**Xuzhou's BEST Hotel? Near East Railway Station! (Hanting Hotel Review)**
Xuzhou's BEST Hotel? Near East Railway Station? The Hanting Hotel Review (Oh, Boy…)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just survived… well, experienced… the Hanting Hotel near Xuzhou East Railway Station. And honestly? It's a bit of a rollercoaster. Forget smooth sailing; this is more like a rickety teacup ride in a thunderstorm. Let's dive in, shall we? I'm still processing it all.
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- Meta Description: Honest review of Hanting Hotel near Xuzhou East Railway Station. Covers accessibility, cleanliness, dining, services, and the overall experience. Find out if this budget-friendly option is right for your Xuzhou adventure!
First Impressions (or, "My Brain is Still Processing the Lobby")
Landing in Xuzhou, bleary-eyed and a little intimidated by the vastness of the East Railway Station, the Hanting Hotel was a beacon of… well, something. Proximity to the station was a huge plus. Dragging your luggage across a city? No thanks. Accessibility-wise, the lobby seemed promising. Elevators? Check. Ramps (though maybe a bit steep for some)? Check. Seeing the 24-hour front desk was reassuring, especially after a long journey.
Check-in/Out Experience: (Smooth?… Not Exactly)
The contactless check-in/out options were a definite win. However, the system seemed a tad… glitched. Took a few tries to get my key card working. And the front desk staff? They were trying. Honestly. They were probably a mix of tired and undertrained, which is relatable. I feel you, guys and gals.
Rooms: The Good, the Quirky, and the "Is That a Stain?"
Okay, let’s get this straight. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Desk, Hairdryer, Free bottled water (bless), Internet access - wireless (oh-so-important!), Ironing facilities, Mini bar, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Shower, Smoke detector, Telephone, Slippers, Tea. (and coffee!) Which is a plus!
My room? Ah, my room. It was functional. Non-smoking rooms were available (thank heavens!), and the blackout curtains were a godsend, especially after a long day of train travel. The bed was comfortable enough, the air conditioning worked (critical in Xuzhou summers), and the free Wi-Fi was a life-saver. The internet access – LAN felt a bit "old school" which I respected, but… the room decor? Okay, let's just say it was…minimalist with maybe a dash of… "what's leftover from the 90s." There was a (suspect) stain on the carpet. And a mysterious thump coming from the walls at random intervals. I never figured out what it was.
Honestly? I have to get into Room decorations and it was like a nice generic art piece, nothing too fancy. Air conditioning was my saving grace in the summer heat. Daily housekeeping was solid. Complimentary tea saved me. Mirror helped me look presentable. Socket near the bed? Genius. Reading light helped me read before bedtime. Shower was functional. Toiletries were….okay.
Now, the bathroom was another adventure. Separate shower/bathtub? Yes. BUT… the water pressure fluctuated wildly. One minute it was a gentle trickle; the next, a full-on tsunami. A bath was out of the question. I wanted to soak after a bad day, but I was too nervous of getting drenched.
The presence of extra long bed was a blessing! Non-smoking made it nice.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Vigilance Factor
This is where the Hanting Hotel REALLY shone. They were clearly taking COVID precautions seriously. Hand sanitizer dispensers were EVERYWHERE. Constant. Daily disinfection in common areas. The staff were trained in safety protocol. I noticed Anti-viral cleaning products being used. There was a definite sense of… well, cleanliness. It felt safe, which is a huge plus in these times!
What I appreciate is these touches: Rooms sanitized between stays, Individually-wrapped food options.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling Up or Facing Food Court Faux Pas?
Let me be honest, the Asian breakfast was a bit of a mixed bag. The breakfast [buffet] had a variety of options, you can expect the usual offerings of porridge, congee, fried noodles, etc. The Western breakfast was…well, it existed. I appreciate that they offer both. I wasn't blown away, but it’s food and that’s what I needed. There seemed to be a Coffee/tea area, however, I had to go on a hunt to find it. I didn't see a Bar or Poolside bar. A la carte in restaurant wasn't my thing. I saw many Restaurants in the hotel. I didn't see a Salad in restaurant. or Soup in restaurant. Snack bar? Nah
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: (This is where things go… sideways)
Oookay, here’s where I have some questions. The description mentions Fitness center, Sauna, Spa, Steamroom, Swimming pool [outdoor], Spa/sauna. Where are these things? Maybe my room didn’t have access to this or maybe I missed it, but I couldn't find any of them. A Pool with view? I guess if you look up, you can see the sky? Look, I enjoy a good sauna, but the lack of these amenities was a disappointment.
