Nanjing's Hidden Gem: Elan Inn Boutique Hotel (Near Lukou Airport!)
Elan Inn Boutique Hotel (Nanjing Lukou Airport): My Chaotic, Unexpectedly Delightful Stay! (A Review for the Real Travelers)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea (and maybe a little bit of that free bottled water) on my experience at the Elan Inn Boutique Hotel near Lukou Airport in Nanjing. I'm not a "travel influencer" with perfect angles and pristine hotel shots. I'm just a regular person who needed a place to crash after a disastrous flight and, let me tell you, this hotel was a surprise. A good one, mostly. Let's break it down, shall we?
Accessibility & Getting There: Easy Peasy (Mostly)
Landing at Nanjing Lukou Airport was the easy part. Getting to the Elan Inn? Well, thank heavens for their airport shuttle service! They offered a free airport transfer, which, after a 14-hour ordeal of delayed flights and lost luggage, was a godsend. Finding the meeting point was a little like a scavenger hunt (seriously, airport signage, you're killing me!), but eventually, there it was: a friendly face holding a sign with my name scrawled on it in what I think was legible English.
The hotel grounds themselves seemed pretty accessible. I'm not entirely sure about detailed wheelchair specs (I'll keep it real, folks), but I did notice elevators and a generally flat layout. They've got Facilities for disabled guests, which is a good start.
Internet Access (And the Eternal Quest for Wi-Fi):
Alright, let's tackle the internet. They boasted Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, which, in this day and age, is essential to life as we know it. And praise the internet gods, because it actually WORKED. No buffering nightmares, no dropped connections. They also have Internet [LAN] if you're a dinosaur like my grandpa and still prefer wired connections. The Internet services were solid, and the Wi-Fi in public areas was equally reliable. Honestly, a huge win. They also offered a Wi-Fi for special events, which I didn’t use, but it’s good to know.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking: Food Glorious Food (Mostly Good Food!)
After my travel hell, the thought of food was the only thing keeping me going. The Elan Inn offers a decent selection, starting with Breakfast [buffet]. Now, I'm not one for early mornings, but I did manage to stumble down there, bleary-eyed, and the spread wasn't half bad. They had Asian breakfast options (noodle soup, anyone?), along with more familiar Western breakfast fare. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was pretty decent, and they had a cute Coffee shop. They even have the option of Breakfast takeaway service, perfect for those late risers (like yours truly).
They have several Restaurants on site, offering a Buffet in restaurant, and A la carte in restaurant. There are also Asian cuisine in restaurant, with Western cuisine in restaurant. I sampled both. The noodles were fantastic, but the burger… well, let’s just say it wasn’t the best. You could try the Salad in restaurant or Soup in restaurant. The Desserts in restaurant were tempting, but I was still processing the flight debacle.
The Poolside bar has a Poolside bar, and the Snack bar seemed popular. I did grab a Bottle of water, always a good idea, and indulged in some snacks. They even have Happy hour, which I sadly missed, but I'm definitely adding that to the itinerary for next time.
Ways to Relax (Or at Least Try):
Okay, this is where things get interesting. The Elan Inn boasts a whole slew of relaxation options. They have a Swimming pool [outdoor], which looked inviting, but I was too jet-lagged to even consider it. They have the whole spa enchilada too: Spa/sauna, Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, and a Pool with view. They offer Massage, Body scrub, and Body wrap (which actually sounds pretty damn delightful). They also have a Fitness center and Gym/fitness, which I, a creature of habit and comfortable laziness, avoided with the practiced skill of a seasoned Olympian. The Foot bath sounded intriguing.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe-ish
This is where the Elan Inn shined, especially considering the current climate. They seriously emphasized hygiene. From the moment I arrived, I could tell they took precautions seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products were clearly used.
- Daily disinfection in common areas was evident.
- They had plenty of Hand sanitizer stations.
- Staff were Trained in safety protocol.
- Rooms sanitized between stays (thank goodness!).
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items.
- Individually-wrapped food options at the breakfast buffet.
- They even offered Room sanitization opt-out available, which is a nice touch. The focus on safety made me feel more at ease, which is a huge deal when you’ve been through the travel wars. They also had a First aid kit and a Doctor/nurse on call, just in case.
Rooms & Amenities: Cozy and Complete (Mostly)
My room was surprisingly comfortable. It had Air conditioning, which was a lifesaver in Nanjing's humidity! The Free bottled water was a thoughtful touch, as was the Coffee/tea maker. I loved the Blackout curtains – essential for fighting jet lag. The Mirror was a bit too effective after that flight (yikes!), and the Seating area was perfect for collapsing into. Honestly, the Bed was the real star: comfy and supportive. The Desk was great for catching up on work.
