5-Star Hotels in Shanxi, China

"The hotel's location is good. Although it's a bit old, it still has all the hardware facilities expected of a five-star hotel. Let me focus on the most unpleasant service experience this time. We booked a family room, which included three breakfasts. Our child had an upset stomach the night before and was throwing up and had diarrhea all night. So, in the morning, only the two adults went to eat, thinking of getting a takeaway box for the child. This is where the unpleasant experience began. The person in black, who seemed to be a supervisor at the restaurant, said that if we had already started dining, takeaway boxes wouldn't be provided (at this point, we thought we only had two breakfasts included). Later, after checking the order, we confirmed that the family room included three breakfasts. We went back to the restaurant reception to ask for a takeaway box, clarifying upfront that our room included three breakfasts and that we wanted to pack something because our child was unwell. Even then, the front desk staff said that after 6:30 AM, it's recommended to dine in, and takeaway boxes are generally not provided. She also claimed it was busy and she couldn't authorize it (even though there were no guests waiting at the front desk at that time) and that only the supervisor could approve it. I had to wait for her to call the supervisor over again before I finally got a takeaway box. Throughout this entire process, both of them had cold faces and showed absolutely no service意识 (service awareness). This definitely deserves a negative review!!!"

"The hotel was originally three old Qing Dynasty courtyards that were relocated, restored, and renovated. They offer guided tours, and the brick carvings and shadow walls of the academy have a strong sense of history, creating a rich historical atmosphere. The service was excellent; I experienced the business car airport pick-up, afternoon tea, and cocktails. I also tried the intangible cultural heritage woodblock New Year prints, which was a truly immersive way to experience local traditional culture – a rare treat! The game's silver notes could be exchanged for realistic replica silver notes, which was a pleasant surprise. In the evening, the old courtyard had a powerful ambiance, and I specifically got a makeover to take some amazing photos. Highly recommended, it was the highlight of my trip to Shanxi. The old Qing Dynasty kilns are now fully smart homes inside, making for a very comfortable stay. Ancient on the outside, luxurious on the inside, it truly provides an immersive experience of Jin merchant culture!"

"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!"

"When I visited Mount Wutai, I was torn between booking the Marriott or a guesthouse. My main concern was the Marriott's distance from the scenic area and potential inconvenience. However, I ultimately chose the Marriott for its reputation for excellent service. After checking in, all my worries disappeared! Every morning, there are three scheduled shuttle buses that go directly to the central scenic area. If you miss one, it's no problem at all; the hotel's electric car will take you to the Route 8 bus stop anytime. When you return, just call the hotel from the designated stop and they'll pick you up immediately. It was incredibly convenient and I was very satisfied. The food at the hotel restaurant was also delicious. All in all, it exceeded my expectations!"

"Pros: 1. The room offers expansive views, overlooking Yingze Park, which is absolutely beautiful. 2. The hotel's front desk staff were incredibly welcoming and provided excellent service. 3. The hotel's interior facilities and amenities are very tasteful, including the toiletries and complimentary fruit. Cons: (Service rated 3 stars, with 2 stars specifically for dining) 1. The dining management on the hotel's 2nd floor needs significant improvement. We ordered five dishes for dinner; we finished the first two, but the rest were nowhere to be found. Three tables next to us, who arrived 5-10 minutes after us, had already finished their meals and some had even left. After we repeatedly urged them, our remaining dishes finally arrived, including dishes like knife-cut noodles. Others who arrived later had finished theirs before we even got ours. I have photos to prove this. Honestly, this aspect completely falls short of the hotel's overall standard."

"Traveling with my family to Taiyuan, I chose to stay at the Taiyuan Marriott Hotel, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations – we were extremely satisfied. The check-in process was smooth, and the staff were gentle and polite. We encountered a minor issue during our stay, but the hotel responded very quickly and resolved the problem efficiently and appropriately. Their attitude towards problem-solving and their professionalism were truly impressive! The room was clean and tidy, and the bedding was comfortable, allowing my mother to rest very well. The facilities were well-maintained, and the overall environment was quiet and elegant. The location is convenient for getting around, making it easy to visit attractions like Jinci Temple, the Provincial Museum, and Zhonglou Street. The hotel's breakfast buffet offered a wide variety of options, including a full spread of local Shanxi specialties, as well as both northern and southern Chinese flavors. There were Chinese congees and dim sum, Western pastries, fresh fruits, and hot and cold beverages – truly everything you could imagine. There were light and soft grain porridges and steamed items suitable for elders, as well as desserts and drinks that kids would love. The live noodle station allowed us to customize toppings and seasonings as we liked, and the flavors were authentic. We enjoyed a satisfying breakfast every day. Beyond its excellent facilities, the Marriott also boasts a service team that takes initiative and genuinely cares for its guests, which is even more commendable. This made our entire trip feel complete!"

