Beijing's Hidden Gem: Hanting Premium Hotel Youjia Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Beijing's Hidden Gem: Hanting Premium Hotel Youjia - The Real Review (Buckle Up!)
Okay, folks, let's be real. When I booked the Hanting Premium Hotel Youjia, I wasn't exactly expecting a life-altering experience. But, hey, Beijing, right? Adventure awaits! And… well, this hotel did surprise me. Prepare for a rollercoaster of opinions, my friends, because this review is NOT your average, sanitized travel blog perfection.
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(Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, But Good Effort!)
Alright, let's start with the practicalities. Accessibility is… well, it's China. It’s getting better. Let's put it that way. The hotel does boast features for disabled guests. There are elevators, which is a HUGE plus. Huge. I saw people using them! Seriously, that's a good start. I didn’t specifically test it with a wheelchair, but from what I observed, the public areas seemed generally manageable. Rooms are advertised as 'accessible' but I definitely suggest contacting the hotel directly to clarify specifics.
(On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges - Food, Glorious Food!)
Now, the food situation…that's where things get interesting. There are restaurants. And a bar! I saw both! I didn't actually eat in the accessible restaurant (my bad, I was too busy devouring street food the whole time). However, the setup looked okay, with what seemed like reasonable spacing between tables. The buffet had a good vibe. The pool-side bar was awesome and I didn't see any issues there.
(Wheelchair Accessible - Check it out, though!)
As mentioned - elevator and general 'look' indicated some accessibility. But double-check if you require a wheelchair accessible room - call them BEFORE you book. I cannot stress that enough.
(Internet Access: Finally, Some Good News!)
Yes! Hallelujah! Free Wi-Fi is available everywhere! In the rooms, in the public areas, even seems to extend to the next block! Seriously. Thank goodness, because I was panicking at the thought of being disconnected. The speed was decent too. No complaints!
(Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa-tacular (Maybe?)
Okay, this is where the hotel REALLY impressed me. They’ve got a fitness center, a sauna, a steamroom, and a spa. A spa! I didn't have a body scrub during my visit. I wish I had. I was too busy wandering the hutongs getting lost. I can't comment directly on the quality of the massage, but the facilities looked top-notch, with a pool with a view. The pictures online were super fancy, and if it's even half as good as the photos suggest… well, it has the potential to be utterly amazing. This is an area where I wish I hadn't skipped out, could have been a highlight!
(Cleanliness and Safety: An Understated Kind of Comfort)
This is where Hanting really shines. Everything felt clean. Really Clean. They have anti-viral cleaning products (that makes a difference these days, let me tell you) daily disinfection, and staff are trained in safety protocol. They also have individually-wrapped food options (again, appreciated!), and I felt generally safe and protected. I noticed hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere. It wasn't oppressive safety, you know? More like a quiet reassurance.
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food, So Much Food!)
Okay, the food. Let's talk food. A la carte restaurant? Yep. Asian cuisine? Absolutely. Western cuisine? You betcha! Buffet? Oh, yes, the buffet, a beautiful cascade of… well, delicious possibilities. The coffee shop was nice for a quick pick-me-up. I had a few coffees there, it was a solid experience. The desserts were… let’s just say they were a highlight. You could get salads and soup as well, but the bar was my hangout most evenings - Happy Hour made me very happy…
(Services and Conveniences: They Think of Everything!)
Wow. Seriously, this hotel just keeps on giving. Daily housekeeping? Check. Laundry service? Check. Dry Cleaning? Check. Concierge? Check. Elevator? ABSOLUTELY. There’s a gift shop and even a convenience store. They have currency exchange, which is super handy. Everything you could possibly need seemed to be available. It was all very polished.
(For the Kids: Family-Friendly Vibes)
I didn't have any kids with me, but the hotel seemed family-friendly. They have a babysitting service, which is an amazing bonus for parents. I saw some kids in the pool; they seemed to be having a blast.
(Access, Security and Safety: Feeling Secure)
24-hour front desk? Yes. CCTV everywhere? Yep. Security? Covered. Fire extinguishers and smoke alarms? Naturally. I felt very safe here. This is not something to take lightly.
(Getting Around: Easy Peasy)
Airport transfer? Yes! Car park? You bet. Taxi service? Of course. They've got it all organized. Makes travel so much easier.
