Zhongwei No.7 Starry Sky Tent Hotel ★★★★

"Even though it's a tent, it's still very convenient and the kids loved it! The hotel service was excellent. We had trouble finding a taxi in the evening when we were leaving, and the butler even helped us call one. The bonfire show included in the package was great, and we could also buy an activity pass for half price, which was amazing value!"

Impression Tengger Desert Camp ★★★

"The room facilities were comprehensive, and the restaurant food was delicious, especially the lamb hot pot and stir-fries. The evening activities were plentiful, and our dedicated butler was very responsible, always punctual with pick-ups and drop-offs. The desert scenery was absolutely beautiful."

Atour Hotel, Zhongwei Drum Tower Pedestrian Street ★★★★

"Atour has always been a worry-free travel choice. From the tea served upon arrival and the warm guidance from receptionist Letong at check-in, they even provided a complimentary gift and fruit. They were always there when I needed supplies – their thoughtfulness was evident in every detail. The room was odorless and spotless, even the sink was meticulously wiped clean. The mattress was the perfect firmness, providing an excellent deep sleep. The toiletries were great, hot water came out instantly, and the bathroom experience was superb. The Bamboo House Bookstore offers free book borrowing, and returning books to other locations is incredibly convenient. The service was sincere and approachable, like a friendly gesture. I'll definitely come back next time! [playful]"

Hampton by Hilton Zhongwei Shapotou ★★★★★

"Massive room, clean, and comfortable"

TengolHotel ★★★★★

"Stayed for two nights, five stars all around, very satisfied. Even when it's hot outside, it's comfortable indoors. The sofa bed in the courtyard room is huge; perfect for a family of four, with the adults each getting a bed and the two kids sharing the sofa bed. The only downside is that the surfing cart is too expensive at 120 (RMB); I think 80 would be a more reasonable price. The art museum next door is closed on Mondays, but the front desk didn't inform us, so we went all excited only to find it shut. You can take a taxi to Wanda Plaza in Zhongwei City to try the hand-grabbed lamb, it's really good."

BEIDOU ★★★★

"Overall, it was decent, I guess, considering it's in the desert and conditions are limited, so you can't expect too much. Stepping out, you're literally in the sand, and any small dune is perfect for sandboarding. The restaurant offered good meals for all three sittings, with options for à la carte or hot pot buffet. While the choices weren't extensive, it was fine for a two-day stay; I felt like I'd get tired of the food if I stayed longer. Also, paid desert activities like dune buggy rides and camel riding were more expensive here than at the nearby Tonghu Grassland scenic area. If you plan on doing paid activities, I'd suggest doing them at the scenic area first, then staying in the desert to enjoy free activities like sandboarding, hiking, and stargazing. I highly recommend stargazing; it's beautiful even with the naked eye. Finally, I booked this hotel mainly for the pool and professional astronomical telescope. The desert gets too hot in the afternoon, so besides swimming, you're pretty much stuck in your room with the AC on. There weren't many activities available here, and they said all the activity materials were out of stock. Well... on our first day, the water was too dirty to swim in. They did change the water on the second day, but it took all day, and by evening, the water still hadn't reached knee-level. Our child went in to splash around for a bit and said it was cold. When I touched it, I realized the water was ice-cold, like mountain spring water. We quickly took him back for a hot shower, fearing he'd catch a cold. Then, during stargazing that night, we found out the astronomical telescope was also broken, so we could only stargaze with our naked eyes... I'd just say it was a less-than-perfect desert trip."

Desert Wild Star Lakeview Retreat ★★★

"The mattress was even better than those in regular hotels! The owner was incredibly helpful, and the surroundings were beautiful. The bonfire party in the evening had a fantastic atmosphere. In the mornings, there were study tours and hiking activities, including a desert water retrieval experience. They even had a professional instructor guiding stargazing lectures at night. The sunsets were stunning, and there were so many stars visible at night."

Zhong Wei Soul Resort Hotel ★★★★★

Zhongwei Tengoll · KK Qiongjing · Tengger Desert Luxury Stargazing Homestay Collection ★★★

"This hotel isn't located with the cluster of hotels near Shapotou; instead, it's nestled deeper within the Tengger Desert, in a more pristine and untouched area. As far as the eye can see, there are no other hotel complexes around, just vast stretches of authentic desert. The owner kindly upgraded us to a family suite, which was spotless and well-equipped – no complaints there. We enjoyed stargazing at night and slept incredibly soundly. It was nearly perfect, but I'd suggest the hotel pay more attention to the kitchen: the stir-fried dishes at dinner were a bit too salty, and the milk at breakfast was quite diluted. Overall, a great experience and highly recommended!"