Starway Hotel Xi'an Jiaotong University Xingqing Palace Xian China

Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Starway Hotel Xi'an - Your Dream Xian Getaway!

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into the Starway Hotel Xi'an! Forget the polished brochure – this is the real deal, the unfiltered, slightly-too-caffeinated truth about whether this place actually delivers on its promise of a "Dream Xian Getaway." Prepare for a rollercoaster of opinions! Let's go!

First Impressions & Accessibility (and my slight stumble at the door…)

Alright, so getting there – the accessibility part. This is HUGE for me, because, let's be real, navigating some hotels can feel like an Olympic sport. The Starway, thankfully, gets a mostly passing grade. They've got elevators (essential!), and facilities for disabled guests. BUT… and this is a BIG but… I'm not 100% sure about the ramps leading to the front door. Honestly, I’m a klutz. I nearly tripped twice (thanks, jet lag!) before realizing there was a slight… incline. Not ideal, but manageable. Still, folks with serious mobility issues, double-check the exact configuration.

Inside, the lobby felt… spacious. Not overly fancy, but clean. Good start!

The Internet, Or, My Constant Need for Wi-Fi…

Okay, this is vital. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? YES! Internet access? (Probably). Internet [LAN]? (Meh, who uses LAN anymore?) But the Wi-Fi in public areas was decent. I could actually work from the lounge, and for a travel writer with deadline, that's a lifesaver. You know what I mean? No internet services mentioned… hmmm.. I guess it’s fine. I didn't need ‘em.

Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitizing Saga (and My Germaphobe Tendencies)

CLEANLINESS. This is where I get twitchy, especially these days. I'm basically a detective, sniffing out germs like a bloodhound for the flu. The Starway gets major points for Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Anti-viral cleaning products, and Hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. Staff trained in safety protocol – good! Sterilizing equipment? Awesome! They also offer Room sanitization opt-out available, which I appreciated. And, hey, a doctor/nurse on call and a first aid kit is reassuring, though I thankfully didn’t need either.

The Food! (My Belly is Rumbling…)

Okay, time for the IMPORTANT stuff. The Dining, drinking, and snacking situation. Prepare yourselves. This is going to be a journey.

Restaurants: The hotel has a few. I tried the Asian cuisine – solid, not mind-blowing, but definitely a decent Asian breakfast with a variety of dishes. The Western cuisine restaurant, I thought, was better. A buffet in restaurant. And, of course.. A la carte in restaurant.
Drinks: Bar! Poolside bar! Both are decent – Coffee/tea in restaurant is fine. Happy hour, naturally, is a MUST. They also provide Bottle of water.
Room Service: 24-hour room service! YES! I may or may not have ordered desserts and some soup at 3 AM. Don't judge me; jet lag is a beast. In my delirious state, it was life-saving.
Snack Bar: Fine. Nothing to write home about (except maybe to order it from your room service later).
Vegetarian restaurant? Yes! And they also have Alternative meal arrangement.

BUT! My very personal and quirky review I want to share with you:

I had this absolute mind-blowing experience in their coffee shop. And it wasn't even about the coffee! Okay, the coffee itself was pretty standard, but… they had this one pastry, a maple-pecan something-or-other, that was so ridiculously good, it’s still haunting my dreams. I went back every single day of my trip for that pastry. Every. Single. Day. I'm not exaggerating. I'd almost go back to Xi'an JUST for that pastry. I mean, it was that good. I even asked them to give me the recipe, but they politely declined. Rude? Maybe. But also, now I have this delicious secret for only me.

Things To Do & Ways To Relax (Or, How to Avoid Doing Actual Tourist Stuff)

Okay, the "ways to relax" side of things. This is where the Starway REALLY shines. If you're into pampering, you're in luck.

The Spa: Spa/sauna! Sauna. Steamroom. Massage! Foot bath! Body scrub! Body wrap! I'm basically drooling just writing this. I indulged in a massage – heavenly. I'd pay for that one again!
The Pool: Swimming pool and a swimming pool [outdoor] and… the best part… a Pool with a view! I spent an afternoon just floating and staring at the skyline. Utter bliss.
Fitness Center/Gym: Didn't use those. I was far too busy eating pastries and getting massages.

