Hotel Dengan Gym di 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.

One of the best hotels we’ve ever stayed at in China! We honestly didn’t expect to be this impressed. From the moment we arrived, everything was absolutely perfect. The hotel itself is incredibly beautiful and atmospheric. Every corner is thoughtfully designed, making it feel like you’re staying in a boutique museum rather than a hotel. The entire property is incredibly aesthetic, and every part of it is a perfect spot for beautiful photos. We stayed in a stunning two-level room, which completely exceeded our expectations. It was spacious, stylish, exceptionally comfortable, and spotlessly clean. Every little detail had been carefully considered. The location couldn’t be better—right in the heart of Datong Ancient Town. We could walk everywhere, with all the main attractions, restaurants, and beautiful streets just a few minutes away. The staff were some of the friendliest we’ve ever met. Everyone was genuinely welcoming, kind, and always happy to help, making us feel at home from the very first moment. Breakfast was also excellent. Instead of a buffet, a freshly prepared traditional Chinese breakfast was served each morning. It was delicious, beautifully presented, and the perfect start to the day. One of the nicest surprises was that guests can borrow traditional Chinese costumes free of charge for a photo shoot around the hotel. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough free time to try it ourselves, but it’s such a wonderful idea and gives us another reason to come back. We travel a lot and have stayed in countless hotels around the world, so it’s actually very difficult to surprise us. But this hotel genuinely did. If it were possible to give 100 stars instead of 5, we absolutely would. Even if we really wanted to find something to complain about, we honestly couldn’t. Everything was simply perfect. Without any doubt, this is one of the best hotel experiences we’ve ever had. If we ever return to Datong, we won’t even consider staying anywhere else. We will definitely come back. Highly, highly recommended!

The room layout was sensible, with one large bed and one 1.2-meter smaller bed, plus two bathrooms. It's very suitable for families with children. The room was clean, with a separate wet and dry area, and the bathtub was a nice touch for families with kids. The robot service was a big hit with the children. Service: The service could use some improvement, for example, helping with luggage when entering and leaving, providing children's bathrobes and toothbrushes in family rooms, and offering welcome fruits.

I stayed for 3 days and was very satisfied! On the first night, I checked in around 10 PM. I had booked a twin room by mistake, but after speaking with the front desk, they changed it to a business king room. There was already fruit in the room. The breakfast buffet the next morning, although crowded, had a rich variety of fresh dishes, which I was very pleased with. For dinner on the second night, I chose the hotel's Chinese restaurant on the 11th floor. They had a set meal for 2-3 people for only 98 RMB, which was incredibly good value for money. For two consecutive nights, I received late-night snacks and thoughtful cards. My stay was excellent, and it left me with a very positive impression of Datong.

I stayed for 4 days. There was almost no service. I arrived at the hotel at 4 PM, and although they helped me arrange a higher floor, I waited for almost an hour, and the room they arranged was still not ready. They then switched me to another room on the same floor. The lobby was very hot, and all the temporary resting spots were directly in the sun. When I got upstairs, I was a bit dumbfounded to find my room directly facing the elevator. Oh well, I checked in. The check-in experience wasn't great. Disposable toiletries weren't replenished promptly; besides toilet paper, you literally only got them once. For a 4-day stay (2 days booked via a group deal, 2 days via other platforms), the bedside power outlet didn't work. I had to unplug the table lamp to charge my phone, and that outlet was just awful. The floor-to-ceiling window blinds were very dirty, covered in dust. For the same pre-sale price, Shangri-La offers much better value for money. Kempinski seemed forced into pre-selling, almost as if they don't want future guests. There are just too many options in Taiyuan for this price point.

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.

Overall, I was satisfied. The lady at the front desk even upgraded my room. The location is excellent, right in the bustling city center. Eating and shopping are right outside the door. The bathroom was very large, but a bit unnecessarily so. The shower pressure on the second floor was a bit low, not great water pressure. It felt like a waste of such a spacious area. Don't open the windows when it's hot, as there are many mosquitoes in the courtyard. The buffet breakfast was also decent.

Excellent service with a fantastic attitude. The location is super convenient, right next to Laoye Temple Flavored Restaurant and Kaige Restaurant. It's also just 2 kilometers in a straight line from the ancient city. The hotel's food and beverages are great value for money. Parking is hassle-free. The only downsides are that breakfast gets very crowded, and the quality and variety could be improved. Overall, it's a good hotel with great value, definitely recommended!

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.

If you're coming to Taiyuan, you absolutely have to stay at this Intercity hotel! It was by far the most unexpectedly amazing experience I've had with Huazhu H Rewards. The location is fantastic – the subway is right downstairs, making it convenient to get anywhere. The Guo Jin Center, with tons of food options, is just across the street. I really loved the decor; it's a German style, and the room was incredibly spacious. You can tell they put a lot of thought into the laundry room and gym, unlike many hotels that just throw in a washing machine and a few dumbbells and call it a day. The room service offerings were incredibly extensive, and breakfast was beyond expectations. And the best part? It was only a little over 400 RMB! The value for money is absolutely off the charts, so much so that I'd even come back to Taiyuan just to stay at this hotel again.