5-Star Hotels in Shanxi, China

Visiting Pingyao to marvel at its ancient city, steeped in a thousand years of history, and experience life from the Ming and Qing dynasties feels like a trip back in time around every corner. So, where should you stay at night? You absolutely must experience this charming, antique-filled courtyard residence. Strolling along the cobblestone streets of Pingyao Ancient City, you can feel the weight of history and the richness of culture. When traveling in Pingyao, what kind of experience do you seek? Everyone who appreciates traditional culture dreams of having their own courtyard – with tall trees, a cat napping beneath them, and birds chirping in the branches. During leisure time, sitting alone in the courtyard, sipping tea and reading, living as freely as the clouds. Many visitors to Pingyao prefer staying in a guesthouse or inn. With so many options in Pingyao, how do you choose? Consider a courtyard like this one, where 'you can hear the birds in the morning and await the lingering sunset in the evening'.

On my trip to Datong, I booked a stay at the Howard Johnson Jindi Plaza Datong, located right by the ancient city, through Trip.com. It's rated 5 stars online, and it truly lives up to the hype! As soon as I checked in, I was upgraded for free to a deluxe business suite. It was my first time seeing a suite with a dining table big enough to host over 10 friends and family. After one night, I switched back to my originally booked business king room. The king room was also incredibly comfortable, measuring a spacious 62 square meters. Opening the curtains revealed views of Datong's streets. If you walk to the end of the corridor, you can even see a panoramic view of the ancient city of Datong. What truly stands out is the fantastic Chinese restaurant at this 5-star hotel. I stayed in Datong for three days, and除了one lunch I had in Hunyuan Ancient City, all my other five lunches and dinners were enjoyed at the hotel's Chinese restaurant. Here, a bowl of Shanxi's specialty knife-cut noodles is only 6 RMB, and a bowl of cold noodles, even tastier than those in Hunyuan, is just 3 RMB. You can order half portions of shumai, and during the first dog days of summer, they even had dumplings. I tried the braised deer tendon with scallions, something I'd never had before, and it was superb, as were the husband and wife lung slices and jellyfish salad – perfect with drinks. Dining here is delicious and affordable. If you top up 200 RMB, you even get a complimentary plate of Shanxi's signature 'guoyourou' (fried pork in sauce). A huge shout-out also goes to the restaurant staff. They are warm, thoughtful, and genuinely care for guests, even advising against ordering too much, ensuring just the right amount! In summary, I give a 5-star rating to both the hotel and the F&B department. The last photo is of the hotel's breakfast, which was also excellent. The hotel has two breakfast restaurants, so even with many guests, it never feels crowded!

1. **Impeccable Service:** The two staff members at the Executive Lounge were incredibly attentive and thoughtful throughout our stay. They were always anticipating guests' needs, proactively refilling drinks and tidying tables with a gentle yet professional demeanor. The doorman at the entrance was also very welcoming, immediately offering to help with luggage upon arrival. Their detailed and genuine service made us feel warm and welcomed from the moment we stepped in. 2. **Outstanding Room Amenities:** The hotel's facilities are very new, and the room was spotlessly clean and odor-free. The bedding was soft and skin-friendly, allowing for immediate relaxation and a peaceful night's sleep. We were also delighted to receive fresh welcome fruit upon check-in, a lovely touch that highlights their attention to detail. 3. **Overall Summary:** From the doorman to the Executive Lounge and the room amenities, the service in every aspect was top-notch. The environment was comfortable and quiet. This will definitely be our first choice for accommodation when traveling, and we'll certainly choose this hotel again next time!

A Sanctuary When I Needed It Most I arrived in Taiyuan not feeling well and ended up staying seven nights without ever leaving the room. Labor Day holiday, full DND stretches, just me and delivery apps. And honestly? It was exactly what I needed, and this hotel made it possible. Let me start with the moment that defined this stay. My housekeeper came in most days to refresh the room, and each time I'd ask for the same drinks. After a few days he just knew -- knew what I wanted, knew I wasn't feeling well. He'd heard me coughing while he cleaned and was clearly paying attention. On my last day, when I had DND up and didn't want any service at all, he quietly left a bag of my favorite drinks outside the door anyway. No knock, no disruption. Just a person who had been paying attention all week and wanted to take care of me. That kind of warmth doesn't come from a training manual. I won't forget it. The room itself held up beautifully for a long stationary stay. Clean, accurate to the photos, well-appointed. Floor-to-ceiling windows, two bathrooms, excellent shower pressure, generous storage, a proper tea set, and a beverage bar housekeeping kept replenished without being asked. The slippers were genuinely excellent -- better than some five-star properties I've stayed at. For seven nights of recovery during a national holiday, this hotel and its people delivered everything that mattered.

