Hotel Boutique di Shanxi, China

This was a last-minute hotel change for me. When I arrived, my room wasn't ready yet, but the young lady at the front desk immediately and proactively helped me switch rooms and upgraded me. The deluxe twin room was very spacious; it felt almost empty for just me. The room was very clean, the bedding had no strange odors, and the facilities were new. Both the bathroom and the washroom had motion-sensor lights, and the toiletries had a lovely, fresh scent. The only minor issue was the toilet flush button, which needed a firm press all the way down to flush properly. All the staff I encountered were very polite. Breakfast was extensive, and the staff were constantly attentive to your needs, whether it was refilling tea or getting condiments – they were right there to help, which was great. There are many good restaurants nearby, like Xijindao Noodle House and Tianyuan Beiweijia Feast. When checking out, they proactively gave me a thoughtful souvenir gift, including aged vinegar, millet, and some local specialty snacks, which was a very nice touch.

Even if it's hard to get tickets for Mount Wutai online, it's still possible to buy them offline, except during the Chinese New Year period (4th to 5th day). The hotel boasts an excellent location, just a ten-minute walk from the bus station. However, since you have to climb a few hills, I felt a bit tired after walking for a few minutes once inside the hotel. While the room facilities are a bit dated, the underfloor heating made it very warm and comfortable during winter. The breakfast was rather basic, and although the equipment seemed a bit old, the staff were still very friendly.

The location is superb; I had no worries about catching the 9 PM show. After the show, I was definitely the first one back at the hotel among all the audience members. I even got a warm bowl of late-night porridge – the service was impeccable. The room was also very unique and I had a very comfortable stay.