5-Star 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."

"My most delightful surprise when visiting Linfen was staying at the Ancient City Courtyard Museum Hotel. It's not a replica of ancient buildings, but rather three authentic Ming and Qing dynasty courtyards that have been relocated and restored, making it a living museum you can actually stay in. I spent four days and three nights here, truly slowing down to absorb the unique and profound atmosphere of the Pingyang region. The courtyards feature bluestone slabs, old wooden beams, and brick-carved screen walls, with every detail revealing traces of time. Beneath its ancient exterior, the interior is incredibly comfortable, with all modern amenities. The bedding and toiletries are of high quality, and the ancient courtyards offer excellent soundproofing, ensuring a quiet and serene environment, far from the city's hustle and bustle. The butler service is meticulous and thoughtful, and they patiently explain the history behind the courtyards. By day, I explored ancient architectural treasures like Guangcheng Temple, Xiaoxitian, and Fotou Temple, searching for national heritage sites in Southern Shanxi, admiring murals and ancient sculptures, and feeling the awe-inspiring ancient civilization. By night, I returned to this grand courtyard, stepping into a gentle and tranquil past. If you're visiting Linfen to explore historical sites, this hotel is highly recommended. It truly elevates the travel experience, and I would choose to stay here again on my next visit to Linfen."

"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!"

"This was my first time visiting Mount Wutai, and after looking at various options, I decided on the Marriott, which seems to be the best hotel here. Although it's not super close to the main temples in the scenic area, the hotel offers a free shuttle bus and direct bus service to the area, which is quite convenient. The service at the hotel is incredibly thoughtful, and compared to other guesthouses, the established five-star standard here is simply more comfortable to stay in! Thumbs up, I'd definitely stay here again next time!"

"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."

"This was my first time being disappointed with a Marriott stay. I checked in around 9 PM, and the female front desk staff member was cold and didn't even offer a basic 'hello.' What's worse, the room I was assigned reeked of cigarette smoke, despite me requesting a non-smoking room days in advance! I tried to communicate with the front desk twice, but their response was incredibly slow. Impatient, I went downstairs myself to demand a room change. The male front desk staff was a bit more pleasant and offered me two rooms to choose from. I finally picked a room that didn't smell. However, the new room had a constant, subtle electrical switching sound. While not loud, it felt eerie when staying alone! The faucet wasn't tightened properly, causing water to spray during showers. On the positive side, the engineering, concierge, and restaurant staff were all very enthusiastic and professional in their service! The worst part was definitely the female front desk staff; her attitude was the worst I've ever experienced at a Marriott, no contest!"

"This was my first time in Datong, and I chose the highly anticipated Ji Xiashan. Its location is excellent, right within the ancient city – a tranquil oasis amidst the bustle, making it super convenient to get anywhere. The Southeast Yi district is just a short walk downstairs. The butler group was well-prepared a day in advance, and their responses were prompt with great service. The rooms are quiet and private with good soundproofing; you need to pass through two security doors to get back to your room. Most importantly, the hotel is truly beautiful, with a scenic view at every turn. The rooms are also spacious and comfortable. I'll definitely choose Ji Xiashan again next time. The breakfast was among the best I've had at a guesthouse/boutique hotel; it's semi-buffet style, and while the variety isn't massive, it has all the essentials. I had poured myself a bowl of congee and set it aside, and before I even noticed, one of the staff members brought me a spoon – attention to detail, 100%!"

"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."

"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."

"The shuttle bus service to the concert was excellent. Wang Qi from the concierge team was very patient, attentive, and thoughtful [grinning face emoji], truly outstanding, five-star rating! The afternoon tea at the executive lounge was a bit underwhelming, not very tasty. Also, since I was attending a concert, I missed the complimentary cocktail hour at the executive lounge, and they couldn't deliver it to the room. The concierge compensated by giving me cocktail vouchers for the bar, but the bar is outsourced, and the service was just so-so. I wouldn't recommend it."