Unbelievable Xi'an Luxury: Starway Hotel's Secret (Near Wulukou Metro!)
Unbelievable Xi'an Luxury? Starway Hotel's Secret (Near Wulukou Metro!) – A Brutally Honest Review!
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Okay, folks, buckle up. Because I'm about to tell you about my experience at the Starway Hotel in Xi'an, near the legendary Wulukou Metro station. And let me tell you, it wasn't all smooth silk and perfectly sculpted dumplings. This place…this place had secrets. And I'm here to spill them.
First, the basics. Accessibility? They say they've got facilities for disabled guests. I didn't personally put it to the test, but I did spot an elevator (crucial!), and the public areas looked fairly navigable. I’d advise checking detailed specifics if accessibility is a MAJOR concern. Don't just take my word for it!
Right, now let’s dive into the deep end… which, by the way, they have a swimming pool [outdoor] and pool with view, oh and a spa/sauna! I'm a sucker for a good spa, so naturally I beelined there. The Sauna was… yeah, it was a sauna. Hot. Sweaty. Fine. The Steamroom was better, a nice, steamy escape from the Xi'an dust. But the pool? THAT'S where the drama began.
I expected, you know, pristine turquoise waters, perfectly spaced sun loungers, maybe a poolside cocktail. What I got was… well, picture this: a beautiful pool, facing this gorgeous view… unfortunately, directly overlooked by a rather busy road. The view was amazing, until I realized the only way to reach it felt like a small hike from the main building. And the cocktails? Let’s just say the bartender seemed less interested in mixing and more interested in his phone. The whole experience left me feeling…underwhelmed. A definite room for improvement!
Cleanliness and Safety: They hammer home the safety thing, which is reassuring. Staff are trained in safety protocols. They have Anti-viral cleaning products, they do Daily disinfection in common areas, and have Hand sanitizer everywhere. My room was definitely clean, and they provide Individually-wrapped food options. The Room sanitization opt-out available is a nice touch for the eco-conscious, but I preferred the peace of mind! There were even Fire extinguisher and Smoke alarms everywhere. Seriously, I felt safer than in my own home, which, considering my apartment's questionable wiring, is saying a LOT. But what about the other stuff?
Dining, drinking, and snacking? Ah, the food. This is where things got interesting. The Asian breakfast was… well, it was Asian. Think noodles, questionable meats, and enough fried dough to fuel a small army. (Which I may have attempted to do anyway.) The Western breakfast, on the other hand, was… bland. Toast, undercooked eggs, and instant coffee that tasted suspiciously like dishwater. The Buffet in restaurant was massive but a little overwhelming, a case of quantity over quality.
I tried their Asian cuisine in restaurant one night. The food? Decent, nothing to write home about. One dish was truly spicy, and I now suspect I've made a new friend, the chili pepper gods.
The Bar? Well, they had one. It felt more like an afterthought, dimly lit with a limited drink selection. But on my second night I was sat in the bar, and had a chat with a local with a lot of stories to say about Xi'an, it was absolutely worth it, and it was great to be able to be a person.
Services and conveniences: The Concierge was fantastic! Really helpful with booking tours and giving directions. They also have a Cash withdrawal, which is handy.
For the kids: Not entirely child-proofed!
Getting around: The Airport transfer was a lifesaver. Taxi drivers in Xi'an can be… challenging.
Available in all rooms: The Free Wi-Fi was a godsend, essential for streaming your life away, so that was amazing. The Air conditioning worked like a dream. The Mini bar was stocked with the usual suspects – overpriced snacks and lukewarm soda. And the Bathtub was deep and relaxing after a long day tramping around the Terracotta Army.
The Room: Here’s a confession: I loved my room, even if it was a little… ordinary. Non-smoking. I loved the Blackout curtains, the Seating area, and the Soundproofing. It was my little sanctuary. I also loved having a window that opens.
Quirks, Imperfections, and Ramblings:
- They provide slippers. Essential for hotel living.
- The Desk and Internet access – LAN both existed. Never touched the LAN.
