5-Star Hotels in Gansu, China

Finally, I'm opening a new chapter in my Northwest travels! As someone who's always traveling, I'd never been to the Northwest before. This hotel is probably the best one around here; it's very new. In terms of location and how new it is, it's absolutely top-notch. The room was clean and tidy, and the cleaning lady made the bed perfectly every day. A special thanks to Manager No. 19 on duty, who humanely extended my check-out time because there weren't many flights and mine was late. If you're coming to Zhangye, staying here is definitely the way to go. Highly recommended!

Huge thanks to Manager Zhang for calling us, to driver Qiao for picking us up at Gate 11 of the airport terminal, and to Manager Wang at the front desk. This is a truly unique hotel. Even before we arrived, they were already reaching out. While we were still on the high-speed train, a call came through, asking about our flight arrival time. I mentioned we were coming by high-speed train to Zhongchuan Airport East Station and wondered if they could pick us up. Manager Zhang replied, 'Yes, a driver will contact you.' Manager Zhang asked for our train number and arrival time. Sure enough, less than ten minutes later, a text message arrived from the telecom company, directing me to Gate 11 of the terminal's arrival exit after getting off the train. Mr. Qiao, the driver, clearly specified the car's color and license plate number. As I was typing a reply, Mr. Qiao's call came in, again confirming his parking location. Since we mentioned we were an elderly couple, Mr. Qiao politely asked about the color of our clothes. My husband and I exited Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport East Station, took the escalator, and quickly found Gate 11. Just as I was about to call, Mr. Qiao walked up to us, greeted us politely, confirmed our identities, helped us with our luggage into the car, and assured us that someone would take care of our bags upon arrival at the hotel. Once the car stopped, Manager Zhang warmly and proactively took care of us, carrying our luggage into the lobby and then all the way to our room. As soon as we entered the room, the housekeeping staff delivered fresh fruit. The next morning, our airport transfer was scheduled for 7:30 AM. Our principle is to avoid inconveniencing others, so we always arrive earlier than the scheduled time. By 7:15 AM, we were downstairs, completing the check-out process at the front desk. Manager Wang (I believe she's a manager, though we didn't see her title on her nametag, only her surname Wang) told us to eat breakfast before getting in the car, and she would let us know when it arrived. I replied that we hadn't booked breakfast, as our flight was business class, and we'd eat at the airport. She insisted, 'It's fine, have a little something.' She then arranged for us to sit down, asked if we wanted milk or millet porridge, and personally brought us two cups of milk and two bowls of porridge. When the car arrived, she again escorted us to the car, helped with our luggage, and ensured it was safely stowed. I mentioned there was a type of fruit we hadn't seen before. She packed a few for us in a food bag and told us its name and how to eat it. We've encountered hotels that call ahead to inquire about arrival times, but never one with such meticulousness and such seamless coordination with the driver. We've had drivers pick us up from stations and airports, but never one as thorough and enthusiastic as Mr. Qiao. We've met lobby managers, but never one like Manager Wang, who treats guests like family. This is a truly special hotel. This is also a hotel with culture. It features a cultural promenade, not just a few thick books for decoration or blatant tourism advertisements. Here, you'll find sculptures and paintings. On the third-floor elevator landing, there are shadow puppet-themed artworks. These art pieces showcase the history, culture, folk customs, and art of Gansu. I shared photos of these artworks with my students, and we discussed Gansu's history, culture, and geological features on WeChat. They all agreed that very few hotels nationwide focus on cultural taste. This hotel truly is a culturally rich hotel. **Facilities:** Very new, all equipment works perfectly. **Cleanliness:** Excellent. **Environment:** Very close to the airport and Zhongchuan Airport East High-Speed Rail Station. The shuttle takes only two or three minutes. From our room, we could see the airport main building and control tower, and observed aircraft taking off and landing, yet there was absolutely no noise. Due to light rain, we didn't explore the surroundings. **Service:** Outstanding. My husband and I are grateful to all the hotel staff.

