Xiamen's BEST Hotel Near the Railway Station? (Hanting Hotel Review!)
Hanting Hotel Xiamen Railway Station: A Rambling Review - The Good, The Bad, and the Inevitable Noodle Soup
Okay, alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the gritty, glorious reality of the Hanting Hotel near Xiamen Railway Station. Forget perfectly sculpted travel blog posts; this is the unfiltered, messy truth, complete with existential crises about instant coffee and the eternal struggle to find a decent pillow.
First Impressions - The Train Station Glow-Up (and the Lingering Dust Bunnies)
Let's be honest, the allure of a hotel right next to the train station is powerful. Especially after a 14-hour journey where your legs feel like they've been replaced with concrete. Accessibility is a huge win here. Seriously, stumbling out of the station, bleary-eyed and luggage-laden, and practically falling into the hotel's arms? Pure genius. Car Park [on-site] isn’t bad - that convenience factor is a lifesaver. The lobby itself? Standard modern Chinese hotel fare. Clean enough, but maybe a little sterile? I swear I saw a dust bunny the size of a small chihuahua lurking near the elevator. Don't get me wrong, it was probably cleaned soon after!
The Room - A Sanctuary (and My Constant Battle Against The Air Con)
Okay, the Air conditioning is a whole other level of experience. It's a love-hate relationship, am I right? The room itself was pretty decent. Decently-sized, with a surprisingly comfy Extra long bed – a lifesaver for my ridiculously long limbs. Nice. Wi-Fi [free] worked like a charm, thank god, because withdrawal symptoms from my social media feeds after the long trip would be a genuine issue. I had a desk, which worked fine – the Laptop workspace was a must. Free bottled water was a welcome touch (hydration is key!), and the Coffee/tea maker was (ahem) essential for my morning survival. The Blackout curtains were champions, blocking out the city's relentless sunlight, and helping me ignore the outside world for at least a few more hours.
The Bathroom was a mixed bag, though. The Shower was functional, but the water pressure wasn't exactly a torrential downpour. And the Toiletries… well, let's just say I'd recommend bringing your own. Still, at least there was a Hair dryer, because my hair looks like a flock of seagulls after a long day of travel, and let's be honest, nobody wants to see that. The Daily housekeeping was thorough and friendly.
Cleanliness and Safety - The Sanitization Symphony (Hopefully!)
Hanting seems to take hygiene fairly seriously, which is a huge relief. There are signs of Hand sanitizer everywhere. I noticed signs about Anti-viral cleaning products and the staff were always diligent. The fact that they had Daily disinfection in common areas and a Doctor/nurse on call is reassuring. Let’s be honest, it feels like everything might be the beginning of a horror movie every time you travel these days. I didn’t see the Room sanitization opt-out available, which, now that I’m thinking about it, is a missed opportunity, (I usually spray down the room myself anyway, I don't trust other people to clean for me!) But the emphasis on Rooms sanitized between stays is undoubtedly important.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - The Noodle Soup Odyssey (and the Quest for Decent Coffee)
This is where things get really interesting. The Hanting doesn’t exactly boast a culinary empire. Breakfast [buffet] is the most common offering. There's usually a small selection of Asian breakfast staples (noodle soup, of course!), plus some… shall we say, varied Western options. Coffee/tea in restaurant is an option, but don't expect barista-level excellence. I'm not a fan of Instant coffee at the best of times. I have low expectations, but oh my god, the coffee was… well, let's just say it tasted like sadness and disappointment.
The highlight (or perhaps, the lowlight) of my dining experience was the noodle soup. It was… everywhere. It tasted the same everywhere. It was also the only thing open. It came at a specific time. It would be a sad reminder that I am a single person in a foreign country who doesn’t know anyone or understand this language.
There is a Snack bar, a Coffee/tea in restaurant. So at least, some options. Let me tell you. Room service [24-hour] sounds great in theory, it's a whole other level of commitment.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax - The “Relaxation” Mirage (Or Lack Thereof)
This hotel isn't exactly a spa resort kind of place. No Pool with view, no Sauna, no Spa. You're there for the practical stuff, not the pampering. But the proximity to the train station is a constant lure. Because train stations always have interesting people and activities.
