Uncover Xi'an's Secrets: Your Luxurious Citadines Xingqing Palace Escape Awaits!
Uncover Xi'an's Secrets: My Citadines Xingqing Palace Escape (And Why You Should Book NOW!) - A Messy, Honest Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill all the tea (and probably some coffee, knowing me) on my recent Xi'an adventure at the Citadines Xingqing Palace. Forget those dry, corporate reviews – this is the REAL deal. And spoiler alert: I'm obsessed.
First off, let's be honest. I'm a sucker for a good hotel. And this one… this one delivered. It's not just a place to crash; it's an experience. They promised a luxurious escape, and dagnabbit, they almost delivered.
The Good Stuff (Ooooh, That Good Stuff!)
Location, Location, Location! (And Accessibility, Because It Matters) The Xingqing Palace itself is stunning, but the hotel's location? Chef's kiss. Perfectly positioned for exploring Xi'an. Accessible? Yep! (More on that later, because, frankly, it's important.) The whole area is accessible, the Citadines made sure it was accessible for those guests.
The Room (My Personal Fortress of Awesome) Okay, I'm a sucker for a plush robe and slippers (hello, bathrobes and slippers!), and these did not disappoint. The room itself? Spacious! The extra long bed was a lifesaver after a long day traipsing around the Terracotta Army. I may or may not have spent far too long just lounging on the sofa, binge-watching something on on-demand movies. The blackout curtains were a gift from the gods, letting me sleep in until, like, 9 am! And the damn window that opens let in the Xi'an air.
Internet Access (Thank God, Seriously, We Need It!) Let me tell you, having Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a must. I'm a travel blogger (yes, I admit it) so, internet access is essential for work and sanity. Wi-Fi in public areas was strong, too. Internet [LAN] was also a thing, for those who like it super secure, which is a plus.
Eating and Drinking (Fueling the Adventure!) Breakfast [buffet] was a solid start to the day. Loved the Asian cuisine in restaurant – think fluffy steamed buns and spicy noodles. And the Coffee shop saved me more than once from the morning grumps. There's also a poolside bar, which is just… perfect.
Spa-tastic Bliss (Because Relaxation is Crucial) Okay, I'm not always a spa person, but by day three, I was craving it. The Spa was a haven. I had a massage that melted my shoulders (seriously, they were practically glued to my ears) and then spent a glorious hour in the sauna and steamroom. They also have a pool with view, which, come on! So many ways to relax.
Cleanliness and Safety (Thank You, COVID) Let's be real, cleanliness is KING these days. I felt safe with the anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and the room sanitization between stays. The staff trained in safety protocol put my mind at ease. The hand sanitizer was everywhere. They also supplied Individualy-wrapped food options and took Physical distancing of at least 1 meter seriously. The Cashless payment service was also a plus.
Things to Do (Because Seeing the City is the Point!) I did not use any of the entertainment features, but I did see other people use the Indoor venue for special events and it looked pretty cool.
The Okay Stuff (We’re All Human Here)
Food, Food, Food! Their Buffet in restaurant was good, but not amazing. The salad in restaurant was a bit… basic. The a la carte in restaurant menu was decent but I was hoping for more. But hey, I might be nitpicking.
Services and Bits and Bobs The Babysitting service didn't apply to me, but I saw some kids around, so this is a plus for some. The Currency exchange was useful, but the exchange rate wasn't the best. The concierge are super helpful. I did not need Cash withdrawal.
Uh… The Downside (Because We Aim for Honesty)
- Nothing Big! Honestly, I'm grasping at straws here. It was a fantastic stay.
Accessibility: My Personal Test
My sister uses a wheelchair, so Accessibility is HUGE for me. I was thrilled. The hotel's commitment to Facilities for disabled guests was impressive. I didn't need the doctor/nurse on call, thankfully. Doorman was always helpful. The Elevator was essential!
The Verdict: Book It! (Seriously, Do It Now!)
