Shangqiu's Hidden Gem: Hanting Hotel Beihai Dong Rd. Review & Booking!
Shangqiu's Hanting Hotel Beihai Dong Rd: My (Mostly) Honest Take - A Review & Booking Guide!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my experience at the Hanting Hotel Beihai Dong Rd in Shangqiu, China. Forget the sterile travel blogs – this is the REAL DEAL, complete with chaotic thoughts, occasional rants, and a healthy dose of "should I have booked that other place?"
Let's be real: Booking and First Impressions
Finding this place was a bit of a mission. Shangqiu ain't exactly overflowing with English-speaking travel agencies, you know? I used (insert travel booking website here – gotta stay neutral!) and it seemed pretty straightforward. The photos looked decent. The price? Surprisingly good. My expectations were… well, let's just say cautiously optimistic.
Arrival was smooth. The front desk staff spoke enough English to get me sorted, which was a huge relief after the train ride. Accessibility? The elevator was a godsend! I saw some potential issues for wheelchair users though: some doorways seemed a bit narrow, and the bathrooms… well, more on those later. But hey, elevator! Big win. They have facilities for disabled guest I saw, but haven't tried them.
Cleanliness and Safety: Did I Survive?
Okay, this is a big one, especially after… gestures vaguely at the current world situation. The Hanting tried to be good. Anti-viral cleaning products were at least mentioned. Daily disinfection in common areas seemed legit – I saw people wiping things down. Hand sanitizer was readily available, which is a huge plus in my book (because, you know, germs). And the staff wore masks religiously. Score one for keeping the plague at bay!
My room was… cleanish. I definitely saw evidence of previous occupants, but nothing absolutely horrifying. The room sanitization opt-out was a curious thing, and I wondered if I should have sprung for the “extra clean” option. I didn't. I probably should have. I didn’t opt out, by the way. And I am still alive. So, probably good?
The fact they mention rooms sanitized between stays gave me some peace of mind. Rooms sanitized between stays is something you want to hear. Staff trained in safety protocol, they claim. I didn’t witness any major hygiene blunders, so that's a good sign.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Fueling the Adventure (or Avoiding Disaster)
Alright, let’s talk food. The breakfast buffet was included, which initially excited me. Sadly, the reality didn’t quite live up to the photo. It was… functional. Asian breakfast items dotted the landscape - a congee station (yum!), some dubious-looking pastries, and the ubiquitous hard-boiled eggs. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Yes, but the coffee was… well, let’s just say it needed a lot of sugar.
There is a restaurant, and it serves Asian cuisine, as you'd expect. I tried the soup one day. It was… interesting. Let's leave it at that. The salad in restaurant was a bright spot. I’m a sucker for fresh veggies.
There’s a coffee shop too. I didn't investigate it in super detail, but it looked to be the same as a normal Chinese coffee shop, which is fine. There's a bar too, but I didn't see it open. Disappointing, because a happy hour would've been nice.
Room Amenities: My Fortress of Solitude
My room? Comfortable enough. It had Air conditioning (essential!), a mini bar (with those tiny pre-packaged snacks you know you’ll raid at 2 AM), and free Wi-Fi – crucial! Free Wi-Fi listed, but not quite as Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! which is more honest. It worked, but the speed wasn't exactly blazing. Internet access – wireless, checked. Internet access – LAN? I didn’t bother checking. Old-school.
They had complimentary tea, which was a nice touch. There was a desk, so I could pretend to work. The bed was… well, it was a bed. They had blackout curtains, thank the gods. Sleep is precious. The private bathroom was the thing. A normal thing. The shower, though, was a little cramped, and the water pressure was… again, functional. It needed some work.
Ways to Relax (or Attempt to)
The Hanting had a fitness center. I'm not a gym bunny, but it looked… serviceable. There was a sauna, which I didn’t try. The swimming pool [outdoor] looked like it was closed for the season. A shame, as a pool with a view would've been amazing.
Services and Conveniences: Keeping My Sanity Intact
This is where the Hanting really shined. Daily housekeeping was efficient. My room was tidied daily, which made a huge difference in my overall mood. Laundry service was available, which was a lifesaver after a week of exploring dusty temples. Concierge was helpful, even if the English was limited. Elevator yes! Cash withdrawal was easy enough. There’s a safety deposit box in the room too, which is another score. They will provide you with an invoice.
