Escape to Paradise: Starway Hotel Xi'an Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Starway Hotel Xi'an Awaits! - A Review That's Honestly All Over the Place (But Hopefully Helpful!)
Okay, so, you're considering the Starway Hotel in Xi'an, are ya? Buckle up, buttercup, because I'm about to unleash a review on you that's less "polished travel brochure" and more "slightly manic friend spilling their guts after a week of questionable food and questionable decisions." This is gonna be real. No holds barred. Let's dive in…messily.
First Impressions (And the Arrival Mayhem):
Getting to the Starway Hotel was…an adventure, let's just say that. The airport transfer? They offered it, which was a godsend. (Airport transfer – check!) The taxi situation in Xi'an is…well, it’s a thing. Thankfully, their service was pretty smooth, unlike my own ability to navigate Mandarin at that point. The lobby itself? Yeah, it was slick. Not necessarily the swankiest place on earth, but clean, and that's what you need after a plane ride. Concierge was around, offering help with luggage…thank goodness for that! (Services and conveniences – Check!)
Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Confusing
Now, I’m not a wheelchair user, but I am incredibly observant (and nosey, let’s be honest). The elevator situation? Good. (Elevator - check!) I saw ramps and generally wide hallways. (Facilities for disabled guests - check!) But I also noted a few areas where a slightly wider wheelchair might struggle. A little more space in some of the common areas would be ideal. Overall, I’d give it a solid “pretty good, but double-check if you have specific needs.”
Rooms: My Sanctuary (Mostly)
Alright, the rooms. This is where things get interesting. Let’s be honest, every hotel room is a potential little prison from which it's hard to leave, but after a long plane ride…heaven! (Air conditioning - check! Air Conditioning in all rooms! - double check!). My room was…nice. Clean. (Cleanliness and safety – CHECK!) The bed? Gloriously comfortable. Extra long bed? Yep! (Available in all rooms - check!) The blackout curtains? Oh, sweet, sweet silence. (Blackout curtains – check!) I mean, I’d been traveling for DAYS. Sleep was paramount.
And the Wi-Fi? Free, and relatively reliable. (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – check!) Although, I did have a small moment of panic when I thought I'd lost connection… I mean, who doesn't need to constantly check Instagram nowadays? (Internet access – check!) I believe there was also Internet [LAN], but I'm not sure what that is, so I will not lie to you, reader.
The bathroom…well, it had everything. A separate shower/bathtub? Check! (Available in all rooms - check!) A hair dryer? Check. Toiletries? Check. The only slight downer was the water pressure in the shower. Not the strongest. But, hey, I’m not complaining. After all, I was in Xi’an.
The Food: Where My Waistline Went to Die (Happily)
Oh, the food. Xi’an is a food lover's paradise. And the Starway? It played its part.
- Breakfast: The Asian breakfast was good - and plentiful. (Asian breakfast/Asian cuisine in Restaurant - check!) And I was incredibly thankful for the ability to just grab a breakfast takeaway service to go. (Breakfast takeaway service - check!) The buffet was…well, it’s a buffet. You know how it is. (Breakfast [buffet] - check!) But I went back for the soup EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. The soup was amazing. Like, seriously, I dreamt of that soup. (Soup in restaurant - check!)
- Restaurants: They had a few restaurants, catering to international and Asian tastes. (Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant - check!) And the options were there for Vegetarians. (Vegetarian restaurant - check!)
- Snacks and Drinks: There was a coffee shop where I spent way too much time. (Coffee shop- check!) They did a decent coffee and provided a much needed escape. There's also a poolside bar. (Poolside bar - check!)
I should probably also mention the happy hour. (Happy hour - check!) Which…well, let’s just say it was happy. Very happy.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (AKA, Where I Went to Lose My Mind in a Good Way)
This is where the Starway really shines. They had a STUNNING pool. (Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view - check!) I spent hours there, just staring up at the sky. Bliss. They also had spa services. (Spa/sauna - check!)
- The Spa: This is where I took the plunge and tried a body wrap. Honestly? I almost fell asleep. It wasn't as "luxury resort" as I expected. (Body wrap - check!)
- The Fitness Center: Yep, they had a gym. I’m not sure I used it, if I’m honest. I was too busy eating soup and floating in the pool. But hey, it was there! (Fitness center, Gym/fitness - check!)
- The Sauna/Steam Room: Another highlight! (Sauna, Steamroom - check!) You could spend an entire afternoon here, just sweating out your regrets.
- Massage: Did I get a massage? Absolutely! (Massage - check!) It was heavenly - all the stress from my travels just melted away.
