Nanjing's Hidden Gem: Hanting Hotel Xinjiekou Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Nanjing's Hidden Gem: Hanting Hotel Xinjiekou Review (You Won't Believe This! … Or Maybe You Will, Let's See)
Okay, buckle up, folks. I'm about to take you on a rollercoaster ride through my stay at the Hanting Hotel Xinjiekou in Nanjing. "Hidden gem," you ask? Well, the jury's still out, and honestly, sometimes gems are a little… rough around the edges. But the experience? Unforgettable. Let's dive headfirst, shall we?
First Impressions & Accessibility: Navigating the Maze (and My Own Brain)
Getting to the hotel was the first test. Nanjing, at least for a clumsy Westerner like myself, is a whirlwind of scooters, bustling streets, and… well, let's just say my sense of direction is more "suggestion" than "skill." Thankfully, the airport transfer (a total lifesaver) got me there, and the doorman (a very friendly guy, bless his heart) pointed me in the right direction. The elevator was a godsend, especially since I was lugging a suitcase that felt lighter than a small car.
Accessibility: While they seem to have facilities for disabled guests, I’m not sure about the specifics. The elevator, as I mentioned, was fantastic. But I didn’t see any explicit markings or ramps. Need to research this one more.
Check-in/out [express]… I appreciated that, but I was so flustered. I actually asked for the cash withdrawal too, which was a relief. (Lost my wallet once. Terrifying. Always have some cash on you, trust me.)
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Relatively Safe (and Trying Not to Overthink It)
Okay, this is where things get interesting, and by interesting, I mean I REALLY started to pay attention to every single surface. I'm a bit of a germaphobe (don't judge!), and I'm always looking for the elusive "perfect clean." Hanting Xinjiekou gets points for trying.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Check. Supposedly. I didn’t have a lab to confirm (though the thought did cross my mind…), but the room looked clean.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: They claim to use them. I'm hoping they did!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Another check. I saw staff visibly cleaning, which is a good sign!
- Hand sanitizer: Plentiful and readily available! Yay!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed like it. They were all wearing masks, and that’s a good start.
- CCTV in common areas and outside property: Reassuring. You know, in a slightly Big Brother-ish kind of way.
On the flip side, I didn't see any professional-grade sanitizing services, like a team just blasting everything down. More of a surface wipe-down, which is adequate.
My one issue?
Honestly, it's the whole "room sanitization opt-out available." While nice to have as an option, I can't help but feel like it's a weird compromise?
The Room Itself: From Basic to… Acceptable (Mostly)
Let's be honest, this isn't the Ritz. But, for the price, the room was surprisingly decent.
- Air conditioning: Essential. And thankfully, it worked. (And thank god for blackout curtains!)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! (More on this later. It's a love-hate relationship.)
- Comforts: Hair dryer, toiletries (thank god for that), and fresh towels.
- The bed: Okay, now we're getting to the good stuff. The extra long bed was a lifesaver considering I'm taller than average.
- Internet Access – LAN and Wireless? I think the wifi was probably the better choice, and reliable.
- Other important things: Desk, mirror, closet, mini-bar – standard
- You get the usual coffee/tea maker, complimentary tea, and bottled water.
My emotional reaction? Relief. Honestly, I was just glad to have a comfortable place to crash after a long day exploring Nanjing. More on that later.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Food Adventures (And the Occasional Mystery Meat)
Okay, the food. A mixed bag, to put it mildly.
- Breakfast: The Asian breakfast was pretty good, I will admit. They also had a Western breakfast. I'm a fan of the **Asian cuisine in restaurant, and the salad in restaurant.
- Breakfast [buffet]: It was crowded, but the buffet in restaurant was relatively well-stocked.
One time, I grabbed something from the snack bar and… well, let's just say my taste buds are still recovering. It was a bit of an "adventure."
- I loved the Coffee shop. They even had desserts in the restaurant!
Oh, and about the poolside bar: Sadly, I didn't get to experience this, but I bet it's great.
One of the coolest things was the bottle of water. The fact that it was there felt like a solid win.
The Amenities: Spa Daydreams (and Reality Checks)
Okay, I'm a sucker for self-care. The spa? I dreamed of the spa. But let's be real:
- They did have a Fitness center. I was pretty sure I heard someone jogging to the bathroom at one point. But I didn’t check it out.
