Shanghai Luxury Getaway: Hanting Premium Hotel Review (Zhongxi Road)
Shanghai Luxury Getaway: Hanting Premium Hotel Review (Zhongxi Road) - A "Real Talk" Take
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Hanting Premium Hotel (Zhongxi Road) in Shanghai. Forget those perfectly manicured, airbrushed hotel reviews – I’m here to give it to you real. This isn't just a list of amenities; it's a story, a journey, a slightly chaotic exploration of what it's actually like to stay here. And let's be honest, sometimes those pristine reviews are as helpful as a screen door on a submarine.
First Impressions: The Good, The Okay, and The “Hmm…”
Right off the bat, the location is… decent. Zhongxi Road. Okay. Not exactly "heart of Bund glamour," but perfectly functional for accessing the city. Accessibility gets a thumbs up, mostly. The elevator is a lifesaver, bless it. I saw ramps, signs of thought, but I can't personally vouch for the full experience of someone with a mobility issue. Let's just say, they tried.
The Room: My Personal Sanctuary (or My Temporary Jail Cell? Depends on the Day)
Okay, let’s be frank: I’m a sucker for a good hotel room. The Hanting Premium delivers…mostly. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (hallelujah!), blackout curtains (my sleep savior!), a mini-bar (always a plus), and a Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (We'll get to that later). The internet access is present in a Internet [LAN] and Internet access – wireless... I also loved Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens, and Additional toilet – the little things make a difference, right?
The room itself was… clean. Like, REALLY clean. They're serious about their Cleanliness and safety protocols. They're boasting of Anti-viral cleaning products and Rooms sanitized between stays and more. I got up close and personal with the Hygiene certification after a slightly questionable dumpling incident. All good.
But here's the thing… the decor? Let’s just say it's… functional. Think “modern minimalist meets slightly-lost-in-translation.” It’s not going to blow your mind, but it’s comfortable. And the extra long bed was a godsend for my fidgety sleep.
Now, about that free Wi-Fi. It was… temperamental. One minute, I was streaming Netflix like I was living my best life. The next… dial-up internet circa 1998. Internet services were there, but sometimes they struggled. Bring a book. Or embrace the digital detox.
Food Glorious Food (and Sometimes… Not So Glorious): Dining, Drinking, and Snacking
Okay, the food situation. They have a Breakfast [buffet] which is a MUST. There is a collection of Asian breakfast, with options for Western breakfast. I'm a breakfast person. I need my fuel. The buffet was… adequate. Standard hotel fare. Nothing to write home about, but it’ll fill you up. They also offer Breakfast in room, and have a Breakfast takeaway service. A real win as I was always late.
There are Restaurants, a Coffee shop, and a Snack bar. They have Happy hour. Poolside bar is nice. I do not know if they have a Vegetarian restaurant. Dinner wise, you can find that there is A la carte in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant.
The Big One: The Gym, the Spa, and the Pool (Or, My Attempt at Relaxation)
Here's where the Hanting Premium almost knocks it out of the park. They have a Fitness center, a Swimming pool [outdoor] (pretty decent, but a bit chilly!), a Spa, a Sauna, and a Steamroom. They offer Massage. They offer a Pool with view! They also have a Body scrub!
My personal mission was to conquer the spa. I'm talking Body wrap and a full-blown, "I need to be pampered, stat!" experience.
So, I wander in. The spa is… nice. Clean. Calming music. But… the language barrier was real. I’m pointing, gesturing, trying to explain my “need for de-stressing” using interpretive dance and limited Mandarin. Eventually, I got a massage. It was… good. But the massage therapist seemed slightly confused by my attempt at conversation. But hey, a good massage is a good massage. The Spa/sauna can be a nice plus too.
The gym? I peeked in. Looked… gym-like. I’m not a gym person. Sue me.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
They offer the basics: Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, and a Smoking area. Nothing groundbreaking, but everything you'd expect. The Convenience store was actually really convenient for midnight snack runs.
For the Kids… and the Not-So-Kids:
They're Family/child friendly. They have Kids facilities, Babysitting service, and offer Kids meal.
Security and Safety: Keeping Your Butt Safe
Important stuff, right? They have CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, and Fire extinguisher. I felt safe.