Cleanliness and Safety in The Era of Covid (Because Nobody Wants to Get Sick!):
Okay, let's be real. Traveling in the post-pandemic world is different. The Starway was pretty up-to-date though:
- They had hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. (Hand sanitizer - check!)
- Staff were wearing masks and trained on safety protocols. (Staff trained in safety protocol - check!)
- I saw them cleaning common areas regularly. (Daily disinfection in common areas - check!)
- And I think they were using anti-viral cleaning products. (Anti-viral cleaning products - check!)
- Room sanitization opt-out available, I don't really know how to feel about this, but hey. (Room sanitization opt-out available - check!)
Did I feel completely safe? Well, as safe as one can feel in a hotel with a lot of other people.
The Little Extras (And the Slightly Odd Ones):
- Gift Shop: They had one! (Gift/souvenir shop - check!) Perfect for grabbing those last-minute souvenirs.
- Daily Housekeeping: Essential. (Daily housekeeping - check!) My room always felt fresh and clean.
- Luggage Storage: Super helpful. (Luggage storage - check!)
- Cash Withdrawal: Convenient. (Cash withdrawal - check!)
- Concierge: Always available to help. (Concierge - check!)
- Smoking Area: Yep, they had one. (Smoking area - check!)
The Not-So-Perfect Bits (Because, Let's Be Honest, Nothing is Perfect):
- The elevators, sometimes, were a bit slow during peak times.
- While I was generally happy with the room, some of the furnishings felt a bit dated. Not a dealbreaker, but worth noting.
- The Wi-Fi, while free, did occasionally drop out.
Overall Verdict:
Would I recommend the Starway Hotel in Xi'an? Yes! Absolutely! It’s a solid choice, in a great location, with some fantastic amenities. Is it perfect? Nope. But it’s comfortable, clean, and the pool and soup alone make it worth the stay. Plus, after the chaos of traveling, it offered me exactly what I sought: a place where I could relax, eat delicious soup, and recover.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars (for the soup alone.)
Unbelievable Ukiah Getaway: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is… my itinerary for the Starway Hotel in Xi'an. Hold on tight, because it's gonna be a chaotic, beautiful, and probably slightly disastrous ride.
Title: Xi'an Shenanigans: Where Have All the Dumplings Gone? (And Did I Pack Enough Hand Sanitizer?)
Hotel: Starway Hotel Xi'an Economic Development Zone Mingguang Road Xian China (Pray for me. Seriously.)
Day 1: Arrival, Ramen Dreams, and Existential Dread (aka the Jetlag Blues)
14:00: OH. MY. GOD. Landed. After 14 hours in a pressurized metal tube, I feel… like week-old laundry. Xi'an airport. Check. Passport control. Check. Baggage claim… Dear sweet heavens, does my suitcase really look like that? It's a disaster zone.
15:00: Taxi. The driver seems to think he's competing in the Daytona 500. I clutch my little bag of emergency snacks (mostly stale crackers and a rogue Snickers bar, don't judge) and mutter prayers to the gods of smooth driving.
16:00: Starway Hotel… here we are. It… exists. The lobby smells vaguely of disinfectant and… potential. The receptionist is doing her best, even though my Mandarin is limited to "ni hao" and "xie xie". We battle through the check-in process. My room is… a room. It has a bed, a questionable view (more on that later) and a slightly concerning stain on the carpet. I try to ignore it. Deep breaths.
17:00: MUST. FIND. NOODLES. The jet lag is hitting me HARD. Google maps tells me there's a ramen place a few blocks away. I stumble out, armed with my phone and blind optimism. The streets are a blur of motorcycles, street food stalls, and… well, I'm not entirely sure what they are. Everything smells AMAZING.
18:00: Ramen success! Sort of. The noodles were glorious. The broth was a symphony of flavors. The language barrier made ordering like navigating a minefield, but hey, I got fed! Small victory.
19:00: Back at the hotel. The view is… a concrete jungle. Construction, scaffolding, and a sky that looks like it's about to cry. I stare out the window, contemplating the meaning of life (and whether I accidentally ordered a plate of chicken feet with my ramen). Then, the existential dread really sets in. I realize I forgot my toothbrush. Fantastic.
20:00: Attempt to locate a convenience store for toothbrush acquisition. Fail. Return to hotel defeated and somewhat confused. I begin to suspect that this trip is going to be a series of unfortunate delays.
Day 2: Terracotta Warriors, Terracotta Tears (and a Dumpling Debacle)
08:00: Wake up. The carpet stain is still concerning. I have a newfound respect for the power of coffee.