Services and Conveniences - The Bits That Make Life Easier (Or Annoying)
The hotel's got your basic necessities covered. There's a Concierge who speaks at least a little English. Cash withdrawal is available, which is always handy. Laundry service is a godsend for the perpetually travel-worn. The Elevator is a lifesaver.
Getting Around - The Transport Tango
The primary draw is the proximity to the train station, obviously. Airport transfer is available. I didn’t get the opportunity to try it. There’s Taxi service. Bicycle parking is also available, though I didn't see anyone actually using it.
For the Kids - Family/child friendly? Probably Not.
Nope. This isn't aimed at families. There are no cute little play areas or kid-friendly menus. Babysitting service is unavailable.
Overall Impression - The Verdict (Spoiler Alert: It Depends)
Look, the Hanting Hotel near Xiamen Railway Station is not luxury. It’s not fancy. It's not going to blow your mind with Michelin-star dining or world-class pampering. But it's clean, convenient, and gets the job done.
The Good:
- Prime location for train travelers.
- Generally clean and well-maintained rooms.
- Free Wi-Fi.
- Relatively reasonable prices.
- The staff are generally helpful and friendly.
The Bad:
- The coffee situation is dire.
- The dining options are limited.
- Not exactly a "relax and unwind" destination.
The Verdict:
If you're looking for a convenient, affordable, and no-frills hotel near the train station, the Hanting is a perfectly acceptable option. But if you're seeking a luxurious getaway, look elsewhere. You're going to need to lower your expectations, and maybe bring your own coffee. I give it a solid 6 out of 10. Would I stay again? Absolutely. I probably will. Because sometimes, all you need is a clean bed, a hot shower, and a (desperately needed) escape from the train station madness.
Bali's BEST Kept Secret: Puri Sabina B&B - Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your pristine, perfectly-planned travelogue. This is a REAL, messy, glorious, and potentially disastrous adventure in the heart of Xiamen, China, all starting from the… well, hopefully not TOO dingy… Hanting Hotel near the Xiamen Railway Station.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Dim Sum Debacle
- 14:00 - Landing in Xiamen (or, the Great Un-Baggaging)
- Okay, so I thought I had packed light. Turns out, "light" in my vocabulary means "enough for a small army." The baggage carousel belched out bags like a constipated dragon, and mine… well, let's just say it arrived fashionably late. After a near-panic attack and a frantic phone call (thanks, roaming charges!), I finally located the suitcase. Relief, followed by a wave of exhaustion. Jet lag, meet me in the lobby.
- 15:00 - Check-in at Hanting Hotel:
- Hanting Hotel near Xiamen Railway Station. Cheap and cheerful, right? Well, "cheerful" is subjective. Let's settle on "functional." The room is… small. The air conditioning is…questionable. But hey, it has a bed, and I'm not complaining (okay, maybe a little). The lobby smells faintly of something floral and slightly antiseptic. I hope that's a good sign.
- 16:00 - Finding Food (or, the Search for Glorious Dim Sum):
- I'd heard whispers of Xiamen's dim sum. Legends! So, armed with my (badly translated) phrasebook and a burning desire for fluffy buns, I ventured out. The streets are a sensory overload! Motorbikes zipping, people chattering, the aroma of a thousand different spices wafting through the air.
- The Dim Sum Incident: I found a place! It looked promising. Bustling, full of locals… the perfect sign! Except… I couldn't understand a SINGLE WORD on the menu. I pointed, nodded, smiled… and what I got… was a plate of… things. Some were delicious. Others? Let's just say they were an acquired taste. I'm pretty sure one of them winked at me. My stomach is making some questionable noises.
- 18:00 - Strolling Around the Railway Station Area:
- Needed to walk off the dim sum disappointment (and the mystery wink-bun). This area's alive! Street vendors selling everything from durian (the fragrant fruit of doom) to squishy toys. I got distracted by a tiny puppy that was basically a ball of fluff. Almost adopted it then and there - then remembered I can't even keep a house plant alive.
- 19:00 - Trying to order noodles:
- "Erm… Ni hao… noodles?" I said as I pointed at a picture. I'm pretty sure I ended up with a soup made in a pressure cooker, but it was hot. The best I'd eaten all day.
- 20:00 - Back to the Hotel (and Bed, Please!)
- Exhausted. Jet lag is winning. The hum of the air conditioner is a lullaby. Goodnight, world! Tomorrow, I conquer Xiamen! (Maybe.)