- There are a lot of mirrors. You will see yourself. A lot.
- Every morning, I woke up to the sound of people shouting in the hallway. No idea what they were saying, but it was definitely a wake-up call!
Okay, back to the Accessibility element. There was an elevator to get to my room (important for a lazy bum like myself).
My emotional reaction: Look… I'm not saying it's the perfect hotel. There were definitely rough edges. But it's a solid choice.
Final Verdict: The Starway Hotel is a decent option. And the fact that it's near the Wulukou Metro is HUGE. It's a comfortable, well-equipped hotel with a few quirks and a couple of areas that need some polishing. But if you need a clean, safe, and generally convenient base for exploring Xi'an, the Starway Hotel is definitely worth considering. Just manage your expectations about the pool, and bring your own snacks. And be prepared for some serious food adventures!
Kemerovo Family Reunion: HUGE Triple-Room Apartment Awaits!
Okay, here's my hot-mess-express itinerary for a stay at the Starway Hotel Xi'an Wulukou Metro Station. Buckle up, buttercups. It's gonna be a ride. Let's get messy.
Xi'an, China: A Feast for the Senses…and My Digestive System (Probably)
(Disclaimer: This itinerary is more "suggestion" than "law." I'm prone to impulse buys, spontaneous naps, and the occasional existential crisis while staring at a dumpling. Consider yourselves warned.)
Day 1: Arrival, Jetlag, and the Eternal Question – Dumplings or Noodles?
06:00 AM (Shanghai Time): Ugh, the flight. Always the flight. Managed to snag a window seat, which means I'm legally obligated to take blurry photos of clouds. Landed in Xi'an. Immigration was surprisingly breezy, unlike the air conditioning in the airport, which was set to "Arctic Blast."
07:00 AM: Taxi to Starway Hotel Xi'an Wulukou. Drivers here are… assertive. Let’s just say, I’ve seen less aggressive negotiations in a hostage situation. But hey, we made it! Hotel room: cleanish. Definitely smells faintly of disinfectant and… something else. Unidentifiable, but not unpleasant. Good. I need a space to collapse in.
08:00 AM: Nap time!!!: After the stressful flight, I could use some time to recover, so I closed my eyes and drifted.
10:00 AM: Metro Mayhem and the Promise of Food: The Wulukou metro station is right outside the hotel. Blessedly easy. Directions: "Line 1, head to Bell Tower." Easy, right? Wrong. First, the ticket machine: triumphantly defeated. Second, the crowds. Oh, the crowds! I'm pretty sure a polite "Excuse me" is considered a blunt force assault in Xi'an. But, I survived.
11:00 AM: Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Tourist Traps…oh my! Okay, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower are undeniably impressive. The architecture is gorgeous, the history is fascinating… but the crowds were UNREAL. Found myself dodging selfie sticks and aggressively enthusiastic tour groups. Bought a "lucky charm" from a street vendor. It's probably plastic, but I'm superstitious now, so… whatever.
12:00 PM: Lunch: Decision time! This is the biggie. Dumplings in the Muslim Quarter? Biang Biang noodles? (Still can’t pronounce it, but the giant characters are AMAZING). I was leaning towards dumplings but I want something to warm me, so I decided to go somewhere else.
13:00 PM: The Great Noodles Adventure: Finding somewhere new, I walked around the area surrounding the bell tower. Found the restaurant. The waitress didn't seem super interested in me as I ordered my meal, but hey, I'm traveling across the world to experience new things, not be pampered. Food came, I was starving, and I ate everything. It was amazing.
14:00 PM: The Terracotta Army… My Spiritual Awakening (Maybe): Okay, this is the big draw. The Terracotta Army. The sheer scale of this place is… breathtaking. The thousands of soldiers, frozen in time… It was a profound experience, I couldn't even make a decent picture. I could barely take it all in. I even got teary-eyed. (Don't judge me. Jet lag is real.) I spent way more time than I planned there, like, 3 hours. Wow.
