Shanghai's BEST Kept Secret Hotel Near Shanghai University!
Okay, buckle up, because we're diving headfirst into the "Shanghai's BEST Kept Secret Hotel Near Shanghai University!" Forget the pristine, polished hotel reviews you're used to. This is going to be real. Prepare yourself, because I'm about to spill all the tea, the weird, and the utterly delightful.
First, the Claim: "Shanghai's BEST Kept Secret Hotel Near Shanghai University!" Is it Really? Let's Find Out!
Right, accessibility – a HUGE thing for me. I'm no expert, but I need to know if I can actually, you know, get around.
- Accessibility: This is where it gets dicey because the info I'm finding is REALLY light on specifics. I mean, "Facilities for disabled guests" is listed under "Services and conveniences," but it doesn't say what those facilities are. Elevator? Ramps? That's the bare minimum, people! We need details! The lack of specifics here makes me twitchy. Big red flag.
- Wheelchair Accessible?: Similar issues here. If I'm being honest, this is a HUGE strike one. I need to know if this is a place my grandma can navigate!
Okay, Deep Breath. On to the Good Stuff (hopefully).
- Internet Access: YES! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the internet gods! We're talking "Internet access – wireless," "Internet – LAN," the works. I need to be connected, people. This is a MUST for me. Especially important because I am a digital nomad and I need to have good connection for my work.
- On-site Accessible Restaurants / Lounges: Again, the information is vague. There are "Restaurants," and "Bar" areas. Gotta hope they consider accessibility when setting up.
- Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Now we're talking! "Fitness center" and "Gym/fitness," good. "Pool with view," "Sauna," "Spa," the works! But… "Spa/Sauna" listed twice? Sloppy! But okay, I like options. "Steamroom"? HELL YES. I'm a sucker for a good sweat-fest. "Foot bath"? Ooh, fancy. The potential for relaxation is definitely there, but it depends on how good they are… I'm a skeptic. I want to believe, I really do.
- Body scrub and wrap? Very nice.
- Swimming pool? Also very nice, but what does this "Pool with a view" mean? City view? Nature View? This is the kind of detail I need!
Cleanliness and Safety: The New Normal (or Should Be)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: YES!
- Breakfast in room: A godsend for a lazy morning, a perfect option!
- Cashless payment service: Essential these days.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Great.
- Doctor/nurse on call: This is a nice bonus, for peace of mind.
- First aid kit: Always a good idea.
- Hand sanitizer: CHECK!
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Important.
- Hygiene certification: Gotta have it.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Smart.
- Physical distancing: At least 1 meter? Sounds good
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Good.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Okay.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Good.
- Safe dining setup: I hope so!
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Essential.
- Shared stationery removed: Fair enough.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Excellent.
- Sterilizing equipment: Okay.
This is pretty comprehensive. It's reassuring. They seem to be taking COVID seriously. Good. A good place to start.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: My Stomach is Growling Just Thinking About It!
- A la carte in restaurant: Good.
- Alternative meal arrangement: (What is that exactly? Dietary restrictions? Allergy concerns? Tell me more!)
- Asian breakfast: Perfect.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: YES PLEASE.
- Bar: Essentials
- Bottle of water: Always a nice touch.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Yes but, I don't touch buffet during these times!
- Breakfast service: Got it.
- Buffet in restaurant: Hmm, but I'll skip the buffet.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Important.
- Coffee shop: I NEED COFFEE
- Desserts in restaurant: YES!
- Happy hour: YES!!
- International cuisine in restaurant: Nice!
- Poolside bar: Sounds lovely!
- Restaurants: Good!
- Room service [24-hour]: Amazing! I could order a late-night pizza and binge-watch a show.
- Salad in restaurant: Yes!
- Snack bar: Great for a quick bite.
- Soup in restaurant: Wonderful!
- Vegetarian restaurant: Score!
- Western breakfast: Okay. I respect it.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Fine.
Okay, the food options are looking pretty solid. A decent mix of cuisines and I am already planning my breakfast order!
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential in Shanghai summers.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Whoop!
- Business facilities: (More details needed here.)
- Cash withdrawal: Good
- Concierge: Helpful!
- Contactless check-in/out: YES!
- Convenience store: YES! I always forget something.
- Currency exchange: Good!
- Daily housekeeping: Thank you!
- Doorman: Nice!
- Dry cleaning: Useful.
- Elevator: (I really, really hope they have one.)
- Essential condiments: Yes!
- Facilities for disabled guests: (WHERE ARE THE DETAILS?!)
