Sofitel Xian
Opened in 2005, this is the most luxurious hotel in Xian, and until the Chinese cotton on to the concept of top quality boutique hotels, the best bet in town.
There are a distinctly un-boutiquey 414 rooms and suites here, but with all the mod cons you would expect in a five star hotel. The restaurants serve Mediterranean, Moroccan, Cantonese and Japanese meals and there is also a slick spa and fitness centre.
The hotel is ideally situated close to many of the city's historical sites including the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Great Mosque, Shaanxi History Museum & the Forest of Steles stone library.
Why We Love It
Habana, the hotel's cigar bar, celebrates the most famous export of another nominally communist state half a world away.
Grand Mercure on Renmin Square
The quietly sophisticated Grand Mercure is located in Renmin (People's) Square, inside the ancient walls of Xian, and surrounded by courtyards and gardens.
The hotel has 194 rooms and suites decorated using a combination of traditional Chinese design and contemporary touches, and all room types have bathrooms with a separate shower and bath.
The main restaurant, Xian 57 (the building housing the hotel was built in 1957), serves a la carte dishes drawing on Mediterranean, Asian and Chinese cooking styles. Less formal is the Lounge, which offers lighter snacks. Guests can also eat at neighbouring sister property Sofitel Xian, and use the spa facilities there.
Why We Love It
The low-rise Grand Mercure was originally built in Sino-Russian style in 1957. Fortunately, unlike many Communist era buildings, is not falling apart at the seams.