Sofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xian

My stay at Sofitel Legend Xian exceeded all expectations. The hotel's ambiance is tranquil and elegant, with a fantastic design that truly creates an incredible atmosphere. The staff were warm, attentive, and incredibly polite, offering a butler-style service that made me feel completely at ease. A special shout-out to the butlers Jack, Tommy, Derek, Doris, and Eva! The room was also spotlessly clean, well-appointed with all the amenities, and had excellent soundproofing, ensuring a fantastic night's sleep. Whether you're traveling for business or leisure, this is definitely the top choice in Xi'an.

I hadn't stayed at Sofitel Legend before, but I had twice stayed at the Sofitel and Mercure hotels next door (Mercure has since closed down). However, I've always had an irresistible attraction to hotels with a rich history, especially those converted from former high-level government guesthouses (let's call them 'old money hotels'). While planning where to go for the 2026 Chinese New Year, a short video platform surprisingly pushed this hotel that had always intrigued me. I checked the prices, and compared to other five-star hotels in Xi'an, it was significantly cheaper, so I booked a New Year's Eve stay. Upon arrival, the doorman promptly opened the car door and helped with our luggage, which goes without saying (though, to be fair, many five-star hotel doormen nowadays lack such proactiveness). The front desk staff efficiently and smoothly handled the check-in process, offering a choice of champagne, coffee, or black tea as a welcome drink. While resting in the lounge area, I happened to see a few young women taking photos in the hotel's coffee corner, adding a lively touch to the atmosphere. The attendant escorted us to our room, briefly introducing the hotel's history. Built in the 1950s, it served as a provincial guesthouse, combining Soviet, French, and traditional Chinese architectural styles. The complimentary bottled water was also in Tetra Pak packaging, reflecting the hotel's commitment to green practices. During our stay, the restaurant's host remembered our preferences by the second day. The 'shui盆牛肉' (beef soup) with 'baiji mo' (flatbread) was incredibly fragrant and chewy; I almost wanted to pack some to take home. The butler service was also impeccable, with turn-down service promptly at 7 PM every evening. The local specialty drink, 'Bingfeng' soda, was a delightful taste sensation. On the morning of the first day of Chinese New Year, the hotel arranged a lion dance performance – I never expected to see a Southern Lion dance team in Xi'an. Although the hotel only has 71 guest rooms, excluding the few business presidential suites that are rarely occupied by ordinary guests, there are about 60 rooms. Based on my observations during our 4-day, 3-night stay over Chinese New Year, there were probably only 8-9 other occupied rooms, so the overall occupancy rate wasn't high. Perhaps most people don't choose this place, as its exterior appears very understated and discreet. However, I highly recommend it, especially when traveling with elderly family members. The location is super convenient for getting around, just a 10-minute walk from Wulukou Station on Metro Line 1 (right next to Minleyuan and Wanda Plaza). I'd love to stay here again next time I visit Xi'an, haha! 😄

An absolutely fantastic hotel, highly recommended! **Facilities:** The amenities are very comprehensive. **Hygiene:** It's very clean, and they clean the room twice a day. **Environment:** The French-inspired design gives the whole room a cozy feel. It's simple and elegant, yet still boasts a sense of design and historical charm. **Service:** Every day, they provide fruit, bedtime snacks, and calming tea. The butler was also very thoughtful; knowing that we, as guests from the south, aren't used to Xi'an's dry climate, they specifically brought us a humidifier.

Everything about this place was great. It felt like stepping back in time. The service was exceptional and incredibly warm. Definitely worth experiencing.

This was my second stay, and overall I found it quiet with fewer guests, which I appreciated. The decor is quite unique and would be perfect for a travel photoshoot. The happy hour before dinner offered exquisite food, easily enough to count as a full meal. Breakfast was a semi-buffet, and I was really impressed by the variety of Xi'an local specialties you could order. Both the room and bathroom were quite spacious, and there was even an extra guest toilet, with plenty of space for an additional bed. They even thoughtfully provided a birthday cake, which I believe was made by their own pastry chef – absolutely delicious!

This was my first stay at the Sofitel Legend Xi'an, the only Sofitel Legend property in mainland China under Accor's luxury brand. The hotel boasts an excellent location at 319 Dongxin Street, Xincheng District, Xi'an, close to many historical sites like the Bell Tower. The People's Mansion complex at 319 Dongxin Street houses four hotels: Sofitel Legend Xi'an, Sofitel Xi'an on Renmin Square, Grand Mercure Xi'an on Renmin Square, and Mercure Xi'an on Renmin Square. The surrounding area is well-equipped with amenities, making transportation incredibly convenient. After the founding of New China in 1949, to meet the needs of official foreign接待, the Xi'an People's Mansion was established in 1953 in the ancient capital of Xi'an. It was then the largest, best-equipped, and highest-standard foreign affairs guesthouse in the Northwest region, initiated and overseen by the leaders of the Northwest Military and Political Committee. In the early 21st century, with the deepening of reform and opening-up and the flourishing tourism industry, under the unified leadership of Shaanxi Investment Group Co., Ltd., the People's Mansion entrusted Accor Group Hotel Management Company to professionally operate and manage the hotel cluster within the complex. Significant funds were invested, initiating a continuous upgrade and renovation project that lasted over ten years. This ultimately resulted in the creation of Mercure, Grand Mercure, Sofitel, and the fifth and only Sofitel Legend hotel in the world located in China. To the east is the Sofitel International Convention and Exhibition Center, which officially opened after 2000. This center features a pillar-less grand ballroom, 11 multi-functional meeting rooms, and a specialty Chinese restaurant. To the west is the Sofitel People's Theater. The theater, built in 1954, was renovated and upgraded after 2000, becoming an important venue for political and cultural activities in Shaanxi Province and even the entire Northwest region. From 1953 to 1974, the People's Mansion was not open to the public, with its main entrance guarded by Chinese People's Liberation Army soldiers, conveying both a sense of solemn strictness and an intriguing mystery of that era. In 2014, Building 1 of Xi'an People's Mansion completed its refurbishment. Building 1 of the People's Mansion stands in the heart of the ancient capital, carrying the city's glorious memories since 1953. It once served as an important venue for receiving state guests, and has now been magnificently transformed into the Sofitel Legend Xi'an, retaining its historical heritage while exuding a new brilliance of French elegance and contemporary luxury. The Sofitel Legend Xi'an embodies luxury that is never ostentatious; it is subtly hidden in meticulously crafted details. We firmly believe that true respect goes beyond magnificent spaces and lies in a refined response to lifestyle. The Sofitel Legend hotel has eight floors. The basement houses the spa, the ground floor features the lobby, with the front desk on the left, along with a swimming pool, a museum, a fitness center, and the Roman Holiday Italian Restaurant. The second floor offers meeting rooms and a business center. The hotel offers four types of suites: a 61 sqm Premier Suite, a 98 sqm Luxury Premier Suite, a 133 sqm Imperial Suite, and a 183 sqm Chang'an Suite. The 61 sqm Premier Suite is well-designed, with a quiet and comfortable room and fresh, pleasant air. Upon entering, there's a living room with a minibar, followed by the bedroom. Beyond the bedroom, there's a bathtub and a separate wet and dry bathroom with a shower. The hotel staff were professional and enthusiastic. During check-in, they proactively introduced nearby attractions and transportation routes – highly recommended!