Hotele z: Gym w 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.

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.

Overall, my impression of this hotel is that it's a slightly upscale budget hotel. The service is four-star, and they offer shuttle service to and from the station. At around 400 yuan a night, it's considered high-end in Linfen. **Pros:** The service is excellent and highly commendable. The station shuttle service is very thoughtful, and the car was comfortable. The complimentary welcome fruit was a nice, warm touch. The separate toilet, sink, and shower area is a great feature. **Areas for Improvement:** The air conditioning was quite noisy. The 'river view' room didn't really offer much of a river view, though I could see a bridge. The breakfast quality should be improved to match the four-star service. For instance, the freshly squeezed soy milk was too thick, indicating too few soybeans were used, and the quality of the pastries needs to be better.

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.

I stayed at the Tingbo Hotel, and the location is absolutely fantastic, right at the entrance of the scenic area. You can step out and start exploring immediately, which is incredibly convenient. The room was spotless, so clean you could see your reflection, and the bed was super soft – I woke up feeling completely refreshed. The front desk staff were wonderful, always patiently answering my questions, truly thoughtful. I especially loved the hotel's decor style; it's very unique. Every corner is meticulously arranged and looks amazing in photos. Plus, the hotel service was excellent; it was such a pleasant stay. The value for money at this hotel is incredible. The price wasn't expensive, but the service and facilities were outstanding. It felt like a great deal. The hotel is clean, and its location near the north gate of the ancient city means you can walk everywhere, which is very convenient. I'll definitely come back next time.

This hotel was the best one we stayed at during our trip to China (Taiyuan/Xi'an/Beijing), even though the hotels in the other two cities were also very good and unique. The hotel is designed in the style of a traditional Shanxi compound, which is incredibly distinctive. It features multiple courtyards, each with its own unique ambiance, making it perfect for photos. The hotel offers a free 'young lady' (少奶奶) / Hanfu dress-up experience. We didn't pay for additional makeup and styling, but still took many great photos around the hotel ourselves. The hotel's location is also superb. It's just a 2-minute walk to Food Street and Liuxiang Pedestrian Street, a paradise for foodies and shoppers. The former Governor's Mansion and Jinshang Museum are also within walking distance. Despite being so close to the hustle and bustle, the hotel itself is situated on a quiet alley, completely undisturbed by the outside noise. The breakfast offered by the hotel was something we looked forward to every morning, eager to go and eat. It was a thoughtfully prepared, nutritious breakfast, very rich, and excellent in color, aroma, and taste. Enjoying complimentary afternoon tea in the courtyard; free self-service laundry... the hotel truly offers a comprehensive range of services. Most notably, their service stands out – every staff member is friendly and dedicated. Next time I visit Taiyuan, I will definitely stay there again.

Datong Wangfu Zhizun Hotel definitely deserves five stars! The location is superb, close to the ancient city and convenient for getting around. The room was super spacious, clean, tidy, and the bedding was comfortable. The service was warm and attentive, and the front desk was efficient. The breakfast was plentiful, with local specialties like lamb offal soup and knife-cut noodles. Free underground parking was also very convenient. Overall, it offers great value for money. This is my top choice when visiting Datong!

The location of the hotel is perfect. It is the right place to stay when visiting the Hanging Temple and Jin Temple. The room and bed are large, especially suitable for bringing children. It is no problem for a family of three to stay in a big bed. The bathroom is separated into dry and wet areas. The breakfast is also very good. Overall, it is very cost-effective.

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.