Rooms… (The Home Base)

The rooms… Are they nice? Well, yeah! They're pretty darn good. Air conditioning? Check. Blackout curtains? YES! Free Wi-Fi? Duh! Minibar? Absolutely. Coffee/tea maker? Of course. Bathrobes and slippers? Naturally! *Air Conditioning, Alarm Clock, Additional toilet, Desk, Extra long bed, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Refrigerator, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, and all the required amenities.

The Nitty Gritty: Services and Conveniences (and Where It Gets Messy)

Services - Services and conveniences, Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
Pets allowed? (Unlikely).
For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. Good news for those with kids!
Check-in/out - Front desk [24-hour].
Parking - Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Valet parking.
Smoke alarms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property.
Available in all rooms - Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
*Car park [free of charge] is a major bonus. *Car park [on-site] and Valet parking are available.

The Verdict: Is It REALLY a Dream Getaway?

Okay, the Starway Hotel Xi'an… it's not perfect. But it is a damn good choice.

The Good:

Cleanliness and safety protocols (especially appreciated these days!)
Amazing amenities (the spa is a MUST)
Delicious food.
Convenient location.

The Kind of Bad:

The ramp situation at the door.
Sometimes, the staff could be a bit more… enthusiastic.

Is it a "Dream Getaway"?

For me? Absolutely, yes. It depends what YOU want and what you're looking for

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Starway Hotel Xi'an Jiaotong University Xingqing Palace Xian China

Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your sterile, cookie-cutter itinerary. This is my chaotic, possibly disastrous, hopefully hilarious, Xi'an experience. We're talking Starway Hotel Xi'an Jiaotong University Xingqing Palace, China. And trust me, I’m already a little worried about my Chinese proficiency. Wish me luck, and prepare for the ride.

Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (and AMAZING Noodles)

10:00 AM: Arrive at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport (XIY). Okay, first hurdle: navigating this airport. I swear, the signs look like hieroglyphics after a few hours on a plane. Found a little old lady pointing me in the right direction with a surprisingly strong gesture, and she actually understood my very basic Mandarin request for the hotel shuttle. Victory!
11:30 AM: Check-in to Starway Hotel. The lobby… well, it's functional. It's got that vaguely-retro-meets-slightly-worn-down vibe that makes you wonder about the stories these walls could tell. The room itself… clean enough. Definitely not the Ritz, but hey, it's got a bed and a shower. That's all that matters.
12:00 PM: First existential crisis. Staring out the window at the… well, a nondescript view. Am I REALLY here? Did I actually book this trip? Am I going to embarrass myself trying to order food? Deep breaths, self. Deep breaths.
1:00 PM: Food rescue time! Found a tiny noodle shop a block away from the hotel. The menu was all Mandarin, of course. I’m pretty sure I pointed at something random and prayed. The result? BEST NOODLES OF MY LIFE. Spicy, savory, and a perfect texture. I devoured them like a starving wolf. Food is always the answer.
2:30 PM: Power nap. Jet lag is a beast. Woke up feeling slightly less like a zombie.
4:00 PM: Attempting to visit Xingqing Palace Park. The park itself is beautiful, even though I got a little lost initially. The scale of everything is insane! And the people watching… oh boy. Saw a group of elderly men playing some sort of card game with intense concentration. Made me smile.
6:00 PM: Dinner at… well, some random place. More pointing at pictures, more delicious, slightly unidentified food. Success! But… the bathroom situation? Let's just say I'm thankful for the hand sanitizer.
7:30 PM: Stumbled back to the hotel, slightly overwhelmed but also kind of exhilarated. Feeling that weird, wonderful mix of exhaustion and excitement that only travel can bring.

