Xi’an Airport Hotel Review: Sleeping at T3 Before My T5 Flight

I stayed at the Xi’an Airport Hotel in 2025, on the night before an international flight out of Xi’an Xianyang Airport’s new Terminal 5. I’d found a cheap Asiana Airlines fare, and rather than heading into Xi’an and back, I booked this hotel and used its shuttle to get to T5 the next day.

I paid under 500 RMB for the night — agoda shows prices in your local currency, so check current rates for your dates.

My short version

If you want to sleep close to the airport with almost no walking involved, this is about as easy as it gets — the hotel connects to Terminal 3 by a covered link bridge. Don’t expect a boutique feel or a view of anything but the airport itself, and don’t count on that bridge being staffed or even open the same way at 3am as it was when I checked in during the day.

Getting There: The Link Bridge

The hotel is connected to Terminal 3 by a covered walkway — described as a “link bridge” — so there’s no outdoor walking, no shuttle bus, and no taxi involved if you’re already at T3.

To actually get from the hotel side into the airport’s secured terminal area, though, you do go through a baggage/security check, since the bridge crosses from landside into the terminal.

Pulling a suitcase through was easy — flat ground the whole way, no stairs to deal with.

Please see also: Xi’an Xianyang International Airport (XIY) Guide: Terminals, the Airport Hotel, and the Airport Museum

The Room

I can’t confirm the exact room type or window direction I had, but the room itself felt spacious. Deluxe and Executive rooms both run around 40 sqm, which lines up with how roomy it felt.

The room wasn’t cutting-edge new, but it was clean and well-kept — nothing that stood out as dated or in poor condition. No bugs, no smell — though the hallway outside did carry a smell of cigarette smoke.

Sleep, Amenities, and Noise

Bed, air conditioning, and the bathroom all left a good impression — no complaints there. It was quiet both during the day and at night, which matters given the hotel sits right next to a major airport. Basic amenities like a toothbrush set were provided, so you don’t need to pack your own toiletries.

I had dinner at the airport at T3 before heading back to the hotel, so I didn’t try anything at the hotel itself for either meal — no breakfast either, so I can’t review the hotel’s food.

Check-In, Check-Out — and a Caveat About Late Nights

My check-in and check-out were both staffed and smooth. English wasn’t a problem exactly — the front desk staff could communicate in English with a Chinese accent. I’m not a native speaker of English or Chinese myself, so it took me a moment to adjust and follow along; if that’s your situation too, budget a little patience for the first exchange.

That said, this was during the day. I’ve seen other reviews mention being locked out around midnight — I’m not sure whether security or staff on the link bridge side operates 24 hours, so that may be worth checking if you’re arriving late.

Who I Think This Hotel Is Good For

• You have an early T3 departure, or you’re connecting to T5 the next day and don’t want to deal with getting into Xi’an
• You’d rather not drag luggage outdoors or wait for a shuttle bus
• You’re fine with an airport-adjacent hotel rather than a scenic or boutique stay

I Would Look More Carefully at Other Options If You…

• Are arriving very late at night and want certainty about round-the-clock staffing
• Want breakfast included and confirmed on-site (I can’t speak to this myself)
• Want a view or a neighborhood feel — this is purely an airport hotel

My Practical Takeaway

For a one-night stop before an early flight, I’d stay here again. The link bridge to T3 removes basically all of the usual airport-hotel hassle, and the room itself was comfortable enough that I had no complaints. The one thing I’d do differently next time is confirm ahead of time what staffing looks like overnight, since that’s the one gap in my own experience.

It can be helpful for you too: Booking a Hotel in China as a Foreigner: What I Actually Check Before I Pay