Shenyang's BEST Hotel Near North Railway Station? (Hanting Hotel Review)
Shenyang's BEST Hotel Near North Railway Station? (Hanting Hotel Review) - Where Did My Sanity Go?
Okay, buckle up, travel warriors, because I'm about to take you on a rollercoaster ride through the Hanting Hotel near Shenyang North Railway Station. This isn't your meticulously curated, corporate-approved review. Nope. This is the raw, unvarnished truth, straight from someone who needed this hotel yesterday after a train journey that felt like being crammed into a sardine can. So, let's dive in.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (Mostly Okay, I Guess)
Let's be real, I'm not exactly hauling around a wheelchair, but I did appreciate the elevator. After lugging my suitcase up the cobbled streets of wherever-I-came-from, anything that spared me climbing stairs was a godsend. There are facilities for disabled guests, which is a huge plus, although I didn’t get a chance to evaluate the specific details. The exterior corridor setup felt slightly… industrial, but hey, at least it was easy to find my room.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: I Wish I Could Tell You…
Honestly? I was too frazzled to explore beyond the lobby and my room. Finding a decent coffee was priority number one, and I managed to grab some mediocre instant in the room. I really should have checked the coffee shop. Lesson learned for next time (or whenever I brave another train adventure).
Wheelchair Accessible: Potentially, But Verify!
Again, not my area of expertise. The presence of the elevator is a good sign, but always call ahead and confirm specific details about ramp access and room suitability. Don't take my word for it; double-check before you book!
Internet Access: Praise the Wi-Fi Gods! (Mostly)
YES! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! After being off the grid for hours, this was pure bliss. The Internet access – wireless was reliable enough for video calls (thank you, gods!), and I think there was also Internet access – LAN available if you’re into that old-school wired thing. Remember, connectivity is EVERYTHING in this day and age, especially when dealing with travel chaos.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling… Safe-ish?
This is where things get a little… complicated. Let's start with the good: Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. (Hopefully. You never know, right?). Anti-viral cleaning products? Promising. Hand sanitizer in the lobby? Always a plus. Daily disinfection in common areas? Sounds reassuring.
Now, the not-so-good: I didn't see any professionally-grade sanitizing services happening, but who knows what goes on behind the scenes? Room sanitization opt-out available? Nope, not that I saw. But honestly, after the train journey, I was too tired to care if they bathed my room in bleach. I just wanted to sleep. I also have to admit, I'm paranoid, I brought my own wipes.
They had all the necessities, I think. First aid kit? (Probably. Hopefully.) Fire extinguisher? (Yep, spotted one.) Smoke alarms? (I hope so!) CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property? Good to know. Safety deposit boxes? Check. So, you know, a decent effort to keep you from dying or getting robbed. But, you also have to take safety into your own hands, right? I had a feeling the sheets were slightly damp… but, hey, maybe it's the humidity?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Search for Sustenance
Okay, the culinary landscape was… limited. Breakfast service was available – a buffet in restaurant, I believe, although I didn't partake. Judging by the lack of exciting smells, it was probably your standard Asian/Western hybrid, and to be honest, the thought of facing a buffet after that train journey made me want to hide in my room.
I was desperate for coffee, so I had to try and find some at the coffee/tea in restaurant, they had the essentials. There's a snack bar, which likely offers an antidote the emptiness of the train. Room service [24-hour]? Maybe, I didn't investigate. Bottle of water? Check. I would have liked to have enjoyed the happy hour but I didn't see any bars.
Services and Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Useful and… Less So
Air conditioning in public area? Yes, thankfully! Concierge? Present, but not particularly helpful I'm unsure. Daily housekeeping? Check! Dry cleaning and laundry service? Potentially. Elevator? Definitely. Luggage storage? Good to know.
For the kids: Leave the children at home, please
I saw no kids and therefore, I did not investigate the Babysitting service, family/child friendly stuff.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy (Sort Of)
Car park [free of charge]? YES! Bless them. Taxi service? Definitely available. Airport transfer? Unsure.
Available in all rooms: The Essentials (and Some Weird Extras)
Air conditioning? Check. Alarm clock? Yup. Blackout curtains? Thank you, gods! Coffee/tea maker? Thank you x2! (Even if it was instant). Daily housekeeping? Covered that. Free bottled water? Yes. Internet access – wireless? Big yes. Mini bar? Nope, but I wasn't expecting one. Non-smoking? As far as I could tell, yes! Private bathroom? Thank goodness. Shower? Yes. Smoke detector? I hope so. Slippers? Actually, yes! A surprisingly nice touch! Toiletries? Basic but functional. Towels? Clean and plentiful. Wake-up service? Probably. Wi-Fi [free]? The best thing about the hotel, probably. But then I thought, how can I not be happy with the room?
