Zhangzhou Getaway: Uncover the Hidden Gem of Hanting Hotel Longjiang!
Zhangzhou Getaway: Uncover the Hidden Gem (or is it?) of Hanting Hotel Longjiang! - A Review That's Honestly All Over the Place
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this review is gonna be less Michelin star and more…well, me. I just stumbled back from Zhangzhou and the Hanting Hotel Longjiang, and let me tell you, the experience was a thing. Let's dive in, yeah? And prepare for some serious rambling, because apparently, my brain is still operating on vacation time.
Accessibility: The Good, the Okay, and the "Wait, WHAT?"
Right off the bat, let's talk about accessibility. This is important, right? Especially for us humans who like to ahem move around. The website claimed facilities for disabled guests. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I always look out for those things, you know? So, I did see an elevator, which is a massive plus (no more stairs, thank you very much!). Finding actual accessible rooms, though? That wasn't my mission. They probably had them, buried deep, possibly alongside the mythical extra-long bedsheets. Sigh.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Couldn't say. I didn't spot anything screaming "accessibility" at me, but I'm not specifically looking for these things either (until I need to, of course). Let's call it "potentially available, research required."
Wheelchair accessible: See above. The elevator gives some hope, but a proper inspection is needed.
Internet Access: Ah, the Eternal Struggle
Okay, internet. Crucial. Especially for someone like me, who's addicted to the whole world wide web.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: CHECK! Bless their hearts! They actually delivered on this. The connection was… well, it existed. Let's leave it at that. I'm not saying it’s perfect and there were times it went AWOL, but mostly OK.
- Internet: Yup, it was there! More of a "get the job done" kind of internet, but hey, at least I could upload pictures of my breakfast (which was, by the way…we'll get to that).
- Internet [LAN]: This I didn't explore this. I'm a Wi-Fi person, lazy and always looking for the path of least resistance.
- Internet services: Standard stuff. Nothing fancy.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Present and accounted for. Same level of reliability as in the room.
- Business facilities: Xerox/fax in business center - probably. I didn't need these, but it’s good for somebody.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (and the Occasional Disappointment)
This is where things got… interesting. The hotel presented itself as having options for ultimate relaxation. Let’s break it down:
- Body scrub/Body wrap: Nope. Definitely not available during my stay. Sad face.
- Fitness center: Yes! And I actually went! It was better than expected… and empty! I had the whole place to myself! It had a few treadmills, some weights, and enough space to feel like I wasn’t invading a tiny closet. Score!
- Foot bath: Unclear. Didn't see one advertised, and I'm not really that into foot baths.
- Gym/fitness: Covered. See above. (I was genuinely impressed!)
- Massage: Possible. I'm pretty sure there was a spa. I, however, did the ultimate me - and was too lazy, too "meh" to actually book one. My loss, maybe?
- Pool with view: Sadly, no. No swimming pool.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: See above. Probabilities exist, but I was too busy enjoying other things (or more accurately, the lack of other things) to check these out.
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Nope. Nada. A major bummer, especially in the Zhangzhou heat.
- Couple's room, Proposal spot: Probably. I didn't see anything romantically set up. However, I also didn’t go looking for a proposal spot. (I'm not single, people!)
Cleanliness and Safety: The COVID-19 Edition
Alright, this is important, especially in these times. I’m basically a germaphobe, so I was keeping an eye on this stuff.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: I believe most of this was in place. I saw staff cleaning, and hand sanitizer was readily available. I didn't see them spraying anti-viral stuff, but they did their best. So it was a solid pass.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Nope.
- Cashless payment service: Yes, most everywhere. Thank goodness.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Pretty sure.
- First aid kit: Presumably.
- Hand sanitizer: Yay! Everywhere!
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Yay!
- Hygiene certification: Did not see one.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Didn't see or recall any mention of this.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Breakfast Saga
Okay, the food… It's a big part of any hotel experience, right?
- A la carte in restaurant: Probably and I didn't try it.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Possible, but not advertised.
- Asian breakfast: Yay!
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Probably.
- Bar: Yes! But I didn't drink there. Sad, I know.
- Bottle of water: Yep. Free water in the rooms. A true blessing.
- Breakfast [buffet]: OH BOY DID I TRY THE BREAKFAST! This deserves its very own paragraph.
- Breakfast service: See above.
- Buffet in restaurant: Yes, the breakfast buffet.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes. Mostly instant, I think.
- Coffee shop: No!
- Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant: Unclear.
- Happy hour: Unclear again!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Don’t think so.
- Poolside bar: Nope. No pool.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes!
- Snack bar: Nope!
- Vegetarian restaurant: Probably not.
- Western breakfast: See above.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Doubtful.
THE BREAKFAST BUFFET EXPERIENCE (aka The Most Chaotic Meal of My Life)
Okay, prepare yourself. The breakfast buffet was… an experience. Let's just say it. The options were seemingly endless! But, and this is a big but… the execution. The Asian breakfast was interesting, full of rice porridge, and mysterious-looking (but mostly delicious) dishes. The Western options were… well, let’s just say I found some questionable sausages. The coffee was instant (sigh). The egg station was crowded and slow (I gave up). Plates piled precariously with questionable food. There was a general sense of organized chaos, and somehow, I LOVED IT. Like, borderline-obsessed. It was real. It was honest. It was the kind of breakfast that gives you a story to tell.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the "Wait, Where's the…"
- Air conditioning in public area: Yes! Thank the gods!
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Seminars, Wi-Fi for special events: There were facilities…didn't see a seminar.
- Business facilities: They did have some.
- Cash withdrawal: Possible.
- Concierge: Present.
- Contactless check-in/out: Yes.
- Convenience store: Nope.
- Currency exchange: Probably.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes! Super efficient!
- Doorman: Yes!
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service: Yes!
- Facilities for disabled guests: See above.
- Food delivery: Yes. Grab those noodles!
- Gift/souvenir shop: Nope!
- Indoor venue for special events: Did not see.
- Invoice provided: Yes.
- Luggage storage: Yes!
- Safety deposit boxes: Yes!
- Shrine: Unclear.
- Smoking area: Yes.
- Terrace: Nope.
- Xerox/fax in business center:
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is… me, loose in Zhangzhou, China, crashing in the Hanting Hotel Zhangzhou Longjiang Building. Let's see how this disaster… er, adventure unfolds.
The Zhangzhou Shenanigans: A Very Human Itinerary (Read at Your Own Risk of Boredom… and Excessive Enthusiasm)
Day 1: Arrival! And Immediate Regret?
- Morning (ish): Landed in Xiamen. Okay, technically, I’m near Zhangzhou. The airport chaos alone almost broke me. Seriously, why is everyone in China seemingly obsessed with taking group selfies at passport control? Trying not to be "that" tourist, but also trying not to accidentally elbow a small child. Victory! Barely.
- Mid-Morning (or, the Longest Public Transport Ride of My Life): The bus! And the train! And then… another bus? Navigating the public transport system in Mandarin is roughly equivalent to trying to assemble IKEA furniture while blindfolded and on a treadmill. I'm pretty sure I ended up on a bus heading to a chicken farm for a bit there, or maybe it was just the chickens…
- Afternoon: (The Hanting Hotel – A Love/Hate Story in the Making): Finally, The Hanting! Ah, the familiar sterile charm of budget hotels. The room is… compact. And the air conditioning sounds like a dying jet engine. But hey, the bed is clean, right? (Checks for questionable stains. All clear! Score!) Immediately plop down and take a nap! This travel is exhausting. Wake up with a crick in my neck and a serious craving for something other than instant noodles.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: A Street Food Odyssey (and Potential Stomach-Related Regrets) Okay, let's do this! Armed with a phrasebook and a prayer, I hit the local street market. The smells! The sights! Oh my god, the smells. There was the most fantastic, pungent aroma of… well, I think it was durian. I chickened out. Instead, I bravely sampled some… dumplings. (Probably shouldn’t have had so many). Then some kind of meat skewers cooked over an open flame. (Maybe I should have said no?) And finally, a mysterious soup that I am still not entirely sure contained. The taste! I can close my eyes and still feel the aftertaste, I'm not sure if I love it or hate it but it's going to be a strong memory for sure.
- Night Time: The Hotel Room Aftermath: Back in the hotel, feeling more full than a thanksgiving turkey. Trying to figure out the TV remote. Looks like another night of struggling through subtitles, but hey, it's an experience! Praying my stomach gets through this ordeal.
Day 2: Temples, Tea, and Existential Crises
- Morning: (The Temple That Tried to Outsmart Me): Decided to tackle a local temple. I swear I saw something that looked like an incense stick that was almost as tall as me! Anyway, fascinating architecture, vibrant colors, and the constant, soothing thwack-thwack-thwack of prayer drums. Trying NOT to accidentally step on somebody’s prostrated body again.
