Xiamen Airport's BEST Hotel? Hanting Hotel Review (Chenggong Ave) SHOCKING!
Xiamen Airport's "BEST" Hotel? Hanting Hotel (Chenggong Ave) - Buckle Up, Buttercups. My Honest (and Probably Slightly Chaotic) Take.
Alright, folks, let's talk about the Hanting Hotel on Chenggong Avenue near Xiamen Airport. "Best" is a strong word, isn't it? And after my stay, let's just say the word "best" has a few asterisks, footnotes, and maybe even a tiny asterisk written in invisible ink. Because, honestly? This Hanting? It's a journey.
First, let's get the crucial stuff out of the way, shall we? The Xiamen Airport Grind.
- Accessibility: Okay, accessibility is decent. They've got an elevator, which is a massive win, especially after the epic luggage drag from the airport. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, but I personally didn’t scrutinize it. The exterior corridor aspect gave me flashbacks of a slightly dodgy motel in rural America, but hey at least going to the airport wasn't tricky. Airport transfer is ABSOLUTELY key for a pre-flight nightmare, and they have it. That's a lifesaver.
- Internet Access: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms? Yes! And thankfully, it actually worked. Now, if you’re relying on it for serious business, you might want to bring a backup plan. I needed to upload a huge video file and it took longer than my actual flight. But for checking emails and binge-watching trash TV? Solid. They also have Internet [LAN], but who on earth uses that anymore? It’s like seeing a rotary phone in 2024. Wi-Fi in public areas: Yes, but I didn't use it, so I can't vouch.
- The COVID-Era Checklist (and My Feelings): Let's be real, after the last few years, the world is obsessed with cleanliness. Hanting seems to take it seriously, which is important. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, hand sanitizer – they’ve got it. They also offer room sanitization opt-out (good for the eco-conscious) and individually-wrapped food options (because let's all be honest, we're still a little freaked out by buffets). Staff trained in safety protocol, safe dining setup, and sanitized kitchen and tableware are positive signs. HOWEVER, some of the information states "rooms sanitized between stays" - so good, though I still sanitized my own damn room with wipes I bring everywhere.
- Cashless Payment Service? Yes, and it worked flawlessly. China is obsessed with mobile payments, so no surprises there.
Amenities and Leisure - Where Things Get…Interesting:
- Things to Do / Ways to Relax?: Okay, here’s where the "best" starts to… well, thin out a bit. They have a fitness center, which I peeked into, but it looked like something from the 1980s - you know, the kind where the equipment looks like it was made by a teenager in a garage. Body scrub, body wrap, spa, sauna, steamroom, pool with a view? Nope. Swimming pool (outdoor)? Forget about it. The only way to "relax" might be to go and sit in the lobby and stare at the ceiling for a while.
- Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: This is where Hanting’s personality really shines. Or, you know, doesn't. Restaurants are listed, but it’s more like "a restaurant." There's a single one. It felt like a soulless cafeteria, but I was hungry, and desperate after the flight. They do a la carte in restaurant, and buffet in restaurant, so maybe you'll find something. Asian breakfast? Yes. Asian cuisine in restaurant? Definitely. Bar? Maybe. I didn't trust myself to order anything more complicated than water. They also have a coffee shop and a snack bar. The breakfast buffet I sampled reminded me of a budget cruise ship buffet: functional but not particularly inspiring. Coffee/tea in restaurant and bottle of water – THANK GOD. Because I needed a lot of coffee.
- Room Service? 24-hour availability? Technically yes, but the options were… limited. Mostly instant noodles and a few questionable pre-packaged snacks. Prepare to call for multiple bottles of water.
The Room: My Sanctuary (or Not Quite)
Okay, let's talk about the actual room. My room was… well, it was a room. Air conditioning? Check. It worked mostly. Alarm clock? Present. Blackout curtains? Essential. You will need them. Complimentary tea? YES! Little gestures like this make a massive difference. Free bottled water? Thank goodness. Non-smoking? Yes, thank the gods. The bed was… firm. Like, military-grade-sleep-on-the-floor firm. I swear, it was giving my core a workout. It did have a window that opens, which I always appreciate. But also it faced the street, which sometimes felt like an exterior corridor.
The separate shower/bathtub? Not particularly luxurious, but it did the job. Towels? Yep. Toiletries? Basic, bordering on stingy. TV with satellite/cable channels… I didn't even bother. My brain was fried.
The Real Deal: A Very Personal Experience
I’m going to be brutally honest: I went in expecting very little and even then was somewhat disappointed. But you know what? It wasn't a terrible experience. It was… a perfectly functional, airport-adjacent hotel. It’s fine. It is exactly what it is, no more no less.