The Unfiltered Truth (My Personal Experience)
Okay, here’s the thing: I got off that train a complete mess. My hair was a bird's nest, I reeked of stale air and desperation, and all I wanted was a shower and a place to collapse. Hanting Hotel delivered on the basics, and sometimes, that's all you need. The room was clean-ish, the Wi-Fi worked (thank you, gods!), and I finally found a bed.
Was it luxurious? Absolutely not. Was it the most exciting hotel I've ever stayed in? Nope. But it was functional, and in my frazzled state, that's what mattered. The location near the train station was a lifesaver. No long taxi rides, no confusing directions – instant access.
The Verdict: A Solid "Meh"
If you're looking for a luxurious spa retreat, look elsewhere. If you're just looking for a clean, safe place to rest your head after a long train journey and some decent Wi-Fi, the Hanting Hotel near Shenyang North Railway Station is a perfectly acceptable option. Just don't expect miracles. And bring your own coffee. And maybe some wipes. You'll be fine, you won't get robbed maybe, but the excitement will be hard to find.
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, Michelin-starred itinerary. This is the Hanting Hotel, Shenyang North Railway Station, China, itinerary, according to yours truly, and trust me, it's gonna be… something. Prepare for a rollercoaster of dumplings, language barriers, lost luggage, and maybe, just maybe, a genuine moment of enlightenment.
Day 1: Arrival, Confusion, and the Quest for Noodles (or at least, a recognizable food)
- 14:00 - Landing in Shenyang Taoxian International Airport (SHE): Alright, first hurdle: actually getting here. The flight was… well, let's just say the guy in the middle seat decided to turn the armrest into his personal foot massager. Seriously, who does that?
- 14:30 - Customs & Baggage Claim: Pray to the luggage gods. I'm a notorious over-packer and usually end up regretting it. Let's not speak of the time I dragged a full iron from the UK to Spain. Fingers crossed my suitcase doesn't decide to take an unscheduled trip to Ulan Bator.
- 15:30 - Airport to Hanting Hotel Shenyang North Railway Station: Taxi haggling practice commences! My Mandarin… is, shall we say, developing. Hopefully, I can avoid the classic tourist trap of being charged triple the fair. (Note to self: memorize the characters for "meter" and "no rip-off, please!")
- 16:30 - Check-in & Room Inspection: Okay, the lobby looks clean enough. Hopefully, the room doesn’t have any… unexpected guests. I once stayed in a hotel in Budapest that had a colony of ants marching across my bedside table. I still have nightmares.
- 17:00 - The Great Food Search (aka, "Operation Stomach Rumblings"): The hotel's supposed to have a restaurant or maybe one restaurant nearby, but after 15 hours of travel, all I want is… FOOD. Preferably something not fried within an inch of its life. I'm dreaming of authentic Chinese noodles, but I'm also terrified of accidentally ordering a plate of mystery meat. The language barrier looms. Wish me luck.
- 19:00 - Failed Food Quest & Regrouping in the Room: OK, so, the street vendor outside the hotel, with the steam and the… aromas… wasn’t quite clicking. Communication breakdown. Pointing at pictures is my new best friend, and after a few attempts, I got handed what I think is a steamed bun. Texture is…interesting, but hey, at least it filled the void. Plus, a packet of instant noodles from the 7-Eleven. Sigh.
- 20:00 - Room Exploration & Mental Prep: The room is… basic, but clean. I'm going to need to figure out the TV remote (betting there are no subtitles). And the internet. Oh, the internet. A whole new world of VPNs, or… I might need to rely on my travel guide to get more info. This is where a bit of research comes into play.
- 21:00 Bedtime: Staring at the ceiling. Day 1 done! Time to catch up on sleep and get ready for tomorrow morning!
Day 2: Railway Station Ramblings & a Lesson in Patience (and Maybe Dumplings)
- 08:00 - Wake-up (and Pray for Better Breakfast): The hotel breakfast… well, let’s just say I might be heading out to the street food stalls again today. Maybe I'll be braver. Maybe.
- 09:00 - The Shenyang North Railway Station: This is going to be interesting. I plan on getting a train to Harbin in a few days, so exploring the station feels like a good idea. I'm going to get lost, I'm guessing. I'm also going to stare at people with wide eyes.