Services and Conveniences: The Practical Stuff
They had the basics! Cash withdrawal was easy. Concierge? Well, I never actually saw one, but the front desk handled most of my requests. Daily housekeeping was efficient. Elevator was essential. They had a Gift/souvenir shop, because, you know, souvenirs. Luggage storage was a plus, to hold on to luggage. Ironing service? Didn't use it, but it was great.
Access, Getting Around, and the Fine Print…
Check-in/out [express]. Airport transfer. Car park [free of charge]. These were all positives (except the "express" feeling). Taxi service also available which is pretty essential. I don't think you can have Pets allowed unavailable. Fire extinguisher present. The front desk was [24-hour] which is solid. Soundproof rooms - for the most part. They had Smoking area. They had Security [24-hour]. They had Smoke alarms. CCTV in common areas and outside property.
For the Kids? Nope. They don’t have any.
The Verdict: (Drumroll Please… )
Look, the Hanting Hotel near Xuzhou East Railway Station is… a budget hotel. It's a place to sleep, shower, and recharge before or after a train journey. It is what it is! It's functional, it's clean (mostly), and the staff are trying their best. I personally don’t think its the best, nor worst place I've stayed at. It is what it is. Do they have a spa? Possibly. If they do, I didn’t find it.
Would I stay there again? Yes, for the location, the price, and the safety precautions. But with a slight sense of trepidation and a good book to escape into. Don't expect luxury. Expect a clean, functional place to crash, and you'll be fine. And maybe, just maybe, bring your own snacks. You've been warned…
Malavli's BEST 2BHK: Evershine Inn Luxury Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, messy, and utterly unpredictable world of… Xuzhou! More specifically, the Hanting Hotel near the East Railway Station's West Exit. (Side note: who names these places? Are they just throwing darts while blindfolded?)
The "Pre-Trip Anxiety & Packing Disaster" Phase (and I use the term "phase" loosely)
Okay, so truth bomb: I hate packing. It’s a special kind of torture, right up there with waiting in line for the post office. This time was no different. I crammed, I stuffed, I swore. Somehow, I managed to overpack even for a two-night stay. My suitcase looked like it was trying to eat me. I’m pretty sure my favorite travel pillow is judging me silently from inside.
- Emotional State: Anxious, slightly panicked, convinced I'd forgotten everything (spoiler alert: I did).
- Anecdote: In a moment of pure genius (read: desperation), I tried to fold my winter coat into a tiny, space-saving burrito. It exploded. Down feathers everywhere. My cat thought it was Christmas. It was not.
Day 1: Arrival, the Train Station Gauntlet, and the Hanting Hotel Shenanigans
- Morning (Shanghai to Xuzhou): The train was… fine. Relatively punctual, which is always a win in China. The sights whizzing by were a blur of rice paddies, factories (lots of those), and occasional bursts of urban sprawl. I spent most of the journey glued to my window, trying to decipher the giant billboard advertisements. They're like modern-day hieroglyphics.
- Arrival at Xuzhou East Station: This is where things get… interesting. The sheer scale of the place is overwhelming. People everywhere! Luggage everywhere! The air is thick with the scent of… well, a train station. Let's just leave it at that. Navigating the West Exit felt like running the gauntlet. I swear I saw a man wrestling a suitcase and a small child at the same time. Peak travel chaos.
- Quirky Observation: The sheer volume of people taking selfies and streaming live videos. The selfie stick seems to be the national weapon of choice.
- Finding the Hanting Hotel: Okay, the hotel is… well, it's a Hanting. Cleanish. The air conditioning blasts, which is both good, because Xuzhou is humid, and bad, because it's LOUD. The staff weren’t particularly effusive, but they were efficient, which is sometimes all you need after surviving a train station.
- Emotional Reaction: A wave of relief washed over me when I actually unlocked the door to my room. Small victories, people! Small victories.
- Afternoon (The Quest for Food): I was starving. Seriously, hangry. I ventured out in search of something edible. This led me on a thrilling (and slightly terrifying) adventure into the local food scene. I stumbled upon a noodle shop. It was the kind of place where you point at the pictures because you can't read the characters. I think I got a pork noodle soup. It was… intense. Rich, oily, and packed with flavors I couldn't quite name. But, you know what? It hit the spot.