Getting Around: Taxi Tango
Taxis? Available. Not always easy to flag down. The taxi service from the hotel was reliable. I’m not sure about the rates (didn’t want to over-complicate things) Car park [on-site] was free, bonus!
Things to Do (and Not Do): Beyond the Hotel Walls
Meeting/banquet facilities seemed unused, but they had them. Business facilities were there. They had a gift/souvenir shop. I didn’t really use any of them, so I can't report on their quality.
For the kids? I saw, as expected, Family/child friendly sign, but I'm not sure what happened to the kids, I haven't found any of them. There's no sign of babysitting service.
The Anecdote: The Mystery of the Missing Towel
One morning, I woke up to find my towel had mysteriously vanished. Poof! Gone! I'd like to think it was a case of laundry gremlins, but I had my suspicions. Anyway, I called the front desk (in my very basic Chinese) and they apologized profusely and brought me a new one. Problem solved. But I still wonder…
Okay, So… Should You Stay Here?
Look, the Hanting Hotel Beihai Dong Rd in Shangqiu isn't the Ritz. But it's a solid, affordable option. It’s clean enough, the staff is friendly, and the location is decent. If you’re looking for a no-frills place, it's worth considering.
The Verdict:
- Accessibility: Moderate, but with some potential hurdles.
- Cleanliness: Decent, but keep your expectations in check.
- Dining: Functional, but don't expect gourmet.
- Amenities: Good for the price.
- Overall: A solid, budget-friendly choice with a few quirks.
Booking Recommendation:
Yeah, I'd probably book it again, especially if I were on a budget. Just be prepared for a few minor inconveniences. And maybe bring your own travel towel, just in case.
Luxury Lima Escape: Peru Star Boutique Hotel Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's itinerary. We're going on a trip to the Hanting Hotel in Shangqiu, China, and honey, it's gonna be a wild ride. Forget perfect planning; we're embracing the beautiful chaos.
Trip Title: Shangqiu Shenanigans & The Art of Surviving a Hanting Hotel
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread in the Lobby
- 07:00 - 08:00: The Airport Shuffle (aka the prelude to madness). Landed at… well, let’s just say it involved a lot of plane food and questionable air circulation. My luggage decided to go on a solo adventure for a bit, adding to the already simmering panic. Found a dodgy taxi, the driver looked like he'd seen a ghost and a whole lot more than I had apparently, we haggled… badly.
- 08:00 - 09:00: Shangqiu’s Embrace (or at least, the taxi ride). The city! Honestly? It’s… a city. A bustling, noisy, smells-that-are-both-intriguing-and-slightly-terrifying city. The taxi driver kept pointing things out in rapid-fire Mandarin, me, "Uh huh, yes, beautiful." Hoping I'd eventually decode the 'This is a bridge' message.
- 09:00 - 10:00: Hanting Hotel, Here We Are! (Prayers offered). The Hanting. Okay. It’s… a Hanting. Cleanish. The lobby had those ubiquitous marble floors that feel eternally cold. The check-in guy looked like he'd seen it all, and I suspect he had. He barely blinked as I fumbled with my (now thankfully found) passport. They handed me a key card. I swear, I could practically hear the hotel's quiet sigh: "Another one." Got to my room. It was… a box. A perfectly functional, slightly sterile, box. But hey, at least I had air conditioning. The little things, right?
- 10:00 - 12:00: The Great Unpacking & Contemplation (and a near-meltdown). Unpacked. Or attempted to. Realised I’d packed the wrong shoes. The wrong everything. Sat on the bed. Stared at the wall. Wondered what I was doing with my life. Considered ordering room service, then realised I had no idea how to order room service in Chinese. Googled “survival phrases.” Found “Where is the toilet?” repeated it quietly several times. Ambitious goals here, folks.
- 12:00 - 13:00: Lunch, Round One: Noodles of Mystery. Took a deep breath and ventured out. Found a tiny noodle shop. Pointed. Ate. The noodles were… indescribable. Spicy, savory, and possibly contained ingredients I didn't want to know about. But hey, I survived. Ate slow, looked at the locals, they all seem to know something I don't, and I am okay with that.
- 13:00 - 15:00: Lost Tourist Mode: Activated! Wandered around. Got thoroughly and wonderfully lost. Saw a market filled with things I couldn't identify (and probably didn't want to). Smelled things I couldn't identify (some of which I might have secretly wanted). Bought a weird, sweet pastry from a street vendor. Regretted it immediately. Enjoyed it eventually. The best part of traveling, really.