Honestly, I'm still dreaming about that Citadines Xingqing Palace escape. It's the perfect base for exploring Xi'an, a slice of modern luxury with all the bells and whistles, and it has been a while since I've been that relaxed. I'm giving it a solid 9.5/10.
My Unsolicited Advice (and the Sales Pitch You've Been Waiting For!)
If you're looking for a luxurious, comfortable, and seriously memorable Xi'an experience, look no further. Book your stay at the Citadines Xingqing Palace NOW!
Here's the deal:
You deserve the relaxation. After all the hours you spend working, you NEED this. Treat yourself.
The adventure awaits. Xi'an is incredible, and the Citadines makes it even better. You will not be disappointed.
Don't wait! Seriously, rooms book up fast.
You won't regret it.
Hilton McLean Tysons Corner: Your Luxurious Escape Awaits (VA)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your grandma's perfectly-polished travel itinerary. This is a diary of my potential, probably-messy, maybe-glorious adventure at Citadines Xingqing Palace Xi'an, China. Let's see if I survive.
Day 1: Arrival & "I Can't Believe I Left My Toothbrush!" Shenanigans
- Morning (or, what's left of it after the flight): Land in Xi'an. Pray to aviation gods for luggage to arrive with me. Secretly check the overhead bins for a rogue Snickers bar. (You never know.)
- Afternoon: Check into Citadines. Cross my fingers it looks as good in person as it does in the glossy photos. Okay, first impression: not bad! Tiny, but hey, I like cozy. First thing, though, where is the toothbrush? Oh. Right. Facepalm. I’m a total travel newbie, aren’t I? Panic sets in. Run to the hotel shop, grabbing the most obscenely expensive toothbrush I can find. That's what I get for not making a proper packing list.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Wander around the hotel. Try to figure out which way is up. Maybe stumble upon a local restaurant. Finds a dodgy-looking place near the hotel. The menu is a mystical scroll of characters and pictures of questionable food. Point at something that looks vaguely meat-shaped and hope for the best. The food arrives. It is…interesting. Spicy, chewy, and possibly made of things I’d rather not know. But hey, it's an experience, right? Force myself to finish it, mostly from hunger.
- Evening: Crash. Jet lag is a beast. Read a few pages of my book but drift off before I get past a single sentence. Dream of toothbrushes and mystery meats.
Day 2: Terracotta Warriors and a Questionable Tea Ceremony
- Morning: Terracotta Warriors! Hype levels: MAXIMUM. Prep time: zero. Slap on some sunscreen (hopefully). Head out to the site. Wow. Just, wow. The sheer scale of it all is breathtaking. Millions of years of history, so many amazing statues. The sheer number of soldiers is overwhelming. I'm basically a tiny speck of human beside these giants. Try really hard not to elbow anyone in the face as people jostle for the perfect photo. Success!
- Afternoon: Lunch near the Terracotta site. Try to escape the aggressive vendors. Succeed with varying degrees of success. End up buying a touristy souvenir that probably cost way too much money. Regret it instantly. Tell myself 'It's a memory now!'"
- Late Afternoon: Back to the city. Feeling culturally enriched, but also incredibly tired. Spot a tea ceremony place. Thinking, "I'm tired, but I really need to try this." The tea ceremony itself? Let's just say my tea-tasting skills are somewhere between "that's green" and "that's not". The tea master, though, was fascinating. The way they moved was so graceful. The tea was…tea-like. The whole thing was more about the vibe than the actual tea. I felt relaxed, until they tried to sell me a collection of the stuff that would cost more than my rent. I escaped with my wallet intact but definitely feeling the pressure.
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant. Try to order something that doesn't involve mystery meat. Fail. *The food is okay. I end up ordering chicken, the only thing that seemed at all familiar off the menu. I finish my meal and get back to the hotel, my body finally starting to adjust to the time change.