They've got a Bathroom phone which felt very 90s, and a bathtub and a Shower. I didn’t use the Alarm clock but its there!
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things (and Some Big Ones)
The Elan Inn really aims to please. They have a Concierge service, and a Doorman. I appreciated the Daily housekeeping. They offer Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service. They have, you know, the basics, like a Elevator and Luggage storage.
They offer Food delivery. Their Cash withdrawal facilities was helpful.
For the Kids & Additional Notes:
I don’t have kids. The Family/child friendly status is there. They seem to have Babysitting service, and Kids facilities, and Kids meal available. Couple's room and Proposal spot are available.
My Verdict: Recommended (with a few quirks!)
Look, the Elan Inn Boutique Hotel near Lukou Airport isn't perfect. It's not the Four Seasons. But for a weary traveler needing a comfortable, clean, and conveniently located place to crash, it's a solid choice. The staff were friendly, the internet worked, and the breakfast fueled me through the day. The emphasis on safety was a huge relief. Sure, the burger wasn't amazing, but hey, life is full of trade-offs.
Would I stay there again? Absolutely, especially if I had another flight hiccup (which, let's be honest, is entirely possible). It's a hidden gem, indeed…a slightly quirky, refreshingly honest one. Just be prepared to maybe have your expectations a little bit exceeded. And maybe pack your own burger. Just in case.
Bromo's BEST Kept Secret: Hotel Lereng Bromo - Unbelievable Views!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we are taking a ridiculously messy, gloriously imperfect trip to… Nanjing, China! And our base camp? The Elan Inn Boutique near Lukou Airport and that Xiangyu Road South Metro Station. Honestly, a name that’s a mouthful, but hey, maybe that's a good omen. This is gonna be fun, or a glorious disaster. Either way, I'm ready.
The Absolutely Bonkers Nanjing Itinerary (Elan Inn Edition)
Day 1: Arrival - The Hallelujah and the "Huh?"
- Morning (Like, 8 am-ish, after customs nightmares): Landing at Nanjing Lukou International Airport. Praying my luggage made it. Seriously, I’ve got a lucky sock situation happening that hinges on its presence. Praying REALLY hard.
- Anecdote: Last time I flew trans-Pacific? My bag went to Iceland. Iceland! I ended up buying a t-shirt that said, "I Got Lost in Iceland." It wasn't even a lie.
- Morning-ish (9:30 am -ish): Find the Elan Inn Boutique. The address is intimidating but I swear to whatever god is listening, if I find it, I'm buying a lottery ticket immediately.
- Quirky Observation: Hotels named "Boutique" always seem to be either ridiculously tiny and chic with staff who are also models, or the equivalent of a slightly cleaner Greyhound bus station. Here's hoping for the former.
- Mid-Morning (11:00 am-ish, after settling in, and maybe a quick nap to recover from my flight-induced psychosis): Okay, deep breath. Ready to launch myself at the metro. Feeling very brave. Probably won't be, in reality.
- Emotional Reaction: Relief! I MADE IT! I’m alive! Everything is great! For now. Actually, feeling kind of awesome. This could actually work.
- Lunch (Around 1:00 pm -ish… if I can find anything remotely edible near that metro station): Noodles! The absolute best. Or maybe a dodgy street corner that will give me food poisoning and a great story. Either way…
- Opinionated Language: Seriously, I need noodles. Forget tourist traps. I want real, gritty, delicious noodles. This is a quest, people! (Or a panic search, depending on how lost I get)
- Afternoon (2:30 pm - ish): Head to the Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao). I think I can handle this. Maybe. No pressure.
- Rambling: Okay, Confucius. History. That's… interesting. I did, like, one history class. It involved a lot of sleeping. But gorgeous architecture is always a win. Right? Right. Plus, I've heard there's a market nearby. Which may or may not be about to bankrupt me.
- Afternoon (5:00 pm -ish): Attempt to navigate the Fuzimiao market. Praying my credit card doesn't spontaneously combust.
- Messy Structure: Okay, this market is a sensory overload. Colors! Smells! People yelling! I'm going to buy all the things. Wait, no. Focus. Budget. (HAHAHAHA. Good one, me.)
- Evening (7:00 pm -ish): Dinner near the temple. Hopefully, not more noodles. (Just kidding. Probably noodles.)
- Emotional Reaction (Good): OMG, the lights! The atmosphere! This is exactly what I wanted! This is… magical!
