Shanghai's Hidden Gem: Hanting Hotel Chongming Bayi Rd - Book Now!
Shanghai's Hidden Gem? Let's Dive into the Hanting Hotel Chongming Bayi Rd (Book Now!) – The Good, The Bad, and the Truly… Okay
Alright, alright, folks, let's cut the crap. I'm back from my little Shanghainese adventure (a real adventure, not just a "tourist trek") and, as promised, I’m spilling the beans on the Hanting Hotel Chongming Bayi Rd – the one you’re probably staring at right now, debating whether to click that "Book Now!" button.
Spoiler alert: It’s… complicated. Buckle up. This isn't going to be your cookie-cutter travel review. We’re going deep.
First Impressions (and a Little Bit of Chaos):
Getting there? Easy peasy. Shanghai airport, hop on the bus, then a taxi… well, relatively easy. The location, in Chongming Island, is a little out there, you know? Off the beaten path. Which, depending on how you're wired, can either be AMAZING or a mild existential crisis. Me? I fluctuate. Sometimes I crave bustling cityscapes, other times, like this trip, I yearn for something…quieter.
The hotel itself? It's a Hanting, so expectations should be, well, managed. It’s not the Ritz, but hey, it’s not meant to be. The exterior's decent, nothing spectacular. And the little bit of green around the hotel…nice touch.
Accessibility (and My Frustrating Run-In with a Tiny Step):
Let's get this out of the way. Accessibility? It’s… present, but I wouldn't call it perfect. The elevator's a godsend, obviously. But I'm talking to you people with mobility issues… be aware. The Facilities for disabled guests ARE in the description, but I'm talking about more than a ramp. (Which, by the way, they have. Yay!)
One of the biggest issues I found wasn't in the hotel itself but in trying to get my suitcase into the front door! I swear it had a tiny, like, an inch-high step, or something. If you have real trouble with mobility, then double-check about these tiny hurdles. Overall, better than some, but not the gold standard, sadly.
Rooms: Clean-ish and Comfy… Mostly.
Okay, the rooms. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains (very important for a light sleeper, like yours truly!), Closet, Coffee/tea maker (essential!), Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available (good for families!), Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies (Netflix is a must!), Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The Rooms sanitized between stays… good news for this germaphobe!
The décor? Functional. Clean, for the most part. The bed was comfortable enough, the pillows… well, they were pillows. Air conditioning worked like a charm, which was a lifesaver during a particularly humid spell. I'm not sure how clean they are, but Rooms sanitized between stays is a relief - I feel like it's a good thing to know.
The "Free Wi-Fi" Saga (and How I Almost Lost My Mind):
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" they shouted from the heavens (or the booking website). And mostly, it worked. Mostly. There were a few times, staring blankly at my laptop, where it just…died. Utterly, completely, uselessly dead. I’d be there, clutching my phone, trying to load a simple web page. The frustration! The sheer inability to check my emails or watch my Tiger King fix!
Internet access – wireless, internet access – LAN… I tried them all, I sweated, I cursed. Maybe it was a bad connection or maybe it just wanted me to disconnect and live in the moment.
Dining and Drinking: Asian Breakfast is the Way to Go!
The dining situation is… interesting. Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant. The buffet… it’s a buffet. Don't expect gourmet. But the Asian breakfast? Worth getting up for. The noodles, the savory dumplings, the little side dishes I couldn’t even identify but loved nonetheless. That was worth the price of admission.
They did have Coffee shop available, which was a lifesaver with the Wi-Fi drama described above. I was glad that they had it.
Things to do, ways to relax…
Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].
Now, this is where things got a little… disappointing. The website promised all sorts of things. The Pool with view especially enticed me. But when I peered out the window, it appeared far more humble. The view? Well, it was mostly of some trees. The pool itself was… okay. Clean, but not exactly the sparkling oasis I'd imagined. The Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom were all present and functional, sure, but the "spa" part was more like a glorified massage room. Nothing wrong with that, but don't expect a luxurious, multi-hour pampering session. Massage was available, but nothing to write home about.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Good, The Uncertain, and the Honestly, Pretty Necessary:
Okay, here we go: Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available – ALL excellent. Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, and Safe dining setup. In this day and age, you want to see these things. They're not just a nice touch, they're necessities.
A word to the wise: Room sanitization opt-out available is cool but the staff would have to be aware of it!
