W Xi'an — A Purple Tower Mirrored in Qujiang Pool, the City's Boldest Design Hotel
Picture walking out by Qujiang Pool Park at dusk and seeing an entire tower glow purple and pink, its reflection stretching long across the water — that's W Xi'an (西安W酒店), the boldest and most playful design hotel in the city, and W Hotels' flagship in Asia. Score 9.7/10 from around 9,676 real guest reviews, the highest in our Xi'an list. Let's be upfront, though: it is not by the Bell Tower or the old City Wall. It sits in the Datang Everbright City district (大唐不夜城), the city's newer side. If you want a hotel that makes you stop and stare the moment you arrive, with a lively, music-filled buzz to match, this is the one — but if you're set on staying right by the old town to wander the Bell Tower on foot, read to the end before you decide.
The first thing guests talk about is the building itself. W Xi'an isn't the usual rectangular box of a luxury hotel — it's a sweeping, sloped form inspired by silk and rippling water, wrapped in LED panels that light up purple and pink across the whole facade after dark. It stands right beside the Qujiangchi (Qujiang Pool) heritage park, and the reflection on the water has become a photo spot for the whole district. Inside, it plays with Tang-dynasty heritage in a fun, irreverent way — luxe with rhythm, colour, and music rather than hushed formality. Almost every room comes with a step-out balcony to take in the Qujiang views, which is rare at this level.
One guest recalls: "The building is stunning — once the lights come on at night it feels like a film set. The young staff have real energy and were genuinely warm. The room was spacious with a balcony where we sipped coffee over the park, and the rooftop bar had a great atmosphere. Datang Everbright City is so close for an evening stroll. Worth more than we paid."
The location needs the full picture. The hotel sits at No.333 Qujiangchi East Road, Yanta District, in the Qujiang New District on the city's south-east side. Its strength is being right on Qujiang Pool Park, with a few minutes' walk to Datang Everbright City (大唐不夜城), the Tang-dynasty-themed pedestrian street that lights up end to end at night with shows, food stalls, and pretty little shops. A little further on are the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔) and its famous musical fountain, while the Shaanxi History Museum is within easy reach too. For soaking up that ancient-Tang atmosphere after dark, this address is the heart of it all.
But here's the honest part guests flag too — this is not a base for exploring the old town. If your main targets are the Bell Tower, the Drum Tower, the City Wall South Gate, or the Muslim Quarter, those sit on the other side of the city, about 20–30 minutes away by metro or taxi, not within walking distance. As for the metro, the nearest station is Hanyao (Line 8 — the loop line), a short walk across the bridge from the hotel, roughly 0.37 km; from there you can connect onward to the sights. Xianyang International Airport (XIY) is well to the north-west, about 50 minutes to an hour by car, so allow plenty of travel time.
The rooms and facilities live up to the rate. The hotel has around 372 rooms and suites across floors 5–26, each with W's signature plush bed, bright and characterful interiors, and — for most — that step-out balcony over the park. On the leisure side it's all here: the brand's signature AWAY Spa, the WET indoor pool, the FIT fitness centre, the WOOBAR cocktail lounge that buzzes at night, and several dining venues spanning international buffet and Cantonese Chinese. Guests consistently praise the wide-ranging breakfast and the attentive, high-energy service — that unmistakable W enthusiasm.
A score of 9.7/10 from around 9,676 real reviews shows how consistently guests come away impressed — the recurring praise is for the striking building, the spacious balconied rooms, the eager service, and a location that makes Datang Everbright City an easy evening out. The criticisms are real and worth knowing first. The main one is the location point already covered: it's not by the old town, so the Bell Tower and City Wall mean a ride in. The second: the lively, music-driven W vibe may not suit travellers after peace and quiet, especially when the bar or lobby has an event on — light sleepers should ask for a higher floor or a quieter side.
Standard rates start at around ~¥1,200 (฿6,000) per night, with a typical range of ฿6,000–11,000 depending on season and room type. China's long holidays — Golden Week (October 1–7), Chinese New Year, and Labour Day (May 1–5) — are when rates climb fast and rooms fill quickly, since Xi'an is a top domestic destination, so book several weeks ahead and take a free-cancellation rate to be safe. On the whole, if you're in Xi'an to soak up the Tang district after dark, want a head-turning design hotel that photographs beautifully, and like having full facilities on site, W Xi'an does it very well in this part of town.
The honest summary, friend to friend: W Xi'an is for travellers who want a fun design hotel, a tower that mirrors itself in the lake, a room with a balcony, and a location that walks easily to Datang Everbright City and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Photo-loving couples, younger travellers who like a bit of buzz, and anyone curious to try a modern side of Xi'an will love it. But if you're set on staying right by the old town for the Bell Tower and City Wall, compare it against Sofitel Legend People's Grand or the Atour South Gate branch in our list, both closer to the historic landmarks.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Bold design tower glowing purple over Qujiang Pool — head-turning
- ✓ Spacious rooms with step-out balconies over the park, plush W beds
- ✓ Eager, attentive staff with that high-energy W style
- ✓ A few minutes' walk to Datang Everbright City and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda
- ! Not by the old town — the Bell Tower / City Wall mean a 20–30 min ride
- ! Lively, music-driven mood may not suit travellers wanting quiet
- ✓ AWAY Spa, the WET indoor pool, gym, and WOOBAR all on site
- ✓ Wide-ranging, high-quality buffet breakfast
- ✓ Right on Qujiang Pool Park, with a lively Tang-district mood at night
- ✓ Around 372 rooms and suites, floors 5–26, most with a balcony
- ! Rates spike and rooms fill fast over the Chinese long holidays
- ! On the newer Qujiang side, away from the old-town landmark cluster
- 💡If you're set on staying by the old town for the Bell Tower, City Wall, and Muslim Quarter · W is on the newer Qujiang side, a 20–30 min metro/taxi ride into the old town · Fix → for walking distance to the historic landmarks, see Sofitel Legend People's Grand or the Atour South Gate branch in our list
- 💡If you want peace and quiet and privacy · This is a W — lively and music-driven, with the bar and lobby buzzing through the evening · Fix → ask for a higher floor or a quieter side, or for a calmer, wellness-leaning stay in the same district look at The Westin Xi'an
- 💡If budget is tight but you want the Datang / Big Wild Goose Pagoda area · Rates run ¥1,200+/night and climb over holidays · Fix → The Westin Xi'an sits even closer to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda for less — see our Xi'an hotels list