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!"

"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."

"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."

"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 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."

"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?"