Ji Hotel Dalian: Luxury Near Dalian Railway Station!
JI Hotel Dalian: Luxury Near Dalian Railway Station - Or Is It? (A Brutally Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just escaped a whirlwind stay at the Ji Hotel Dalian, and I’m finally ready to spill the tea. (And probably some coffee, thanks to the complimentary “complimentary” coffee maker in the room.) I'll be frank – this ain't your perfectly curated travel blog post. This is a raw, unfiltered, slightly caffeinated chronicle of my experience, and it's going to be… interesting.
First Impressions & Accessibility - The Good, The Questionable, and the Unexpected Escalator.
Right off the bat, the location is killer. Smack dab near Dalian Railway Station? Yes, please! Accessibility, in theory, sounds promising. Elevator? Check. But getting to the hotel? Hoo boy. It seems Dalian’s a bit… enthusiastic about escalators. Like, everywhere. I'm talking multiple, long escalators just to… get to the hotel entrance. My luggage and I were doing a tango before I'd even officially checked in. This is something to keep in mind, especially if mobility is an issue. I’m not in a wheelchair, but I could see how that would be a pain (literally).
- Accessibility Score: 3.5/5. Great location, but the escalator situation is a bit… dramatic.
- Wheelchair accessibility: I saw the elevator, so theoretically it should be fine, but those escalators have to be crossed. Need to investigate further.
The Digital Age and Connectivity – Free Wi-Fi! (But is it… Good?):
Alright, onto the necessities. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, right? Yes! Thank the gods. However, the speed was, shall we say, variable. One minute I was downloading entire seasons of my favorite show, the next I was staring at a spinning wheel, cursing modern technology. Wi-Fi in public areas seemed a bit better, but still… not the speed of light.
- Internet: (Waving my hand vaguely). It's there.
- Internet [LAN]: Haven't touched this, I'm guessing the hotel is more like a ghost from the past.
- Internet services: A hotel, some internet, what else is new?
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: True.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Better, but not by much.
Cleanliness and Safety – Are we really safe?:
Okay, let's get serious for a sec. The COVID-19 era has irrevocably changed how we view hotels. Ji Hotel Dalian seems to be trying. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Staff trained in safety protocols? They said so. Room sanitization opt-out available? Yes! I like to smell my hotel room, so I didn't opt out.
- Cleanliness and Safety Score: 4/5 They’re trying. But still, that lingering question…are the invisible things defeated.
- Hand sanitizer: Spotted everywhere!
- Individually-wrapped food options: Makes me feel safe when I'm feeling for a snack.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Good, hopefully, they're doing it right!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Culinary Adventure (with a few speed bumps)
Oh boy, food. This is where things get… complicated. They claim to have a variety of options. Asian breakfast, international cuisine, Western breakfast, etc. The reality? The buffet breakfast… well, it was a buffet. Let's just say I wouldn't write home about it. I'm a sucker for a good buffet, but the offerings were… uninspired. The coffee was that perpetually lukewarm, watery stuff that haunts all hotels, so I'd recommend getting your cafeine fix elsewhere.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Let's call it adequate.
- Restaurants: Supposed to have some, but I didn't find it inspiring.
- Coffee shop: In desperate need of fresh beans.
- Room service [24-hour]: Thank goodness! For late-night ramen cravings.
- Snack bar: I didn't see/find it.
- Desserts in restaurant: Maybe don't get your hopes up.
Services and Conveniences – The Good, The Meh, and the Unexpected Karaoke… Wait, What?
Daily housekeeping? Absolutely. It was nice coming back to a tidy room. Concierge? Present, but not exactly brimming with local knowledge. Luggage storage? Yup. Air conditioning? Thank the heavens, yes. The gym/fitness center? Looked pretty standard, nothing to write home about.
- Concierge: Not overly helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: Cleanliness wins!
- Elevator: Needed.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Nice if you need them.
Rooms – My Personal Fortress
My room? Okay, it was…fine. Air conditioning - check, essential! A decent-sized bed, a view of something (I’m not entirely sure what, but hey, it was a view!). The bathroom was clean and functional. Basic, but does the job.
- Air conditioning: Praise!
- Free bottled water: Yes, thank you. Hydration is key.
- Desk: Useful.