Getting Around: The Urban Jungle
Airport transfer is available. They have Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site]. But getting around Shanghai is a blast, so try out Taxi service, as well.
My Overall Verdict:
The Hanting Premium Hotel (Zhongxi Road) isn't a flawless, five-star experience. It’s not going to win awards for its decor or its consistently speedy Wi-Fi. But it is a solid, reliable choice that delivers on the essentials. Clean rooms, decent food, a decent spa (with a little linguistic adventure thrown in), and a reasonable price point.
Would I stay here again? Probably. It's a good base for exploring Shanghai. It’s not going to set your world on fire, but it’s going to keep you comfortable – and that’s sometimes all you need. Especially after a long day of battling the Shanghai crowds.
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Escape to Paradise: Villa Flores, Phuket's Hidden Gem
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your glossy travel blog. This is me trying to survive Shanghai and, let's be honest, probably failing spectacularly in the process. My "itinerary" is more a loose suggestion, a drunken promise to myself I might attempt to keep. And Hanting Premium Hotel Shanghai Puqingcheng Zhongxi Road? That's ground zero for the glorious chaos.
Shanghai Survival Guide: A Hanting Hotel Odyssey (Or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Instant Noodles)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread (Plus Dim Sum Dreams)
- 10:00 AM (Local Time… probably): Landed in Pudong. Glorious. Except I immediately spilled coffee on myself whilst fumbling with my passport. Welcome to Shanghai! Felt like a glamorous disaster already. First impression of the airport: Huge. Utterly overwhelming. Finding the bathroom (desperately needed after the coffee disaster) took longer than my actual flight.
- 11:30 AM: Taxi to Hanting. The driver, bless him, seemed to communicate entirely through honks, gestures, and the occasional, unintelligible burst of Mandarin. The hotel… well, it is premium. It's clean, the bed looks comfy, and the air con is a godsend. The view? Let's just say it's "authentically Shanghai." Lots of concrete, some laundry hanging out, and a vague hint of something delicious cooking.
- 12:30 PM: Checking in. The staff are incredibly polite, but my Mandarin is limited to “xie xie” and “wo bu dong.” Thank god for Google Translate. The room is, thankfully, clean. And the air conditioning… sweet, blessed air conditioning.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch! The quest for proper dim sum begins. Asked the front desk for a recommendation. Turns out the woman who helped me spoke near perfect english and gave me a few options.
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Dim Sum pilgrimage. After some minor navigating of the metro (another language barrier hurdle), I found a place that looked promising. The first bite of a perfectly steamed dumpling was pure joy. This, my friends, is what life is all about. Had an absolute mountain of pork buns and shrimp dumplings after that.
- 5:00 - 7:00 PM: Post-dim sum coma. Back to the hotel for a nap. Jetlag is a cruel mistress. Also, I’m pretty sure I just ate my weight in dumplings.
- 7:00 PM: Failed attempt at finding a "local" snack. Wandered around the immediate vicinity of the hotel. Found mostly construction sites and a 7-Eleven. Settled for instant noodles (the hotel room came with a kettle and it's a life saver). Mildly disappointed, but also secretly thrilled. The noodles were actually pretty good!
- 8:00 PM: Staring out the window, wondering what adventures tomorrow (or maybe the next day) will bring. Trying to not get too overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the city. And the noise. Oh, the constant, glorious, chaotic noise.
Day 2: Temples, Tea, and Tourist Traps (Oh My!)
- 9:00 AM: Hotel breakfast. Included. Let’s just say it’s “functional.” Cereal, some vaguely mysterious congee, and a slightly questionable looking sausage. Managed to avoid food poisoning, which is a win.
- 10:00 AM: The Longhua Temple adventure. It's beautiful, serene, and surprisingly peaceful. The giant Buddha statue is awe-inspiring, and the smell of incense is intoxicating. Wandered the grounds, soaking in the atmosphere. Got a few pictures. Felt the quiet of the prayer room was great.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch near the temple. Found a tiny, hole-in-the-wall place serving noodles. Utterly delicious! Even better than the instant noodles!
- 1:00 PM: Tea ceremony. A pre-booked tourist trap, I thought. And you know what? I loved it. The tea was wonderful, the presentation elegant, and I felt… calm? Which, considering my general state of travel-induced anxiety, is a small miracle.