Services and Conveniences: The Essentials, Plus a Few Quirks:
Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
The Convenience store was handy for snacks. The Luggage storage was also useful, especially with my epic suitcase. Daily housekeeping was efficient and friendly. I've heard horror stories, so this earns them some points. Cash withdrawal was a lifesaver. Currency exchange wasn't used by me. I had some cash on hand.
The "Couple's Room" Mystery (and My Questionable Decision-Making):
There's a "Couple's Room" option. I, a solo traveler, was tempted. Oh, the temptation! But I didn’t take it, haha. Would’ve been awkward, at best. I’m just saying, if you are a couple, consider it.
Getting Around: You're Gonna Need a Taxi (Probably):
Getting around: Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking.
Airport transfer available made life easy. Taxi service… essential. Public transport out there is… well, it exists. But you'll want a taxi. Trust me.
For the Kids (and My Utter Lack of Knowledge):
For the kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
I have no children. So, I can't comment. However, if you're travelling with kids, it seems like they have the bases covered.
My Verdict? It's… Complex.
Would I recommend the Hanting Hotel Chongming Bayi Rd? Honestly, it depends.
The Good: Clean-ish, affordable(ish), the Asian breakfast is legit good. The staff were generally
Jinan's Hidden Gem: Hanting Hotel Licheng - Unbeatable Luxury!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! We're diving headfirst into my disastrous, yet potentially delightful, conquest of Hanting Hotel, Shanghai Chongming. Prepare yourselves, because this isn't your pristine, Instagram-filtered travelogue. This is the real, sticky, slightly smelly (maybe?) deal.
Day 1: Arrival and Shanghai Shenanigans (Mostly Shenanigans)
- 8:00 AM (ish): Okay, so the flight. Let's just say I'm pretty sure the airline lost my luggage somewhere over the Pacific. My "travel light" strategy backfired spectacularly. Currently, I'm rocking the clothes I wore yesterday – which, let's be honest, are not smelling particularly fresh after a 14-hour flight. But, hey, character building! Also, airport security seemed very interested in my suspiciously bulging bag of instant noodles (essential travel food, don't judge).
- 10:00 AM: Finally, finally, finally arrived at Hanting Hotel. Finding the place was an adventure in itself. The taxi driver, bless his heart, clearly didn't understand "Bayi Road." We went on safari around the island of Chongming for a good forty minutes before I managed to use a combination of frantic hand gestures and broken Mandarin (mostly consisting of the word "hotel") to get him to the general vicinity.
- 11:00 AM (ish): Check-in. The lobby… is, well, it's a lobby. Clean-ish. The receptionist, a young woman with a perpetually bored expression (relatable), managed to decipher my name (miracle!). The room? Surprisingly spacious! The carpet, however, might have seen better days. There's a faint… odor. Can’t quite place it. Is it stale cigarettes? Maybe mothballs? We'll see.
- 12:00 PM: Food. I'm starving. Managed to locate a tiny, bustling noodle shop a few doors down. The menu was entirely in Chinese, so I pointed at something that looked reasonably edible. What arrived was a mountain of noodles swimming in a spicy broth. I think I may have unintentionally ordered a chili bomb. Tears. Sweet, spicy tears. But it was delicious. My tongue is currently on fire, but in a good way!
- 2:00 PM: Exploring! Kinda. Or, more accurately, getting slightly lost. I've been wandering down Bayi Road (the street the hotel is on) for a while now. It's mostly residential. I saw a woman hanging laundry that consisted only of men's underwear. Very interesting! I also stumbled upon a small park with some elderly people playing cards, and two small children who were watching me, and pointing at me. Then, they started giggling. I think they were getting a kick out of the funny-looking foreigner.
- 5:00 PM: Attempted to order food. A whole fiasco! I couldn't communicate with the person on the end of the line who I wanted to order food from, so in the end I gave up. I tried to order some food online. No English, I was starting to get stressed, but I got through it, and now await the food!
- 7:00 PM: Food arrived! Great food! I'm feeling slightly more optimistic.
- 8:00 PM: Shower: The water wasn't hot, there was no bath, the shampoo dispenser was empty, the towels were thin, and the shower felt like it was out of the 1980s. But hey, it's a shower, and I am slightly clean.
- 9:00 PM: Collapse into bed. Exhausted. Jet-lagged. Slightly terrified of whatever that smell is. Fingers crossed it’s not bedbugs.