- Mid-Morning: The Tea Ceremony That Changed Everything…Maybe: Tea ceremony! Oh. My. God. This was… intense. A tiny, beautiful woman in a traditional cheongsam ladled water from a ceramic pot into the tiniest cups I'd ever seen. The tea was fragrant, earthy, and tasted like something between sunshine and a damp forest floor. It was so beautiful, and I felt like I was almost levitating from the moment. Was this some kind of enlightenment? A religious experience? Or just really good tea? Honestly too much for me to take in, I had far too much tea that morning.
- Afternoon: Lost in Translation (and Maybe a Little Bit Lost): Wandering through a local market. Tried to buy a postcard. Spent 15 minutes miming and pointing and generally making a complete fool of myself. Finally, the shopkeeper (a very patient woman with a twinkle in her eye) understood. Got my postcard. Triumph! Also got what might be a knock-off pair of sunglasses. Worth it!
- Late Afternoon/Evening: The Food Stall Revelation (Part 2): Okay, I went back to the street market. I saw the durian. I walked past it. I even took a deep breath. But then… I saw a noodle stall. This was different. A little old lady with the hands of a master was pulling noodles the size of guitar strings, tossing them in boiling water, and ladling them into steaming bowls of broth. The aroma! The anticipation! This was the best food I had my entire life. I even took a picture with her. Even the durian couldn't mess this up.
- Night (Before I Pass Out): Writing this out with a stomach full of the noodles that made me so happy. Maybe Zhangzhou isn't so bad after all. Maybe… just maybe… I'm starting to embrace the glorious chaos of it all. Probably should set an alarm to remind myself to eat something.
Day 3: The Unexpected Farewell
- Morning: The Last Adventure (and Then Leaving): One last street food experience! The streets are buzzing. I find myself at a small shop where they make something that looks like… fried dough cakes? They're warm and delicious. I'm going to miss them. They are the perfect breakfast.
- Afternoon: (The Goodbye): Sigh. I left a little early and the airport experience was the worst it got. Goodbye Zhangzhou. Goodbye to the street food, the temples, and the tea! But not goodbye to the feeling I got there.
- Night: (The Post-Trip Blues): I am home and I am tired, but I made it! This "trip" was an experience and now I feel like I need another vacation. This time I want to be more prepared. Wish me luck!
Important Notes:
- Pacing: This is subject to change based on caffeine levels, food coma susceptibility, and random fits of wandering.
- Food: I will eat everything (within reason). I will also probably get food poisoning at least once. No guarantees though.
- Emotions: Expect to see the full spectrum: joy, confusion, frustration, awe, terror, and the constant need for a nap.
- Mandarin: My Mandarin skills are somewhere between "nonexistent" and "hilarious."
- Transportation: Public transport is the enemy (and the best way to get around).
- Expect the Unexpected: Zhangzhou is guaranteed to throw you for a loop. Embrace it. Laugh at yourself. And for the love of all that is holy, pack Immodium. You've been warned.
Zhangzhou Getaway: Uncovering the 'Hidden Gem' (and occasional Glitch) of Hanting Hotel Longjiang! - FAQ Edition (Because Let's Be Honest, You Need It)
Okay, so Zhangzhou... Where *IS* that, exactly? And why should I care?
Alright, alright, deep breaths. Zhangzhou, my friend, is in Fujian province, China. Think of it as a slightly less-touristy, more-authentic slice of the Middle Kingdom. Think rolling hills, quirky street food (more on *that* later), and a general vibe of "chilled-out charm." Why should you care? Because it's a world away from the usual tourist traps. And you, my friend, are obviously craving something *different*. Aren't you? Or are you just a glutton for perfectly-photographed Instagram fodder? Don't lie to me.
And the Hanting Hotel Longjiang? Well, it's... a hotel. In Longjiang (duh). Think clean rooms, probably a decent breakfast, and the promise of a comfy bed after you inevitably wander the streets until way past your bedtime. It's a good base camp, basically.
Is the Hanting Hotel Longjiang... actually *good*? I mean, the photos online are always so… flattering.
Oof, the photos. The eternal siren song of the travel industry. Okay, here's the real deal: it's a Hanting. Don't expect the Ritz. Do expect functional cleanliness and a generally pleasant experience. My room was spotless (phew!), the air con worked (crucial in that Fujian humidity), and the staff, bless their hearts, were trying their best with my hopelessly broken Mandarin.
