Hotels met Gym in 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.

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!!!

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.

This hotel was the best one we stayed at during our trip to China (Taiyuan/Xi'an/Beijing), even though the hotels in the other two cities were also very good and unique. The hotel is designed in the style of a traditional Shanxi compound, which is incredibly distinctive. It features multiple courtyards, each with its own unique ambiance, making it perfect for photos. The hotel offers a free 'young lady' (少奶奶) / Hanfu dress-up experience. We didn't pay for additional makeup and styling, but still took many great photos around the hotel ourselves. The hotel's location is also superb. It's just a 2-minute walk to Food Street and Liuxiang Pedestrian Street, a paradise for foodies and shoppers. The former Governor's Mansion and Jinshang Museum are also within walking distance. Despite being so close to the hustle and bustle, the hotel itself is situated on a quiet alley, completely undisturbed by the outside noise. The breakfast offered by the hotel was something we looked forward to every morning, eager to go and eat. It was a thoughtfully prepared, nutritious breakfast, very rich, and excellent in color, aroma, and taste. Enjoying complimentary afternoon tea in the courtyard; free self-service laundry... the hotel truly offers a comprehensive range of services. Most notably, their service stands out – every staff member is friendly and dedicated. Next time I visit Taiyuan, I will definitely stay there again.

Datong Wangfu Zhizun Hotel definitely deserves five stars! The location is superb, close to the ancient city and convenient for getting around. The room was super spacious, clean, tidy, and the bedding was comfortable. The service was warm and attentive, and the front desk was efficient. The breakfast was plentiful, with local specialties like lamb offal soup and knife-cut noodles. Free underground parking was also very convenient. Overall, it offers great value for money. This is my top choice when visiting Datong!

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.

This is my second stay at this hotel, and both times have been incredibly comfortable. The rooms are large, clean, and tidy. The breakfast is really diverse; I especially recommend the lamb soup, it's delicious. The front desk staff are also very warm and friendly. Plus, getting around is super convenient, as the subway entrance is right downstairs from the hotel.