Day 3: The City Wall & An Accidental Food Coma
- Morning: Bike ride on the Xi'an City Wall! Embrace the inner toddler that loves riding a bike. Rent a bike. Attempt to navigate what feels like a small city on a giant square wall. Almost fall off the wall, purely from not looking where I was going after I started talking to a cat that was sunbathing on the wall. The view is amazing though, as is the feeling of being on the old wall.
- Afternoon: Explore the Muslim Quarter food street. This is where I know I’m going to die happy. Oh. My. God. This is culinary heaven! So much food. Every corner, every stall. So many smells, too many textures. I must try everything! Start with a lamb kebab. Get another one straight away. Then dig for other options, such as a big bowl of soup, a flatbread stuffed with meats, and some kind of spicy noodle dish. I quickly lose all sense of self-control. By the end of the afternoon, I can barely move. I waddle back to the hotel in a food coma. I'm pretty sure I heard my stomach humming the theme song of my life.
- Evening: Recover from food coma. Promise myself to never eat again, lying to myself because I know I'll do it again tomorrow. Stare at the food streets photos in my camera, and already salivating for tomorrow.
Day 4: The Big Goose Pagoda & Farewell Dinner
- Morning: Head to the Big Goose Pagoda. Another amazing sight to observe. Check into the area to get a vibe and try to take a breath of peace. *I almost got lost in the park, but got it together. The architecture is amazing. The story behind it is interesting. But more important, the park surrounding it provides shade. Rest my sore feet for a bit.
- Afternoon: Final shopping. Buy lots of souvenirs, the same ones I made fun of someone else for buying, yesterday.
- Evening: Last dinner in Xi'an. Try to find a restaurant that serves something other than mystery meat, but also try the local delicacies one last time. Say farewell to Xi'an, promising to return. Feel a little sad to go. The city's got under my skin, even the parts I didn't like! Pack my bags. Face the daunting prospect of a long flight home.
Day 5: Departure & The Aftermath
- Morning: Last-minute scramble to pack. Locate the toothbrush. Fly home.
- Aftermath: Relive the trip in my head a million times. Start planning the next one. Maybe learn some Mandarin this time. Definitely remember my frickin' toothbrush.
This is just a potential framework, of course. The beauty of travel is the unexpected. I fully expect to deviate, get lost, eat far too much, and maybe, just maybe, become a semi-competent traveler. Bring it on, Xi'an! I'm ready to be overwhelmed. Or, at least, I will be once I recover from the flight and get my toothbrush. Wish me luck!
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Uncover Xi'an's Secrets: Your Luxurious Citadines Xingqing Palace Escape Awaits! - FAQs (Because Let's Be Real, You're Probably Confused)
Okay, So... What *Actually* Makes This Citadines Place Special? (Besides The Shiny Pictures)
Alright, let's ditch the marketing fluff for a sec. The "luxury" is... well, it *does* exist. Think: actual space in your room (a massive plus!), kitchens with enough equipment to cook a decent meal (crucial if you, like me, get hangry VERY easily), and a location that's actually *near* the Xingqing Palace Park. That park, by the way? Gorgeous in spring, potentially swarming with tourists in the fall. (Planning tip: go in spring or early summer. Seriously. Trust me on this.)
But "special"? It's the *feeling* of being a bit removed. You're not crammed into a hotel right in the middle of the tourist chaos. You're... breathing. Which, after a day battling the Terracotta Warriors, is a gift from the travel gods. Plus, the staff? Generally pretty good. I once asked the concierge for help with a translator app, and he spent a good 15 minutes patiently showing me the ropes. That kind of service isn't always a given, you know?
Is This "Xingqing Palace Park" Thing REALLY Worth It? Or Just Another Crowded Tourist Trap? (I Hate Crowds)
Okay, deep breath. The crowds in Xi'an are legendary. They rival (and often exceed) a Black Friday sale. Xingqing Palace Park is *less* crowded than, say, the City Wall. But, here's the reality check: it *is* a tourist spot. But, and this is a HUGE "but", it’s also beautiful. Picture this: peaceful pavilions, serene lakes reflecting the sky (if it's not smoggy, which, let's be honest, is a gamble), and elderly locals practicing Tai Chi with a grace that makes you feel utterly inadequate. (I tried. I failed miserably. But it was still fun!)
