Grand Soluxe International Hotel Xi'an

Rooms and decor

The Deluxe rooms run 38 sqm with a king bed, a choice of four pillows, and split air-con you control yourself. The standout is the double-glazed glass — it seals out train noise so well that you'd never guess the station is a few hundred metres away. Each room has a fridge and a Nespresso machine, plus one nice surprise: a Chinese-style herbal foot bath in the bathroom, which is exactly what you want after a full day walking the city wall. The building itself leans European-classic, with crystal chandeliers and a marble staircase setting the tone in the lobby.

Food and amenities

The Cantonese restaurant is the one to know — Peking duck and morning dim sum start around $5 a plate. There's also a 24-hour Western restaurant, a cafe, a bar and a cocktail bar. But the part reviewers rave about most is the spa, with sauna and traditional Chinese massage running about $40 for 60 minutes. The gym is well kitted out with a treadmill, dumbbells and yoga mats, and you're surrounded by the Saga department store and plenty of local restaurants.

Location and getting there

Grand Soluxe sits inside the old city walls, just 350 metres — under a 5-minute walk — from the main Xi'an Railway Station, with a quick link to Metro Line 2. That station is the hub for regular trains plus the run out to the Terracotta Army (about $1 a trip, roughly an hour direct to the entrance), so it's a strong base if you're planning day trips to the warriors or Mount Huashan. The best part is simple: you step off the train and walk to your room, no late-night taxi hunt after a long journey.

Things to know before booking

The flip side of being next to the station is the crowd — the area is busy and bustling, which is great for transit but not for peace and quiet. You're also further from the Bell and Drum Towers than the other hotels on this list, so you'll take a short ride or metro hop into the old-town core. And in high season the rooms fill quickly, so lock in your dates ahead of time.

Our take

Grand Soluxe International Hotel Xi'an is the easiest call for business travelers and families arriving by train, or anyone planning the Terracotta Army and Mount Huashan day trips. Real-guest scores sit around 9.4 and our team gives it 9.2 — the best-balanced luxury option for a rail-connected stay.