09:00: Terracotta Army. FINALLY. This is what I came for. The museum is vast, the warriors are awe-inspiring. I feel like I'm walking through history. I take approximately 500 pictures. I accidentally elbow a small child (sorry, kid!). The sheer size of the warriors is breathtaking, their stoic faces telling stories of a long-forgotten empire. It's honestly… overwhelming.
12:00: Lunch near the Terracotta Army. I am absolutely STARVING. Found a restaurant that claims to have English menus. Lies. All lies. I point at a picture of something that looks like dumplings, and pray to the food gods. I think it’s something with pork I ordered. It's… edible. Slightly greasy. But after the emotional overload that was the warriors, I'm in no position to be a food snob.
13:00: Back inside the museum. More warriors! More wonder! I get lost in the crowds. I accidentally wander into a gift shop filled with miniature terracotta warriors. Temptation is REAL.
15:00: A moment of tears. Ok, I’m not always a tough cookie. I’m standing amidst thousands of terracotta faces and trying to comprehend the history that's laid before me. A wave of awe (and a slight headache) hits me. Take a break. Sit down. Breathe. Reflect. This is why I travel. It's the chaos, the frustration, and the moments of raw, unadulterated beauty that make it all worth it.
17:00: Dumpling hunting II: The quest for the perfect dumpling. I'm determined to find these mythical creatures. I ask for directions. I get lost (surprise!). I stumble upon a dumpling restaurant. Success!
18:00: Dumpling Debacle. I order all the dumplings. I mean, all of them. Steamed, fried, filled with pork, shrimp, vegetables, things I can't identify, but I eat them anyway. The flavor? Amazing. The aftermath? A minor stomach upset and a deep, abiding love for dumplings. (I think the red bean ones might have been a mistake). Worth it.
19:00: Back at the hotel, feeling slightly bloated but happy. The concrete jungle outside my window looks a little less depressing.
20:00: Attempt to watch a Chinese movie. Fail. I don't speak Mandarin. I get the subtitles. Get bored. I think about the toothbrush and the carpet stain. More important things to worry about right now.
Day 3: The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and the Language Barrier Blues
09:00: Breakfast at the hotel. It's a mystery of sorts. Looks like a bunch of what I thought was food. I ate some things. I'm still here.
10:00: Taxi to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. The ride is an adventure in itself. It seems the only people who don't honk their horns are tourists like me.
11:00: The Pagoda is beautiful. Seriously grand. I climb to the top. The view? Stunning. I can see (and smell) the whole city. So much happening. I'm dizzy from the height and the sensory overload.
12:00: Food exploration. The street food is calling my name. I try a weird-looking pancake. I buy it, and I don't have a clue what's in it. It's crispy, it's savory, and it's… delicious. I make a mess all over my face.
13:00: Language Barrier Catastrophe. I attempt to buy a bottle of water. I point. I gesture. I use my two Mandarin phrases. The shopkeeper looks at me like I'm a Martian. Frustration mounts. I eventually surrender and find a slightly helpful person.
14:00: A moment of reflection. I sit on a bench in a park next to the Pagoda. The locals are really beautiful and the sense of community here is so warm. I people-watch. It's nice to be in this kind of environment, despite my frustrations with the language barrier.
15:00: Back to the hotel. The same carpet stain. I’m starting to think it’s not a stain, but a design feature.
16:00: Rest. I'm exhausted, I have a mild headache, and I'm starting to miss my bed. I sit in the room, watching out the window on the concrete, and let the exhaustion set in.
17:00: Maybe I'll take a walk, I think to myself. I may or may not actually get out of bed.
18:00: Decision made–back to the ramen place, round two.
19:00: Ramen again. This time, I know what I’m ordering.
20:00: The end of day three. I'm not sure if I'll make it to day four. But hey, at least I have my dumplings. And my emergency crackers…
(Note: Day 4 and beyond… TBD! This itinerary is a work in progress, just like me. Stay tuned for more adventures, disasters, and questionable food choices!)
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Escape to Paradise: Starway Hotel Xi'an Awaits! - The REAL Deal (Probably)
Okay, so like, is this Starway Hotel actually *in* Xi'an? 'Cause my GPS has a mind of its own.
Is the hotel actually... nice? I’ve seen some questionable hotels in my day.
What's the deal with the breakfast? I'm a breakfast person. A *very* serious breakfast person.
And the room? What was your *experience* with the room?
Is the staff helpful? I'm notoriously terrible at languages.
What's the closest thing to an actual *escape* near the hotel? Like, any parks, gardens, or a decent coffee shop?
Anything else I should know before booking? Hidden fees? Ghosts?
