I went to eat first. The hotel is spotless, the breakfast is excellent, and the views from the hotel are great. Downstairs looks like a big park with a river running through it. Overall, the service and environment are excellent, and it's extremely clean. I'll definitely stay here again on my next trip, and it's also conveniently close to the high-speed rail station.

Overall, this is a recommended hotel. Here’s a detailed breakdown of my experience. **Pros:** 1. **Spacious Room with Good Soundproofing:** The room was large and spacious with bright windows and a bathtub. The soundproofing was excellent; even a thunderstorm outside didn't disturb my sleep. 2. **Excellent Location:** The hotel boasts a prime location. You can see the city wall right outside, there are plenty of dining options nearby, getting a taxi is convenient, and it's easy to buy local specialties. 3. **Friendly and Attentive Staff:** From the front desk to room service and dinner staff, everyone was very enthusiastic and tried their best to meet guests' needs. 4. **Good Breakfast with Variety:** The breakfast tasted good and offered a wide variety of fruits. There were many kid-friendly options like steamed vegetables, eggs, various porridges, bread, and yogurt. They also had freshly cooked lamb offal noodles and刀削面 (daoxiao mian - knife-cut noodles). **Areas for Improvement:** 1. **Room Cleanliness and Facilities:** The cleanliness of the room needs improvement, especially the bedsheets. The facilities are quite old; cups showed visible wear. The carpet had noticeable and numerous stains, and the children's play facilities were barely cleaned. The electronic piano was very dirty, and there was dried snot (鼻gaga) on the tent's carpet, which made my child hesitant to go inside. 2. **Lobby Congestion:** The hotel hosts many weddings and birthday banquets, and this mixes with regular guests, making the lobby quite chaotic. 3. **Inconvenient Accessibility from Parking:** It was very inconvenient to get from the parking lot to the lobby with luggage and a stroller. There was no accessible ramp; the side entrance had high steps, and reaching the main entrance required walking further and navigating through the driveway.

A wonderful inn nestled in a tranquil location amidst the bustle of the city. From the initial pick-up and parking arrangements to the final departure, there was not a single unpleasant experience; they were incredibly attentive, helpful, and meticulous. The inn is elegant, clean, and tidy. The staff are friendly, patient, and responsive. The aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air daily, and the Chinese and Western breakfasts are cooked to order. While the variety isn't extensive, every bite is satisfying, especially the bowl of beef noodles, which is incredibly good! The room's simple and elegant decor perfectly reflects the ancient city's style. No matter how exhausted you are from exploring, returning to the courtyard provides a truly relaxing and tranquil experience. Overall, it was a truly wonderful two-day stay. I'd especially like to thank Ms. Dong Yanxia (I think that's her name) for her patient, meticulous, and attentive service, which has left me and my family with wonderful memories of this holiday!