- Food delivery: Convenient!
- Gift/souvenir shop: I could buy a little trinket for my friend.
- Indoor venue for special events: okay.
- Invoice provided: Okay.
- Ironing service: useful.
- Laundry service: Also useful.
- Luggage storage: Perfect!
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Okay.
- Meetings: Okay.
- Meeting stationery: Okay.
- On-site event hosting: (Again, what kind of events?)
- Outdoor venue for special events: (Like what though?)
- Projector/LED display: (Okay.)
- Safety deposit boxes: Safety first!
- Seminars: (what kind of seminars???)
- Shrine: (What does this even mean, like a Buddha shrine? I love this, please tell me more!)
- Smoking area: (Fine but I avoid unless it's a really rare experience)
- Terrace: I like this!
- Wi-Fi for special events: (Okay.)
- Xerox/fax in business center: (Right.)
For the Kids (or those who are kids at heart!)
- Babysitting service: Good!
- Family/child friendly: I want a family feel.
- Kids facilities: Interesting
- Kids meal: Okay!
Access, Safety, and Security: Gotta Feel Safe, Right?
CCTV in common areas: Good.
CCTV outside property: Good.
Check-in/out [express]: I like that.
Check-in/out [private]: Could be fun!
Couple's room: Nice!
Exterior corridor: (A bit old-school, but okay.)
Fire extinguisher: Essential.
Front desk [24-hour]: Good.
Hotel chain: (Not a chain person)
Non-smoking rooms: Yes!
Pets allowed unavailable: Okay
Proposal spot: (Is this a joke, but who knows)
Room decorations: (I'm curious)
Safety/security feature: (Hmm)
Security [24-hour]: Good!
Smoke alarms: Essential.
Soundproof rooms: YES!
Getting Around: How to Navigate (and Escape!)
- Airport transfer: Always appreciate it.
- Bicycle parking: Okay.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes!
- Car park [on-site]: Okay.
- Car power charging station: Love this!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to descend into the glorious chaos that is my potential Shanghai adventure, based at the Hanting Hotel on Tacheng Road, Shanghai University. This isn't a polished travel brochure, folks. This is a messy, real-life, probably-a-bit-hungover-at-times itinerary.
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Panic (and Dumplings, Thank God)
- Morning (because, let's be honest, jet lag): Arrive at Pudong International Airport (PVG). Or, god willing, maybe I'll sleep on the plane. I’m always optimistic. Customs? Pray for me. I swear, I'll probably forget something utterly vital, like my passport… or my sanity. (Just kidding!… mostly.) Taxi to the Hanting Hotel. Breathe. Deep breath. It’s a Hanting. It’s cleanish. It's a bed. I'm in Shanghai! (Okay, slight internal squeal. Maybe several.)
- Afternoon: The Great Dumpling Hunt. Okay, survival mode. First, FOOD. Download some translation apps. Point, mime, whatever it takes. I NEED dumplings. Specifically, juicy, pork-filled xiaolongbao. Figure out the closest place. Yelp? Google Maps? Ask the hotel staff (they probably speak better Mandarin than I do, which is saying precisely jack squat). This could be an adventure in itself. Imagine me, wide-eyed, attempting to navigate a bustling street, armed with only a vague sense of direction and a desperate craving for doughy goodness. Expect me to get hopelessly lost. It’s practically a guarantee.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Errands and… Maybe More Food? Okay, now that I've stuffed my face with dumplings (hopefully!), I'll need to take a shower, and then run some very basic errands – get a SIM card for my phone, exchange some money (hopefully not getting completely ripped off in the process). Find a convenience store, see if there's any snacks so I can have them at night, maybe some local beers – gotta experience the culture, right? If I still have it in me, maybe a walk, just a slight one. Nothing too crazy. The jet lag will hit HARD.
- Evening: The Aftermath. Pizza. Yeah, I'm breaking the rules. Pizza I can handle in any country. I'll probably be comatose by 8 pm, but happy, or somewhere in between.
Day 2: Lost in Translation (and Possibly the Bund)
- Morning: Breakfast? I think I have some snacks? The Hanting probably has a breakfast. I'm not holding my breath. I should have brought some granola bars. Oh well. Maybe there's something edible nearby. This is the real test.
- Mid-Morning: The Shanghai University Shuffle (and a Little Bit of Terror). Okay. I'm supposed to be in Shanghai near the Shanghai University. I'll try to get around there, check the area, maybe see if the students are friendly. Ask them where I should eat next – that is likely where the treasure is.