Alisa checked us in and was incredibly welcoming. When she heard it was our first time in Lanzhou, she even got us a Hyatt-made map and gave us some simple travel tips! She was so enthusiastic and thoughtful! The hotel is across from a park, and you can also see the Yellow River, which is perfect for those who enjoy a morning stroll. Waking up to the view of the Yellow River is incredibly refreshing. The room was spotless, and the cleaning staff were very diligent every day (usually, after the second day of a consecutive stay, the cleaning can feel a bit less thorough, but here it was consistently excellent). The breakfast had a great variety, and I absolutely loved the freshly fried Youtiao (Chinese crullers) — they were delicious! All the staff, from the gym to the concierge and the restaurant, were so friendly! I absolutely love the Hyatt Lanzhou! I'll definitely be back!

Our stay at this five-star hotel throughout our trip to Dunhuang was absolutely perfect. The hotel's design beautifully integrates the Silk Road Dunhuang culture, creating a fantastic ambiance. Dunhuang elements are visible everywhere in the lobby and public areas, showcasing meticulous attention to detail. The guest rooms are spacious and spotless, with soft, comfortable bedding and high-end, complete bathroom facilities. The soundproofing is excellent, ensuring a peaceful night's sleep after a day of travel. The front desk staff were warm and professional, making check-in efficient and smooth. They proactively offered helpful assistance with travel guides and attraction bookings. The breakfast offered a rich variety, combining authentic Northwestern specialties with exquisite Western dishes, all tasting delicious. The location is very convenient for getting around, with easy access to Mingsha Mountain, Mogao Grottoes, and Shazhou Night Market. It was incredibly comforting to have such high-quality accommodation in the middle of a desert journey. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Dunhuang!

A Princess Treatment Stay in Zhangye From the moment the hotel staff picked me up at the train station, I have received nothing but princess treatment. Whether this is standard or something special because I'm a solo female traveler in an area that doesn't see many foreigners outside of tour groups, I genuinely don't know. What I do know is that I felt looked after from start to finish. The arrival set the tone. A friendly staff member was waiting right at the train station exit, and the ride to the hotel was barely five minutes. I ended up on the top floor with a mostly unobstructed mountain view, and on a clear day you can apparently catch sunrise and sunset from up there. My room is enormous for one person. Two full bathrooms, a separate living room, separate bedroom with an additional couch. The little touches genuinely surprised me: a real sewing kit (not the sad three-thread version), a loofah, nice lotion, a plastic liner for the tub, cute slippers I may have to ”accidentally” pack, shower shoes, multiple teas, and a pod coffee maker. Speaking of the tub liner, it came paired with a sachet of ”red wine bath liquid” in this blood-red color, and combined with the plastic sheeting the whole setup gave me serious Dexter vibes. IYKYK. Slightly disturbing, completely awesome. Free laundry down the hall on my floor with washers, dryers, and soap provided. The breakfast spread is plentiful and genuinely good, tons of dishes, real variety. The one issue during my stay was the climate control. My room hit 28°C and I called down for help. They sent an army of staff. When they realized moving me wouldn't solve anything because the issue affected another room too, they rebooted the system instead of just shuffling me around. By the time I finished dinner and used my included dining credit, my room was cool and comfortable. That's not just good service, that's good problem-solving. They adapted, communicated, and fixed it properly. The staff deserves their own paragraph. Reception and the kitchen team were complete standouts. Everyone was gracious and warm, and the ones who spoke English did so beautifully even though they kept apologizing for it (they really shouldn't have, they were great). There was a moment at check-in when two excited staff members brought me up to my room and we all forgot the room key in the lobby. One of them ran back down to get it while we laughed about it together. That kind of warmth you can't fake. And it isn't just the front of house, there doesn't seem to be a moment when somebody isn't cleaning something, whether it's the windows, the chairs in the outdoor seating area, the bikes available for guests, or the koi pond. This hotel is genuinely well taken care of by its staff and ownership, and it shows. I didn't get to do everything I wanted to in Zhangye, which means I'll be back. And when I do come back, I'll be staying right here. I honestly can't say enough good things about this place.