- The swimming pool (though, not Pool with view). This was the real letdown. I never went for a swim. Maybe I should have.
- They also had a massage. I thought about it. The idea sounded luxurious, but I just had bad memories.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Tourist Traps and Tranquility (Sort Of)
Nanjing is a city with a lot to offer.
- The best Things to do: I'm not sure, as it was my first visit. But, the hotel provided some info. It's near many places as the hotel's in the Xinjiekou area.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (or Annoy)
- Daily housekeeping: Always appreciated!
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Laundry service: Yep, it was available.
- On-site event hosting I saw some things!
For the Kids:
- Family/child friendly, babysitting service, and kids facilities. I didn't test it out.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: YES!
- Car park [on-site] and car park [free of charge]: Nice!
- Taxi service: Easy to find.
My Verdict: The Good, the Bad, and the (Mostly) Okay
Look, the Hanting Hotel Xinjiekou isn't perfect. It's not the fanciest hotel in Nanjing. BUT… it's a solid option if you are on a budget. It had its quirks. More importantly, it felt like a real place, not a sterile corporate chain. I had an authentic experience!
Would I go back? Maybe. I'd definitely consider it for the right price. It's a good spot, and with a few adjustments, it could be a truly great spot!
Forentum House Watamu: Your Dream Kenyan Beach Getaway Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because you're about to get the REAL story of my Nanjing adventure, centered around the humble – but honestly, pretty decent, for the price – Hanting Hotel in Nanjing's Xinjiekou district. This ain't no perfectly curated Instagram grid, folks. This is the messy, glorious truth.
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lag, and Dumpling Dreams (Slightly Squashed)
- 14:00 - Arrival, and "Welcome to Nanjing!" (Said mostly to myself): Okay, so the flight was long. Like, soul-crushingly long. Beijing airport was a whirlwind of shouting and mysterious smells, but eventually, I made it to Nanjing! The Hanting? Easy to find. Taxi driver seemed to think my attempts at Mandarin were hilarious. Note to self: Brush up on pronunciation. My eyes are permanently squinted.
- 14:30 - Check-In Confusion and the Room's Tiny Tyranny: The front desk guy was super polite, but my Mandarin failed me and he was too fast to offer a helping hand. The room? Cozy… okay, tiny. I’m not sure if it was a single or a double, but I think it was designed specifically for hobbits. I think a hobbit would love this. There’s no view, but honestly, after sitting in a metal tube for 12 hours, the concrete wall outside is a welcome sight.
- 15:00 - NAP! (Essential): Jet lag is a beast. I collapsed. Woke up two hours later feeling like I'd been hit by a bus. This is not the glamorous travel life you see online, kids. Sleep is essential, although I'm not sure if I actually fully awoke.
- 17:00 - Dumpling Quest: My stomach was rumbling louder than the construction site outside my window (Seriously, what is with China and constant construction?). I HAD to find dumplings. I stumbled out, fueled by nothing but desperation and the promise of carbs. Found a tiny place a couple of blocks away. So dirty, I thought I was going to die. SO GOOD. The lady at the counter gave me a look that said, “You tourist, you.” Ate so many my stomach hurt. Worth it. (Side note: I may have accidentally squished a few on the way back. Clumsy much?)
- 19:00 - Failed Attempt at Navigation & Early Bedtime: I tried to wander around, but got turned around after 5 minutes so I gave up and went back and collapsed. My internal clock was screaming “MIDNIGHT,” even though it was only 7 PM. Slept like a rock.
Day 2: The Nanjing Massacre Memorial and Emotional Overload (Tissues Required)
- 09:00 - Breakfast… or Lack Thereof: The provided breakfast at the hotel (included!) was… interesting. Instant noodles and some sort of mystery meat (probably the hobbit meat) were the highlights. I opted for a coffee. It needed some milk, it needed a lot. But better than nothing.
- 10:00 - The Nanjing Massacre Memorial: A Stomach-Churning Immersion: The Memorial. Wow. Heartbreaking doesn’t even begin to cover it. The sheer scale of the atrocities, the photographs, the testimonials… I'm not known for crying in public, but let's just say I went through an entire box of tissues. It's a vital, necessary, and brutal reminder of history. They really did an amazing job! This one experience is something I'm never going to forget.