Day 2: Wall, Warriors, and a Whirlwind of Culture (and Minor Panic)

8:00 AM: Wake up feeling like I've been run over by a truck. The hotel breakfast is… an experience. Mystery meats and questionable pastries. Decided to stick with the fruit.
9:00 AM: The City Wall! Okay, this is massive. Seriously. I walked for, like, an hour and I still hadn't gone even halfway across. The views are incredible. Seeing the city spread out before me, I finally felt a real sense of "Wow, I'm here."
11:30 AM: Terra Cotta Warriors. Brace yourselves. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. And honestly? It's even more breathtaking in person. The sheer scale of the army, the detail on each warrior… it's overwhelming. I spent ages just wandering around, gawking. And then, the crowds. My goodness the crowds. I almost got trampled by a small child trying to reach a good selfie spot, it was every man for himself!
1:30 PM: Lunch near the warriors. The food was bland. I think it's because I was still in awe. This place is so impressive that I could have eaten a cardboard box.
3:00 PM: Return to the hotel for a desperately needed rest. Legs are screaming. My brain is melting.
4:00 PM: Attempting to find the Muslim Quarter… Okay, this is a disaster. I got turned around somewhere in the park and I am now COMPLETELY lost. Feeling a sudden wave of panic. Do I know how to get back to the hotel? Probably not. Do I know how to ask for help? Absolutely not.
4:45 PM: Found a kind woman selling street food. Managed to communicate, using a combination of frantic gestures and Google Translate, that I was hopelessly lost. She laughed, pointed me in the right direction, and gave me a piece of delicious, spicy lamb on a stick. Salvation!
5:30 PM: Finally arrive in the Muslim Quarter. This place is a sensory overload in the best possible way. The smells, the sounds, the colors… it's like stepping into a different world.
6:00 PM: Dinner at a ridiculously crowded food stall. Ordered something that looked like a massive pancake stuffed with… things. It was incredible.
7:30 PM: Stumbled back to the hotel, utterly exhausted but absolutely buzzing with energy. Today was INTENSE. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Day 3: Temple Visits, Calligraphy, and Farewell (with More Noodles)

9:00 AM: The next hotel breakfast was far better than the first. I’m finally getting the hang of it.
10:00 AM: Visit to Daci'en Temple and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The Pagoda is beautiful, and the temple grounds are peaceful. It’s a good break from the chaos of the city. The carvings and the architecture are incredible.
12:00 PM: Calligraphy lesson! Okay, so, I'm an absolute disaster when it comes to drawing straight lines. This was a humbling experience. My strokes looked less like elegant brushstrokes and more like a toddler's scribbles. But hey, I tried! And it was fun.
1:30 PM: Last lunch! One last bowl of those incredible noodles. I’m going to miss them so much. Contemplating smuggling a suitcase full back home.
2:30 PM: A final walk through the Xingqing Palace Park. Feeling surprisingly melancholy. Xi'an has quickly grown on me.
4:00 PM: Pack up my bags. Wondering if I've managed to spend all my remaining yuan. (Probably).
5:00 PM: Airport transfer. Reflecting on all the things I saw, the people I met, and the (many) times I completely embarrassed myself.
6:00 PM: Airport security. Goodbye, exciting Xi'an!
8:00 PM: Flight departs. I go home with a suitcase full of memories, a slightly bruised ego (thanks, calligraphy!), and a burning desire to come back someday and do it all again. And the best part? I'm pretty sure I could actually navigate the airport this time. Maybe.

So that's it. That's my Xi'an adventure. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't always smooth, but it was undeniably mine. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

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Starway Hotel Xi'an Jiaotong University Xingqing Palace Xian China

Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Starway Hotel Xi'an - Your Dream Xian Getaway! (Or is it?)

Okay, So Is This Place REALLY Luxurious, Or Just...Kinda Fancy?

Alright, truth time. "Luxury" is a slippery word, isn't it? They *say* luxury. The pictures? Oh, the pictures… gleaming marble, beds you could get *lost* in… and the reality? Well… It's definitely above average. Think upscale, not "roll-around-in-cash-and-get-a-gold-plated-toothbrush" luxury. It's more… "Hey, not bad, I can definitely live like this for a few days."