17:00 PM: Back to Reality and Noodle Regret.: Back in the hotel, I felt a little sad that I missed the dumpling experience. But I was tired, and the train was long. I closed my eyes and drifted.
19:00 PM: Dinner: The Unending Search for the Perfect Snack: Okay, back to my quest for the perfect snack. I decided to grab a quick bite, and went for a quick snack, a local pastry with a sweet filling. I ate it in two bites. Time to sleep, tomorrow I will figure out more of Xi'an.
Day 2: Walls, Wheels, and a Mountain (Probably)
07:00 AM: Breakfast: The Breakfast of Champions (and Jetlagged Souls): Hotel breakfast: a mystery. It's a buffet, a bit of everything. There are some things I recognize (toast, instant coffee). There are also… other things. I ate everything. The food was interesting.
08:00 AM: The City Wall: A Walk in History: The City Wall is surprisingly, well, enormous. I rented a bike. Big mistake. I'm not saying I nearly crashed several times, but I did consider the possibility of selling the bike and just walking… But I survived. Enjoying the views. The wall wraps around the old city, what a beautiful thing.
11:00 AM: A Spontaneous Side Quest: The Small Wild Goose Pagoda: Saw the pagoda and decided to walk on over. Great view.
12:00 PM: Lunch: Dumplings! At Last! FINALLY. Found a tiny dumpling place, a true hole-in-the-wall. Ordered a mix of pork and vegetable dumplings. They were heaven. I ate way too many. I regret nothing.
14:00 PM: The Huaqing Pool and the Love Story: The Huaqing Pool is beautiful, a great spot to wander around. The love story is there, and I'm a sucker for a good romance. I spent a little while here and felt a little in love.
16:00 PM: Relaxation: A little break to relax, a snack or two.
18:00 PM: Dinner: Back to the Muslim Quarter. (But for a Different Dish!) Back to the Muslim Quarter, though I am not hungry. Dinner was delicious, and I got to experience more local culture. I love it here.
Day 3: Leaving, and the lingering taste of Chilli Oil.
07:00 AM: Breakfast: Hotel breakfast, same. This time, I was bolder. I tried a fried dough stick. Not sure what it was, but it was good.
09:00 AM: Check out. Say goodbye to the friendly people at the front desk. It was a good stay.
10:00 AM: Head to the airport. The taxi driver, another assertive one, navigated the Xi'an traffic like a rally driver. It was thrilling, yet terrifying.
12:00 AM: Flight. Reflecting on Xi'an. I love this trip. I really, really do.
14:00 AM: Back to reality. The journey ends.
(And now, I just have to figure out how to get that chilli oil stain off my jacket…)
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Unbelievable Xi'an Luxury: Starway Hotel's Secret (Near Wulukou Metro!) - The Unfiltered Truth (and Maybe a Few Tears)
Okay, Seriously, Is this "Luxury" Hype Real at the Starway?! I'm Skeptical.
Alright, let's be real. "Luxury" is a word thrown around these days like confetti at a wedding. And I, my friend, am always skeptical. But... *deep breath* ... I'm gonna be THAT person and say, yeah, the Starway actually kind of *lives up* to it. At least, the *idea* of luxury, if you can find it. The beds? Oh, the beds! I sank in like a marshmallow in hot cocoa the first night. I think I actually achieved peak relaxation. Now, the 'hotel' aspect depends on the day. I got a phenomenal room service once - authentic Biang Biang Noodles (look it up!) - and the next time I got a cold and the soup was a bland, sad imitation. They really do try, though. But, let's be clear, this isn't the Burj Al Arab. This is Xi'an, baby. Embrace the dust, and the fact that the air conditioning may or may not work on your floor (happened to me once, nearly melted). But, for the price, and the location? Totally worth a shot. Just manage expectations!
Wulukou Metro?! Is it Actually *Close*? I Hate Walking.