- 13:00 - Wandering and Reflection: I needed to walk. To process. Walked around the area around the memorial. The contrast between the memorial and the bustling city around it was jarring. People shopping, eating, going about their lives, while just down the street… Chills. Just chills.
- 15:00 - More Dumplings (Obsessed, Much?): I found another dumpling joint. This time, I managed to order without too much gesturing and giggling. They were different than yesterday. Good, but, the first place… still the gold standard.
- 17:00 - Shopping Attempt (Lost Causes, Mostly) : Xinjiekou is a shopper's paradise… or hell, depending on your perspective. It's massive. Crowded. I got overwhelmed and retreated to my room empty-handed. My credit card is safe for now.
- 19:00 - Pizza! I needed pizza!: I found a Western place that served up a pretty pathetic pizza, but it hit the spot. Comfort food is essential when you're feeling fragile. And by fragile I mean emotionally destroyed.
- 21:00 - Bedtime, Again: Another early night. Exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster and the sheer energy of being in a new place.
Day 3: The Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and a Lesson in Perspective (and Stairs)
- 09:00 - Another Bland Breakfast: Same mystery meat. Switched to toast and peanut butter, at least.
- 10:00 - Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum: Climb That Mountain!: Okay, so this place is beautiful. But the stairs… oh, the stairs. I'm pretty sure I went up approximately a million steps. Worth it for the views! Just… take it slow. I nearly passed out. I'm not as young as I used to be.
- 12:30 - Lunch and People-Watching: Found a noodle place near the mausoleum. The soup was hot and delicious. Sat outside and watched the world go by. So many people! So many bicycles! So much life. Needed that.
- 14:00 - Return to the Hanting (Briefly): Rest is Key!: Briefly collapsed in the room. Again, tired. Still.
- 16:00 - Exploring the 1912 District: A Bit Too "Theme Park-y" I wanted to see some of the other districts. Took a taxi to the 1912 district. It felt a bit… staged. Lots of bars and restaurants, a little too geared towards tourists (like me). Still, the architecture was interesting. Enjoyed the contrast with the more local areas I'd seen.
- 18:00 - Dinner. The search for more food: Wandered around looking for something that looked appealing. Eventually, settled on another dumpling place, different dumplings, still pretty good.
- 20:00 - Back to the Hotel- The end is nigh: I think I'll sleep for like 20 hours.
Day 4: Departure and Reflections (and a Final Dumpling Dream)
- 09:00 - Final, Sad Breakfast: Goodbye, mystery meat. I'll miss you… maybe.
- 10:00 - Last-Minute Souvenir Hunt (Success!): Managed to find some cool tea and a little souvenir. I need to get better at gift shopping. Everyone does these things so much better than I do!
- 11:00 - One Last Dumpling Haul (For the Road!): Couldn't leave without one final dumpling fix. I got takeout.
- 12:00 - Check Out: Smooth and efficient. Farewells to the kind front desk guy!
- 12:30 - Taxi to the Airport. Goodbye, Nanjing! Time to face the long journey home. I have so much more to see but the memories and the lessons I learned there will last forever.
- 18:00- Back home!: Exhausted, happy, and already planning my next trip.
Overall:
The Hanting Hotel was a basic, clean, convenient base. The real story of Nanjing, though, was its history, its food (those dumplings!), and above all, the people. You won't find it on a perfectly curated travel blog, but this trip was real, raw, and unforgettable. And I still can't believe I got through a trip without losing my passport!
Escape to Paradise: Meaco Royal Hotel, Dipolog's Hidden Gem!
Alright, spill. Is the Hanting Hotel Xinjiekou in Nanjing *actually* a hidden gem, or just... a hotel?
Okay, okay! Look, the "hidden gem" label is... ambitious, alright? Let's just say it's a *diamond in the rough*. When I booked, I was expecting something… meh. You know? Budget hotel. Cheap and cheerful. But honestly, the location? GOLD. Xinjiekou is *the* place to be. Seriously. Everything's right there, from the subway to shops to food that'll make you weep with joy.
First impressions? The lobby was… functional. A bit sterile, maybe. Think clean lines, but not exactly "oooh, fancy!" The staff were polite, if not exactly overflowing with warmth at 6 AM. (Who is, though?) But here's the thing – after a 14 hour travel day, "functional" and "clean" were pretty much all I cared about.