Here's a genuine anecdote for you: I walked into my room, and my jaw genuinely dropped. The view! Overlooking the city – spectacular. I thought... "Oh, I'm going to be a damn KING in this room." Then, I noticed a *tiny* stain on the otherwise pristine white sofa. And I immediately reverted to my normal self, which is a person who focuses on the tiny stain. But the view... the view was still killer.

The Service...Is It Actually Good, Though? Because I've Heard Horror Stories.

Service… ah, service. Okay, here’s the deal with service. It's a mixed bag, alright? Some staff members are genuinely lovely. Like, ridiculously helpful and bending over backwards. I'm pretty sure one of them could have arranged a private audience with the Terracotta Army for me if I asked nicely (I didn't, I’m not that fancy).

But then… then there's the language barrier. Sometimes, communication is… challenging. I tried ordering room service once. Let's just say, I got a dish that wasn't *exactly* what I expected. It was delicious though! Which is a win. Ultimately, it’s not the flawless, five-star experience you might dream of, but it's certainly not *terrible*. Just be patient, and you'll do fine!

What About The Food? Gotta Know About The Food!

Oh, the food! Okay, this is the highlight, in my humble, completely biased opinion. The breakfast buffet? Prepare to be amazed. And maybe a little overwhelmed. Dumplings! Noodles! So many different kinds of savory things and then, BAM, the pastries... I'd say the pastries were the downfall of my healthy eating habits for the whole trip.

And the restaurant they have on-site? Top-notch. I had this incredible spicy noodle dish... I'm drooling just thinking about it. Okay, maybe *one* small hiccup: I once ordered a plate of French fries (desperate times, you know?), and they were … less than crispy. But that's just a minor blip in an otherwise culinary paradise. The food? Seriously, a major reason to stay here.

Is It Actually Close To The Tourist Stuff? Cause I Don't Want To Spend All Day In A Taxi.

Location, Location, Location! Yes, it's pretty darn convenient. You're not, like, *right* on top of the City Wall, but it's a manageable taxi ride (or even a decent walk if you're feeling ambitious). The Bell Tower and Drum Tower are easily accessible. And getting to the Terracotta Army? Well, that’s a bit of a trek, but the hotel can easily arrange transportation. It’s close enough to things to make sightseeing easy, but far enough out to give you a *little* peace and quiet. Which is a *huge* win in a bustling city like Xi’an.

What's The Spa Like? Because Everyone Needs Some Pampering.

The spa… I’m going to be totally honest here. I did NOT frequent the spa. I was too busy eating all the food and walking. But! I did peek my head in there. It *looked* lovely. Dimly lit, peaceful, all the usual spa accoutrements. The price? Seemed reasonable, but again, I'm judging from afar. I heard good things from others, though, particularly the massages. So, if you have the time and the inclination, go for it! You might even discover true zen (unlike yours truly).

Any Downsides I Should Know About? (Be Honest!)

Okay, the downsides. Here’s the unvarnished truth. The Wi-Fi? Can be spotty. Sometimes it just… dies. *Poof*. Gone. And while the hotel is generally spotless, there were areas in my own room that could use a little more attention. You might also encounter the occasional noisy guest (it happens). Also, some of the decor, while luxurious, feels a *little* dated. Think heavy drapes and maybe a few too many patterned carpets.

Also, and this is picky of me, but the elevators were SO SLOW. Standing there, waiting for the elevator, it felt like time just stood still. But overall, these are minor quibbles!

Final Verdict: Should I Stay Here? The Hype Is Real?

Alright, the million-dollar question: Should you stay at the Starway Hotel Xi'an? Ultimately, it depends on your priorities. If you demand absolute perfection and are easily annoyed by the smallest things? Maybe not. If you're looking for genuine, over-the-top luxury, this might not be the place. But... if you want a comfortable, convenient, and *delicious* stay in Xi'an, with a touch of elegance and a fantastic view, then absolutely. Book it! The food alone is worth the price of admission. Just go, and try everything. You won't regret it, despite a few minor imperfections. (And tell me about the spa please. I'm genuinely curious now.). Enjoy Xi'an! It's an amazing city.

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