1. 75SmartInvestor | 02 . 2015 |
A Legend Reborn
In the historic city of Xian, a new era in luxury travel and hospitality await discerning travellers
with the revival of its most prominent landmark, anchored by one of the only five Sofitel Legend
guesthouses worldwide, the signature ultra-luxury brand of Accor Group. By Tony Goh
Long before the discovery of
the Terracotta Army in 1974,
Xian was already an important
cultural destination for visitors eager
to experience the picturesque city
wall, along with many other historic
landmarks such as the Big Goose
Pagoda – a city wall dating back to the
Ming Dynasty – and the repository of
sacred manuscripts.
Acknowledged as one of the world’s
finest cities in its heyday, the ancient
city of Xian was China’s capital for
a total of 13 dynasties, and is today a
vibrant centre for education, high tech
industries and tourism.
For a city that has been around for
more than 5,000 years, it is apt to say
that Xian is a city that won’t die. This
immortality is today buttressed by a
thriving dining and modern shopping
scene which lines its main business and
tourist districts.
But the modern theme of what Xian
has to offer is centered on this grand
complex known as Renmin square.
The newly refurbished guesthouse is
now open and known as Sofitel Legend
Peoples Grand Hotel Xian.
This property becomes the brand’s
19th property in Greater China, and
a member of the exclusive Legend
Collection that includes such historic
landmarks as Hotel Metropole
Hanoi and Sofitel Legend the Grand
Amsterdam.
It started life in 1953 as the state
guesthouse, back when this property
was Xian’s only hotel licensed to
accommodate foreigners. Sofitel
Legend Peoples Grand is characterised
by lofty ceilings and spacious interiors,
and it features 71 rooms and suites
restored to convey a sense of a
bygone time and place, when it was
the grandest place in this century-old
city.
The Peoples Grand Hotel Xian
is part of Renmin Square, a hotel
complex with 40,000 sqm in area and
managed by Accor. A hotel known
for its rich heritage, it is still visited
by a long list of VIPs and celebrities
as it was also the first statehouse in
the city certified to host foreign
visitors, and sitting on the grounds
of the former Imperial palace within
Xian City’s walls.
MICE & TRAVEL

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MICE & TRAVEL
| SmartInvestor | 02 . 2015
As the most exclusive brand under
Accor group, the word ‘Legend‘
denotes a portfolio of finely-crafted
criteria for the qualifying hotels; chief
among them is one that comprises
a history of being a legendary place,
hosting legendary guests and having
legendary stories.
Only the finest hotels in the world
can gain the privilege of coming under
the Sofitel Legend brand, and the
Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand Hotel
Xian is the first hotel in China and the
5th hotel in the world to be added into
this elite list.
Inside, history came alive in all its
splendour, and my curiosity grew with
every step into this well-preserved
building of the Sofitel Legend Peoples
Grand Hotel Xian. Like finely-aged
wine, this grand hotel of yesteryear
has gotten only better with time
under careful preservation efforts,
ensuring that much of its rich history is
preserved with new stories waiting to
be written.
Personalised butler service is
extended to guests from the moment
of arrival, and other facilities include
an extensive garden setting, private
health club, swimming pool and spa, an
authentic Italian restaurant, an exclusive
top-floor Louis XIII Bar and a private
museum.
The top-notch service preceded
the 600-threadcount bed that could be
held accountable for my good night’s
sleep. Aligned with Sofitel’s signature
style, the hotel offers amenities such as
Hermès toiletries and French-designed
headed by Italian Head Chef, Andrea
Zamboni. Serving authentic Italian fare
for lunch and dinner, the restaurant’s
fine culinary features include a wood-
fired pizza oven, open kitchen and
elegant antipasti table setting; against its
laidback setting of antiquity - flushed
metal gates as windows and classical
music in the background.
Meanwhile, the 1953 Lobby Lounge
embraces a new meaning of high-tea.
Filled with nostalgic illustrations for
history buffs, the ambience has been
restored, holding up to the past as an
elegant tribute.
floral arrangements.
Sheltered links to the neighbouring
Convention Centre and Grand Theatre
also make this new property ideal for
meetings and events.
Breakfast at Sofitel Legend People
Grand Xian isn’t like the usual buffet
spread. Guests have a choice to select
ala-carte hot meals off the menu
comprising Chinese, Continental,
and American cuisine, overlooking a
garden.
Despite Accor’s French roots, the
Dolce Vita boasts wheat and noodles
as its main source of dining pleasure,
Lobby
Louis lllX Bar
Continental & western cuisine for breakfast

3. 77SmartInvestor | 02 . 2015 |
A private museum showcasing well-
preserved collections such as gold plates
used during the times of operation is
another must-visit during your stay at
the Sofitel Legend People Grand Hotel.
Famous political figures that have
visited or stayed in this property
include China’s former Premiers Zhou
Enlai and Zhu Rongji, and Marshal
Chen Yi. The hotel’s guestbook has
also been signed by numerous heads of
state including former French President
François Mitterrand, royalty from
Europe and Asia, and Henry Kissinger,
one of the most famous Secretaries of
State in US history.
One of the main attractions around
the hotel complex is of course the city
wall. The well-preserved walls stretch
on for about eight and a half miles
around the historical core of the city.
While you can walk the length of
the walls in about half a day, it’s more
fun to hop on a bike and enjoy the
views on two wheels. The walls are
nearly 40 feet high, so they offer a
perfect vantage point to see the parks,
temples and residential buildings of
Xian.
The hotel is located within walking
distance to notable attractions such as
the Forest of Steles and the colourful
Muslim quarter where the spice trade
once flourished for many centuries.
Today, locals and visitors frequent
this area to savour ethnic cuisine and
souvenirs.
The feel of this beautiful property
is a perfect mark of French elegance in
the heart of this timeless city, with its
rich history and cultural crossroads at
the start of the ancient Silk Road. Its
modern day legend, however, is just
beginning.
Meeting room
Suite
Modern day Xian
Luxury Fittings of Sofitel Legend Xian
Sofitel Legend Peoples Grand
Hotel Xian
319, Dong Xin Street – Xian,
Shaanxi Province, 710004, China
Tel: +86 29 8792 8888
W: www.sofitel.com