Day 2: Gulangyu Island and the Great Ferry Fiasco
- 08:00 - Wake Up (and Question Everything):
- Did I actually enjoy the dim sum from yesterday? Am I allergic to something? My dreams were weird. And I'm still sweating.
- 09:00 - Breakfast (and a Desperate Plea for Coffee):
- Managed to find some coffee and toast at the nearest convenience store. Fuel. Necessary fuel.
- 10:00 - Xiamen Dock, Ferry to Gulangyu:
- Gulangyu Island! The guidebooks promised paradise. I’d heard it's a car-free haven, a swirl of colonial architecture and gardens. Okay, the ferry? Packed. Like, sardine-in-a-tin-can packed. I sweated. I was jostled. I questioned my life choices. But hey, the view from the ferry? Absolutely stunning. The city skyline, the sea breeze… worth the pre-ferry panic.
- 11:00 - Exploring Gulangyu (or, the Great Tourist Traffic Jam):
- Gulangyu is gorgeous. Truly. The architecture is stunning, a mix of European and Chinese styles. The gardens are lush. The music is… well, everywhere. Every shop seemed to be blasting something. It was a little overwhelming. The crowds? IMMENSE. I've never seen so many selfie sticks in one place. It's a beautiful island, but I'm not sure if I enjoyed a moment.
- 13:00 - Lunch on Gulangyu (and the Price of Paradise):
- Found a small restaurant. Food on Gulangyu is expensive. Real expensive! The seafood was fresh, but my wallet cried a little. Good, though.
- 14:00 - Lost (or, the Accidental Tour of Gulangyu's Undiscovered Gems):
- I got lost. On purpose, kinda. Wandering away from the main tourist drag. I discovered quieter streets, tiny alleyways, and hidden gardens. Found an elderly gentleman playing the erhu (Chinese violin) under a shady tree. It was magical. My favorite moment on the island.
- 16:00 - Back to the Ferry (and the Great Ferry Fiasco, Take Two):
- The crowds. The heat. The sheer, unadulterated chaos of the ferry terminal. I fought my way on. This is probably the closest to a real-world battle I've ever come.
- 17:00 - Return to Xiamen & Free Time:
- Wandered the streets and just watched, listened to the sounds of the city, took some more photos.
- 18:00 - Dinner:
- Needed comfort food after the ferry fiasco, I found a dumpling place that looked decent. (Okay, not so decent. The dumpling was not as good as the one I ate in yesterday dim sum, but it was cheap and filling.)
- 19:00 - Back to Hanting:
- In bed, totally exhausted. Gulangyu was amazing, but exhausting.
Day 3: Temples, Tea, and the Great Hotel Escape
- 09:00 - Wake Up (and the Unpleasant Truth of Being in a Small Hotel Room):
- Slept okay. Realized the air conditioner wasn't even working. My shirt is glued to me. Need more coffee.
- 10:00 - Nanputuo Temple:
- Beautiful. Serene. A welcome escape from the urban sprawl. The intricate architecture, the incense smoke, the feeling of peace… definitely needed that. Plus, some really cool monks.
- 12:00 - Tea Ceremony (or, the Great Tea-Induced Hiccup Incident):
- Found a tea shop. This was the best part of the trip so far. Amazing tea, beautiful presentation, and the gentle art of the tea ceremony. I, however, managed to drink too much, and… well, let's just say my attempts at graceful sipping were interrupted by a rather persistent case of hiccups. The shop owner was very polite, I’m still embarrassed.
- 13:00 - Lunch:
- Found a nice noodles stall in the middle of nowhere. One of the best meals I'd ever had.
- 14:00 - Wasted (or, the Great Tourist Trap Scam):
- Went to a fish market, and the fish market turned out to be full of tourist traps. I lost half my savings buying a bunch of things I never really needed.
- 16:00 - Check out:
- Got all my bags and ran away from the hanting hotel.
- 18:00 - Flight
- Back home.
Final Thoughts:
- Xiamen: Absolutely worth the trip! Even with the dim sum mishaps, the ferry fiascos, and the air conditioning.
- Hanting Hotel: It’s… a hotel. It worked.
- Next time: More research on the dim sum, a hazmat suit for Gulangyu, and learn some basic Mandarin.
- Me: I survived! And I have some amazing stories (and a few souvenirs) to prove it. Now, where did I put that cough syrup?
