Very few people in Datong speak >English and this applies to the hotel reception staff. Despite this however, the staff are amazingly helpful and try everything possible to assist you - even dragging all their colleagues into the conversation and using their own mobile devices to help you translate. Nothing is too much trouble for them and when all else fails, the Manager is available - he is brilliantly helpful and speaks (and writes)very confident english. The hotel room was nice and large but had no window - not a big deal, but if you want a window, then we were offered a lovely room with a communal shower. The communal shower area is extraordinary - very large with spas, sauna, showers and massages. Great way to end the day. The beds are quite firm (this IS China after all) and the breakfast is primarily Chinese. As a `whitey`I was a novelty in Datong and you need to get used to stares and points from kids but everyone is extremely friendly and tries to help. One final thing - do not flush toilet paper down the loo - use the bin next to it - like 90% of all regional hotels, the toilet will block if you flush paper down it
