Xitan - A Hidden Gem of Japanese Aesthetics in Mentougou!

Xitan - A Hidden Gem of Japanese Aesthetics in Mentougou This time, I stayed at Xitan Hotel using a room voucher and was quite satisfied overall—I'd give it a 93/100. Public Areas: The public spaces feature many Japanese garden-style designs, with picturesque views at every turn and solid material choices. The lobby, the pavilion atop the tea room, the interior of the tea room, the meditation room, and the swimming pool are all excellent spots for photography. The play of light and shadow is mesmerizing, and the amenities are comprehensive, including a coffee bar, tea room, bar, and media room. Guest Room: I paid an extra ¥1,700 to upgrade to the Emerald Mountain View King Room A. The courtyard of this room type is incredibly relaxing, with lovely views, and the outdoor soaking tub is exceptionally comfortable. The indoor space spans 65 square meters, designed in a Japanese-inspired wood style, and the hardware is top-notch. The minibar's first round is complimentary, featuring craft beers, juices, and more. Dining: Xitan's breakfast, provided by Rongfu Yan, is undoubtedly among the top-tier hotel breakfasts I've ever had. The Hunan rice noodles were of exceptional quality—silky smooth and utterly delicious. The pork oil mixed rice noodles were aromatic and addictive, and the soup noodles paired perfectly with freshly fried, crispy, and fluffy dough sticks. The blanched choy sum was crisp and refreshing, and I devoured two large plates of thick-cut bacon. For dinner, I chose the RB charcoal grill restaurant—aside from the seafood pasta being a letdown, everything else was quite good. The pour-over coffee at the coffee bar was also excellent. Service: There were minor hiccups in service, such as slow response times. For instance, it took about ten minutes to get the pool door opened or to have luggage collected at checkout. However, there were no major issues. Given the hotel's proximity to Tanzhe Temple and the fact that many guests visit specifically for it, I personally suggest the hotel should offer shuttle services to Tanzhe Temple. Overall, Xitan is absolutely a delightful resort hotel worth experiencing at least once. In my opinion, it ranks among the top five resort hotels in mainland China (the other four being Amanyangyun, LUX* Chongzuo, Hylla Vintage Hotel, and RISSE Valley).