Boutique Hotels in Shanxi, China

"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."

"The hotel boasts an excellent location, very close to Bell Tower Street and Liuxiang, both within walking distance. The room facilities are new, and the hygiene is impeccable. It's a smart room, making for a very comfortable stay. If you turn right out of the hotel and walk straight, there's a local specialty old restaurant, I think it's called 'Bainian Ren Yili' – it's really delicious! Overall, it's great, and I recommend everyone to stay here."

"This place has its own dedicated parking, conveniently located right behind Xinzhou Ancient City, making it super easy to get around. Charging and fueling your car is a breeze. You can bring back anything you buy in the ancient city and enjoy it at your leisure in your room. The private hot spring in the courtyard was a great experience – perfect for soaking while munching on snacks and sipping tea. It even has a retractable roof with lights, so you can enjoy it at night too. The service was top-notch; they provided a pet gift package and a welcome gift, which our dog loved! The staff were incredibly responsive, charming, and generous. We'll definitely be back!"

"My first impression was breathtaking. Built on the former site of the Ming and Qing Imperial Examination Hall, which Yan Xishan later converted into the 'Hall of Self-Reflection', the hotel has been beautifully renovated and rebuilt. The design, featuring grand courtyards, is incredibly stately and well-organized, with glazed tiles on the roofs and dark green and ochre hues dominating the color palette. It immediately won us over. Secondly, the service was exceptional. When checking in, I asked the front desk for an extra quilt and pillow. The young lady at the desk immediately responded, saying there were extra quilts in the room and asking if I was traveling with a child and their age. After confirming, and with my agreement, she promptly called housekeeping to request that the twin beds be combined into a large bed, and to provide a full set of extra toiletries. She also mentioned that our assigned floor offered a beautiful night view and specially highlighted that guests could visit Chunyang Palace for free (highly recommended! A morning stroll there reveals many remarkable sights, and it's also the second branch of the Shanxi Museum). Upon entering the room, several thoughtful details stood out: first, there were USB charging ports and even a wireless charging pad; second, the overall space was compactly and rationally designed. Initially, I thought there was no place to dry clothes, but then I discovered a hidden gem in the bathroom – a simple retractable clothesline installed in the shower area (so it wouldn't get wet or in the way when showering); third, two pairs of plastic slippers and two pairs of disposable slippers were provided; fourth, the TV remote control was disinfected and sealed in a plastic bag; fifth, the bathroom sink was deep, perfect for handwashing small items of clothing; sixth, there was an evening fruit platter and yogurt; and seventh, there was surprisingly a laundry room, and quite a large one at that, complete with sofas for waiting, an antique-style display cabinet, complimentary laundry supplies, clean laundry bags (for washed clothes), three sets of washing machines and dryers, and even small washing machines. Although the hotel was renovated in 2013, the facilities are still very good across the board. In our room, only the bathroom countertop showed a bit of wear, but everything else was excellent. The cleanliness was also top-notch. For a summer holiday, the price of just over 500 RMB felt like great value for money. Furthermore, the location is superb, right in the city center, making it convenient to get anywhere. There are many delicious eateries around the hotel, and it's very close to Zhonglou Street and Causeway Bay Shopping Center, which is incredibly convenient. To support the hotel and experience more, we specifically bought three breakfasts on our last day. The variety was extensive, and surprisingly, they even offered various alcoholic beverages like Fenjiu and rice wine. I was very satisfied. I initially thought the service at an older hotel would be mediocre, but I was delighted by so many thoughtful touches. I'm truly happy and will definitely choose Shanxi Hotel again on my next visit to Taiyuan. I genuinely love it, which is why I've written so much, and I hope they continue to maintain this standard!"

"Hygiene: Better than expected! Even though it's an older five-star hotel, everything was spotlessly clean. Facilities: I personally prefer how these five-star hotels have everything you could possibly need. It's much better than modern, new hotels. They even provide separate shoe-shining cloths for sneakers and leather shoes, disposable face towels, bath mitts, irons, and umbrellas. Not only do they have soap, but also laundry detergent – so incredibly convenient! Service: Excellent! We received a complimentary fruit platter delivered to our room upon check-in. The breakfast/brunch buffet was very generous and, importantly, there was no queue. Location: Very close to the museum, city center, and other attractions. Taxis are incredibly easy to get."