Xiamen's BEST Hotel Near the Railway Station? (Hanting Hotel Review... or is it a rant?)
Okay, spill the beans. Is the Hanting Hotel actually "near" the Xiamen Railway Station, or is it another travel lie?
Alright, alright, buckle up, buttercups. "Near" is a subjective term, isn't it? Think of it like this: it's *walking distance* if you're fueled by pure, unadulterated caffeine and a burning desire to get to your dumpling destination. In reality? Maybe a brisk 10-15 minute walk, depending on how adept you are at dodging speeding scooters and the seemingly endless construction. I mean, the construction! It felt like I walked through an obstacle course. One minute, I was admiring a particularly majestic pigeon, the next, I was nearly face-planting into a pile of rebar. So, yes, *technically* near. Practical for hauling luggage and a cranky toddler? Maybe consider a taxi or a Didi. My back still hasn't forgiven me for that "brisk" walk with two suitcases.
Let's be brutally honest about the *room*... what's the deal?
The room? Ah, the room. Let's just say it's… a *hotel room*. Don't expect palatial luxury. It's functional. Think "efficient capsule of sleep." Clean-ish. Okay, let's be real, the corners weren't exactly pristine after a second glance, but hey, it's a budget hotel, right? You get what you pay for. The bed was… adequate. Not the fluffy cloud of dreams you might fantasize about. The pillows? Well, let's just say I felt compelled to fold one in half for a semblance of neck support. The bathroom was… tiny. Like, you could practically shower, brush your teeth, and *contemplate the meaning of life* all in the same cramped space. And the water pressure? Don't hold your breath for a powerful blast; it was more of a polite drizzle. Honestly, by the end of my stay, I was half-expecting a miniature garden gnome to pop out and hand me a tiny spray bottle of shampoo.
Breakfast. Tell me about the breakfast. Is it worth waking up for? Is it even *edible*?
Breakfast... Oh, the breakfast. It was included, so I figured, "Why not? Free food!" (My inner cheapskate always wins). Let me paint you a picture: a slightly-too-brightly-lit dining area. A buffet that offered… well, it offered some choices. I'm not going to lie, I was cautiously optimistic at first. There was congee, the ever-present rice porridge, which I tentatively tried. (It was fine. Bland, but fine.) There were some sad-looking sausages. A few sadder-looking pastries that I wisely avoided. The coffee? It tasted like… brown water. Honestly, the best part of the breakfast was the little packets of instant coffee I'd brought from home. Lesson learned: always bring your own coffee. And maybe a granola bar. Just in case. Honestly, it was a *very* underwhelming breakfast. I felt like I was participating in a group hunger experiment.
What about the *staff*? Were they friendly? Did they speak English?
The staff… bless their hearts. The front desk staff were… *trying*. Let’s be clear, English fluency wasn’t a strong suit. But they were polite, and they did their best. Google Translate became my best friend. I vividly remember one particular instance… I needed a taxi. And I apparently, got the words wrong because I described trying to find a "glowing mushroom" instead. It got confusing as the agent's expression turned even more bewildered. Eventually, we sorted it out (thanks to gesturing and a very patient bellhop), and a taxi magically appeared. The bellhop was a lifesaver; he efficiently helped me with my luggage. So, yes…friendly, if a little communication-challenged. Patience is key. And maybe brush up on your Mandarin!
Location, Location, Location - Besides the railway, is it close to *anything* else interesting?
Hmm, besides the railway station? Well, let's say the primary draw is not the *immediate* vicinity. You are decidedly in a more residential/commercial zone, in the immediate area. There's a few small shops, restaurants (mostly local fare, which is *awesome* if you're into that – I certainly am!). The main attraction is, of course, that railway. However, it's a decent starting point for exploring other areas. You're a quick taxi ride from some of the more scenic parts of Xiamen, such as Gulangyu Island (a MUST-SEE). Using a Didi is a really helpful idea.
Okay, so... bottom line? Would you recommend the Hanting Hotel near the Railway Station?
Alright, the moment of truth! Would I recommend it? That depends. If your priorities are:
- Super-ultra-budget travel: Yes, absolutely. It's cheap, it's clean-ish, and it's near the train station. (Emphasis on "near.")
- Convenience for catching a train: Yes. The primary selling point is the proximity to the train.
- Luxurious pampering? Absolutely not. Avoid. Run far, far away.