An old five-star hotel with very high cost performance. In particular, the front office service is very good, and the lobby manager Wang Jue is attentive.

Seriously impressed! This has to be the top hotel in Shanxi! Stayed here with my kids for three nights. After busy days sightseeing, coming back to the hotel was truly relaxing for both mind and body. The overall style leans luxurious, and the service was great. It was my first time using a hotel's self-service laundry and dryer, which was super convenient! Breakfast was also fantastic, with a wide variety of food, especially the fruit and meat sections. As my little one put it, ”This is SO delicious!” The ribs, chicken, and beef were all excellent. Highly recommend!

The hotel's location is superb; it's the perfect choice for exploring the old city, with all the sights and great food nearby. The hotel is very clean, the restaurant food is delicious, and the staff provide excellent service. As I was traveling alone and wanted to try local specialties, the staff kindly reduced the portion sizes, which was great – tasty and no waste! The room facilities are new, but there's a minor issue: the sink and shower are in separate areas, and the bath towels are kept under the sink. This makes it inconvenient to grab a towel after showering. If you take it into the shower beforehand, there's nowhere to hang it. Perhaps a hook could be added?

Check-in was smooth and convenient. Our room faced the cultural tourism town, so we could enjoy the animation show for free in the evenings. Breakfast offered a good variety. There's also a Chinese restaurant for dinner; it's not managed by the hotel but the food is quite good. We didn't try the buffet, but the dining options close at 2 PM, which feels a bit too early. So, dining was a minor drawback. However, the environment is truly beautiful, surrounded by pine trees, green grass, and flowers. The tranquility is especially appealing for city dwellers. This will be my top choice for accommodation on my next trip to Wutai Mountain.

On this trip, after leaving my job, I've stayed in many places, but Datong was the most surprising city. It's full of historical sites, delicious food, and a vibrant, down-to-earth atmosphere. But what surprised me even more was the guesthouse I chose. I did extensive research and ultimately decided to stay within the ancient city, which turned out to be incredibly convenient for dining, lodging, and getting around. It was fantastic and perfectly suited me. Initially, I considered guesthouses in the Southeast District, but they were all new, and their styles were quite similar and unremarkable, much like guesthouses in other cities. So, I picked one with unique traditional Chinese characteristics, and it completely exceeded my expectations. The breakfast was exactly to my liking – nutritious and light. The room was warm and cozy, and the toiletry kit was amazing, with thoughtful items inside. Even though it's been in the ancient city for ten years, the decor and renovation show no sign of age; it's incredibly well-maintained. The housekeeper mentioned they had just upgraded all the rooms before my arrival, haha! 😄 This guesthouse truly helped my restless mind calm down. It felt like staying in a museum. The aunties and housekeepers working here told me stories about every single object and corner, which deeply moved me. This is what a guesthouse should be – unpretentious and full of stories. The biggest surprise this time was having the chance to meet the owner, a wonderful lady. She was so nice, I initially thought she was just another staff member; she had absolutely no airs. More importantly, her experiences and background are incredible – she does extreme sports and has even climbed Mount Everest! Talking with her made me feel so comfortable and helped me let go of a lot of things. Thank you for the encounter; it was truly destiny. This was the most unexpected gain from my trip to Datong, and I will definitely go back if I get the chance! It felt just like home, with no sense of unfamiliarity whatsoever.

For accommodation in Pingyao Ancient City, seriously, just book Chengfu JinYuan! It's a courtyard transformed from an old Jin merchant's mansion, full of ancient charm yet not outdated. The courtyard scenery is absolutely picturesque, offering tranquility amidst the hustle and bustle, guaranteeing a super peaceful night's sleep. The location is truly unbeatable – very close to the main street, making it easy to go out and explore, yet far enough from the noise when you return to the courtyard. The rooms are spotless, the bedding is soft, and the bathroom facilities are clean and functional, ensuring maximum comfort. I have to specifically praise the service; it was attentive and considerate throughout, without being intrusive. When guests were dining, they would proactively offer appropriate utensils and even brought warm millet porridge – these small details truly warmed my heart. They also provided travel routes for outings and offered pickup/drop-off services upon arrival. It's not overly commercialized, full of human warmth. Staying here in Pingyao is an absolute no-brainer; I'll definitely choose this place for my next trip! The beef noodles are incredibly delicious.