The first thing that struck me about this hotel was that it was in need of a refit. Old decor and rooms that hadn't been updated in a while, complete with a smelly shower and no Wifi.
However, this hotel has its redeeming qualities: It's inexpensive with an outstanding location: a few minutes' walk from the Bell and Drum Towers, South Gate and bustling Muslim Quarter. You can also find streets nearby selling local street food for a cheap meal but as Xi'an taxis are rare during the day, I kept a map handy.
I found the staff relatively friendly, though the reception staff giggled and spoke to each other in Chinese when I asked to change a 500 Yuan note. The room was clean and comfortable and I had a great view of the Xi'an skyline (ask for a room as high as possible), however the air conditioning did not work in any of our group's rooms. Tip: you can open the windows.
