Mika Ichi Hotel (Huimin Street Branch, Bell Drum Tower, Xi'an)

For Google Maps, search the hotel's Chinese name, Dongshe Boutique Hotel Dongshe Boutique Hotel. The English listing sent us in circles because it showed the wrong location. It's well placed near the bell and drum tower. They provide afternoon tea and cold evening soup, and breakfast has a very good selection. The gym is decent, laundry service is free, and the staff are very friendly.

The room was the problem that overshadowed everything else. After the central air switched to heating in the cooler months, it got unbearably hot and stuffy. The preset temperature couldn't be changed, and turning the heat off didn't cool things down. The two small windows only opened a little for safety, and then street noise came in. We couldn't sleep properly during the whole stay. Reception tried to help, but there wasn't much they could do, and we only got relief after switching hotels. It's a shame, because the hotel otherwise had a good central location, a nice fine dining restaurant, room service I would highly recommend, and appealing design, amenities, layout, furniture, and comfortable beds. Without the heat problem, it would have been a perfect stay, but that discomfort ruined it for us.

The reception team made my trip much easier. They were patient and went out of their way to help me track down and arrange delivery of my online shopping packages. I really appreciated their kindness and effort, which is rare service. Eastern House is close to the crowds and action in Xi'an, yet felt like a quiet retreat. The hotel and rooms were very clean and good value.

The room was good, and the staff could communicate in English. I lowered my rating from four stars to three, though, because I saw a staff member smoking inside the hotel near the lobby.