Day 2: Chongming Exploration (and Potential Bedbug Anxiety)
- 8:00 AM: (ish): Woke up. Alive! No bites, at least that I can see. Maybe the bedbug theory was just my imagination. The smell…still there.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. Decided against the hotel's breakfast (which looked suspiciously like reheated leftovers from last night's noodle shop). Found a small bakery down the street. The pastries were… questionable. But at least they were carbs. And fuel!
- 10:00 AM: Decided to take a trip to the Dongping National Forest Park. Hoped to see real, honest-to-goodness nature. Found myself trying to decode the bus schedule, which was in full Chinese. Eventually, through sheer willpower and the kindness of a very patient local woman with a face full of wrinkles, I managed to get on the right bus. It only took about an hour.
- 11:00 AM: I arrived at the park! It was an absolute triumph! I was expecting lush green trees, singing birds, and a sense of serenity. What I got was crowds, and a lot of other tourists. The wind was blowing off the lake so I spent more time trying to keep my hair from being blown into my face. But there was a big lake covered in lotus flowers. Very pretty. But then a swarm of small flies came, so I had to leave the lake and try and find a tree. I eventually found one, and sat down. I was getting slightly stressed.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a tourist trap restaurant outside the park. Overpriced, under-flavored, and generally disappointing. Another reason why instant noodles could be the ultimate survival tool.
- 2:00 PM: Stroll through the park. Okay, it was actually quite pretty. Lots of trees. Definitely felt closer to nature (and the potential for insect bites). I almost got hit by a small electric bus, which was being driven at ludicrous speed on a small track. The driver even shouted something at me in Chinese. I'd like to think it wasn't a curse.
- 5:00 PM: Made the arduous journey back to the hotel. The bus, the crowds, everything. Slightly overwhelmed, I ordered a burger from a fast food place.
- 7:00 PM: Burger. Not bad, but I'm starting to crave some real food!
- 8:00 PM: The smell. It's getting stronger. I'm starting to suspect it's coming from the plumbing. Or the air conditioning. Or maybe it's just me.
- 9:00 PM: Packed my suitcase, which means I'll finally be able to unpack my luggage. My luggage is still not here.
- 10:00 PM: Goodnight!
Day 3: Departure and Final Thoughts (Or, How I Survived Shanghai)
- 7:00 AM: Woke up to the persistent smell. Decided to open the window, hoping that the fresh air would help.
- 8:00 AM: Checked out of the hotel. The receptionist seemed relieved. Maybe she could smell it too. I think I saw a slight smile on her face.
- 9:00 AM: Found a cafe. Nice coffee. Needed it.
- 10:00 AM: On the way to the airport. Still without luggage, but I made it. That's an accomplishment, right?
- 12:00 PM: Boarding the plane. So long, Shanghai! So long, Hanting Hotel! So long, mysterious smell!
- 1:00 PM: On the plane. Going home. I can't wait! Now I can start figuring out how to get my luggage back.
- 2:00 PM: Overall thoughts? Shanghai is a sensory overload, a beautiful mess, and a truly unique experience. Would I go back? Absolutely. Would I stay at the Hanting Hotel again? Maybe. But next time, I'm bringing my own air freshener and a hazmat suit.
This trip wasn't a flawless travelogue. But it was an experience. And sometimes, those are the best kind. I'm going to go take a shower now, in a shower that hopefully won't smell of anything. Wish me luck!
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Hanting Hotel Chongming Bayi Rd: FAQs (Because Let's Be Real, You're Probably Confused... Like I Was)
Okay, Seriously, Where IS this Hotel? Is Chongming Island Even *Real*?
Alright, deep breaths. Chongming Island *is* real. It's a giant island at the mouth of the Yangtze River, connected to Shanghai by some seriously impressive bridges. And Hanting Chongming Bayi Rd? Well, it's *on* the island. Prepare yourself for a bit of a journey. Think… a scenic drive, a ferry if your driving and sometimes even a bus if you're feeling adventurous(or cheap like me). Don't expect to pop out of the Shanghai Metro and bam, you're there. You're really there to get away, to breathe air that maybe *isn’t* quite as… um… "city-fied."
Is This "Hidden Gem" Actually a Dump? Be Honest.