(Available in All Rooms: Your Home Away From Home)
Ah, the rooms. Air conditioning? Yes! Blackout curtains? Yes, and thank goodness, Beijing light can be brutal! Free Wi-Fi? Obviously! A nice desk to work on? Check. A safe? Gotta keep your valuables safe! The rooms are well-appointed, with all the essentials. The little things like slippers and bath robes felt like a touch of luxury. I also appreciated the wake-up service.
(My Personal Experience - The Good, The Bad, and the Awkward…)
Okay, confession time. I, uh, "accidentally" wandered into the sauna one evening. I wasn't quite prepared for the… heat. Let's just say I didn't last long. Oops. And then there was the time I tried to order room service, only to realize I'd forgotten to download the app. Facepalm. But seriously, those are my only real complaints.
The Verdict: Hanting Premium Hotel Youjia - Worth the Hype?
Absolutely. For the price point, the amenities, and the overall feeling of comfort and safety, Hanting Premium Hotel Youjia is a hidden gem in Beijing. It’s not flawless (is anything?) but it delivers on its promises and then some. Definitely recommended. Just remember to double-check those accessibility aspects if you need them. And perhaps… bring a towel for the sauna. You'll thank me later. Go! Enjoy! And tell me all about it!
Unbelievable Takamatsu Luxury: Takamatsu Kokusai Hotel Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, bullet-pointed itinerary for a perfectly Instagram-worthy trip. This is the REAL DEAL. My potentially disastrous, probably delicious, and definitely opinionated adventure in Beijing, based from the hallowed halls (and potentially slightly stained carpet) of the Hanting Premium Hotel Youjia Beijing Baiziwan Dong. Let's dive in, shall we?
Pre-Trip Anxiety & Arrival Debrief:
- Weeks Before: Panic eating. Seriously. The closer I got to departure, the more I devoured everything in sight. Why? Fear of the unknown. Fear of that food. Fear of accidentally ordering a plate of fried scorpions. (Okay, maybe I secretly wanted to try that. Don't judge.)
- Packing: Disaster. Ended up with three pairs of shoes, two of which were purely aesthetic and destined to never leave the hotel room. Also, packed enough instant noodles to feed a small army. You can never be too prepared for a questionable food situation, right? Right?!
- Touchdown at the Hotel: Okay, first impressions of the Hanting. It's…clean. Relatively. My room, though…hmmm. Definitely has that "slightly used" vibe. You know, the one where you can feel the previous tenant’s ghostly presence? (Okay, maybe I have an overactive imagination. Or maybe it's the jet lag.) The AC, bless its weary little heart, is blowing lukewarm air. Beijing in July is not messing around. Time to master the art of strategically placed fans. And the view? Well, let's just say it's a classic "urban sprawl" masterpiece. Think buildings, more buildings, and a whole lot of smog…I think I see the Olympic Park. (I definitely can't see the Olympics.)
Day 1: Orientation & Dim Sum Domination
- Morning (and my internal clock): Woke up at 3 AM thanks to jet lag. Wandered around the sterile-ish hallway, feeling like a zombie. Re-read the hotel's welcome brochure. It felt like a hostage negotiation. Finally, resigned myself to watching grainy Chinese TV until sunrise. Coffee, in the form of instant (prepared in my room's questionable kettle) was the only salvation.
- Mid-morning: Ventured out! The street outside the hotel is a symphony of honking horns, bicycle bells, and the low rumble of…something. Seriously, what is that sound? Am I accidentally stepping on a cultural landmark? My navigation consisted of a combination of Google Maps, pointing, and sheer dumb luck. Found a small, bustling market. The smells! Garlic. Ginger. Wok. And something I couldn't identify, but it smelled AMAZING. Purchased a mysterious fruit. It turned out to be…okay. Not bad. Not great. Definitely an experience.
- Lunch: Dim Sum, Glorious Dim Sum! Found a little dim sum place a few blocks away. This was the highlight of the day. The food. The tea. The general buzz of the place. Ordered too much, obviously. Stuffed my face with dumplings, bao, and something I think was a custard tart. My internal monologue was a constant stream of "OMG, this is the best thing I've ever tasted!" Followed by "Am I going to regret this later?" The answer, as I waddled out of the restaurant, was a resounding "Probably, but SO WORTH IT." Also, I accidentally ordered…something. I still have no idea what it was. But it was delicious. And a bit…gummy.