- Afternoon: The Bund… or Bust (and Possibly Both). The Bund is the thing, right? Iconic skyline, those old buildings, the river… This is the postcard view. But getting there? Public transport, or a taxi? I'll probably get ripped off by a taxi driver. Let the adventure begin. Pray for no traffic, pray for photo opportunities, pray I don't accidentally wander into something I shouldn't.
- Evening: Dinner and… Possibly More Dumplings. After the Bund (and hopefully not while crossing the street), I want a real restaurant. (The pizza yesterday did not count). Maybe some local skewers or noodles. Back to the dumplings. Obsessed. Yep.
Day 3: Into the Local Vibe (with a Side of Cultural Blunders)
- Morning: Coffee, Coffee Everywhere (and Mild Panic). Find a proper coffee shop. Because, you know, necessity. This is Shanghai, it can't be that hard, right? (Famous last words.) I'll need java to face the day.
- Mid-Morning: The Streets of Shanghai – A Photographic Expedition (and a Whole Lot of Confusion). Armed with my camera (and a bewildered expression), I'll try to just wander. Get lost on purpose. Explore the small streets, the alleyways, the places the guidebooks don’t tell you about. Guaranteed cultural faux pas. Guaranteed to misunderstand something fundamental about Chinese culture! I am going to get stares. I'm going to love it!
- Afternoon: The Shanghai Museum? Maybe. This is usually where my lack of attention span kicks in. Museums are beautiful. But I will wander around for too long, then get bored, and just stand at the exit. But I must try.
- Evening: Karaoke? Okay. If I'm feeling brave. Or drunk. Probably both. Karaoke in China is a thing. Will I sing? Will I butcher some Mandarin pop songs? Will I bond with strangers over terrible singing? Only time will tell. Expect a report. A possibly incoherent report.
Day 4: A Day of Obsessions (and Potential Meltdowns)
- Morning: More Dumplings. Seriously. I'm going to devote this entire morning to a dumpling quest. Find the perfect dumpling. The ultimate dumpling. I will try every place I can find. I will assess the broth. I will rate the filling. Dumpling connoisseur level = EXTREME.
- Afternoon: The French Concession… or Maybe Just a Nap. Okay, something a little more relaxing. Explore the French Concession. Walk in the shade. Stroll the tree-lined streets, check out the architecture. Have a coffee. Or maybe just take a nap. Jet lag is a cruel mistress.
- Evening: Last Supper (and Sadness). Figure out my favorite dish, and have some more. (Hopefully, I'm still on speaking terms with the local dumpling place). This is the last full day, so I'll need to soak it all in. Reflect on my adventures. Wonder if I will ever eat a vegetable again. Sigh dramatically.
Day 5: Departure – Adieu, Shanghai!
- Morning: Last-Minute Purchases and Panic Packing. Okay, gotta buy souvenirs. Should I get those tea sets, the silk scarves, or just more dumplings to take back home? Last-minute packing. Realize I forgot something vital. Curse under my breath.
- Afternoon: Taxi to PVG, or more Dumplings? Taxi to the airport. Or maybe…just maybe… one last dumpling feast before I go. Decisions, decisions.
- Evening: Flight home. Exhausted. Happy. And already planning my return. (Hopefully, next time I'll remember my toothbrush. Or maybe I won't… it'll be a real adventure!)
This is not a perfect plan. This is a blueprint for glorious, messy, real life. It's a guarantee that I will get lost, make mistakes, and probably embarrass myself. But god, I can't wait. Bring it on, Shanghai!
Escape to Clifton, NJ: Luxury & Comfort Await at La Quinta Inn & Suites!
Shanghai's "Secret" Hotel Near Shanghai University: FAQs... (And My Slightly Unhinged Thoughts)
Is this place REALLY a secret? Because, Google knows, right?
Okay, "secret" is dramatic. More like... well, *undiscovered* by the masses. Yeah, Google probably knows. But a lot of the REALLY cool stuff, the quirks, the little things that make it special? Those feel like they're locked away. You gotta discover them. Like, I stumbled upon the best noodle stall two blocks away *after* a week there. I’d been eating, like, the *basic* stuff. Devastating.
The reviews? Mostly positive, but... *generic*. I'm here to tell you it's more, MUCH more, than generic. Think of it like a really good indie band that's still playing small venues (with questionable sound systems, maybe).
What's the *vibe*? Is it like, hipstery minimalist or… bro-y budget?