"I was drawn by the hotel's design and made a special trip to check it out. I booked the 'Elegant Residence Package' and was upgraded to the 'Daijunyi Courtyard' upon check-in. The courtyard was rustic and quiet, with a mini garden, and the interior decor was understated yet elegant. VOSS water was supplied unlimited daily, and I really liked the complimentary amenity kit. Welcome fruits were delivered to the room at 2 PM, and the fruit and nuts varied each day, which was a nice touch and added a sense of surprise. Turndown service was around 6 or 7 PM. At 4 PM, I had afternoon tea at the Yingguang Restaurant. It was a semi-buffet with an à la carte option. The champagne and tea were excellent, and refills were unlimited. The small cakes were a bit bland, and I didn't try the main courses. Afterwards, I went to Phase 1 for a photoshoot. Phase 2 isn't far from Phase 1, but the butler still recommended taking the shuttle. The photographer was very familiar with the best spots and even gave a brief introduction to the hotel. The public areas are indeed beautiful and very well-designed, especially in Phase 1, which offers many picturesque angles and is great for photos. The lounge on the second floor offers views of the Datong ancient city wall. The gym, pool, and children's play area are all in Phase 1. The children's play area offers three craft options before 5 PM. The gym and pool aren't very large, but they're great for photos. Phase 2 consists of independent courtyards, with only one public courtyard and the Yingguang Restaurant, but it's also very photogenic. Phase 2 is relatively quieter and all the buildings are historical. It's definitely worth visiting if you like the Siheyuan (quadrangle courtyard) style. The much-anticipated breakfast was also a semi-buffet with à la carte options, and I couldn't resist ordering a whole table of dishes. I highly recommend the 'Dao Xiao Mian' (knife-sliced noodles) and the steak. Although the steak portion was small, it was delicious. The selection of dishes wasn't extensive, but they all tasted good, and the quality of the fruit and ingredients was excellent. The butler team was incredibly friendly and enthusiastic, providing thoughtful and attentive service. Every staff member was outstanding. After check-out, they even gave us a souvenir. As my luggage was heavy, they specially arranged a shuttle to take me to Fenglin Pavilion, and the driver even helped load my luggage into the car. Such attentive service made me feel respected and comfortable throughout the entire process, making the price itself seem less important."

"Beijing to Datong to play for 5 days and 4 nights, to the hotel and the train station are Maibach pick-up, all the staff's service awareness is in place, the hotel facilities are also very complete, whether it is like me to bring family or couples to play, I really recommend this store! This time to go to Datongtian is really good, book a balcony on the third floor to bask in the sun, and the pot of tea is really comfortable. This store is the southeast corner, and it is very close to the upper south city wall, which is very convenient. I prefer fitness. They have a swimming pool downstairs that is very clean and the gym is fully equipped. I didn't imagine the space is so large. I arrived in the afternoon on the first day. The afternoon tea was very delicious. The fruit plate was fresh that day. They were very good at the details. There is no problem with the quality of the facilities from the water to the care provided in the room. The breakfast in the store is also very good, the ingredients used are also fresh, you can directly ask the cook for a bowl of hot knife noodles, fried eggs, lamb soup. Their breakfast buffet has a combination of Chinese and Western, as well as delicious bread sausage desserts and so on. Before leaving, I asked the staff how cold they could be in winter, because we planned to have a second brush in winter. The staff said that there was floor heating in the room, and it felt great. I would definitely book their home again!"

"The room was spacious and the amenities were well-thought-out. The hotel is very close to the airport. We received complimentary welcome fruits. The breakfast was incredibly rich, with a wide variety of local specialties! I especially loved the ”Noodle House” restaurant on the first floor; all the noodle dishes were delicious! The parking lot was huge, making parking super convenient! Every staff member was excellent; they definitely deserve praise!"

"As an IHG member, when I visited Taiyuan for the first time, I didn't hesitate to choose the InterContinental. My experience, however, was a mixed bag. On the positive side, the room facilities were well-maintained. The Bronze Museum was just across the street from the hotel, and the riverside environment was also pleasant. For improvement, I arrived at the front desk around 12 PM, and was told that only one of my two rooms was ready, and the other was still being cleaned. I accepted this and went for lunch. An hour later, the second room still wasn't ready. Fortunately, a helpful guy at the front desk managed to sort it out, which was a great effort. What I want to say is that other five-star hotels in the industry usually have a guest services center or someone who contacts you beforehand to ask about your estimated arrival time and any special requests. While not a must-have, it's a bonus if they do, and a drawback if they don't when others do. Ironically, less than two hours after checking out, I received a call asking if I had any complaints. At that point, what more could I say?"