- Afternoon: Attempted Cultural Immersion (Fail): Tried to visit Tiananmen Square. Realized I was woefully unprepared for the crowds and the security. Got slightly panicked. Felt overwhelmed. Retreated back to the hotel and collapsed dramatically on the bed. Decided to make up for my lack of cultural grit by watching Chinese soap operas and eating the rest of the mysterious fruit.
- Evening: Decided to be adventurous and order room service…or something. The menu was entirely in Chinese, and my phone was dead. Tried to use the hotel's phone to call the front desk, but it turns out I was incapable of doing so. Eventually, a kind young woman at the front desk, who was speaking a language I only understood 10% of. Got some noodles I wouldn't normally eat but still loved the meal while in a foreign place, and felt grateful that I was at least not going hungry. Passed out from exhaustion at 8pm.
Day 2: Temple Trauma & Peking Duck Euphoria
- Morning: Woke up, ate half a packet of those disaster noodles. I was hoping the jet lag had gone away, but it's clear that I need some proper stimulation, and that leads me to the next destination.
- Morning:
- The Temple of Heaven (and Heartbreak): Okay, I was determined to do this right. Got up early(ish), hopped on the subway (almost got on the wrong train. Twice). Navigated the crowds (with a little help from bewildered-looking tourists). The Temple? Absolutely stunning. The craftsmanship, the colors, the sheer scale of the thing…it was breathtaking. And the people, there were other people everywhere, I felt a little bit overwhelmed, but after a cup of coffee I soldiered on. I could probably spend the whole day.
- The Temple of Heaven (Revisited): I went back, determined. Determined to find a moment of peace. To connect with the history, to appreciate the beauty. And then…a group of tai chi enthusiasts decided to set up directly in front of me. I tried to be zen. I really did. But after about 15 minutes of "HI-YA!" and "WHOOSH!" I had to move. My inner peace was shattered. My temples were throbbing. I was forced to leave. Defeated.
- Afternoon: Needed serious comfort food. And retail therapy. Found a little shop that sold silk scarves. Bought one. Felt a little better. It's bright, it's breezy, and I am happy about my purchase. The price of the scarf included, no exaggeration, was 200USD (which I'm still regretting), but the vibrant colors distracted me from the high price.
- Evening: Peking Duck…and Divine Intervention: Okay. This was the goal. The reason I willingly subjected myself to questionable air quality and public transport. Found a highly-rated Peking Duck restaurant. Booked a table. Got all spruced up (read: swapped my t-shirt for a slightly less stained t-shirt). The food? OMG. The crispy skin, the succulent meat, the little pancakes…it was everything I'd ever dreamed of. The staff was impeccable. I could eat like this forever. Truly.
Day 3: Wall Woe & Departure Dread (and a Final Noodle Fiasco)
- Morning: The Great Wall! Took a day trip, spent 3 hours at the Great Wall, took a hundred photographs, and was totally exhausted. Did I mention the Wall is steep? I also stumbled upon some street vendors selling "authentic" trinkets. Bargaining is an art form, and I am a clumsy apprentice. Result: Overpaid for a questionable jade pendant. But hey, it's a souvenir, right? I am happy to have it.
- Afternoon: Back at the hotel to pack. Packing a suitcase is a skill that has eluded me for this trip. I can't understand how I used all the space in the suitcase! How did I purchase so much? I'm going to have to buy another suitcase!
- Evening: Final meal. Decided to be "brave" and try some street food near a restaurant. Ordered some noodles from a vendor. They looked…interesting. They tasted…interesting. Let's just say my gut is currently staging a small revolt. The jet lag is back in full force. The prospect of the long flight home fills me with equal parts dread and relief. I can't wait to be home. And I also can't wait to come back someday, knowing what I know now.
Departure: The goodbyes were hard, I wished to explore some places again. But, oh well.
Final Thoughts (and a Public Service Announcement):
Beijing? It's a whirlwind. It tests your patience. It challenges your taste buds. It exposes your weaknesses (mine being overspending and an inability to navigate). But it's also a vibrant, exciting, and utterly unforgettable experience. Would I recommend the Hanting Premium? It's fine. It's clean. It's functional. It's definitely a place to lay your weary head after a day of cultural immersion (and potential disaster). Would I
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