The Ritz-Carlton, Xi'an

Opened in 2019, the Ritz-Carlton sits in Xi'an's High-Tech (Gao Xin) business district — a modern, orderly part of the city that makes a comfortable, low-stress base for exploring the ancient sights beyond it. The arrival is classic Ritz-Carlton: a generous lobby, warm and genuinely attentive service, and the kind of quiet efficiency that makes a Chinese city feel effortless. With 283 rooms and 31 suites, it is a sizeable property, but it never feels impersonal. Staff remember you, the club lounge is excellent, and the overall standard of finish and upkeep is high.

The rooms are contemporary and generously sized, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the city, deep and comfortable beds, and marble bathrooms with a separate soaking tub and rain shower. The palette is calm and neutral, with subtle nods to Xi'an's heritage in the artwork and detailing. Everything works as it should — fast, intuitive tech, excellent blackout curtains, and the reliable, considered comfort that makes the Ritz-Carlton such a dependable choice at the top of a city's market.

The dining is a genuine strength. Xian Kitchen handles all-day dining and a lavish breakfast; Jing Xuan serves refined Cantonese; and Tasuro is a theatrical Japanese teppanyaki restaurant with live cooking stations. For local flavour, the kitchens do excellent Shaanxi specialities — the region's famous hand-pulled biang biang noodles and roujiamo among them. Standards are high across the board, and the breakfast spread in particular is one of the best in the city.

The social highlight is Flair, the rooftop bar, which delivers a sweeping 180-degree panorama over Xi'an. Come at sunset for a cocktail as the city lights come up and the modern skyline gives way, in the distance, to the ancient walls — a neat encapsulation of the city itself, old and new at once.

Xi'an is one of China's great historic cities, and the Ritz-Carlton makes an ideal base. Top of the list is the UNESCO-listed Terracotta Army — thousands of individually sculpted warriors guarding the tomb of China's first emperor, and one of the most staggering archaeological sights on earth. The hotel arranges private guides who make the visit far richer than a group tour. Closer to the centre, the fully intact Ming-dynasty City Walls can be cycled in their entirety — a genuinely memorable couple of hours — while the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and the bustling, aromatic Muslim Quarter round out an extraordinary city.

The Ritz-Carlton, Xi'an is exactly what you want from a city Ritz-Carlton: reliable, polished, superbly run, with standout dining and a rooftop bar that gives the stay a sense of occasion. It won't surprise you the way a design-led boutique might, but for exploring one of China's most important cities in comfort, it is hard to beat. Perfect for: Culture and history travellers exploring the Terracotta Army and ancient Xi'an, and anyone who values dependable, polished city luxury Skip if: You're after a boutique, design-forward property or a resort setting Book the: A club-level room for the excellent lounge, and a sunset drink at Flair. Arrange a private guide for the Terracotta Warriors.