Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hanting Premium Hotel Xiamen SM Plaza!
Unbelievable Luxury… Or Just Believeable? My Rollercoaster Ride at Hanting Premium Hotel Xiamen SM Plaza!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just spent a few days trying to decipher the enigma that is the Hanting Premium Hotel Xiamen SM Plaza. The name alone promises something, right? "Premium"? Xiamen? Sounds fancy. And, let's be honest, I was craving some serious R&R. Did I get it? Well, let's just say the experience was less Unbelievable and more… Believeable-ish with a side of "Huh?"
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Alright, let's dive deep. First impressions? The lobby looked the part. Gleaming marble, those trendy minimalist decorations you see everywhere, and a certain… sheen. It gave off a vibe of modern comfort, but also a tiny, nagging feeling of being a little… sterile? Like a really well-designed hospital waiting room.
Accessibility: The Good, The Bad, and the "Huh?"
Let's talk accessibility. Super important for me, and a make-or-break kind of deal. They list it as "facilities for disabled guests," which is a start. The elevator was a godsend (thank goodness, I'm not about climbing stairs after a flight!). I spotted some ramps, and the common areas seemed navigable enough. Great! However, I didn't personally need full accessibility, so I can't give a definitive, boots-on-the-ground assessment. I'd certainly suggest calling the hotel directly and being very specific about your needs before booking. Don't just trust the brochure, you know?
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized… But Soul-less?
Okay, let's be real: in the current climate, cleanliness is everything. They hammer the safety aspect. They claim to use anti-viral cleaning products, and the staff seemed genuinely diligent about wearing masks and practicing social distancing. Plenty of hand sanitizer stations everywhere, and the whole place smelled of… something. I think it was cleaning products, but it was so strong it felt like I was living inside a lysol commercial. The rooms are clearly sanitized between stays. See a few options for "opt-out," but who would?
The details? Individually-wrapped everything! Even the sugar packets! (Made me feel like I was prepping for a lunar mission, somehow). The staff is thoroughly trained (or so they'd have you believe) in safety protocols, though I did see one harried-looking employee try to shove a pizza box into a bin overflowing bins. (Small imperfections, right?)
Rooms: Sleek, but Do You Feel at Home?
The rooms. Ah, the rooms. (The available in all rooms below section is where the real fun begins). They're definitely what you'd expect from a "premium" hotel:
- Air conditioning: Yup, definitely air conditioning. I need it in Xiamen, trust me.
- Alarm clock: Standard issue.
- Bathrobes: Soft! Comfy! I lived in them.
- Bathtub: Checked.
- Blackout curtains: Hallelujah! Slept like a log.
- Carpeting: Okay, a bit sterile, a little bit institutional.
- Closet: Adequate. Nothing to write home about.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for any jet-lagged traveler.
- Complimentary tea: Always appreciated.
- Daily housekeeping: They were on it.
- Desk: Good for working (or pretending to work).
- Extra long bed: I'm tall, so double points for the extra length.
- Free bottled water: A nice touch.
- Hair dryer: Of course.
- High floor: I got a room on a high floor – the view of the city was great!
- In-room safe box: Secure!
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Handy if you're traveling with a pack.
- Internet access – LAN: Yes. (remember those?)
- Internet access – wireless (Wi-Fi [free]): Definitely. Super important, it was also quick and easy to connect.
- Ironing facilities: Phew! No wrinkled clothes!
- Laptop workspace: Yup.
- Linens: Clean, crisp.
- Mini bar: Standard.
- Mirror: Plenty of mirrors to check your perfect hair.
- Non-smoking: Thank goodness.
- On-demand movies: Not to be underestimated.
- Private bathroom: Essential.
- Reading light: Perfect for late-night bookworms.
- Refrigerator: Nice for chilling your drinks.
- Safety/security feature: Security feature indeed.
- Satellite/cable channels: Plenty of options.
- Scale: Oh dear. (I'm not sure I appreciated this one).
- Seating area: Roomy enough.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxurious.
- Shower: Good water pressure.
- Slippers: Comfy!
- Smoke detector: Reassuring.
- Socket near the bed: Essential for charging all your gadgets.
- Sofa: Good for lounging.
- Soundproofing: Pretty good.
- Telephone: Old school!
- Toiletries: Decent quality (though I'm a sucker for fancy brands!).
- Towels: Clean.
- Umbrella: Xiamen gets lots of rain, so a necessity.
- Visual alarm: Good for people with specific concerns.