"I had a layover in Taiyuan this time and chose the Fairfield by Marriott Taiyuan South Station. It turned out to be the perfect decision, and I just have to write a detailed review! The location is absolutely unbeatable. You step out of Taiyuan South Station's West Plaza, and it's less than a five-minute walk to the hotel entrance. No hassle at all, even with luggage. Across from the hotel is Impression City, where you can eat, shop, and catch a movie – all in one place. If you want to visit Zhonglou Street or Food Street in the evening, it's only about a twenty-minute taxi ride, making getting around incredibly convenient. I have to give a special shout-out to the front desk service, especially Xiao Wei. During check-in, she was incredibly thoughtful and proactively upgraded us to a window room, saying it would offer a better view and a brighter stay. She also thoughtfully told us about a ”secret passage” at the hotel: if you're catching an early morning high-speed train, you can use the back exit of the hotel and be at the station in three minutes, completely bypassing the plaza. This kind of attention to detail really made us feel warm and welcomed. The room was even better than expected – spacious and well-laid-out. The bedding was just right, not too soft, not too firm, and incredibly comfortable, ensuring a great night's sleep. The blackout curtains worked perfectly, so we weren't woken up by the morning sun. The bathroom had a separate wet and dry area, hot water came out quickly, and the water pressure was strong, making showers very refreshing. There was also a mini-fridge in the room, which was handy for chilling drinks in the summer. The cleanliness was impeccable. As soon as you walked in, there was a faint, pleasant scent. The floors gleamed, and the tabletops and bathroom were spotless. The towels and bath towels were all fresh and new, so we felt completely at ease using them. The breakfast selection was so rich it was hard to choose! Both Chinese and Western options were available, including a live noodle station, various pastries, fruits, and yogurt – all delicious. The restaurant environment was bright and clean, and the staff proactively cleared empty plates and offered coffee refills, making for a great experience. During check-out, Xiao Wei even asked how our stay was and if we had any suggestions. This attentiveness to guest feedback is a huge plus. In summary, every aspect of this stay, from the location to the service, facilities, cleanliness, and breakfast, exceeded our expectations. Xiao Wei's service, in particular, was truly wonderful and refreshing. The next time I have a layover in Taiyuan, I will definitely choose Fairfield again and recommend it to my friends!"

"The hotel rooms are housed in a main building, about three or four stories high, and some three-story villas. The hotel is integrated with a cultural performance town. Unfortunately, the performances were suspended after September 10th due to the cold weather. In the evenings, a few shops were still open, and the lights were beautiful, with some hotel guests strolling around. To reach the main attractions, you need to drive or take the hotel shuttle. Parking is free, but breakfast was very crowded."

"This hotel is truly excellent! It's super new, and all the facilities are fantastic. I booked a king room with a terrace, and the small terrace was incredibly comfortable and quiet at night. From the professional and polite driver who picked me up to the front desk service, everyone was wonderful. Even though it wasn't my first time visiting Datong, the warm and welcoming people here are the main reason I'd keep coming back. The location, needless to say, is top-notch. I was originally considering booking a room at [redacted mountain hotel], but I'm so glad I made a much better choice here. The breakfast was also incredibly delicious! The 'dao xiao mian' (knife-cut noodles) – with genuinely high-quality pork – and the lamb offal soup were even better than what you'd find outside. (The ones outside are often too salty, to the point where I thought I couldn't handle Datong's lamb offal soup.) I devoured two bowls! While the breakfast spread wasn't huge, everything was truly exquisite. Even the coffee tasted good, indicating quality beans. The chefs were also very kind, and their culinary skills were amazing! Sometimes, you really don't need to chase after '网红店' (internet-famous eateries); what the hotel offers is superior. Unfortunately, I didn't get to experience the swimming pool because I was rushing to a scenic spot. It's surprising that such a small hotel/guesthouse even has a pool! Next time, I definitely need to stay for a few more days to enjoy it. Finally, as someone who is quite a germaphobe and has never stayed in a guesthouse before, this new hotel/guesthouse really met my standards. Highly recommended. The off-season price is also quite reasonable."

"My stay at JW Marriott Taiyuan Maoye exceeded my expectations. The hotel's location is excellent, with direct access to the Maoye Tiandi commercial area, making travel, dining, and shopping very convenient. The room was spacious and elegant, with a great view from the floor-to-ceiling windows. The cleanliness was meticulous, and the bedding was soft and comfortable. The mini-bar offered several complimentary soft drinks, which was a nice touch. The front desk and room service staff were professional and courteous, friendly without being intrusive. The breakfast had a wide variety of options, and the executive lounge maintained high quality. Both the facilities and service lived up to JW Marriott's luxury positioning. However, the only minor drawback was the bathtub, which was the smallest I've ever seen – a bit too small to lie down in comfortably."

"This hotel is located in Taiyuan South, Xiaodian District, not far from the airport, Taiyuan South Station, and Jinci Temple. There's a Line 2 subway station right at the entrance, making transportation very convenient. We brought our child, and they upgraded our room. I really liked the thoughtful design details of the room. They also kindly included an extra breakfast for one person. The customer service was excellent. Overall, our experience was quite good. Recommended."