Neither! Thank GOD. It's more like... comfortable chaos. Think slightly worn, but well-loved. Some of the furniture *may* have seen better days. (I'm talking slightly wobbly table legs, maybe a slightly stained armchair, but hey, that's character, right?). The staff? Super friendly – some might speak limited English, but they make up for it with genuine smiles and the eagerness to help. I swear I saw them playing mahjong in the back one afternoon. Not judging... I *wanted* in. Okay, maybe I'm judging myself a little. I felt a little left out. But mostly, it's just comfy. I’d describe it as "lived-in luxury" – minus the luxury bit. More like "lived-in comfort."
The rooms – clean? Sizeable? Like, what can I expect?
Clean? Mostly. I mean, it's China, so standards are… different, but generally, yeah. Clean enough. My room was small-ish, but perfectly functional. More importantly, it was PRIVATE. I can't stress enough how important that is after wading through the crowds in Shanghai. The bed? Actually, pretty comfortable. I slept like a baby (after about a week dealing with jetlag and dodgy street food – more on that later). No complaints, and yes, I'm a princess when it comes to comfort. Okay, maybe a slightly grumpy one. But hey, at least I'M honest.
Location, location, location! Is it actually *near* Shanghai University?
YES. Like, *really* near. Walking distance. HUGE plus. Getting around is easy, but be prepared to navigate some hectic streets. I swear, sometimes, crossing the road felt like playing Frogger. But hey, that's part of the charm, right? And close proximity to the university means you get access to GREAT food (think student prices!) and an authentic (not tourist-trapped) environment. The surrounding area is buzzing with life, which, depending on your mood, can be either exhilarating or… well, slightly overwhelming. I went from loving it to needing serious quiet in the space of an hour. I swear I saw the same woman yelling at her delivery drone twice in one day. The things you see, right?
Food! What's breakfast like (if they even *have* breakfast)?
They have breakfast of sorts. Let's just say it's… *basic*. Think, maybe, toast, some sad-looking scrambled eggs, and instant coffee. Honestly, skip it. Walk around the corner (remember that noodle stall I mentioned?) and you'll find something FAR more interesting. The street food near the university is AMAZING. Seriously, the best dumplings I've ever had. I ate them almost every day. Okay, I *did* eat them almost every day. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. This is where the real magic happens. Don't be afraid to point and smile – even if your Mandarin is nonexistent (like mine). You'll figure it out. And the people? They’re mostly lovely.
Is there wi-fi? (Because, you know, Instagram.)
Yes, there's Wi-Fi. And it's… well, it works. Sometimes. Be prepared for the occasional dropout. Honestly, though, try to disconnect. Shanghai is a sensory overload, in the best possible way. Put down your phone, look around, and soak it all in. My phone barely left my pocket, I was too busy gawking, staring, and getting lost in the chaos. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. Oh, and you’ll probably need a VPN. Just saying.
What about the staff? Are they helpful? English speakers?
The staff were lovely. Really, genuinely lovely. English? Hit and miss. Some spoke a little, enough for basic stuff. But even if there was a language barrier, they always tried. They were helpful, patient, and made me feel welcome. I once tried to ask someone for directions to a famous tea house with a lot of hand gestures and mispronounced words. They managed to understand! And they smiled! So positive. It's a refreshing change from some of the more… clinical hotels I've stayed in. They felt more like people than automatons. Though, I did feel a little guilty for my pathetic Mandarin proficiency. Honestly, I should have learned some basic phrases before I arrived. I really should have.
Anything I should be warned about? Any deal-breakers?
Okay, here's the *real* talk. This isn't a luxury hotel. Don't expect perfection. If you're the kind of person who needs pristine rooms and a perfectly smooth experience, this might not be for you. Be prepared for a little… *texture*. Noise can be an issue – especially if you're on a lower floor. The street outside is pretty lively. And, I’ll be honest, the air conditioning was… *variable*. One night I was freezing, the next I was sweating like a sumo wrestler. Pack accordingly! I’m a light sleeper, so the noise was a genuine struggle. I ended up downloading a white noise app and using earplugs. But look, this is part of the deal, part of the adventure. If you want bland, stay at a chain hotel. If you want… *charm* (and the occasional slightly dodgy experience), this is your place. But… take a deep breath, pack your noise-cancelling headphones (or your earplugs), and prepare to be surprised. And, for god's sake, bring some immodium. Just… trust me on that.
So, would you stay there again? And why?
YES. Absolutely. Without a doubt. Okay, maybe after I stock up on Imodium. But yeah, IHotelicity
