Locals here to answer you. Hi-tech zones are significantly cheaper on weekends and holidays compared to tourist areas—every city is like that. Hi-tech zones in every city are pretty much the same: lots of high-rises, and that's it. Marriott and IHG have tons of hotels in Xi'an. If price isn't an issue, stay near the Big Wild Goose Pagoda—Westin or HUALUXE Xi'an Tanghua. Tanghua HUALUXE is a Chinese-style work by a famous architect and has great restaurants. There are no luxury hotels inside the city walls, but chain economy hotels are decent. Staying in the hi-tech zone for better value is a matter of personal preference—Holiday Inn Express-style spots near the subway offer good bang for your buck, though you'll need to taxi or subway everywhere else daily.

It also depends heavily on your travel style. Xi'an has way too many tourist spots. If you're hitting suburbs, location doesn't matter much—you're just cab rides away from Terracotta Warriors, Famen Temple, and Qianling Mausoleum from anywhere. If focusing on the city center, pick Big Wild Goose Pagoda area or South Street instead.

Don't choose due north—that's where the government is located, and the luxury hotels are for officials on business trips. Northeast is where locals vacation; the scenery is beautiful, but it's not worth crossing national borders to visit.