Living in a big city can be quite noisy. Boisterous crowds jostle about, seemingly competing with each other over who can be the loudest. Wherever you go, there seems to be a crowd. It can seem difficult, or even impossible at times to find simply a quiet place to escape from the hustle and bustle without having to get on a plane. Now there is a place where you can catch a bit of peace and quite, while enjoying a nice cup of coffee or tea.
一夕 Bed and Breakfast is located near Lijiacun, set off from the main road. At first, it can be hard to find, as it is located in a community. The place itself was once a factory that was converted into its current incarnation by the owners, a team of construction and interior designers. Having such an open area to work with, they were able to apply their creative skills to the fullest. The consequences are plain to see, with a place that is as aesthetically pleasing as it is comfortable. Past the long coffee bar, you enter into Day Café. Vaulted ceilings with multiple skylights allow natural lighting to fill the area. Arches to the left allow you to tuck away if you like a more cozy feel. Touches of green and wood, along with little accents throughout the room make the entire place very easy on the eyes.
On the opposite side of Day Café is Night Bar, a simple yet elegant bar, mirroring the one on the other side of the wall, but with bottles of liquor in place of coffee machines. Near the bar are two private rooms flanking a doorway into their function rooms. The first of the rooms is a large room with ceilings vaulted even higher than in the previous room, with a wide open space that allows the room to morph to any purpose. Going through a smaller doorway in the back, you enter into a narrower corridor like room that arches up into a cathedral like window. They made note that many a modern couple in Xi’an have tied the knot in this room, and it was clear that it would make for a stunning backdrop to any ceremony.
Being a bed and breakfast, there were also rooms available. Just as in the main areas, the rooms have likewise been carefully designed, incorporating some of the original factory elements throughout the structure. Each floor has different design elements and themes. One of the family rooms on the first floor contained a series of paired pieces of furniture designed specifically for parents and children, including designated beds and bathtubs. Rooms on the second floor opened up to large windows, again letting in copious amount of natural light. This one contained a swing suspended from the ceiling, an old organ, and a typewriter. They mentioned that this room was popular for children’s photo shoots and was often booked out. The third floor contained a loft room which was both beautifully and comfortably designed. What is immediately striking is the sheer openness of the rooms here, completely opposite what you would find in a commercial hotel. The ceilings were high and space was given to allow different design elements to shine. It was apparent that a great deal of time and effort had gone into each and every room.
The café currently is serving coffees and teas, including a currently-trendy oat milk latte, and a selection of desserts, including a unique layered chocolate mousse cake with passionfruit/mango center and coconut foam. Previously they had served breakfast, but they have discontinued it in recent months, as many guest had been traveling outside the hotel, as it is close to several eateries, though they might be convinced to bring it back if the demand were there. The bar is, at the moment, undergoing some changes, and should re-open soon.
Sadly, due to complications with local bureaucratic regulations, foreign guests are not currently allowed to book rooms at the hotel, but everyone is free to come and enjoy the coffee shop, which would be ideal for getting a little work done or simply relaxing in peace for an afternoon. If you have a chance and you are in the Lijiacun area, stop in for a cup of coffee, have a piece of cake, and enjoy the day.