- Wake-up service: I never use it.
- Window that opens: Fresh air!
The downside to all this? It felt… slightly impersonal. There was a definite lack of warmth. Maybe that's just the "premium" aesthetic, I don't know.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Mixed Bag of Delights (and Disappointments!)
The dining situation was… interesting.
- A la carte in restaurant: Offered.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Absolutely.
- Asian breakfast: Available.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Yup.
- Bar: Yes.
- Bottle of water: Provided, in the room.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The holy grail! (See a bit later)
- Breakfast service: Obviously.
- Buffet in restaurant: The buffet was…okay. Nothing mind-blowing. The usual suspects: eggs, noodles, some fruit that looked a bit past its prime.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes.
- Coffee shop: Seemed to be.
- Desserts in restaurant: Fine.
- Happy hour: Offered.
- International cuisine in restaurant: They try.
- Poolside bar: (I didn't see one. Bummer).
- Restaurants: They have a restaurant, yes.
- Room service [24-hour]: Bless.
- Salad in restaurant: Standard.
- Snack bar: A few options.
- Soup in restaurant: I didn't have soup, but they had it.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Not specifically but they will try…
- Western breakfast: Available.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Attempts were made.
Here's the Real Story: The Breakfast Buffet Debacle!
Okay, so the buffet. This is where things got interesting, and where my "Unbelievable" dream turned into a slightly soggy croissant. I arrived, starving, ready to devour all the potential breakfast goodness. The spread looked promising: the usual eggs, bacon, pastries, fruit… I grabbed a plate, loaded up, and took my first bite of… something. It might have been a sausage. Or maybe a weirdly textured mystery meat patty. I think it was meant to be bacon. Regardless, it was… rubbery. And cold. As in, had-been-sitting-out-for-hours cold. My face must have said it all, because the (very polite, but slightly bewildered) waiter approached me. I explained the situation (calmly -- I try to be zen about these things, you know?).
He looked mortified. He rushed off, came back with another plate… of the exact same sausages/meat patties/bacon-impersonators. The bread was stale, the coffee was lukewarm, and the juice tasted like slightly sweetened water. Now, I know this is sounding nit-picky, but it wasn't a single bad item, it
Port Aransas Paradise: Hampton Inn & Suites Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is Xiamen, China, Hanting Premium Hotel style, and it's gonna be a glorious, chaotic mess. Here's the REAL, unfiltered version:
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lag, and Questionable Noodles
- 14:00 - ARRIVAL! (Or, The Glory of Free International Roaming)
- Okay, so, flight was… a flight. You know how it is. Cramped seats, crying babies, and the eternal struggle of whether to watch the in-flight movie or just try to sleep horizontally, which is impossible. But! We're HERE. Xiamen is beautiful from the air, a sparkling city hugging the coastline – the clouds parted just for me, I swear. Immediately, I turn on my phone. Thank God for free roaming.
- Hotel Shenanigans: Hanting Premium Hotel Xiamen SM Plaza Taiwan Street. First impressions? Clean. Surprisingly spacious. Smells faintly of… nothing? Which is actually a win in hotel terms. The AC is, as always, a fickle beast. I'm convinced it can sense when I'm about to fall asleep and then blasts arctic air directly onto my face.
- 15:00 - Luggage Dump and Panic Attack (Mild)
- Unpack. Or attempt to. I always overpack. Seriously, who needs six pairs of shoes for a week? (Me, apparently.) Realization hits: I have no idea where I am. My brain is a mushy combination of adrenaline and jet lag. Time check: "Wait, what time is it again? And am I hungry? Probably."
- 16:00 - The Great Noodle Hunt (and Regret)
- The street outside the hotel beckons! I need food. NEED it. Find a noodle place, the one with the most locals. Clearly, that means it's going to be amazing, right? WRONG. The noodles were…challenging. Let's just say the broth tasted like someone had been fermenting something in a damp basement for a month. The texture of the noodles was… elastic? Anyway, I ate it all. Because I was starving. And now I feel like I ingested a small, slightly radioactive, rubber band factory. Note to self: Research food before ingesting.
- 17:00 - Sleepy Time and Internet Glitch.
- Okay, I crash. Proper crash. Waking up two hours later totally confused. I am unable to get on the internet for an hour. Then start the day again. Is it a fever? I hope not.
- 18:00 - Walk, walk, walk:
- Trying to find a new restaurant. Walk, walk, walk. I'm so tired. But it's beautiful. The locals are very friendly.