- 15:00 - 16:00: Back at the Hanting – Sanctuary in Sterile. Crawled back to the Hanting. Showered. The water pressure was… weak. Really, really weak. It felt like a gentle drizzle. Contemplated staging a protest. Instead, I just accepted my fate. Maybe I should have packed a water bottle.
Day 2: Culture, Confusion & Karaoke Calamity.
- 07:00 - 08:00: The Breakfast Debacle. The Hanting's breakfast was… well, breakfast. A buffet of mysteries. Some things looked edible. Others looked like they’d been sitting there since, you know, the beginning of time. Tried a strange, gelatinous cube. Nope. Opted for toast and instant coffee. Comfort food, and the only familiar part of my day so far.
- 08:00 - 12:00: The Ancient City Exploration (and the impending existential crisis). Visited some historical sites. Admired ancient architecture. Tried to understand the history, but my brain was constantly overloaded with, “What did that vendor just try to sell me?” and "Is that a chicken farm?" I did eventually find a serene temple. It was beautiful. I felt peace. For about five minutes. Then I heard the street traffic and the noise started again.
- 12:00 - 13:00: Lunch, Round Two: The Spicy Chicken Saga. Found another restaurant. This one was blasting K-Pop. Ordered something that looked like chicken. It was chicken. But… spicy. My mouth was on fire. Tears welled up. The local diners watched, amused. I survived. Again.
- 13:00 - 16:00: The Nap of Despair (followed by the late afternoon wander around).Back to the Hanting for a quick power nap. Then back to the streets, just to see what other interesting establishments exist and whether they're worth my precious time.
- 16:00 - 18:00: Karaoke Nightmare (or, the greatest cultural experience EVER). This. This was the highlight. Found a karaoke bar. Thought, “Why not?” Signed up. They handed me a microphone. Tried to sing. Horrendous. Absolutely, hilariously awful. The locals were incredibly supportive. They cheered. They laughed (with me, I hope). We sang, we drank, we somehow communicated despite a massive language barrier. It was pure, unadulterated joy. Pure. Now I'm a karaoke convert.
- 18:00 - 20:00: Post-Karaoke Reflection & Late Night Noodles. Food and maybe a beer. The noise is now part of my life and I love it.
Day 3: Departure & the Lingering Scent of Adventure (and Possibly Bad Noodles)
- 07:00 - 08:00: Breakfast, Again (the dreaded buffet beckons). Faced the buffet. Survived.
- 08:00 - 10:00: Last minute souvernir shopping (I failed). Couldn't find what I was looking for, so went to the local shops, bought a few presents and looked at the people.
- 10:00 - 11:00: Check out, and a final glance at the Hanting. A quick check out. A final, slightly wistful glance at the box that had been my home.
- 11:00 - 12:00: Taxi to the airport (the end… for now). The taxi ride, a final chaotic adventure. The airport. My flight. The beginning of the journey home.
- This trip? Messy. Wonderful. Utterly chaotic. And I wouldn't trade it for the world. Now, where's that plane food? Because I have a feeling the journey home is going to be just as wild.
Shangqiu's Hidden Gem? Hanting Hotel Beihai Dong Rd. - The Honest User Guide (with all the Warts!)
Okay, spill it... Is the Hanting Hotel Beihai Dong Rd. actually a "hidden gem" or just another budget hotel that smells faintly of cigarettes?
Alright, alright, settle down! "Hidden gem"... *that's* a bit optimistic. Think of it more like a... well-placed, budget-friendly lifeboat in a sea of Shangqiu. Look, let's be real. We're not talking the Ritz here. The "gem" part is that for the *price*, and the *location*, it's actually…surprisingly alright. Yes, the faint cigarette aroma *sometimes* lingers in the hallways. But the rooms themselves? Usually pretty clean. (Emphasis on *usually*... read on, my friend, read on.)
Here's the thing: I stayed there last month, booked last minute after a train delay (which, let's be honest, is a Shangqiu rite of passage). My expectations were rock bottom. I'd seen the photos... well, let's just say the reality *mostly* matched. (Pro tip: Don't expect the comforters to be *quite* as fluffy as they look in the pictures – they're more… utilitarian.)
