Sheraton hotels have long been established in Xi’an, with four locations across the city. The most recent addition to the portfolio is the Xi’an Sheraton South, which recently celebrated its first year anniversary. Located next to the Huanpu Technology Center on the west Third Ring Road, this hotel mostly serves the business community who travel to visit companies and partners located at the business park, though there are also many customers that come for the dining options located at the hotel.
The rooms are exactly what you expect from a Sheraton hotel in Mainland China. There is ample space to spread out and the open plan rooms make the space seem even larger. The beds are large and very comfortable, a perfect place to take a nap after a business lunch or get a well-deserved night’s sleep. The bathroom comes fully-equipped with everything that you might need. The bathtub is large and thanks to the open plan on the room, you can watch TV while you soak, which is a nice bonus. In the room we reviewed, there was also a couch, table, and lounging chair that means you don’t need to just sit on the bed when you are in the room. If you’re looking for an upgrade, the hotel also offers a variety of suite rooms that give you a bit more space and separate entertaining and sleeping spaces.
If you’re looking for somewhere to relax, have a drink or some food, or to get some work done, you might choose the Sheraton Club , which is available to Marriot Platinum members and above or those that book rooms with access. The lounge is an absolutely massive space at the top of the hotel that offers a wide variety of drinks including espresso-based coffee drinks, soft drinks, wine, beer, and much more. In the afternoon, there is a buffet-style meal served that is free for those who staying in the executive rooms. The lounge also offers comfortable seating and panoramic views that look south to the Qinling mountains.
The hotel is also very well-equipped to handle for those that want to stay fit on the go, with one of the largest hotel gyms I have ever seen. Often times the exercise center in hotels if fairly pathetic, an afterthought that is shoved into whatever space is left after all the other decisions are made. At the Sheraton Xi’an South, the gym has full sets of free-weights, weight machines, and cardio machines, with a full bank of treadmills for people to get in those miles while still in the hotel. There is also a separate space for yoga and other exercise classes for those that want a more social health experience. The hotel also comes equipped with an indoor swimming pool that has the capacity for lap swimming with lounge chairs and changing rooms so that you need not go dripping through the hotel after a swim. The exercise facilities are open to those staying at the hotel and memberships are also available for those who work or live nearby.
Of course, what would a hotel be without some dining options, and this is where the Xi’an Sheraton South really shines. The hotel all-day dining restaurant, Daily Social, serving up a mix of local and Western foods to fit the wide variety of palates that visit the hotel. Dinner time at Daily Social is a unique experience, with one of the widest selections of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks I’ve ever seen on any buffet anywhere, with premium beers like Chimay Red and Blue, A dozen different varieties of red and white wine, and even premium soft drinks like Bundaberg Ginger Beer. There also were beers on draft available. The restaurant also runs food specials to entice more customers to come. During our stay, the buffet was providing hot pot with sliced to order beef and lamb, along with all the other hot pot accoutrement.
Aside from the all-day dining restaurant, the hotel also boasts an excellent Chinese restaurant, Yue, that specializes in Cantonese food. The restaurant boasts a number of private dining rooms as well as a public dining space and offers dishes that feature the fresh seafood and delicate flavors that Cantonese cuisine is well-known for. They also offer a large range of different varieties of tea of exceptional variety that can accompany your meal, or a selection of baijiu that can pair with the dishes. The hotel also provides additional dining and drinking options in the lobby with their &More By Sheraton lobby lounge – where you can get barista-prepared coffee beverages and afternoon tea.
Overall, the Sheraton Xi’an South is doing a great job at serving their target demographic. The atmosphere in the hotel is more casual, and when you’re at the Daily Social, it really does feel more energetic than most hotel restaurants. People seemed to be having a genuinely good time, and if you decide to come by just for a nice dinner with friends, you’ll most likely walk away happy. The rooms are comfortable and exactly what you need. The staff are friendly and helpful. In all, the Sheraton Xi’an South is a serious hotel that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that is something that is exceptionally rare.