Shangqiu's BEST Hotel Near the Train Station? (Hanting Hotel Review)
Alright, buckle up, because we're diving headfirst into the Hanting Hotel, Shangqiu, and trust me, this isn't your sanitized travel blog review. This is the real deal, the messy, glorious, sometimes baffling truth about staying near Shangqiu's train station. Prepare for a whirlwind of opinions, anecdotes, and the occasional existential crisis triggered by a subpar cup of instant coffee.
Shangqiu's BEST Hotel Near the Train Station? (Hanting Hotel Review) – Let's Get Real!
First things first: Accessibility. Let's be honest, navigating China with mobility issues can be a…journey. I can't speak from personal experience on wheelchair accessibility, but the listing claims to have facilities for disabled guests. I’m always skeptical. You’d have to ask. The elevator situation felt pretty solid, which is a huge win in these parts.
The Tech Stuff (and My Wi-Fi Rage):
Okay, listen. Internet. It's essential, right? Especially when you're trying to book the next train, and you're already two hours behind schedule because of… well, let’s just say the joys of Chinese bureaucracy. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! Mostly… The connection in my room was decent, but the second I stepped into the hallway, it sputtered and died like a dying firefly. Woe is me! Internet access – wireless… yeah, good luck with that in the public areas unless you have the patience of a saint and a secret handshake with the router gods. Internet access – LAN? Didn't see it, didn't need it. My phone tethering was probably faster. But still, they promise it.
Cleanliness and Safety – Trying to Stay Alive:
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: COVID. Look, I'm not a germaphobe, but I also don't want to become a biohazard after a week in China. Daily disinfection in common areas? Okay, good. Rooms sanitized between stays? That's reassuring. Staff trained in safety protocol? Fingers crossed! They had hand sanitizer everywhere, which is always a win. There was a doctor/nurse on call. This is a lifesaver! They also had Anti-viral cleaning products and Professional-grade sanitizing services. Rooms sanitized between stays… good. They seem to take their hygiene seriously.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Adventure (or My Meltdown):
Alright, foodie time! The options here are… varied. Restaurants? Yes, plural. Asian cuisine in restaurant? Check. Western cuisine in restaurant? Also, check. Breakfast [buffet]? Hmmm…this is where things get interesting. I'll be honest, the buffet wasn't exactly Michelin-star material, but it was edible. You've got your standard Asian fare, plus some sad-looking Western options. I attempted a "Western breakfast," which resulted in me staring at a slightly rubbery omelet for a solid five minutes wondering about the life choices that led me here. The instant coffee was… well, let's just say it wasn't a highlight. They had coffee/tea in restaurant, although I'm not entirely sure if mine needed an explanation. Breakfast takeaway service? Absolutely!
The Rooms – My Personal Sanctuary (Sort Of):
The rooms were… decent. Air conditioning, thank the heavens! Free Wi-Fi, mostly. Air conditioning, I could not live without it. Additional toilet, also nice. They had blackout curtains, the desk was adequate. The coffee/tea maker was an absolute necessity! Free bottled water? Yes! Towels. Slippers, that's a nice touch. The bed was comfortable enough, but the pillows? Let’s just say they weren’t exactly cloud-like. The shower was decent, the bathtub also nice. Daily housekeeping, which was appreciated.
Amenities – More Than Meets the Eye:
They have a Fitness center. It’s… well, it had equipment, you know? I didn't use it. Look, I’m on vacation. Cash withdrawal? Handy. Concierge? They were friendly enough, though they weren't exactly fluent in English. Dry cleaning, Laundry service. All the usual conveniences. A Convenience store in the lobby was a lifesaver. Safety deposit boxes are good.
Getting Around – The Great Escape:
Airport transfer? Nope. Gotta figure that out yourself. Car park [free of charge] is terrific. Taxi service, yes. This is huge.
For the Kids – Do They Even Exist?
Babysitting service? Sure! They probably have it. Family/child friendly… maybe. The area isn’t exactly Disneyland material.
The Quirks and Imperfections – The True Heart of the Hanting Experience:
I noticed the lobby had a Shrine. They might have Exterior corridor.
The Anecdote:
One night, after a particularly stressful train station experience (let's just say it involved a lot of pushing, shouting, and a near-miss with a rogue suitcase), I stumbled back to the hotel, exhausted. Finding some solace in this hotel, I felt relief. I was at the front desk, and the staff – bless their hearts – were trying their best to decipher my frantic gestures and broken Mandarin. They smiled, helped me, and eventually delivered me to my room, which was a haven of air-conditioned bliss. It wasn't perfect, the Wi-Fi gave me grief, the coffee was questionable, but in that moment, it was exactly what I needed.
The Verdict – Is the Hanting Hotel the Shangqiu Train Station Champion?
Look, is the Hanting Hotel a luxury resort? Absolutely not. But is it the hotel near the train station? It's a solid choice. Is it perfect? Hell no. It’s got its quirks, its imperfections, and the occasional Wi-Fi meltdown. But for the price and, more importantly, the location, it's a decent base for exploring Shangqiu.
My Unsolicited Advice - Book Now! (Seriously!)