This was the best hotel we stayed at along the entire Qinghai-Gansu Grand Loop. The doormen (employee numbers 42 and 55) were so welcoming and even helped us wipe down our car when they saw it was dirty. They were quick to bring our food deliveries right to our room. The hotel breakfast was also delicious; the beef noodles were better than what you'd find at some specialized restaurants. The environment was lovely too. Plus, there's direct access to the adjacent mall from the hotel's fourth floor, which is super convenient.

This hotel is located in Lanzhou Old Street, offering a quiet retreat amidst a bustling area. We were upgraded to a quieter room, which really made for a comfortable night's sleep. The facilities are good too; it would be even more convenient if there was a coffee table to place things on. What truly impressed me the most was the hotel's service. All the staff members were warm and friendly, including the cleaning aunties, who provided timely and attentive service. They even thoughtfully prepared a 'cheer-up' kit for us participants of the Lanzhou Marathon, which included various snacks, cooling patches, and band-aids – something I've never encountered before! There was also a special backdrop in the hotel lobby, showing how much effort Lanzhou as a city put into making this event a success. It was truly touching. The hotel is conveniently located less than a 10-minute walk from Matan Metro Station, with plenty of bus routes nearby. I really enjoyed Lanzhou Old Street; it has everything for dining, lodging, and entertainment. I'll definitely stay here again on my next visit to Lanzhou.

During the May Day holiday, we traveled to Dunhuang. The hotel was very unique, located in the desert, with a typical Northwest and Xinjiang folk house style, yet it exuded a sense of elegance. The room facilities were complete, and the service was thoughtful. There were a few things that pleasantly surprised me: first, they proactively provided and covered the bathtub with a liner; second, they offered a complimentary laundry service once; and although breakfast officially ended at 10:30 AM, they were considerate of late sleepers and still provided a rich breakfast spread even after the cut-off time. While the breakfast options were limited, they were exquisite and distinctive, leaving us very satisfied. The hotel's travel photography service is highly recommended; the results were excellent – it would be a shame to miss it! Overall, Dunhuang is a very worthwhile travel destination. We spent four nights and three full days, which was quite leisurely. On the first day, we visited Yumenguan Pass and Yadan National Geological Park. We set off around noon and these two spots were conveniently located in the same direction. At Yumenguan Pass, we only explored the Small Square City and didn't go further. Then we headed to Yadan. I recommend chartering a car for the tour, as it offers much more freedom. Otherwise, taking a taxi means a two-hour journey each way. A private car allows you to see some hidden gems and control your time, as most of the scenery is somewhat similar, and too much can lead to aesthetic fatigue. On the second day, we went to the Mogao Grottoes. Remember to book tickets in advance; ours was for 3 PM. First, you watch a film at the digital center, then take their provided transport to the grottoes. Each group is assigned a guide who explains everything during the tour. This model is excellent as it protects the cultural relics while allowing you to appreciate their essence. I recommend it to those visiting Xi'an's Terracotta Army, so you don't just see a sea of tourists' heads. On the last day, after 4 PM, we went to Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring. The sun wasn't as intense then, and you can buy tickets at the entrance anytime. The scenery was magnificent, and Crescent Spring was beautiful; I was surprised at how well it's preserved. We skipped the evening's large chorus as we weren't young enough for that. In general, Dunhuang is indeed a great place to visit, and it's well worth coming here. Don't worry about the service; the local government is very dedicated. Lastly, Dunhuang Night Market, also known as Shazhou Night Market, is worth a try for its flavors and atmosphere.

Came with the kids for a weekend getaway. The hotel is very upscale and grand, with an impressively high lobby and new, stylish facilities. The front desk being on the 51st floor was a bit inconvenient. The room was clean, but the air conditioning had an issue; the first room was too hot, and we had to switch rooms. However, the service was excellent and very accommodating. They handled problems immediately. A manager with an accent, in particular, was incredibly efficient in resolving our issue. Definitely worth staying again.

The hotel's location is excellent, with many old Lanzhou eateries nearby. Mogouyan and Hujia Baozi are both within walking distance. Upon check-in, they offered local fruits, and I had the best Gansu apples there. The room was spacious with a great view. The coffee from the coffee cart in front of the hotel was delicious and unique.