But (there's always a but, isn't there?)… the soundproofing? Let's just say I became intimately acquainted with the karaoke stylings of the local populace until, oh, about 2 AM. And the breakfast? Well, let's just say the noodles were... 'interesting'. And the coffee? Let's leave it at 'I stuck to tea'. But hey, that's part of the charm, right? Part of the *experience*! (That’s what I tell myself anyway.)
Honestly? For the price, it's a solid choice. Just pack earplugs. Seriously. Pack them. And maybe a backup supply of your preferred caffeine source.
What's the *best* part of staying at Hanting Hotel Longjiang? (Besides escaping my daily grind, obviously).
Okay, hands down? The location. It's close to the action, but still feels… well, *local*. Within spitting distance of some truly amazing street food. One evening... oh, it was an absolute *saga*. I stumbled upon a stall selling these crispy, fried pancake-things, and they were *divine*. I have no idea what was in them (probably a secret family recipe and maybe a pinch of dragon's breath), but I ate, like, five. The language barrier involved a lot of pointing, gesturing, and what I *think* was a very enthusiastic thumbs up. Worth it. Every. Single. Calorie. It was a *moment*. A pure, unadulterated moment of culinary bliss.
And the people! The locals are so welcoming. Even when I was accidentally trying to order pig trotters with my very limited Mandarin skill. (Which, to be fair, was a hilarious scene that I *still* cringe about.) It was the *real* Zhangzhou - not the Instagram-filtered version.
What kind of food should I expect in Zhangzhou? (My stomach is already rumbling...)
Oh. My. Goodness. Zhangzhou food? Prepare yourself. It's a culinary adventure. Expect fresh seafood, noodles galore, and... well, let's just say you might encounter things you've *never* seen on a Western menu. Don't be afraid to be adventurous!
The night market near the hotel was a feast for the senses. The smells alone... *swoon*. I saw stalls overflowing with everything from fresh-caught fish to steaming bowls of what looked like a particularly delicious (and slightly terrifying) congee. I sampled some spring rolls, and the dumplings.. and I saw a food that made me stop in my tracks. They were crispy and golden but inside was a bright red filling. I asked the street vendor what it was but they couldn't speak english. So I pointed, held up a handful of cash, and got a plate. It was delicious but I still to this day have no clue what I just ate!
Go for the noodles, the fresh fruit (so. much. fruit!), and be brave. Seriously. Be brave. And maybe bring some Tums. Just in case.
Getting around: Is it easy? (I'm notoriously directionally-challenged...)
Okay, so, you're not exactly Indiana Jones. I get it. Zhangzhou isn't exactly the Wild West of public transport, BUT! It's not impossible. Taxis are readily available, but try to have your destination written down in Chinese characters – saves a whole lot of stress. Didi (China's version of Uber) also works pretty well.
The hotel staff can help you flag down a taxi, and they were surprisingly patient with my fumbling attempts at communication. The worst? I'm pretty sure I took the *wrong* bus one day, ended up miles from where I wanted to be, and had to navigate my way back with nothing but a phrasebook and a whole lot of hope. (It involved a lot of waving and frantic pointing. Honestly, it's a miracle I ever got back.) It adds to the adventure, right? ...Right?
Pro Tip: Download a translation app *before* you go. Seriously. Save yourself the embarrassment (and potential for misunderstandings involving pig trotters). And always, *always*, have your hotel's address written down in Chinese characters.
Are there any other hotels I should consider instead? Comparing to something else?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? The Hanting is a budget place. So don't compare it to the Shangri-La. (Which, let's be honest, is probably *not* in Zhangzhou, or if it is, beyond my budget anyway.)
I hear there are other comparable hotels around, but I don't know. Because I was *obsessed* with Hanting. I *chose* it. I'm not going to recommend it, unless you really enjoy a simple experience. But if you're after budget-friendly and functional, with the bonus of being close to the food scene, the Hanting Hotel Longjiang is a decent option. Just have low expectations, pack earplugs, and embrace the chaos.
What should I pack for a trip to Zhangzhou?
Okay, let's get practical. Here's the essentials:
- Comfortable shoes: You'll be doing a LOT of walking. (Especially if, likeSerene GetawaysHanting Hotel Zhangzhou Longjiang Building Zhangzhou China
Hanting Hotel Zhangzhou Longjiang Building Zhangzhou China
