A very surprising and economic hotel, very large and attractive with a grand lobby and spacious rooms. In addition, the Sales Manager, Vanessa, was very helpful, arranging with me even before I arrived to receive my much needed Tibet Permit that was presented to me upon checking in.
My main complaint and typical of Asia, few hotel employees spoke English and those who did spoke it poorly. With many Western travelers, even Asian ones, there is reliance upon English as the international travel language.
Another complaint, the staff did not understand that if a mobile phone is on Airplane Mode, they should never turn it off, especially not telling the guest, while attempting to help them connect to the hotel's wifi. Several insisted wifi did not work with Airplane Mode, though it is precisely to be used that way when not desiring the phone to be subject to huge data charges.
In one instance, while in my room dealing with my TV as well, my attention was not on my phone when the bellman gave me my phone with wifi. I later called a friend in USA, something wifi calling permits for free, only to see later, the hotel man had turned off Airplane Mode, causing me a charge for the call! Later, another tried to turn it off again!
Finally, I went to Xi'an for 2 days, leaving my luggage. When I returned at 3pm, the reception clerk said my room wouldn't be ready until 8pm. Really? She insisted, I raised my voice, asked for Vanessa and amazingly the room was available. Very poor form.