So, gem *or* slightly above average? Depends on your mood. If you're expecting luxury, go ahead and book the Sofitel in Zhengzhou. If you need a clean bed, a hot shower, and a decent location, the Hanting Beihai Dong Rd. *could* be your saving grace.
Let's talk LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Is it actually convenient to… well, anything?
Ah, now we're talking! This is where Hanting *actually* shines. It's on, or very close to, Beihai Dong Road, a fairly major artery. That means… EVERYTHING. Okay, not *everything*, but a lot. Restaurants? Plenty within walking distance. Taxis? Loads. (Though, good luck getting one during rush hour. It's a battle, I tell you!) The train station? Relatively easy to get to by taxi. I'd walked it once...Never. Again. Too far, even if you're trying to save money.
Also, there's this amazing little dumpling place about five minutes walk away. Seriously, the best dumplings I’ve had in Shangqiu. Found it by accident – just followed my nose and the happy sounds of chomping locals. That alone almost makes the Hanting worth it. Almost!
So, yes, the location is a huge win. It’s a great base of operations, particularly if you're there for business or just exploring. Just be prepared for the glorious chaos of Chinese street life – it's part of the experience.
The rooms! What are they REALLY like? Tell me about the... bed... the bathroom... the... *amenities*…
Okay, deep breaths. The rooms… they're… fine. Look, I've stayed in worse. WAY worse. The bed? Comfortable enough. Not the most luxurious, but it did the job after a long day battling the crowds at the Silk Market. Honestly, I slept like a log (because I was exhausted, not because the bed was magic).
The bathroom… Ah, the bathroom. It was clean-ish. The water pressure was…variable. One morning, I swear, it was like trying to shower under a particularly grumpy garden hose. The next day? Blissfully powerful! Go figure.
Amenities. Soap. Shampoo (questionable quality, bring your own!). Toothbrushes (again, cheap and cheerful, but hey, they're there!). A kettle, which is essential for instant noodles, and I’m not ashamed to admit I consume a lot of Instant noodles, and I always have a stash in my luggage! The TV had, well, a lot of channels in Chinese, and a few in English. I mostly just used it as background noise. The air conditioning worked... eventually. Had to fiddle with it a bit. Again, budget-friendly, remember?
Honestly, the room itself wasn’t winning any design awards. But it has the essentials and will get you through the night. I was more concerned with how long the wifi held up.
Booking: Easy breezy or a bureaucratic nightmare? Any tips?
Booking? Relatively painless. You're dealing with a chain hotel, so the usual online booking platforms (Trip.com, Booking.com – whichever you prefer) will work. Check the reviews! They're usually pretty accurate (although take them with a grain of salt, as always).
Here's a tip: If you're arriving late, CALL the hotel *before* you leave on your train or bus. Just to make sure your reservation is confirmed. I learned this the hard way, once. (Let’s just say there was a *slight* language barrier, and it involved a lot of hand gestures and frantic tapping on my phone.)
Also, be prepared to show your passport. Duh. And… well, the front desk staff's English skills can be…variable. Patience is key. And maybe have a translation app ready on your phone. Just in case you need to ask where the nearest dumpling shop is… or, you know, how to operate the shower.
Is the breakfast worth the extra money? (Assuming they even *have* breakfast…)
Breakfast… Okay, this is where things get… interesting. Yes, technically, they advertise breakfast. And *usually* there's something resembling a breakfast buffet. But… and THIS is a big but… the quality can be, shall we say, inconsistent.
One morning, I was greeted by a feast of… intriguing possibilities. Cold noodles. Mystery meats. Unidentified fried objects. The coffee? Let's just say it wasn’t a Starbucks experience. Another morning? Actually pretty good! A decent congee, some steamed buns, and even… dare I say it… edible coffee! It’s a gamble. A delicious, exciting, occasionally stomach-rumbling gamble.
My advice? If breakfast is included, go for it (hey, it's included!). But if you have to pay extra… maybe explore the street food options outside. There's usually a fantastic noodle stall nearby with a queue stretching down the road. That’s always a good sign.
Let's talk about the WiFi. Is it reliable? Or will you be stuck squinting at your phone, wishing you'd brought a carrier pigeon?
Ah, the WiFi. This is REALLY a make-or-break for me. And… it’s a mixed bag. Sometimes, it’s lightning fast. Netflix, no problem! Facetime with the family, smooth as silk! Other timesStay Mapped
