Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an
Xincheng, China
Opened as a state guesthouse in 1953, this small grand hotel sits within Xi’an’s city walls on the Renmin Square estate. Its landscaped gardens, high ceilings and mixture of Chinese and European details provide a restful contrast to the surrounding streets. Spacious rooms come with butler service, while Dolce Vita serves Italian cooking. The appeal is the building’s character and manageable scale, making it a particularly attractive base for a leisurely first visit.