- 19:00 - New Noodles and a new life.
- I managed to find a great noodles bar. Fresh, spicy, amazing. I just felt like I'm home.
Day 2: Gulangyu Island Glimpses and Tourist Traps (and More Noodles, obviously)
- 08:00 - Wake Up (Surprisingly Early! Jet Lag Wins!)
- Okay, actual sleep happened. The AC didn't murder me. Success! I'm even feeling…almost… good.
- 09:00 - Ferry to Gulangyu Island (The Picturesque Disaster)
- Gulangyu! The island everyone raves about. The ferry was efficient, the views were amazing (city skyline, stunning!). But then… the crowds. Oh, the crowds. It's like a Disney World queue, but with less smiling and more shoving. Also, you know those Instagram photos? They're lies. Beautiful lies, but lies nonetheless.
- 10:00 - Wasting Time (because everything is crowded):
- We are walking. We try to find a nice place to chill, to rest. But it's too noisy and crowded. So we end up walking.
- 11:00 - The Piano Museum (Unexpectedly Awesome)
- The Piano Museum. Honestly? I went in with low expectations. I'm not a piano person! Well, I take it back. The pianos are gorgeous, the acoustics are phenomenal, and there's something kind of…magical about it. I just suddenly found myself captivated.
- 12:00 - "Snacks" and a Slight Panic (Food, Always Food)
- More noodles! We found another place. This time, pure heaven. I try some new stuff. And it's amazing.
- 13:00 - Another Ferry:
- We are tired of being around too many people. I'm exhausted. Time to go back to the hotel.
- 14:00 - Naptime (Essential)
- Because, jet lag and crowds are the worst enemy.
- 15:00 - Dinner and Strolling
- Another restaurant, another stroll. Xiamen is very safe. And beautiful.
Day 3: Temples, Tea and the Art of Doing Nothing (Mostly)
- 09:00 - Wake Up (Maybe?)
- I am not sure. I want to sleep, but I want to do things.
- 10:00 - A Temple Trip:
- The South Putuo Temple. It's a beautiful temple. The incense, the details, the vibe… Wow. I feel better.
- 11:00 - Tea Time and the Art of Being Wrong:
- Tea ceremony. Turns out, I'm bad at tea. I spilled, I slurped, and I totally messed up drinking the tiny teacup. But the tea was good. And the tea master was patient.
- 12:00 - More Noodles:
- Yes.
- 13:00 - Stroll and Shopping:
- I buy some souvenirs.
- 14:00 - Last Nap:
- I can sleep here forever.
- 15:00 - Check Out (Reluctantly)
- Departure?
- It's so sad to leave.
- But I promise to come back.
- Goodbye.
Final Thoughts:
- The Food: Listen, the noodles are a thing. Some good, some…not so much. But the food is an experience, and you MUST BE open to trying everything…even the things that look terrifying.
- The People: Extremely friendly. Even when I'm trying to order in broken Mandarin. They're patient and kind.
- The Hotel: Hanting Premium Hotel Xiamen SM Plaza Taiwan Street? Solid. Clean, convenient, and the price is right. Just remember to bring your own earplugs for the AC wars.
- The Overall Vibe: Xiamen is a sensory overload. It's loud, it's crowded, it's beautiful, and it's worth every confusing moment.
So, there you have it. My Xiamen adventure. A messy, imperfect, and utterly delightful experience. Now I need to go back. And find more noodles.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hanting Hotel Shijiazhuang's Hidden Gem!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hanting Premium Hotel Xiamen SM Plaza - Seriously? Let's See...
Is this place *actually* "Premium"? Because, let's be honest, hotel marketing is often a lie.
Okay, buckle up, because I went in skeptical, and now I'm... still a little skeptical, but in a good way. "Premium" feels a *bit* overblown. Like, they're not accidentally giving you gold-plated toilet paper. But... It *is* way nicer than your average Hanting. Think less "budget backpacker crash pad" and more "slightly-splurgier-than-usual comfortable haven."
My initial reaction? *Whoa, this lobby is actually...stylish!* They got the bright lights, minimal chic thing down. It doesn’t smell like old carpet, which is already a win for a Chinese hotel, in my experience. And the staff? Surprisingly, delightfully on the ball. No blank stares. No pointing fingers. They actually seem to, you know, *care*.
So, premium? Maybe "upper-mid-range with a flair of ambition." Let's call it that, yeah?
The Rooms, the Rooms! Are they actually worth Instagramming, or just another beige box?