- 10:00 - Railway Station - The Dumpling Dilemma - Part 1: Okay, I'm feeling brave, let's go for dumplings! I've found what looks like a promising dumpling place near the station, but the menu is all Chinese. I'm staring longingly into the window, praying to the dumpling gods for guidance. Pointing, gesturing, and a lot of smiling. I'm pretty sure the women behind the counter find me immensely entertaining.
- 10:30 - Railway Station - The Dumpling Dilemma - Part 2: I did it! I ordered, somehow. I think I got pork and chive dumplings. The language barrier is a real beast, but the dumplings… oh my God. Soft, juicy, and savory. Pure, unadulterated joy. Worth the entire cultural confusion.
- 11:00 - Railway Station - People Watching: I found a bench. Ah, the beauty of observation! People of all shapes, sizes, and ages flow through the station. I'm trying to decipher their travels. Also, practicing my (terrible) Mandarin.
- 12:00 - Lunch - The Dumpling Dilemma - Part 3: Okay, let’s do it again. The same dumpling place is calling my name.
- 13:00 - Back to the hotel to regroup. It's hot and I need a nap - and to figure out the air conditioning.
- 17:00 - A wandering walk. I decide to try out one of the alleyways near the Hanting Hotel. It's packed with local life, laundry swinging from lines, and the scent of cooking meals.
- 18:00 - Dinner - The Ramen Experience: I spot a tiny ramen restaurant with a line of people going out the door. Seems like a good sign! I stand in line and get to the front. The waiter doesn't speak English at all, so I order using the 'point and hope' method. Delicious noodles!
- 19:00 - Back to the hotel and write a journal. I spend two hours documenting my adventures.
- 21:00 - Watch TV and sleep.
Day 3: The Search for Something… Meaningful (or at Least Interesting)
- 09:00 - Breakfast & Decision Making: More dumplings, maybe? Or finally attempt the hotel breakfast? This is the day I venture into Shenyang itself. I've got a vague plan, a map, and an overwhelming sense of… well, I’m not sure what it is. Excitement? Apprehension? Probably a mix.
- 10:00 - Museum Visit (Attempted): I heard Shenyang had a cool museum, apparently. The museum’s website is all Chinese. The taxi driver doesn't understand English. The receptionist doesn’t speak English. I’m waving my arms, pointing to my phone, and trying to explain I want to… look at the things, the historical things! Eventually, I end up buying a bottle of water and a pamphlet in Chinese. (Note to self: learn more common phrases.)
- 12:00 - Lunch Break (And Food Failure): Back near the hotel. I thought I'd try a small place that looked interesting. It involved a lot of pointing, and it turns out, I accidentally ordered something with… chicken feet. I'm not sure I can handle that. I eat the rice.
- 13:00 - Back to the room. Feeling a bit lost.
- 13:30 - A stroll around the neighborhood. I find a park! Green space is a blessing.
- 16:00 - The Dumpling Dilemma - Part 4: I am. Back at the dumpling place. Comfort food is a lifesaver.
- 17:00 - Write and reflect. I review my journals.
- 18:00 - Dinner from the 7-Eleven.
- 21:00 - Sleep.
Day 4: The Great Departure and… More Dumplings?
- 09:00 – Breakfast & Final Packing: One last stab at the street food?
- 10:00 – Check out: So sad to leave.
- 11:00 - Railway Station - Last Minute Dumplings: You can't leave Shenyang without one final dumpling experience.
- 11:30 - Head to the Railway Station: Time to catch the train to Harbin.
- 12:00 – Train departs.
Post Scriptum (aka, the Rambling Afterthoughts)
So, yeah, it wasn’t perfect. I got lost, I ate chicken feet (once), and I probably looked like a complete idiot more than once. But it was real. It was messy, it was confusing, it was occasionally frustrating, and it was also… incredible. The dumplings, the people, the unexpected moments of connection, all of it… it was enough. And that, my friends, is the beauty of travel. Even when it’s far from pretty. Now, on to Harbin! Wish me luck. And someone, please teach me more Mandarin.
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Hanting Hotel Shenyang North Railway Station: You've Got Questions, I've Got... Opinions. (Mostly!)
Is Hanting Hotel truly the 'best' near Shenyang North Railway Station? Like, *really*?
Okay, let's cut the corporate fluff. "Best" is subjective, right? Depends on what you're after. If you're after *convenience* above all else, and by "convenience" I mean, like, you practically trip out the door of the train station and *bam*, you're at the hotel… then yeah, Hanting is a strong contender. It's close. REALLY close. I practically could have tossed a dumpling from my window and hit a train's roof. Don't quote me on that, though. The "best" part? Depends if you value peace or just a clean bed. More on that later... trust me.
