Not Just Weekends: A Leisurely Drive to Angsana Hot Spring Hotel in a Captiva #CaptivaExperienceTester
June in Xi'an brought relentless rain, soaking the whole city in damp air and casting a gloomy spell over my mood. Then, unexpectedly, I won a trip through Ctrip's official self-drive WeChat account and became a Ctrip road-trip ambassador. On a Monday afternoon, I grabbed the keys to a freshly registered Chevrolet Captiva SUV and headed east to Lintong to experience the Angsana Xi'an Lintong Hot Spring Hotel.
The Angsana Xi'an Lintong Hot Spring Hotel lies about 30 kilometers from downtown Xi'an, nestled in the national-level Lintong Tourism and Leisure Resort. It's just a stone's throw from the world-famous Terracotta Warriors and Huaqing Pool, where Imperial Consort Yang Yuhuan once soaked in the hot springs. The hotel features grand Tang Dynasty-style architecture fused with contemporary design, letting you soak up ancient ambience while enjoying the flair of the world-leading Banyan Tree group.
Hotel name: Angsana Xi'an Lintong Hot Spring Hotel
Room type experienced: Imperial Garden King Room
Address: No. 8 Yuechun East Road, Lintong District, Xi'an, near Zhiyang First Road
Tel: 029-83878888
Ctrip booking link: http://hotels.ctrip.com/hotel/1210812.html
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A quick itinerary rundown:
14:00 Went to Shaanxi Huaxing Qiantong Chevrolet 4S store to pick up the car (C District 5, Fengcheng 4th Road, Xi'an)
15:00 On the road to Lintong
16:00 Arrived in Lintong via National Highway G180 (the Lianhuo Expressway Xi'an-Lintong section was under construction, due for completion in October)
16:20 Checked into the hotel
19:00 Strolled around the Tang-style Flower City (Datang Huaqingcheng)
21:00 Evening walk, swim, bath...
9:00 Woke up naturally
9:30 Breakfast
10:00 Drove back
11:00 Back in Xi'an
Entire trip driven in a brand-new Chevrolet Captiva SUV.
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I arrived at the hotel a little past four in the afternoon. The national highway was surprisingly empty, so the drive was smooth. Lintong's air felt cooler than Xi'an's, and with the rain, it was even fresher. At check-in, the front desk lady offered a welcome tea to soothe my throat.
Chatting with someone from the PR department, I learned the hotel is owned by the Qujiang Group—Xi'an locals know how deep their pockets are—and managed by Banyan Tree Group. A powerhouse partnership that guarantees top-notch quality.
Xi'an finally has a proper resort hotel. A real resort should be different from business hotels or budget inns; it must make you slow down, unwind, rather than rush through business matters.
The hotel's environment blends classical Chinese elements with modern style. Pavilions, terraces, towers, and halls—all grand yet with contemporary touches. What I found most endearing, though, were the staff. No matter which department they came from, everyone greeted me with a warm smile and a hello, all thanks to the Singapore-based management team, I was told. When a small glitch came up at check-in, someone from PR actually put aside her work to keep me company as a gesture of apology. It was both overwhelming and a clear sign of how much the hotel cares about building a stellar reputation.
Stepping into my room, I was immediately enveloped in calm and comfort. Natural wood-toned furniture accented with bright orange gave a fresh, uplifting feel. At the far end of the room, a ten-square-meter balcony beckoned—perfect for conversations, tea, or simply lounging. Every room has one.
From the balcony, the central garden unfolds in layers of lush greenery, with classical-style buildings across the way—a view that had an almost Japanese grace.
Downstairs, the landscaped gardens with water features and little bridges meant I didn't need to leave the property for my evening walk; the hotel itself was a pleasure. That's the hallmark of a real resort, I suppose.
Looking back into the room from the balcony, the color scheme and layout felt utterly soothing. Every corner whispered thoughtful, human-centered design. As I moved further inside, I spotted...
a round bathtub, placed directly in the sleeping area—no walls, no glass, just sitting there quietly, waiting for its occupant.
