Sofitel Luxury Hotels announced the first Legend in China and the fifth in the world when it opened the Sofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xian.
First opened in 1953 as the State guesthouse, the hotel was designed by Hong Qing, chief architect of the Northwest Institute of Architectural Design. He sited the building in a garden, formerly part of the grounds of an imperial palace. Hong Qing used a number of French touches, including fleur-de-lis (stylized lily) as a recurring motif.
Sofitel Legend People's Grand Hotel Xian has high ceilings and generous proportions in its 71 rooms and suites. Guests will enjoy French touches associated with Sofitel, such as Hermes toiletries and French-designed floral arrangements.
Additional aspects include personalized butler service, private health club, swimming pool and spa, an Italian restaurant, the top-floor Louis XIII Bar and a private museum.
The hotel also has a garden. Here, there are 12 olive trees grown from seeds presented to the first premier Zhou Enlai during an official visit to Albania. It is also the Tai Chi Class venue for in-house guests.
The hotel's private museum has memorabilia from the early years. The most precious items include a gold serving platter and matching cloche, used only for VIPs in times past when this was Xian's only hotel licensed property to accommodate foreigners.