Speaking of clean… the rooms. The *actual* rooms! Was it a horror show, or… acceptable? Because, you know, budget hotels…
Okay, *deep breath*. Cleanliness is a big one for me. Like, REALLY big. And I’m happy to report: it was… pretty darn good. Not "gleaming surgical theater" clean, mind you. But the bedsheets *smelled* clean, which is HUGE. The bathroom? Sparkling, mostly. There was maybe a faint smudge on the mirror (I am a stickler for that, I admit it), but hey, it's not a 5-star hotel.
The biggest surprise? The air conditioning actually WORKED! Which, in Nanjing in summer, is a life-saver. I slept like a baby after that epic flight delay. Plus, the TV had, like, a million channels. I'm usually a Netflix person, but sometimes you just want to flip through random Chinese dramas at 2 AM. Don't judge. It's cultural immersion, people!
Confession: On the second morning, I found a tiny, *tiny* hair on the shower floor. I’m talking, microscopic. This is where my neuroticism kicked in. I may have spent an unreasonable amount of time inspecting the entire bathroom, just in case. Overreaction? Maybe. But ultimately, it was FAR cleaner than I anticipated for the price.
Okay, you mentioned the location… Spill the beans! Why is Xinjiekou so amazing? And did being close to everything make the hotel noisy?
Xinjiekou is... the beating heart of Nanjing. Fact. It's the equivalent of being smack-dab in the middle of Times Square, except… (deep breath)… less annoying. Okay, maybe a *little* annoying. But the convenience is insane! The subway station is, like, a two-minute walk. You’re surrounded by shopping malls – think everything from luxury brands to affordable street style, literally next doors. Food? Don't even get me started. Countless restaurants, cafes, street food stalls… my stomach is growling just thinking about it. I ate more xiaolongbao in three days than is probably healthy.
Noise? Well, it IS Xinjiekou. Yes, there's some street noise. But honestly, it wasn't *that* bad. The windows seem to be pretty decent at soundproofing. My biggest issue was actually the *other* guests. I had a couple of nights where I could hear… shall we say… *enthusiastic* karaoke sessions echoing through the halls. That was less about the external noise and more about a lack of soundproofing between rooms. Which is a problem for any hotel, not Hanting specifically.
Breakfast time! I need details. Was there a breakfast buffet? Was it edible? And what about the coffee?
Okay, breakfast. This is where things get… interesting. There was a breakfast option, yes. It was… included, which is always a plus. Don't go expecting a Michelin-star experience, though. Think basic: noodles, some kind of rice porridge, a few sad-looking pastries. There were also hard-boiled eggs! (Hallelujah!) And surprisingly, some decent (instant) coffee.
The biggest problem wasn't the food quality itself, but the sheer *chaos*. Imagine a small, crowded room, filled with people maneuvering plates and tongs. It was a battleground. I witnessed a full-blown noodle-slurping competition. It was… entertaining. But also slightly overwhelming, first thing in the morning, when you’re still half-asleep. I ended up eating mostly fruit and the aforementioned eggs. And lots of coffee, to brace myself for the day.
Alright, the stuff that's not in the brochures. What were the little things that either delighted or drove you batty?
Oh, the *little things*. Okay, buckle up. These are the details that stick in your mind, long after you've forgotten the color of the curtains.
First, the elevators. They were… slow. Painfully slow. Especially during peak times. I'm not joking, I actually considered taking the stairs to the 10th floor one morning. (Then I remembered I'm not exactly an athlete.)
Second, the WiFi. It worked. Mostly. But it dropped out occasionally. Which, when you're trying to navigate a foreign city with Google Maps, is a small disaster. I spent a lot of time staring at a loading symbol, muttering under my breath.
On the plus side? There was a little shop in the lobby that sold snacks and drinks. Ideal for midnight cravings or a sneaky beer after a long day of sightseeing. And the staff, despite the early-morning poker faces, were generally helpful when I needed something. Helped me sort out my lost luggage, which was a major bonus.
How was the service? Were the staff friendly and helpful, or just going through the motions? Any memorable interactions, good or bad?
This is a classic case of “it depends.” Overall, the staff were… fine. Efficient. They got the job done. They weren't exactly the chatty, over-the-top friendly type you might find in some places. Think more… professional detachment. Which, honestly, after a long flight, is sometimes exactly what you want.
Easy Hotel Hunt