My advice? Go early. Like, get-up-before-dawn-and-beat-the-sun kind of early. You'll get the place to yourself, catch the sunrise over the pagodas, and feel like you've stumbled into a secret garden. Then, and only then, will you *truly* appreciate its beauty *without* being elbowed by a selfie stick.
Food! Tell Me About the Food! I'm a Total Foodie And I Demand Deliciousness!
Oh, the food. Xi'an food. It’s a *journey*. Forget your bland hotel buffet. This is where you eat. And you eat *a lot*. Consider this your warning. You *will* gain weight. It’s a guarantee. But it'll be worth it.
The Citadines has a kitchen, so you can theoretically cook, which is good, because the real magic is on the street. You MUST try the Roujiamo (meat sandwiches), the Cold Noodles (Liangpi - the real stuff, if you can find it!), and the Dumpling Banquet. The Dumpling Banquet is a tourist trap, yes, but it’s SO MUCH FUN. Picture this: a dozen different types of dumplings in every conceivable shape and flavor, served in a theatrical setting. It's a sensory overload in the best possible way. And, maybe more importantly, it's a great photo opportunity, because hey, you're on vacation!
And the street food? Oh, the street food. Get ready for queues, the occasional language barrier (Google Translate is your friend!), and a glorious explosion of flavor. Just... be careful about what you're eating. (Trust your gut… and your stomach. And maybe bring some Pepto-Bismol, just in case.)
Okay, But Seriously, What's the Catch? There's Always a Catch!
Alright, let's be real. There are *always* catches. First, the location isn't *right* in the heart of everything. You'll need to take taxis or the metro to get to some of the main sights. It's totally manageable, but it does add to the time. The metro is, however, very efficient.
Second, sometimes the service can be… uneven. It's China, not a Western hotel chain. Stuff happens. Don't expect everything to be perfect. (I once experienced a minor plumbing issue, but it was quickly fixed, and the staff were super apologetic.) The language barrier can also be a challenge, though most people in the bigger hotels (like Citadines) have some level of English.
And, okay, here's a big one: The air quality. Xi'an can get *smoggy*. Like, really smoggy. It's not the fault of the hotel, obviously, but be prepared. Pack a good face mask, especially if you have any respiratory issues. This is just the reality of a big, bustling city in China. And try to go in spring or fall!
What About The Rooms? Are They Actually as Nice as They Look in the Photos? (Please Say Yes!)
Okay, so the photos are generally accurate. But remember: Instagram filters are a thing. The rooms are spacious. Much more spacious than your typical hotel room in a major city. You won't feel like a sardine in a can. The kitchens (which, again, are a MAJOR selling point for me) are functional. There's good storage. The beds are generally comfortable.
My own personal experiences vary wildly, to be honest. The first time I went, I got a room with a great view, and I basically lived off of instant noodles and local fruit and it was heaven. Another time, I ended up with a slightly less exciting view, but the room was still fine. The key is the *space*. You'll have room to spread out, unpack, and breathe. Seriously, if you're traveling with a partner, or just want some personal space, this is a big win. Maybe the best investment you will do!
Transportation! How Do I Get Around Without Getting Completely Lost (And Robbed)?
Okay, this is important. Xi'an has a really decent metro system. It's clean, efficient, and the signs are in English, so you shouldn't get too lost. (Although, I *did* once accidentally get on the wrong train and end up several stops away. Don't judge!)
Taxis are readily available, but make sure to use the official ones and insist that they use the meter. I've heard horror stories about taxi scams; I was lucky enough to avoid that, but there are plenty of stories online. Didi (China's version of Uber) also works, but you'll need a Chinese phone number to use it. The staff at the Citadines can helpJet Set Hotels
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