Datong Grand Hotel

When I was checking in, a young woman at the front desk was playing a game, and another man handled my check-in, but he messed it up and assigned me to the same room as the previous guest. I was absolutely flabbergasted! The breakfast was chaotic, and the service attitude was terrible. There was one man, seemingly a manager, wearing a black shirt, who was arguing incessantly with a guest. He only stopped when someone told him he was embarrassing the locals. Is this hotel, which is supposed to represent the local image, relying on government backing to bully out-of-towners? They act so arrogant! This really made my trip incredibly disappointing. If they can't work properly during the Chinese New Year, they shouldn't be taking high salaries and then treating people so poorly, damaging the hotel's and the city's image. Or maybe they just work like this all the time and it's become a habit. The hotel really needs to seriously overhaul its staff's service attitude; don't bring shame to Shanxi.

The Datong Grand Guest Hotel really exceeded my expectations! Its central location makes getting around incredibly convenient. The room was clean and tidy, facilities were well-maintained, and the quiet environment ensured a fantastic night's sleep. They thoughtfully provided Coke, Fanta, and 4 bottles of mineral water, and when I needed more, the staff were incredibly helpful and responded quickly. The service was warm, attentive, and full of thoughtful touches. I'll definitely choose to stay here again next time I'm in Datong!

I highly recommend the Datong VIP Building! I was pleasantly surprised at how well-maintained this old hotel is. The staff mentioned that the floors and wallpaper were replaced 25 years ago, and they still look and feel great. The room was clean, tidy, and odor-free. It's a quiet oasis in a bustling area; I had a wonderfully peaceful night's sleep with no noise whatsoever. Both the front desk and room service were attentive, friendly, and responded quickly. My overall experience far exceeded my expectations – it's a truly reliable place!

You truly appreciate the difference when you have something to compare it to. I first stayed at Datong Hotel thirty years ago, so naturally, it was my top choice for this visit to Datong. Let's start with the 'positives'. For my first night, I chose the VIP building, thinking that with the country's rapid development, hotel accommodations must have advanced significantly. The promotional materials also touted its spacious and new rooms. However, upon checking in, I felt it wasn't worth the price. The front desk clearly had better rooms available but was unwilling to offer them without an additional charge for these 'so-called' superior rooms. It makes me wonder if the front desk staff has ever stayed in a four-star hotel or above. The VIP building's only real 'plus' was its larger space; otherwise, nothing felt particularly impressive. In the VIP building, the bathroom fixtures were broken, the walls didn't appear thoroughly scrubbed, and the carpet was dirty. This judgment was drawn from a direct comparison. Dissatisfied with the VIP building, I decisively checked out and opted for the old building, where I had stayed three decades ago. I was touched by the elderly gentleman at the front desk even before seeing the room. Upon checking in, I discovered that apart from the room size being smaller than in the VIP building, everything else was equally good, if not better. The elderly gentleman at check-in introduced the amenities along the way – his service was truly commendable, and I plan to get his name for a special mention in a future review. The old building's walls were freshly painted, and the carpet was notably cleaner than in the VIP building. The toiletries also felt superior to those in the VIP building. The headboard cushions were clean and tidy, and the curtains were elegantly neat and clean. Suggestions for the old building: The TV is quite old; replacing it shouldn't be too expensive. Attention to detail is crucial: the faucet handles, though old, have a noble appearance. The only imperfection is the missing small cap on the handle – a small blemish on an otherwise noble piece. The bathtub drain was malfunctioning. The shower curtain could be raised slightly higher. Since there are paintings, their frames should be clean and clear. The small cap on the toilet seat was also missing. Most importantly, the bathroom floor was quite slippery; measures should be taken to prevent guests from falling. Additionally, the old building's self-promotion is lacking. Enlarged photos of renowned figures who once stayed here should be displayed prominently. No other hotel in Datong boasts such an honor, and that's precisely your unique selling point.

The hotel's location is fairly convenient, and there's ample parking right outside. The overall style and decor are typical of an older, government-affiliated hotel, which means it's a bit dated. In-room facilities aren't new; the TV is small, and the toiletries (shampoo, shower gel, etc.) are of very low quality – completely unworthy of the price. Housekeeping was average, and the cleanliness was acceptable. What I really want to emphasize is that during the peak summer travel season, most families travel with children, and the way the staff at the hotel breakfast entrance handled things was totally inappropriate. Regardless of whether guests had breakfast vouchers or not, their tone was incredibly annoying and infuriating. They spoke to everyone entering with a hostile tone, demanding room numbers and names as if we were criminals. I wish they would learn from well-run resort hotels, which prioritize service before payment. I even overheard the staff at the entrance telling some families, 'So-and-so asked us to take care of these guests,' which was utterly unbelievable. Seeing this kind of service first thing in the morning really sours your mood for the entire day. Breakfast recommendation: The knife-cut noodles are delicious. Friendly reminder: For families traveling, I'd strongly advise you to think twice and choose a hotel with better service.

I absolutely loved this hotel! Not only were the rooms and bedding comfortable and the shower water hot, but I have to give a special shout-out to the breakfast. The hotel clearly has extensive experience hosting international guests, and their breakfast selections truly catered to Western palates. My children, born and raised in the UK, had been struggling with food for a few days in Shanxi. Upon arriving at this hotel, they were thrilled to find not only cereal but also baked beans for breakfast, just like a proper English breakfast! For a Chinese hotel to be so incredibly thoughtful and considerate was genuinely moving! The hotel even paid attention to the smallest details, offering a choice of hot and cold milk – that's truly excellent! Every morning, I enjoyed breakfast with a heart full of gratitude.

Do they not change the bed linens during cleaning anymore? Both beds in our suite, inside and out, had blood on them in multiple places. So much blood! I've truly never seen anything like it. Blood on a hotel bed... Absolutely disgusting. We called housekeeping to get the sheets and duvet covers changed, and it's only because of the blood that we even realized you don't change them! The question is, how did the blood get there?! That's beyond disturbing! If I wasn't traveling with my family, I would have checked out on the spot! The door was also difficult to close, slamming shut with a huge noise. And the lobby had a distinct metallic smell, like rust – or even blood... This stay was truly awful!!!

I highly recommend the Datong Hotel VIP Building. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, the service is professional, and its location is convenient for getting around. We booked an Executive View Room, which offered stunning night views of the ancient city. The front desk staff also kindly helped us arrange transportation for our outings, which we truly appreciated. Initially, we were hesitant to book this hotel due to some negative reviews on Ctrip. However, on our second night, we decided to give it a try, reasoning that it's an established and trustworthy brand. We were absolutely delighted with our stay after checking in! There were a few minor shortcomings, which I already discussed with the front desk during check-out. I hope the VIP Building continues to improve! I look forward to my next stay. The three books provided in the hotel room were incredibly informative. They offered a deeper insight into Datong's rich culture, landscape, customs, cuisine, and beautiful sights, truly enriching my experience after exploring the city. The hotel might consider setting up a dedicated shop or counter to provide a way for interested guests to purchase them.