Okay, look. It's a Hanting. It's not the Ritz. Let's keep expectations grounded, shall we? The rooms are… functional. Clean-ish. The beds are comfy enough after a day of exploring, but don't expect goose-down pillows and a turn-down service. Think of it as “efficiently Chinese.” But the *real* hidden gem isn’t the hotel itself, it’s the *island*. And for the price? It's a steal. I mean, I saw a cockroach once. Okay, maybe twice. But it wasn't a rogue cockroach. It just wanted some company. That's a story for another time.
What's the Vibe? Like, Is it a Party Place, a Family Affair, or Just… Peaceful?
Mostly peaceful. Unless you're unlucky enough to get the room next to the karaoke-loving family. (Happened to me. Learned some Mandarin that night, let me tell you.) Think families, couples, maybe the occasional solo traveler looking to escape the madness of Shanghai. It's definitely not a party place. Seriously, the most exciting thing that happened while I was there was the vending machine running out of orange juice. (Devastating, I know). It's chill, and that's the point. That's why I like it!!
The Food Situation: Will I Starve? Or Is There Decent Eating Nearby?
Alright, survival tactics: The hotel has a basic breakfast (toast, some questionable eggs, instant coffee – don't say I didn't warn you.) There are some restaurants nearby. Not gourmet dining, mind you. Think local noodle shops, maybe a seafood place or two. Explore! You'll find some hidden gems. One time, I stumbled upon this tiny place with the *best* dumplings I’ve ever had. The owner just stood there watching me eat them, smiling approvingly, and while I'm sure he's judging me still, I enjoyed my meal! So my advice? Venture out. Don't be afraid to point at things you don't recognize on the menu. That's how the best discoveries are made.
What's There To *Do* on Chongming Island? Besides, well, *being* on Chongming Island?
Ah, now we're talking. Chongming Island is all about nature. Cycling is big. Rent a bike and cruise along the river. There are parks, wetlands, and… let’s just say a lot of green stuff. Visit Dongtan Bird Sanctuary (bring binoculars!). Learn a little about nature and maybe start to care about the environment. I went on a hiking trail one day, and it was so lovely! Then I got lost. But even being lost in nature is a win, in my opinion. I’m a city girl, I like the chaos. But Chongming? It’s a reset button. It's a chance to breathe.
Okay, I'm Sold, I'm Going! What Should I Pack?
Comfortable shoes (you’ll be doing a lot of walking/cycling). Bug spray. (Trust me). A phrasebook (knowing a little Mandarin goes a long way). Cash. And, most importantly, a good attitude. Go with an open mind. Be prepared for a slightly different experience than a swanky Shanghai hotel. Embrace the simplicity. If you can do that, you'll probably love it.
What if I Have a Problem? Like, Say, My AC Breaks? Or I Get Lost?
Okay, potential drama. The hotel staff are generally pleasant, but don't expect fluent English. A translation app is your friend. Regarding getting lost… embrace it! It's part of the adventure. As for the AC… well, you're not at the Ritz, remember? Take a deep breath, try to communicate patiently, and have a backup plan (a fan? A window? Pray for a breeze?). You *will* get through it. And it'll probably make a good story later. I had the AC break once. It was 35 degrees outside. I was sweating, I was tired, I was starting to regret everything. But then I found a local ice cream shop. Everything improved. Ice cream is the answer.
Would You Go Back? Honestly?
Yes. Absolutely. It's not perfect. It's dusty. It's a little bit… rough around the edges. But that's the beauty of it. It's a real slice of life, away from the shiny, polished facade of the city. It's an escape. It's a chance to recharge. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need. Plus, think of all the dumplings! And the quiet. OH, THE QUIET! Sign me up. Just… maybe warn me first if the karaoke family is checking in.
What's the weirdest thing that happened to you there?
This is a good one. Okay, so one time, I went for a walk. A *long* walk. I'd been wandering for hours, admiring the scenery, and suddenly, I realized I was lost. And hungry. Real hungry. I stumbled upon this tiny, dusty shop. It was a repair shop, mostly, filled with what looked like broken washing machines and spare parts. The owner, a very elderly man with twinkling eyes, didn't speak any English. Not a word. And I, well, my Mandarin is basic. Very basic. He offered me… I don't know what to even call it. It was some sort of vegetable, deep-fried. It was the most unappetizing thing I'd ever seen, butHotel Search Tips
