RTWSTARALLIANCE

I have looked into XIY a number of times but frankly getting there is a bit of work. I know via PVG, ICN and HKG but most seem to involve a stop. Can people comment on how or better yet routing they used to XIY? Thanks.

AZ Travels the World

Non-stop from PEK. There were several flights a day the last time I did it, a few years ago.

Hamurabi2008

Hi!
My 2cts.
Not sure about international connections.
However, domestic connections are plentyful. PVG/PEK being the most prominent ones.

as domestic flights tend to change very frequently, you may check ctrip.com or elong.net for latest connections. Also a great way to book domestic flights at a discount. All are eticket now anyway. Just pay attn to the payment process for international credit card holders.

On the Hotel in question: stayed there 2N in 2008. Was underwhelmed. Property is a bit dim and outdated. Suggest to check out the new Sofitel for comparison. Plenty of G-promotions on the website, though.

Ham

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Thank you. I was able to get tickted from ICN on KL in C. Not perfect but it works. The price is right for the Hyatt.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

I will be at the Hyatt within a couple weeks. Can someone comment on transportation from / to XIY? Also. A driver and/or guide to the terracota warriors? Any of these items should be booked via Hyatt? Also. Would one get a guide to see the local parts of Xian? Safe to walk around? How about phone communications? Can I purchase a SIM card? Any know if the SkyTeam has a Lounge at XIY? In on KL from ICN in C. Two cabin plane. Thanks all. Any comments appreciated.

LAXGUY

Your guide and transport questions are a matter of your personal preference. Taxis are widely available but you may prefer the convenience of a driver. Even if the driver and/or hotel cars cost three times as much as a taxi, it's still not expensive in Western terms.

Similarly, if you are the sort of visitor who enjoys having a local guide when you visit a city, you probably will want to have one in Xian. If not, you won't. FWIW I thought the most interesting parts of the city (the top of the old city walls, the Muslim Quarter) were more fun to explore on one's own but YMMV.

And I found Xian perfectly safe for walking around. SIM cards are easy to purchase but China has different ones for various regions and, for instance, a Beijing SIM card may incur roaming charges if used in Xian, so if you buy one it should reflect the needs of your specific itinerary.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

I will get a driver/guide for the warriors and explore on my own.

Sounds like SIM cards in China are like Russia. So I will purchase a SIM card in Xian. Can they be purchased anywhere or should I do at airport? Also. Any leads on guide/travel service for Xian? Otherwise will contact Hyatt shortly. Thanks for the answers. Appreciated.

yyzgigi

I concur with the advice of LAXGUY. Xian is safe for walking around and everything in the city is an easy walk from the Hyatt (just watch out for the killer drivers). I found the taxi from the airport fine, just bring a copy of the hotel name and address in Chinese characters (you can grab from the Hyatt website). Going back to the airport, you can insist on a public taxi, or take a more expensive hotel cab (for a relatively affordable amount).

We took a tour arranged through the hotel to the Terracotta Warriors and other suburban sites -- although it was priced for Westerners it was not a bad deal. They had a local guide with not bad English who was flexible on itinerary, but did include a mandatory stop at at least one souvenir shop. You might do it cheaper booking outside the hotel, but likely not worth the hassle. I booked while at the hotel for the next day and didn't have a problem, but if you know what you're doing now it wouldn't hurt to book.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Thank you. Got a reply from the Hotel. As a FYI-
RT transfer to XIY 750 RMB
East Line Tour aka Terracotta Warriors plus 880 RMB
City Tour 750 RMB

I am going to cab from XIY and public cab back.
Will arrange for tours at Hotel.
Walk around myself as my amount of time does not allow for 5 hour City Tour above.
Try and obtain SIM card at XIY myself or get concierge assistance at Hotel. Need to present passport.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Arrival into China. At this time the swine flu is still pretty hot. Upon arrival into XIY abroad KE was told to please keep seated. I was the only one in the premium cabin. We parked on the tarmac and buses came out to collect us. The health department entered the plane and took the temp of every passenger. Fortunately no person on our plane was "sick". At that time we were allowed to deplane and driven to immigration/customs. This was a very efficient process.

Upon exiting I found a atm and got some cash. No problem with having too much as I will be back into China in a couple months.

Preface: Have always wanted to see the Terracotta Warriors and complex.

Status: Diamond.

Rate: Less than $100 USD.

Transportation: Upon arrival into XIY I had already decided to stop by the "tour desk" to get a car/bus or shuttle into town. Was told no shuttle which was fine. I was tired. The car to the Hyatt was 200 RMB all in. The car was a Buick. It amazes me even with the gouge the price was reasonable given the distance. As you come upon the city center you would think the wall would end but it keeps going. Amazing. Will take a cab back to XIY.

Parking: n/a

Check-in: I had e-mails back and forth with the Hotel. So I knew ahead that I had been upgraded to a suite. Upon check-in was told I was upgraded to a junior suite. We it is a suite in every meaning of the word. Escorted promptly to the 9th floor Regency Club for check-in.

Perks: As noted above. I also received a bottle of wine and fresh fruits from the GM. Nice touch.

Lounge: The Lounge is a nice affair. It sits as a link between the two towers. Pretty good size and comfortable. This evening they had hot items, fresh cut fruits, various desserts, soft drinks, liquor, cheeses and flat bread. There were also many appetizers. The Lounge staff is pleasant and delightful. Professional but pleasant. On of the leads in the Club was formerly at Grand Hyatt DFW. You will know her when you meet her.