Okay, the rooms. This is where things got interesting. I went for the "Deluxe King" because, you know, *treat yourself.* And guess what? The bed... was HEAVENLY. Seriously. I could have lived on that bed. It was like sleeping on a cloud, made of angels, caressed by the gentle hands of... okay, I'm getting carried away. But it was GOOD. Like, genuinely good. I almost didn't wake up for my flight.
The room was mostly clean, with a few tiny, *tiny* imperfections. You're talking a nearly invisible smudge on a window. A slightly wonky light fixture. Nothing that screams "RUN AWAY!" I’m convinced the housekeeping staff are overworked but still trying and succeeding. And hey, they put in a Nespresso machine! FREAKING NESPRESSO! This is a major upgrade from the instant coffee disasters of my past hotel hells. I felt… sophisticated. Until I spilled the espresso all over the pristine white countertop. Yep. Still me.
So, Instagrammable? Probably. If you edit out the spilled coffee stain. But definitely comfortable and well-designed. I’d happily live there for, like, a week. Maybe two. If they kept bringing me coffee. And didn't charge me extra for it. Okay, I'm getting greedy again...
The Bathroom: Does it have that weird, musty smell that haunts so many Chinese hotels?
Oh, the bathroom. The eternal question. And... drumroll please... NO! No musty smell! Hallelujah! The bathroom was clean, modern, and smelled... clean. Like, actually clean. Not "clean-smelling-of-industrial-cleaner," but just... fresh. There was a lovely rainfall shower with good water pressure (a must-have, people!). And the toiletries? They weren't the usual generic, drying-out-your-hair-and-skin stuff. They were actually pretty decent! I may or may not have stuffed a few into my bag for future use. Don't judge me.
Now, the *one* minor issue ... the toilet paper. Okay, okay, it wasn't *terrible*, but it wasn't the plush, luxury stuff. It was the kind that could probably double as sandpaper in a pinch. But hey, you can't win 'em all. And honestly, after the bed and the *absence* of the dreaded musty smell, I was willing to overlook it. Just... bring your own, maybe?
Let's talk location. Is this hotel actually near anything fun?
SM Plaza. The name's a clue! It's connected to the SM city shopping complex. This is both a blessing and a curse. If you love shopping, eating, and generally being surrounded by people, this is fantastic! Literally step outside and BAM you're in retail nirvana. You got all kinds of shops from big brands to local boutiques. There are restaurants galore, from fancy to casual, which is super convenient.
The downside? It can be a bit noisy and crowded. The area feels a little bit… generic city. If you want the authentic Xiamen experience, you’ll need to venture out. But getting around is pretty easy with taxis and the surprisingly efficient public transport. So, it's a trade-off. Convenience versus local culture. I personally found it quite alright, and as a person who needs to eat and loves a bit of shopping as a destresser, I thought it a great choice, but the choice is yours. You know?
What about the Breakfast? Is it worth getting up for? Or is it that usual "blah" hotel buffet?
Okay, the breakfast. This is where my memory gets a little fuzzy, because, well, I'm not a morning person. But I do remember it being… decent. Definitely better than the "blah" hotel buffet. They had a decent selection of both Western and Chinese options. Think eggs, bacon (hallelujah!), noodles, some pastries... nothing mind-blowing, but perfectly serviceable.
The coffee, though... the coffee wasn't great. It was that "strong, bitter, probably-been-sitting-there-for-hours" kind of coffee. So, if you're a coffee snob like I am, go for that Nespresso in your room instead. But, to be fair, it's not like I was expecting Michelin-star quality breakfast. It did the job and was good enough to get me going in the morning. Overall, breakfast was a pass. You can always find a better coffee elsewhere.
Oh! Fun Anecdote: I managed to spill my orange juice on the only clean shirt I had. So, yeah... there's that.
The Staff: Were they helpful, or just…there?
Honestly, the staff were surprisingly good! In a country where you get a mixed bag with service, they were mostly genuinely helpful and friendly. Check-in was quick and painless. The front desk could speak English well enough and were willing to assist with directions or requests. I even accidentally locked myself out of my room one evening (classic me). The staff were efficient and got me bailed out within minutes, with a smile! In the end, the staff were surprisingly polite and presentable. The only slight downer was that sometimes it felt like they were being a little *too* overly friendly, and sometimes needed a bit more time to understand what you are saying, But overall, I have no major complaints.
Overall, would you recommendWorld Of Lodging