What's the actual *walk* like from the station? Is it a death march?
Death march? No. More like a brisk, mildly-annoyed-at-carrying-luggage-for-five-minutes walk. Seriously. Come out of the North Railway Station, navigate the hordes (prepare yourself, it's a full-contact sport), and then cross the street. Et voila! Hanting. Even *I*, a notoriously directionally challenged individual, managed it without getting abducted. (Though I did nearly get run over by a scooter. Shenyang's traffic is an adventure of its own.) The distance? Think the time it takes to boil water for instant noodles. Easy peasy. Unless you pack like you're moving house, then, well, bless your back.
Are the rooms clean? Because I've seen stuff... *shudders*... in other budget hotels.
Okay, *this* is the Big Question, isn't it? Let's be honest, budget hotels can be a gamble. I'd say the rooms are generally *cleanish*. My biggest gripe was a slightly... *musty* aroma that lingered. Think "Grandma's attic, but make it air conditioning". The sheets *looked* clean, and I didn’t find any surprise guests (bugs, I'm looking at you) – but if you're a germaphobe, pack some Lysol wipes. Just in case. The bathroom? Functional. Not luxurious, but functional. Pressure in the shower was good. Always a win in my book. Oh, and the towels? Thin. Like, *really* thin. Bring your own fluffy ones if you’re picky!
What about the Wi-Fi? Need to stay connected, you know?
Ah, Wi-Fi. The bane of my existence, the digital lifeline of the modern traveler. The Wi-Fi was… *there*. Sometimes. It was generally stable enough for checking emails and, you know, *googling* the entire history of Shenyang during a bout of jet lag. But don't expect to stream HD movies. Or, you know, *anything* HD. It seemed to fluctuate a lot depending on the time of day. Early mornings were blessedly fast. Late nights? Prepare for pixelation. Consider it an enforced digital detox. (Or, you know, a good reason to finally *read* a book.)
Is there a restaurant or breakfast? I like food. A lot.
Breakfast! This is where things get... interesting. Hanting does, in fact, offer breakfast. It. Is. Functional. Think a buffet of simple Chinese fare. Congee (porridge), some pickled veggies, maybe a few sad-looking baozi (steamed buns). It *filled* me up, sure. Did it fill me with joy? Not exactly. It was… adequate. Honestly, the best food experience I had while *in* the hotel was when I ordered delivery from a local street food place via Meituan. That, my friends, was a *win*. So… breakfast? Meh. Delivery apps? A resounding YES. Consider this your pro-tip.
Noise levels? Train station nearby...does it sound like a freight train is in your bedroom?
This is probably my biggest complaint. If you're a light sleeper...oh boy, you're in for a treat. No. Seriously. It depends on your room location, but I could hear *everything*. Train horns. Train announcements. People shouting. The gentle hum of the city. It was like sleeping in a soundproofed box...that wasn't very soundproofed at all. I brought earplugs, which were a *must*. Even with them, there were moments. Actually, there was *a lot* of the time I was awake. If you have the option, pay the extra and get a room away from the open road or railways. This is an ESSENTIAL consideration unless you want to be up at 5 AM. Seriously.
Are there any shops or food options nearby? I'm hoping for more than just the hotel's breakfast.
YES! Blessedly, yes! The area around the station is bustling. You'll find everything from convenience stores selling snacks and drinks (essential!), to little restaurants offering various local delicacies. I remember one fantastic noodle shop...I can still taste those spicy, glorious noodles! (I can't remember the name, naturally, but it was *somewhere* around there). Within walking distance are also some bigger, more established restaurants, perfect if you wanted a more conventional dining experience. Be adventurous! Don't just stick to the hotel! Explore!
Any tips for staying at this Hanting? Things I should know *before* I book?
Okay, here's the lowdown from a seasoned traveler (a.k.a. someone who makes questionable budget travel choices). First, PACK EARPLUGS. Trust me. Second, consider a room on a higher floor, away from the street/train tracks. Third, download a translation app – the staff's English might be limited. Fourth, embrace the chaos! Shenyang and the surrounding area of the hotel is a *vibrant* place. Lastly, don't expect luxury. It's a budget hotel. Go in with realistic expectations, and you won't be disappointed. And finally? Bring your own tissues. Just in case. (They're surprisingly cheap in stores *near* the hotel.)