Room aka suite: Room 1. You enter onto carpet. To your right you have a closet followed by a cabinet with a Sony tube tv atop. Then a small desk with a Chinese style chair. The desk could be larger. Then you have a window looking towards the back. Coming around you have a connector to the bedroom followed by a comfortable large sofa with two huge comfy chairs. You have a coffee table and side tables. Like you are hosting a summit. This room also has a full bathroom.

Room 2. This is the bedroom area. Also carpet. A room with angles with a "king" bed, closet and another tube tv.

Bathroom: You have a stone or tile floor with single basin sink and toilet. This room only has a shower.

Internet: Wired in room and comp. for Diamonds.
SIM card: I was led to believe that it would be simple to get a SIM card by the Hotel. But numerous calls and it came down to me having to put down 3000 RMB as a deposit. If I was going to do that I would just use my US or UK cell. In the end I purchased a intl. phone card. Back to dialing a direct number at the Hotel which on our test cost .20 RMB. So no SIM card a prepaid card.

Gym: Not been.

Spa: Not been but on 2. Reasonable prices. Thinking about it but still sore from the massage at ICN. That Korean girl hurt me.

Eating venues: Not been.

Local markets: I have not been out on the street in front of the Hotel but looks varied. Lots of stuff.

Local area: Tomorrow I will have a car, driver and English speaking guide for Terracotta Warriors. Today I decided to be conservative. The goal was to see the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, The Great Mosque, walk the Muslim quarter and South Gate. Well I made it and without a guide. It was not pretty. It is hot and getting a cab is not easy. I resorted to peddle and whatever those things are called in BKK. When I got to the Muslim quarter I walked too far and ended needing a little more help so took alternate cab transport. A helpful hint. When you arrive around the Bell Tower there is a pedestrian walk way below the street. Use that to save yourself. Now this being said I broke two 100 RMB notes before I left the Hotel. I still have three 20 RMB notes left. That is after paying to enter the Great Mosque and breaking down from hunger having fast food. It was fine.

Negatives: None.

Closing: I think this is a city seriously overlooked. It is a pretty darn amazing place. The Hyatt is the right location. Yes the Hotel is dated and needs refurb. but the value is here and you will not regret spending a cent.

I will let you know how my tour goes. Regards from the ancient capital to Xian.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

A couple highlights from the RC letter.

Cont. breakfast Mon to Fri 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM
Sat and Sun 6:30 AM to 11 AM
Comp. evening cocktails daily 5:30 PM to 8 PM
Tea and coffee services during operating hours
Open on 9th floor 6:30 AM to 11 PM daily

If you wish to take the full breakfast can be taken at Cafe Restaurant for 45 RMB upcharge plus 15%.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

I took breakfast downstairs. The Club would have been fine. The Club had two hot items this morning- eggs and pork bun. The selection was extensive. The upcharge was reasonable. Tomorrow will be in the Club.

I had a great tour. The Terra Cota Army site is amazing. Make sure you see the bronze chariot exhibit in the same complex. That was pretty darn amazing also. I have had a nice time in Xian. This is not a place for a return visit.

The IP card I got for calls has worked perfectly. Clear as a bell. I have not turned my mobile on since being in Asia and that is a good thing. The guide did confirm today the extra over the top cost to "open" the SIM card line for intl calls. In fact I got such a bargain I purchased two more to use in China for the next trip.

In closing this place has been on my list for years. It was not easy getting here but well worth it. If you need a local guide and want to do something priced more local send me a FT PM. Regards from Xian and the Hyatt!

kuponuts

I stayed two nights at Xi'an Hyatt Regency. It's an old hotel, but very nice food and friendly staff.

Edited: The staff at Xi'an Hyatt Regency is amazing. I left my computer cable in the room and I left for the airport without knowing. The staff rang my driver 5 minutes after I got into the hotel car. If it wasn't for their alertness, I would be on the road without a computer to use. And because of this, I decide I will choose Hyatt Regency Xi'an again next time I visit.

Alumino

I just finished a 3 night stay at HR Xian along with 6 of my students (college summer cultural immersion tour).

Kudos to the Xian front desk and concierge staff! Their willingness to help and their pleasant, professional manner was more than I expected... and I expected quite a bit from what I had heard online!

Especially worthy of note was the help of Sarah Wang, Front Office Manager. I made a few requests that were a bit outside the norm (switching my reservations over to my students' names and GP numbers, alternating daily charges between the two students sharing a room, paying with a huge pile of Hyatt Certificates from Costco, adding breakfast some days, some days not, etc). She just hung in there, smiled, and made it all happen.

Also, though the hotel isn't the newest one, I was upgraded to a huge suite that was nicely appointed (I have stopped expecting anything but a firm bed in China....) Bottle of wine, decent view, etc.

Have to say, though, that I wasn't super impressed with Xian. City wall was kind of cool, and the Terracotta warriors were impressive, but the city itself just didn't do it for me. The area around the hotel was fair, but just one block away it looked like a bomb hit, with large piles of trash and rubble in vacant lots. Lots of little restaurants and steamed bun stands in the area of the hotel, but it got irritating to have to haggle over the "lao wai" price even at food vendors with signs stating the price in RMB. Two days of defending my group from getting ripped off. But that's China, I guess (and I like China). I have heard good things about Xian from many people... maybe, I was just missing something.

LAXGUY

Beyond the city wall and the Warriors, your message doesn't say what you did in Xian. Did you go to the Muslim Quarter or to the Shaanxi History Museum? Those were highlights of my visit a few years ago. If you mainly walked the area around the Hyatt, and didn't explore outside the walls other than to see the Warriors, I can understand your reaction.