"Close" is relative, darling. I wouldn't say it's *right* outside the door. You're talking like, a brisk 5-7 minute stroll. Now, I'm a lazy human. I would happily pay someone to carry me. BUT! The walk is manageable, and it's down a fairly interesting street. You'll find some street food vendors (always a win!), little shops... It’s a good warm-up for exploring Xi'an. And that Metro? Game changer. Seriously, it'll whisk you away to the Terracotta Army or the Muslim Quarter in a blink. My only gripe: the metro is always crowded. So, prepare to feel like a sardine at rush hour.
The Room itself – What Does It *Really* Look Like? Give it to me Straight!
Okay, so let's get visual, shall we? Think… modern, with a touch of… ambition? The rooms are generally spacious, and the decor is… well, it's *attempting* to be stylish. Marble or marble-effect bathrooms (sometimes a little chipped, okay?), those amazing beds I raved about. Big windows, which is great for natural light. But here's the kicker... sometimes, the cleanliness levels are… variable. One time, I found a tiny, almost non-existent, hair on my pillowcase. It wasn't enough to complain, but I did spend a moment with the horror of it. That's the *downside* of Starway. It's trying to be upscale but sometimes doesn't quite stick the landing. Then the next trip is flawless. It’s unpredictable, like a moody lover.
Food, Glorious Food! What's the Breakfast Like? I NEED to Know.
Breakfast. Ah, the most important meal of the day! (Especially when you're battling jet lag and the Great Wall awaits). Okay, don't expect a Michelin-star experience. It's a buffet, and the quality fluctuates. You'll find a mix of Western and Chinese options. Toast, eggs (usually scrambled), some questionable sausages (give them a miss, trust me). But the Chinese side? Now, that's where things get *interesting*. Think congee, noodles, maybe some dim sum (occasionally). Here's the advice: Explore. Try everything. And don't be afraid to pile your plate high. You’re hungry! Then on the second day there will be a completely different spread and you will wonder if you’re in the same hotel at all.
Is the Staff Helpful? Or Are They Just… There?
This is where things get a little… messy. The staff? Generally, they *try*. They’re polite, and they’ll attempt to understand your desperate pleas in broken English. However, the language barrier can be a real challenge. I remember one time, I spent a solid ten minutes trying to explain that I needed more toilet paper. It ended with me pantomiming wiping myself. (Mortifying, but effective!). The good thing is that the majority are eager to help, even if it takes a bit of extra effort. It's a mixed bag, really. But, they do try. Bless their cotton socks.
Let's Talk Amenities. Is there a pool? A Gym? Spa? I Need Pampering!
Okay, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This isn't the Four Seasons. I *think* they boast a fitness center (I say "think" because I don't hit the gym, I hit the streets!). I don't recall a pool, and a spa? Probably not. This isn't the kind of place where you can sit around and be pampered. It feels much more pragmatic, designed for the savvy traveler who want a good bed and location, first. You're here to explore. Explore hard. Then sleep soundly. So, if you need a full-service resort experience? Look elsewhere. If you want a good base to see the sights? This is a pretty sound choice.
I've heard about some noise issues. Is it true? Keeping me awake at night?
Oh, the noise. Buckle up, buttercup, because this is a Xi'an thing, not just the Starway. You are in a CITY. I mean, Wulukou itself is busy. Road traffic? Yep. Construction? Absolutely. The walls? They are *thin*. I once had to listen to an ongoing argument happening in Mandarin, for some reason, I could understand *every* word. It gave me an insight into marital relations in China, but that's not what I signed up for. My remedy? Earplugs. Noise-canceling headphones are also a great investment. Or, embrace the city's vibe. If you're a light sleeper, consider requesting a room on a higher floor, away from the street. Otherwise, bring some sleep aids – or a really good book to read until you pass out. You've been warned!
Okay, spill the tea: What Was *Your* BEST and *Worst* Experience? Tell me what to *really* expect.
Alright, here goes. The *best*? Let me tell you... I was exhausted after a brutal day at the Terracotta Army (the crowds, ugh!). I trundled back to the hotel, and ordered room service (remember the Biang Biang noodles?). The noodles arrived, piping hot, with the most delicious, rich,Delightful Hotels