Okay, so if you're rolling into Shangqiu and need a clean, relatively comfortable place to crash near the train station, book the Hanting. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s reliable. Especially if you're anything like me – a tired, possibly slightly crazy traveler who just wants a good night's sleep after a long day of navigating Chinese trains. Don't expect perfection, embrace the chaos, and be prepared for a slightly underwhelming (but still necessary!) cup of coffee. It's an experience. And sometimes, that's all you need.
Raleigh's BEST Kept Secret: Hampton Inn Clayton Garner Review!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! We’re diving headfirst into the glorious, potentially disastrous, and definitely memorable depths of my trip to Shangqiu, China, specifically Hanting Hotel by the Minquan North Railway Station. (Yes, I know, riveting.) This isn't your grandma's perfectly polished itinerary. This is real travel happening. Buckle up.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Noodle Hunt (Or, My Stomach vs. The Shangqiu Culinary Scene)
Morning (ish): Arrive at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO). Pray to all the travel gods that my luggage makes it. It usually doesn't. This time, I’m happy to report, the luggage did arrive, miraculously. From the airport, it was a whirlwind of taxis and trains. Found the train to Minquan North. The scenery? Well, let’s just say I spent a lot of time judging the architectural choices in the surrounding towns. Some were winners, some… less so. Really less so.
Afternoon: Arrived at the Hanting Hotel. Standard issue, beige, a little dusty maybe, BUT the AC worked! Huge win. Dropped my bags, and immediately launched Operation: Find Food. My stomach was growling like a grumpy bear. I'd dreamt of noodles, specific type of noodles; but finding the exact place, in a new-to-me town, felt like finding a needle in a haystack. I wandered around the station trying to be brave and try the street food, I just can't handle the language barrier, so I tried to get a taxi to take me to the "best noodle restaurant" according to some blurry translation I found online. The taxi driver looked at me like I was from Mars.
Evening: After a serious amount of pointing, gesturing, and uttering the word "noodle" in varying tones of desperation, I did manage to find some noodles. Not THE noodles, but noodles nonetheless. The flavor was not exactly… stellar. Let's say it had a certain je ne sais quoi… a lingering aftertaste of something indefinable that I’m still trying to place. The place was bustling though, and the sheer number of locals slurping their noodles with gusto was reassuring. (Side note: the chopstick skills in China are truly breathtaking. I looked like a klutz.) I then attempted some dumplings, which, thankfully, were a bit more universally delicious, and some sort of tea, which, sadly, tasted like disappointment. I went to bed, full of food – both good, and of questionable origin – and a healthy dose of jet lag.
Day 2: Exploring the (potentially) Exotic
Morning: Woke up with a vague sense of where I was. Showered, which, by the way, was a surprisingly good shower. Took me a while to figure out how it worked, but, eventually, I got it. I felt refreshed and full of plans. The plan was to explore. My Chinese? Limited to the words for "hello," "thank you," and "noodles," which, as we've established, is not nearly enough. I found my way to a local market, a riot of color and smells. The smells! Oh, the smells! Fish, spices, something that might have been durian. The vendors' faces were friendly; they smiled and gestured, but my attempts at conversation were met with blank stares. (Note to self: Learn some basic Mandarin before next trip.)
Afternoon: Okay, I'm doubling down here. I’d read about a local park, supposedly beautiful. After much negotiation with another taxi driver (this time, armed with photos!), I arrived. The park. Oh, the park. It was… something. Definitely green. There was a lake, which was quite tranquil, and I sat down, because it was the most quiet place I'd been so far. I stared at the water and reflected on the day, and, well, life in general. At one point, a group of kids came over and started staring at me. I took a picture with them, (me, the foreigner, them, the locals), for a moment, it felt like we were all part of something. So, at least, that part of the day was perfect.
Evening: Back at the hotel. The noodles still haunted me. I decided to play it safe and go for a takeaway from a place that had English menu, and ordered the "Spicy Chicken". It was fine, but lacked the zest I craved. I’m beginning to realize, travel might be more about accepting the unexpected than searching for perfection.
Day 3: Departure & The Ghost of Noodles Past
Morning: Woke up way too early, feeling the familiar pre-departure blues. The hotel breakfast? Let's just say I skipped it. The thought of more unknown food right before a 7-hour train ride was too much.
Afternoon: Train back to Zhengzhou, then off to the airport. Reflecting on the trip. Did I see all the sights? Nope. Did I eat perfect food? Absolutely not. Did I feel like I had a meaningful connection? Maybe. I managed to find the strength to travel, and I was happy to have done it.
Evening: Settled in on the long flight back home, reflecting on the trip. I'll remember the people I did briefly meet, but mostly, I'll remember the noodles. The good, the bad, the weird. They’ll be a reminder that travel is a messy, imperfect, and often hilarious adventure. And I'd do it all again. Maybe next time, I'll finally find those noodles. Or else.
Shangqiu Train Station Hotel: The Hanting Hotel Saga – You’ve Been Warned (Maybe?)
Okay, real talk: Is the Hanting Hotel *actually* the best hotel near Shangqiu Train Station?
How close *is* "Near the Train Station"? Like, do I have to lug my suitcase a mile in the blasting sun?
What's the *actual* room situation like? Pictures lie, don't they?
So, the water situation... Elaborate, please! I need hot showers!
What about breakfast? Is there even food? And is it edible?
Okay, but what about the staff? Are they helpful? Do they *speak* any English?
Would you stay there again? Be honest!
What about the price? Is it a rip-off?
