Xi'an Le Garden Hotel

It's a fair distance from the main attractions, but if you are in Xi'an on business for the high tech area just southwest of the city it is a fair place to stay. Everything (plumbing, internet, cleaning...) works fine. It is a little run down perhaps. The staff are friendly and want to help, and 10-20% of them have sufficient command of English to make the stay less stressful.

Whilst it is some way to the main tourist sights, if you were planning on getting taxis everywhere, it probably doesn't make much difference. On the other hand, given how challenging Xi'an taxis can be, if you plan to nip out on foot for dinner etc in the city centre, you are probably better off closer to the action.

Unique Quality: This is a "garden courtyard" hotel. The courtyard at night has a great dinner option - a Chinese BBQ. It is obviously heavily influenced by western China / Arabia / Muslim cuisine, so if you like spicy kebabs etc, it is good food, excellent value and a nice setting where you will be eating predominantly with locals.

Directions: A few km southwest of south gate - in the high technology area.

Not too far from the city centre and close to the big Wild Goose Pagoda, this is a comfortable hotel, good rooms and breakfast.
Built around a small lake with pleasant looking gardensbut, as we visited in early December it was too cold to venture into them.

Unique Quality: Japanese garden and pond in central courtyard, evening chamber music in lobby, each room has a balcony overlooking the Japanese garden. Tai Chi in the morning. GREAT Asian and American BREAKFAST buffet in second floor restaurant.