The Good:
- Location, location, location: Seriously, the proximity to the airport makes it a HUGE win. Dragging your suitcase after a long flight sucks. Hanting gets that.
- Free Wi-Fi. I'm a sucker for free Wi-Fi, especially when it’s actually free.
- Clean. Relatively. They seem to take the sanitization seriously. That's a big comfort these days.
- Convenience: The simple things are there. Like, you can actually get a bottle of water, because the other things, I assure you, are not readily available at 3AM.
The Not-So-Good:
- Atmosphere: It’s… sterile. Think corporate budget motel. There's no vibe. No soul.
- Amenities: If you're looking for a spa day or a luxurious pool experience, look elsewhere. Seriously.
- The Bed: That bed. I’m still traumatized. If you love a firm mattress, you'll be in heaven. If not, pack a pillow fort.
- The Restaurant: I'd venture out for food elsewhere.
Final Verdict: Should You Stay?
Look, if you need a place to crash near the airport, you're on a budget, and you prioritize functionality over luxury, then Hanting Hotel (Chenggong Ave) is… adequate. It gets you to the plane on time and doesn't completely destroy your soul.
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Alright, buckle up buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into my Xiamen adventure, specifically the Hanting Hotel near the airport because, honestly, who doesn't love convenience after a red-eye? This isn't some pristine, perfectly-planned brochure, this is the raw, messy, and hopefully hilarious truth. Let's get started:
Day 1: Arrival, Adrenaline, and Instant Regret (Maybe?)
- 6:00 AM (God, I hate mornings): Landed in Xiamen. The airport felt… modern? Okay, I’ll give it that. Didn't expect the air to smell so… clean. Maybe it's the jet lag talking. The walk from the gate felt endless. Did I pack all my socks? Doubtful. Ugh.
- 7:00 AM (Taxi Chaos): Found a taxi rank. Negotiating felt like a contact sport, even with my rudimentary Mandarin (mostly comprised of "ni hao" and "xie xie"). The driver, a tiny, wiry woman with a cigarette permanently glued to her lips, looked at me like I’d sprouted a second head. We finally agreed on a price, and she proceeded to drive like she was auditioning for a rally race. My stomach lurched with every hairpin turn. The Hanting, and its sweet, sweet promise of a bed, felt worlds away
- 8:00 AM (Hanting Heaven…Sort Of): Arrived at the Hanting. The lobby was surprisingly… functional. The air conditioning was a blessed relief from the building humidity. Check-in was smoother than I expected, and boom, I was in my room. It was… compact. Let's call it "cozy." The bed looked deceptively inviting.
- 8:15 AM (The Nap That Never Was): Immediately crashed onto the bed, ready for a solid three hours of sleep. WRONG. My internal alarm clock (the one that always wakes me up at the exact wrong moment) went off. Wide awake. Damn.
Day 1 (Continued): The Gulangyu Island Debacle
- 10:00 AM (Impulse Decision, Instant Regret 2.0): Fueled by caffeine and a misplaced sense of optimism, I decided to head to Gulangyu Island. It looked beautiful in the pictures. It had beautiful scenery. It had beautiful cafes. What could possibly go wrong?
- 11:00 AM (Ferry Frenzy): The ferry terminal was a swirling vortex of humanity. Literally. Shoving, shouting, and the general aroma of a thousand street food vendors (which, in retrospect, smelled divine). I almost lost my passport in the chaos.
- 11:30 AM (Gulangyu's Grand Illusion): Finally, escaped onto Gulangyu. It was… crowded. Massively crowded. Forget serene beaches; it was a throng of selfie sticks and echoing voices. I'm pretty sure I saw a toddler wearing a selfie stick. The "picturesque" vibe felt a far cry from reality.
- 12:30 PM (The Lost Wanderer): Wandered aimlessly, overwhelmed by the crowds. Wandered into a tiny, tiny alleyway that was not on any map. Got a little lost. Started to question everything.
- 1:00 PM (Sigh): Find a tiny cafe. Ordered a coffee that tasted suspiciously like dirt.
- 2:00 PM (The Escape Plan): I bailed. Gulangyu, you win. I took the next ferry back. Dejected. Hungry. Defeated.
Day 1 (Continued): Food, Finally!
- 3:00 PM (Airport food) : Settled for some airport noodles.
- 4:00 PM (Back at the Hanting - Sleep. Please, let me sleep): Back in the Hanting. Survived (barely).
Day 2: Xiamen University and Street Food Redemption
- 9:00 AM (Fueling Up…Sort of): The "breakfast" at the Hanting was… minimal. Two sad buns and a cup of instant coffee. I needed fuel.
