Grand Soluxe International Hotel XI'an

Breakfast Buffet was good. Building is luxurious, as to be expected at a 5 star hotel. The room was clean and comfortable.

The service at checkout was unbelievable. We paid on arrival, with extra for a deposit. On checkout we were told that this money was instead frozen, and I had to pay the amount for the room again, with the rest being returned in 5 days. So for the remainder of my trip, I had more than the cost of the hotel frozen out of my account, leaving me scrambling to sort paying for the hotel on arrival the next day. We then went to sit in the lobby whilst we waited for the train. Whilst we were sat there, a woman started taking pictures/recording us from across the room (not uncommon as a tall white man in China). It's not meant maliciously, but was making us uncomfortable. After making it clear to the woman I wasn't happy being filmed, I went to the front desk to see if they could politely ask her to stop. Here I was told that not only would they not help, but I had to leave as the lobby was not included in the booking of a room, but you had to pay for a drink to sit there. It isn't overly expensive, but the idea that you have to pay to sit in the lobby of a hotel you are staying at is ridiculous. I would understand if it was busy, but it is an area that easily seats 50 people, that was currently entirely empty. If you are looking for a base to stay for a short while whilst you are in Xi'an, or on a business trip, then it is good value for money. If you think there is a chance you may have to interact with the staff, then you're better off at a hostel.