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: The Bund. The Bund. I'd seen pictures, but nothing prepared me for the sheer majesty of the skyline. The skyscrapers are mind-blowing. Wandered along the waterfront, dodging selfie sticks and crowds. The river? Gross. But the buildings? Phenomenal. Made a mental note: come back at night!
- 4:00 PM: Shopping. A very frustrating experience. I’m not particularly good at haggling, and the shopkeepers are relentless. Walked into an art gallery. The prices were so high I almost choked on my own breath.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner (or a snack really). The search for the perfect Shanghai soup dumplings, it continues! I ended up back at the dim sum place from yesterday. No regrets!
- 7:00 PM: A trip to a bar. Or at least, I attempted a trip to a bar. I found one that looked appealing but then realized I had absolutely no idea how to order a drink. Gave up and headed back to the hotel for a beer from the mini-fridge.
- 8:00 PM: Regrets and more instant noodles. Starting to genuinely enjoy the instant noodle lifestyle.
Day 3: Lost in Translation and Late-Night Karaoke (What Was I Thinking?!)
- 9:00 AM: Woke up late. Jet lag is a beast. Scrolled through my photos, feeling slightly embarrassed by the amount of dim sum I’d documented.
- 10:00 AM: Tried using the elevator to get some breakfast (I wanted to try a new place). Accidentally ended up on the wrong floor. Somehow, ended up in a wedding party. They were incredibly confused, I was mortified, and my breakfast plans were ruined.
- 11:00 AM: Decided to take the metro somewhere I hadn't been yet. Got off at what I thought was a park. Ended up in a massive shopping mall and spent an hour wandering around in a daze.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Chicken rice. The woman who served it to me didn’t speak a word of English, but we managed to communicate through gestures and smiles. Food is a universal language.
- 1:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a nap (again). Honestly, I think I might be addicted to napping in Shanghai.
- 4:00 PM: Spent the afternoon attempting to learn a few basic Mandarin phrases. My pronunciation is atrocious. My roommate at the shared work room, or at least the one for the rest of the week, seemed to find it highly amusing.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner. Fried rice this time, from a street vendor. The lady was wearing a mask and gloves. This is probably a good thing, right?
- 8:00 PM: Karaoke. I know, I know. What was I thinking? Walked around the block until I found one! The song selection was… eclectic. My rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" was a crime against music. The other patrons seemed to enjoy it, though, bless their cotton socks.
- 11:00 PM: Back to the hotel, utterly exhausted but buzzing on adrenaline. Ate some leftover instant noodles.
- 12:00 AM: Realized I'd lost my phone. Panicked for about ten minutes before finding it in the bathroom. Close call.
Day 4 & 5: The Verdict
…You get the gist. More temples, more food adventures, more instances of cluelessness. The hotel, a little oasis, became my home. The staff at the front desk – angels! I learned the value of deep breaths, Google Translate, and packing extra pairs of socks. There were moments of pure bliss, moments of sheer frustration, and a whole lot of instant noodles. After Shanghai, one might argue that I'm… refined. More cultured. More capable of surviving on my own. I'm here to say… probably not. But the city is beautiful, the people are lovely (mostly!), and the dumplings are genuinely life-changing. Would I return? Absolutely. Though next time, I'll be bringing a phrasebook and a better understanding of elevator etiquette. And maybe, just maybe, I'll learn to sing in tune. Probably not.
Wooster's BEST-KEPT Secret: Super 8 Review You NEED to See!
Okay, so, is the Hanting Premium in Shanghai (Zhongxi Road) REALLY "premium"? Like, is it not just another shiny hotel?
The room: What was it like, *really*? Be honest, tell me the warts and all!
What about the location? Zhongxi Road... is it a good base for exploring? Or am I going to be stuck in the middle of nowhere?
Breakfast? Was it a continental feast, or a sad, sad continental breakfast?
Any amenities? Gym? Pool? Free snacks? Spill the tea!
The staff: Were they helpful? Did they at least *try* to speak English?
So, would you recommend the Hanting Premium (Zhongxi Road)? For whom? And, perhaps more importantly: would *you* go back?
