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.

Loved it!! Although we were only here 2 nights, this was one of our 2 favorite stays of our 2 weeks in China. We’re loved it here. This hotel was just what I was hoping for. Traditional courtyard hotel. It’s beautiful! We felt like we were in a movie. It was so relaxing. Both mornings I just relaxed on the swing in the courtyard and enjoyed the peace and the environment. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Helen was very nice and helped us with any questions we had. The room was clean and beautiful. I will say you need to be prepared for a very firm bed - but that’s the style and party of the experience, This was one of our favorite parts of our trip. If we’re fortunate enough to have the chance to come back, I will definitely stay here again. I highly recommend.

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.

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!

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!