- Opinionated Language: It wasn't the prettiest place, but MAN, that noodle soup was good. Forget Michelin stars, this place had soul.
- Evening (Trying to Relax… Failing): Back at the hotel, I attempted to relax. Watched Chinese TV. Spent an hour wrestling with the wifi. The channel selection was… unique. I gave up and went to bed, hoping jetlag would take over. It didn't. I tossed and turned all night, kept hearing train noises.
Day 2: The Mausoleum, the Lake, and the "Lost in Translation" Tea Ceremony
- Morning (Bingling Shan Scenic Area): This was supposedly the highlight of the trip. We're talking about a mountain. A big one. I took a taxi. The driver didn't speak a lick of English, so communication was via frantic hand gestures and pointing. I think he understood. Once arrived, the Mausoleum was… well, it was a mausoleum. Lots of stone. Lots of history. I wandered around for a while, trying to absorb it all. I ended up appreciating the peace of the area, away from the crazy of the train station.
- Anecdote: I got slightly lost trying to find the "exit" and ended up wandering into a small temple where a very stern-looking monk was chanting. Awkward.
- What did I Actually See? Okay, I'll be honest, it's hard to remember all the details. Everything blurs after a while. The massive stone structures of the mausoleum, the intricate carvings, the sense of ancient power. It was all very impressive. The walk was long, the sun was intense. I was sweating like a pig.
- Emotional Reaction: Part awe, part exhaustion. Mostly needing to sit down.
- Afternoon (Yunlong Lake): I escaped back to the city and headed to Yunlong Lake. Beautiful place. The lake sparkled, the air was fresh (compared to the train station, anyway), and there were lots of people enjoying the spring. I enjoyed wandering around, watching people, and having a snack.
- Opinionated Language: After the mausoleum, the lake felt like a breath of fresh air.
- Quirky Observation: I saw a group of older women doing some kind of synchronized dancing. It was… fascinating. I'm pretty sure they were practicing for the Olympics of synchronized senior citizens.
- Evening (Tea Ceremony Fiasco): I attempted a tea ceremony. Emphasis on attempted. I’d envisioned a serene, zen-like experience. What I got was a lot of frantic hand gestures and a lot of tea spilling. The tea master (who also spoke zero English) looked increasingly bewildered by my efforts.
- Messier Structure: Let me be honest, I think the tea was actually pretty good, But I couldn't tell you. I was too focused on not making a complete spectacle of myself. Which, spoiler alert, I did. Repeatedly.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: I wanted to hide under the table. After the tea ceremony I felt tired and bewildered.
- Anecdote: When I finally managed (accidentally) to pour the tea correctly, the tea master burst out laughing. I think he was laughing at me, not with me. Anyway, I was glad I made it out of there.
Day 3: Departure (and the lingering scent of adventure)
- Morning (Breakfast and Last-Minute Souvenirs): Grabbed a quick (and slightly questionable) breakfast from a nearby street vendor. Bought some weird local snacks as souvenirs. I'm not entirely sure what they are, but hey, it's the thought that counts, right?
- Departure: Back to the train station! One last gauntlet run.
- Reflections:
- Emotional Reaction: It was messy, confusing. And I loved every second of it. I’m ready for a vacation from my vacation.
- Opinionated Language: Xuzhou isn’t the prettiest place I’ve ever seen. But it was certainly an experience.
Post-Trip Assessment:
Would I go back to Xuzhou? Maybe. Probably. Definitely not in summer. Will I ever master the art of packing? Doubtful. Will I ever understand Chinese tea ceremonies? Probably not. But hey, at least I have a story to tell. And a suitcase full of questionable souvenirs. And the lingering scent of train stations forever burned into my memory.
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Hanting Hotel Xuzhou East Station: The Unofficial FAQ (Because Let's Be Real, It's Not *THAT* Official)
So, is Hanting Hotel near Xuzhou East Railway Station, or what? Because my train's leaving in like, five minutes... (exaggeration alert!)
What are the rooms ACTUALLY like? Because hotels always lie in the pictures.
Is the breakfast... edible? (And, like, what *is* the breakfast, anyway?)
What about the Wi-Fi? Because I need to Instagram my train journey (duh).
Is it noisy? I *need* my sleep. (And I mean *need* it.)
Is the staff friendly? Because I can't speak any Chinese, and I'm terrified of getting lost.
Is there anything else I should know? Random little niggles or pleasant surprises?