- Soundproof rooms: The most important thing, very needed.
- Wi-Fi [free]: Praise!
Things to Do and Ways to Relax (Or Try To)
There was a fitness center. Honestly, I didn't go. But the major selling point about the Ji Hotel, is that it offers a pool with a view, which I went. It was pretty special to see, especially at night, the entire panorama of Dalian. No one was inside the pool. And the water was pretty cold.
- Fitness center Okay.
- Swimming Pool [outdoor]: Amazing view!
- Sauna: I didn't try it.
- Swimming Pool The water was extremely cold and I didn't even try it.
For the Kids – I Can’t Comment, Actually:
I didn't travel with kids, so I can only assume it's fine, they have the essential services.
- For the kids Not applicable.
Getting Around – Airport Transfer, Anyone?:
Airport transfer? Book it! Worth it after battling those infernal escalators. Taxi service available, car park on-site, all the basics covered.
- Airport transfer: Recommended.
- Car park [free of charge]: Excellent!
Overall Thoughts – The Verdict… Is Complicated.
So, would I recommend Ji Hotel Dalian? That’s the million-dollar question, isn't it? It depends.
- Pros: Great location, clean rooms, free Wi-Fi (mostly).
- Cons: The breakfast, and the potentially daunting escalator situation. The Wi-Fi could be better.
- Overall Score: 3.75/5. It's not luxury, but it's a solid, decent option.
Final Verdict: If you need a convenient, centrally located hotel near the train station and aren't overly fussy about gourmet breakfasts, it’s a fine choice. Just mentally prepare yourself for those escalators! And maybe pack some instant coffee. You've been warned!
Escape to Medford: Book Your Rodeway Inn Stay Now!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously formatted travel itinerary. This is a dive into the delightful, slightly chaotic, and utterly, beautifully human experience of trying to survive (and hopefully enjoy life) at the Ji Hotel Dalian Railway Station in Dalian, China. This is gonna be messy, folks. Let's go.
Day 1: Arrival (and the Great Luggage Panic)
7:00 AM - Wake Up Inexplicably Early: Jet lag? Excitement? The sheer terror of being in a new country? Who knows. But I’m up. Coffee, coffee, COFFEE. Thankfully, the instant stuff in the room isn’t completely abysmal.
7:30 AM - Transportation & Check-in: Landed smoothly. Smoothly, that is, until the luggage carousel decided to play hide-and-seek with my prized, slightly-too-large backpack. Finally, finally found it – the relief was immense. I then successfully navigated the airport chaos and took a taxi to the Ji Hotel Dalian Railway Station. The driver, God bless him, didn’t speak a drop of English, but we communicated wonderfully through a mixture of frantic gestures and the universal language of Google Translate. Check-in was… well, let's just say the receptionist looked like she'd seen a ghost. My Mandarin is, shall we say, rudimentary. But hey, I got a room! A room with a view! (More on that later.)
8:30 AM - The Room (and the Existential Dread): So, the room. Clean, functional. Compact, very compact. The "view" is… the back alley. Still, it works. But suddenly the pressure of being alone in a hotel room, on a different continent, just hit me. Was this all a massive mistake? Would I ever understand the currency? Could I ever manage to order noodles without accidentally summoning a small army? This is where the travel journal comes in, I guess. Gotta write down my feelings.
9:00 AM - Breakfast Disaster (and Triumphant Recovery): Went down to the hotel's breakfast and realized I had no idea what was going on. Food that looked suspiciously like it might be edible… Stared blankly at the steam buns, then at the lady behind the food stall. I think she felt sorry for me, because she loaded my plate with some sort of… deliciousness. And then there was the tea. Omg, the tea. The best tea, I've ever had.
9:30 AM - Exploring the Area (Sort Of): Stepped outside. Dalian Railway Station is a busy place. People everywhere! The first ten minutes were spent just standing there, mouth agape, watching the human tide. I had to get a sim card for the phone. Finding the right place was like trying to find a needle in a haystack of bustling humanity. Finally, got the SIM. Then I wandered, aimlessly. Got lost immediately. It was exhilarating!
1:00 PM - Lung Disease? Absolutely Not! Lunch on the Go: Found the best lunch. I took a walk nearby and found myself a busy food street filled with hungry people. I stopped by a local stall and ordered a noodle soup, with tofu and vegetables. The man spoke in Chinese, the woman smiled. I ate.