- Evening (9:00 pm-ish): Collapse in a happy heap at the Elan Inn. And start planning for tomorrow. Or, more likely, scrolling through social media with a glazed-over expression.
Day 2: The Sunken City and the Battle for My Sanity
- Morning (9:00 am-ish): Coffee (essential). Vow to learn a few basic Mandarin phrases. Consider buying a phrasebook. Actually buy a phrasebook. Realize I still won't be able to order a coffee without pointing and grunting.
- Imperfections: Ugh. Coffee dependency is real. And my Mandarin? Let's just say "ni hao" will be doing a lot of heavy lifting.
- Morning (10:00 am -ish): Head to the underwater ruins of the city of Nanjing. I hope I haven't made that up. My brain is mush after yesterday.
- Anecdote: Sometimes, I swear, my travel planning is just a vague collection of things I heard someone mention once, cross-referenced with pretty pictures on Pinterest.
- Lunch (1:00 pm -ish): Find food. Somewhere, anywhere. I'm getting lightheaded.
- Stream of Consciousness: Okay, what's nearby? Tripadvisor? Google Maps? Okay, this place has good reviews. It looks slightly less terrifying than that place. Okay, deep breaths. Should I order something adventurous? Or just play it safe? No! Adventure! I'll have… the… something with the… the brown sauce…
- Afternoon (2:30 pm-ish): Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall. This is going to be tough. Necessary, but tough. Prepare myself mentally. Grab more tissues. Feel the weight of history.
- Strong Emotional Reaction: Just… Wow. The scale of this tragedy… it's overwhelming. I'm humbled. Angry. Sad. How could this happen? It's a stark reminder of the darkness humans are capable of. I need to breathe.
- Afternoon / Early Evening (5:00 pm -ish): Stroll (or stumble) through the beautiful Xuanwu Lake Park. Breathe in the fresh air. Cry a little bit. Reflect.
- Evening (8:00 pm -ish): Find a restaurant near the Elan Inn. The metro back? No thanks to the metro.
- Bad Reaction: The end of the day. All the energy. The emotion. The confusion. I can't keep going. I'm absolutely exhausted. More. food. NOW.
- Evening (9:00 pm -ish): Consider ordering room service. Or just eat the snacks I impulsively purchased at the market. Again, start planning for tomorrow. Or collapse into a coma.
Day 3: The Wall, the Temple, and the Farewell (Until Next Time, Hopefully)
- Morning (9:00 am-ish): Breakfast. The last of the snacks? Ugh, I really need to eat something real.
- Morning (10:00 am-ish): Head to the Nanjing City Wall. Another challenge.
- Quirky Observation: Okay, walls. I like walls. They have history. And hopefully, views. And maybe a place to sit down if my legs give out.
- Afternoon (1:00 pm-ish): Head to the Linggu Temple. More beauty.
- Rambling: So, temples. Peaceful. Serene. Hopefully, they'll recharge my battery. Or at least give me a place to sit and contemplate the meaning of life. (Spoiler alert: I probably won't find it in a temple, or anywhere else on this trip, which is okay.)
- Afternoon (3:00 pm -ish): Last-minute souvenir shopping. Panic buying? Maybe.
- Afternoon (4:00 pm -ish): Last-minute photos. Try to capture the essence of Nanjing. Fail gloriously.
- Late Afternoon (5:00 pm -ish): Head back to the metro, and the glorious freedom of the open road.
- Evening (6:00 pm -ish): The Elan Inn again. Check out. Regret some of my purchases. Vow to come back.
- Opinionated Language: Honestly, this city has been amazing. The food? The history? Even the chaos? I secretly love it. And I'm already planning my return.
- Evening (8:00 pm-ish): Head to the airport. And finally, home. One day one with no one.
- Evening (9:30 pm-ish): Saying Goodbye to Nanjing… and also to the trip.
Important Notes & Disclaimers:
- This itinerary is a suggestion. Feel free to ditch it entirely. Follow your heart (or your stomach).
- I may get lost. A lot.
- I may cry. A lot.
- I will probably eat too much.
- This whole thing is just for fun. Be yourself!
- Do your own research! Actually, maybe I should have done some research.
- Expect plenty of typos and grammatical errors. I'm on vacation, people!
- Most importantly: Have an adventure!
See ya, Nanjing! You're a whirlwind. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
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Elan Inn Boutique Hotel (Near Lukou Airport!) - The Real Deal FAQs (and My Messy Thoughts!)
Okay, but is it *really* near the airport? I've been burned before...
