Hyatt Regency, Xian

I'm now another year older, 27! Shit! Anyway enough bad news. The good news is that Kate and I both had a joint present thanks to our families. One unforgettable night in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Xi'an.

We arrived with our backpacks feeling a little smelly and unkempt. We checked in and then they took our bags! From here I felt lost, what's the protocol for this type of thing? We were taken to our room and I wondered "Do I call the bell-boy or do I wait?" The answer came as the bell-boy rang the bell and delivered the luggage.

The view from outside the hotel


The room was magic. Large space opened into the lounge area with queen bed. The TV had all the western channels and underneath the cabinet was a mini-bar stocked with drinks and snacks. The bathroom was roomy, with a telephone next to the "sit-down loo" (not the usual squat with flies).

We opted for a Regency Club room, which means that we paid a set price and got all the Club bonuses included in that. Regency Club guests have their own private lounge, unlimited soft drinks, complimentary cocktails and snacks in the evening and complimentary breakfast in the morning. Lovely. We also added to that a hot breakfast downstairs in the main cafe.

I also spent hours lounging and sweating in the spa, sauna and steam room. I was totally relaxed in the spa watching the TV sweating out the past two months of pollution, smoke and grime from our travels.

The central, public lounge where we ate fish and chips


The other bit round the back



Thanks to Mum, Dad, Val and Jerry

MC