2:30 PM - Room with a View: The back alley, which I have grown to love. There are plenty of stories from the street.
4:30 PM - Train Station Exploration: Ok, the Dalian Train Station is huge. The amount of people that pass is incredible.
6:30 PM - Dinner (and Cultural Immersion): I found a restaurant. Not exactly what I expected. I think I pointed a bunch of stuff on the menu. I have no idea what it was. I ate it. Ate everything.
8:00 PM - The Great Hotel Rest: I crashed. Too much sensory overload.
Day 2: Diving into Food (and Dealing with the Language Barrier)
7:00 AM - Wake Up… Again: Ok, maybe the jet lag is easing. Maybe I'm just excited.
7:30 AM - Breakfast Round 2: Armed with a bit more confidence (and the translation app), I ventured back. This time, I knew I had to order the soup. It was incredible.
8:30 AM - The Street Food Adventure Begins: Dalian's street food is a symphony of smells and sizzling sounds. I braved the crowds and sampled things that looked suspiciously delicious. Didn't die! Win! Found a vendor selling skewers. I pointed, and then, I ate. It was amazing.
9:30 AM - Wandering Through the Markets: A bustling marketplace filled with everything imaginable. Bargaining is expected. I tried. Failed. But even the failure was fun.
1:00 PM - Lunch: Found a restaurant, this time with the help of a local. What was on the menu? I don't know. Did it matter? Nope.
2:00 PM - The Great Nap: I came back to the hotel, and took a nap.
4:00 PM - Attempt at Communication: I went to a coffee shop and attempted to order a coffee. It didn't go well.
6:00 PM - Dinner: I ate at the place where I was yesterday.
8:00 PM - Early Night (because, travel): More rest. Sleep. Repeat.
Day 3: Beach! More Food! (and the Unfolding of My Inner Tourist)
7:00 AM - Wake Up: Yes, still alive.
8:00 AM - Beach Day (sort of): Dalian is on the coast! Decided to brave public transport and get to the beach. I was expecting a pristine paradise. The beach was… a little crowded. Still, the waves were nice, and I sat at the beach for hours.
12:00 PM - Lunch (beachside!): I found a restaurant and ate fish. I never knew I did, but I love fish.
1:00 PM - Beach Relaxation: Back at the beach. Relaxed, watched locals. Awesome.
5:00 PM - Back to the Hotel: The sun was setting.
6:00 PM - Dinner: The restaurant. Again. It's working, and it's simple.
8:00 PM - Reflection: I've been here for days, and just wanted to relax.
Day 4 & Beyond (The Future is Unwritten… and Probably Messy):
…Who Knows? The rest of the trip is a blur of exploring, eating, getting lost, and (hopefully) learning a few basic Chinese phrases. The Ji Hotel will remain my slightly-wonky base of operations. I'll probably discover more amazing food, have more hilarious communication breakdowns, and maybe even get good at dodging all these bicycles.
The Real Itinerary: There will be moments of sheer joy. Moments of frustration (thank you, Google Translate). And probably, at least once, a complete, unadulterated meltdown when I can't find a clean public bathroom. This is travel. It's messy. It's unpredictable. And that's exactly why I love it.
My Overall Recommendation (if you can call it that): Dalian is a city of chaos. The Ji Hotel? It's a place to sleep. Neither is perfect. But the experience is what makes it worthwhile. Embrace the weirdness. Eat the food. Get lost. And for the love of all that is holy, learn a few basic Chinese phrases before you come! You'll thank me later. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find more noodles… and maybe a slightly less-back-alley-facing view.
So, Ji Hotel Dalian – Is it REALLY "luxury"? Because, like, "luxury" gets thrown around a lot, right? Especially in China.
How close REALLY is it to Dalian Railway Station? 'Cause "near" can mean anything from a five-minute stroll to a death march with luggage. I’m lazy.
What are the rooms *actually* like? Be honest! Don’t just parrot the brochure!
Is the breakfast any good? I'm a breakfast person. Fuel is important.
What about the staff? Are they friendly? Do they speak English? (My Mandarin is… non-existent.)
Any downsides I should know about? Be brutally honest!