YES! And I mean, *actually* yes. Forget that "5-minute taxi ride" that turned into a 45-minute odyssey through a construction zone. Elan Inn? Close. Real close. I was practically still smelling the jet fuel when I checked in. My first experience? Flew in, bleary-eyed, luggage weighing a ton, and BAM. Like, seriously, barely a blink of an eye and I was already in a comfy bed. This alone, this convenience, is worth its weight in gold after a long flight. Trust me, my sanity thanked me.
What's the vibe? Is it all minimalist and cold, or... what?
Well, "boutique" can mean a lot of things, right? And honestly, I went in expecting some super-slick, design-y place that smelled faintly of pretentious. Wrong. Thankfully. It's got a really... *comfortable* vibe. Think slightly quirky, a little bit modern, but definitely not stuffy. The lobby had comfy seating – *thank god* after that flight – and the staff, well, they were genuinely friendly. Not the fake hotel-smile kind, you know? I actually felt welcomed. And the little things? Like fresh flowers -- okay, maybe they weren't *always* fresh, *cough*, the first time I went, but they tried! Made a difference, honestly. It's not the Ritz, but it's got its own charm. And that's what I appreciate.
OK, let's talk rooms. Clean? Comfy? Am I going to wake up itching?
Okay, room quality is crucial, *very* crucial. And yes, the rooms are clean. Like, properly clean. I have a weird thing about dust bunnies (don't judge me!). And I didn't spot *any* at Elan Inn. The bedding was…surprisingly good. Crisp sheets, plush pillows… seriously, I crashed HARD the first night. My wife? She was jealous, she hadn't slept that well in ages, maybe. So yeah, comfy. No itching. No weird smells. Just a good, solid sleep. And after a brutal flight, that's all you really want, isn't it? My only issue? The air conditioning, even on its lowest setting, could occasionally make your room feel like the Arctic. But hey, better cold than sweaty, right?
Breakfast? Is there a decent breakfast situation or am I better off raiding the airport 7-Eleven?
Okay, breakfast. The make-or-break moment, I tell you. At Elan Inn? It’s actually pretty decent. Not a Michelin-star experience, mind you. But enough to get you kickstarted. They have a mix of Western and Chinese options. Pretty standard: eggs, toast, maybe some congee. And, crucially, they have coffee! (And good coffee is life, after a long flight). It's not the most amazing breakfast in the world, but it's free, convenient, and it does the job. I wouldn't skip it. Unless, of course, you really *crave* that airport 7-Eleven instant noodles. No judgement. I've been there.
Anything else I should know? Hidden secrets, pitfalls, the works?
Okay, some real talk here. First, the Wi-Fi. It's usually good. *Usually*. But sometimes, it gets a little temperamental. Like, "streaming your favorite show is a distant dream" temperamental. So, if you *need* to be connected, download your entertainment beforehand. Also, the surrounding area? It's not exactly bustling with nightlife. There are some restaurants, and a few convenience stores, but it's not a party zone. Which, honestly, is fine. You're there to sleep before or after a flight, not rave all night, right? And, a HUGE tip: Book in advance, especially during peak season. I learned that one the hard way. Nearly ended up sleeping on a park bench... but that's *another* story. Finally, just a word about the staff: They're lovely, but English levels vary. Patience is a virtue, but the service makes up for it by far. And if you can muddle through the language barrier and a few wifi issues, you've got a solid option.
Okay, *really* - Tell me the *worst thing* that happened there! Dish the dirt!
Alright, you want the down and dirty? Fine. The *worst* thing? Okay, picture this: I'm exhausted, jet-lagged to my eyeballs, craving food. I get to the breakfast buffet. And the scrambled eggs? Looked suspiciously… *yellow*. And a little… *watery*. I took a bite. Texture of rubber bands. I swear, I think they’d been sitting there since the Jurassic period. It was a *travesty*. I'm not a picky eater, but honestly, those eggs nearly defeated me. I did, however, manage to salvage the situation with a double dose of congee and a very necessary helping of instant noodles and tea, it turned out far better. That said, that was my one major breakfast issue and it made up for it otherwise.
Would you actually go back? Be honest!
YES. Absolutely. Despite the questionable eggs (shudder), despite the potentially frosty AC, despite the slightly less-than-perfect Wi-Fi, I'd go back in a heartbeat. The convenience factor alone is enough. But honestly, it's a comfortable place, the staff are friendly, and it's a million times better than some of the airport hotels I've suffered through in the past. Plus, after that first experience, I learned my lesson and stuck to the congee and fruit. (Lesson learned: Always scope out the buffet *before* committing). Yep, I'd take the good with the slightly-less-good. So, yes! Elan Inn? I'd recommend it. Just maybe pack some snacks.