I couldn't wait to take photos. First, I turned on the tap, itching to try it. I'd only ever bathed in an open tub once before, in Thailand, facing the wide-open sea. Xi'an might not have an ocean, but this was its own kind of special.
While the tub filled, I explored the rest of the room. The pop of orange really added a romantic, relaxed vibe. The bed, I was told, is a Sealy Posturepedic 400T—much higher and more substantial than my own at home, and sleeping on it brought surprising peace and comfort. Turns out Sealy is an American brand and the preferred choice of super-luxury hotels worldwide. Just look at its client list: Four Seasons, Burj Al Arab in Dubai, Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong, The Venetian in Macau...
The bed was huge, easily fitting a family of three with room to spare. Beside it, a lounge chair, though it looked like a standard hotel piece, was upholstered in a knit mesh fabric with wonderful texture—very comfortable.
The tea set was tasteful. A lazy afternoon, a cup of tea, a long soak... doesn't that sound perfect?
All these little decorative touches made the room feel like much more than a place to sleep. They created a mood—nostalgic, artsy, fresh? Maybe all three.
The bathroom fixtures were by ROCA, another international brand from Spain, with a clean, linear design aesthetic. Unlike many high-end hotels, the toiletries weren't from global labels but were the hotel's own products, each tucked into charming little bottles and giving off a delicate scent. The toilet and shower were separate, with the shower room itself huge, and the actual shower stall distinct from the bathtub. There were even two sinks—one for each person, perhaps?
I counted as many as ten towels in the room. Such attention to hygiene and human comfort is rare. Face towels, hand towels, bath towels, pool towels... each with its purpose. Printed on them was the bloom of the Angsana tree, a tropical rainforest tree from Asia—the very inspiration behind the hotel's name. The Angsana tree is said to sharpen your senses and inspire a more vivid, vibrant life, much like the hotel's modern energy and its return-to-nature philosophy.
By now the tub was nearly full. Should I close the curtain or leave it open? I debated forever, then decided: who cares? I was alone anyway.
Obligatory bathtub photo shoot.
After the bath, I explored the grounds. The hotel's leisure and wellness facilities are extensive: a spa, a gym, a swimming pool... and even a KTV! You could bring family or friends here and have dining, entertainment, and relaxation all sorted.
There was also a chic bar on the ground floor, perfect for lounging.
The carpet pattern featured motifs from Qin Dynasty bronze chariots—how very Xi'an!
As night fell, a stroll felt even more inviting. It was just a pity I was by myself. The hotel has a huge hot spring area designed by Japanese architects, slated to open this October. When that happens, you'll be able to soak here properly.
View of the main entrance.
From the driveway to my room, every single staff member smiled and greeted me. That, more than anything, is my biggest reason to return—impeccable service.
For breakfast, I chose a window seat. I noticed outdoor seating too; on a dry day, eating outside would be even lovelier.
The breakfast spread was extensive, a mix of Chinese and Western. Pastries, fruit, and hot dishes were all exquisitely prepared and delicious.
Every detail looked purposefully designed and crafted, making the food as delightful to the eye as to the palate.
There were also traditional noodles and rice noodles for those who, like many Chinese, crave something warm and soupy in the morning. If you prefer a Western start, fresh juice and pastries were on offer. In short, variety aplenty, East or West.
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Now a few words about the Captiva that took me there: a 2.4L engine, seven-seater layout—perfect for a family or a group of friends.
Side profile of the SUV. Over two days of driving, I found the engine hearty and the visibility excellent. With all-wheel drive, it felt especially stable on rain-slick roads. The six-speed transmission shifted smoothly, and on the highway, it felt planted—maybe thanks to the chassis tuning. Steering was precise in corners, with impressive handling.
When I picked it up, the odometer had only 54 kilometers on it. Brand new.
Keyless entry and start: just keep the key in your pocket. To unlock, simply touch the button on the door handle; no need to fumble for the remote.
The onboard navigation and entertainment system connects via AUX, Bluetooth, USB, you name it—no boring drives here.
At night, blue ambient interior lights made the cabin feel less dark and more cocoon-like, with a subtle futuristic vibe.