- 10:00 AM (Xiamen University - Beauty and Breathe): Took a taxi (this one thankfully less chaotic) to Xiamen University. Now this was more like it. The architecture was stunning - a blend of Chinese and Western styles. The campus was lush and green. Found a beautiful walking path and a quiet place to be at peace.
- 12:00 AM (Lunchtime - The Dumpling Dawn): Went around the corner, and found a great dumpling place with handmade dumplings. I ate three plates. No regrets.
- 1:00 PM (Tea Time - An unexpected friendship): Had tea with an older gentleman at his shop. We ended up talking for hours not understanding each other, but we still became instant friends.
- 7:00 PM (Street Food Nirvana): Hit a street-food market. Deep-fried everything. Skewers galore. Noodles for days. I devoured it all. This was the redemption I needed after Gulangyu. My taste buds danced a jig, and my stomach was filled with pure, unadulterated joy.
- 9:00 PM (Back to the Hanting. Sleep is the only thing that matters): Back in the Hanting.
- 10:00 PM (Trying to make a flight): Couldn't wake up on time - missed my flight. Oops. Rescheduled it, and went to sleep
Day 3: Departure - Lingering Thoughts
- 10:00 AM (The Goodbye): The Hanting isn't a five-star resort, but after all this, it starts to feel homely. The experience taught me that sometimes it's the imperfections that make a trip memorable.
- 11:00 AM (The Airport Again): So now I'm sitting in the airport, waiting for my flight, reflecting on Xiamen.
- 12:00 AM (Departure - Maybe I'll be back): See ya Xiamen! Until next time!
This is just the beginning. I'm sure my trip will get even messier, more emotional, and filled with more delicious food and unexpected adventures. This is going to be a journey in its own right, not just a list of things to do.
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Hanting Hotel (Chenggong Ave), Xiamen: Pray for Your Sanity (and Maybe Bring Your Own Pillowcase) - FAQ
Okay, spill. Is the Hanting Hotel near Xiamen Airport actually *good*? I've seen some, like, *interesting* reviews...
Good? Honey, let's just say "good" is a strong word. Think "functional," with a generous helping of "questionable." I'd compare it to that ex-boyfriend you keep because... well, he's *there.* It's close to the airport (that's the big draw!), but the rest? Prepare for an experience. I once accidentally booked a room and the first thing that hit me wasn't the air conditioning (spoiler: it was struggling), it was a faint, yet persistent aroma I can only describe as "slightly damp laundry and despair." Seriously, temper your expectations. Way down.
The location seems convenient. How *close* is "close" to the airport, really? Is it walkable?
Okay, the location *is* its one redeeming quality. It *is* close. Very close. You could probably hurl a suitcase and hit the terminal. Okay, maybe not. But yeah, it's a quick taxi ride, like 5-10 minutes tops. Walkable? Technically. But, and it's a big but, unless you have a superhuman tolerance for humidity and the scorching Xiamen sun (and let's be real, who does?), hoofing it might be a bad idea. Also, the sidewalks? Let’s just say they're…adventure zones. Be prepared for dodging scooters, stray dogs, and existential questions about the meaning of life. I tried walking once and swore I saw a tumbleweed. In Xiamen. Trust me, take a cab.
What about the rooms? Are they… clean-ish?
Clean-ish? Alright, let's be frank. This is where things get…unpredictable. I've had experiences ranging from "tolerable" to "OMG, what *is* that stain?" The cleaning staff seems to be trying, bless their hearts. But sometimes, the effort… falls short. I remember one time, the bathroom... let's just say it resembled a small, poorly-maintained aquarium. And the sheets? Bring your own. Seriously. I'd suggest packing a full set of sheets and covering the mattress with them. The thought of what's lurking beneath… *shudders*. Don't expect pristine; aim for "survivable." Maybe bring some disinfectant wipes. And a hazmat suit, just kidding. (Mostly.)
I'm a light sleeper. Is it noisy?
Oh, sweet summer child. "Noisy" is an understatement. Think of a symphony orchestra, except all the instruments are malfunctioning and playing at once. You've got the general street noise (scooters, car horns, people yelling), the thin walls (you can hear your neighbor’s private karaoke session), and the internal hotel sounds (clanging doors, the mysterious humming of unknown appliances). Earplugs are an absolute MUST. Maybe even a white noise machine. Maybe a tranquilizer. I’m not kidding. I once thought a construction site had relocated inside my room. Turns out, it was just the water pipes. The noise level is almost legendary. Brace yourself.
The reviews mention the AC is problematic. True?
Oh, the AC. Where to begin? It's less "air conditioning" and more "air... *gesturing vaguely*." It's either blast-freezing or sputtering warm air like a frustrated cat. I've had rooms where the AC sounded like a dying walrus. Or a small aircraft. Or maybe just a very, very unhappy fan. Pack a fan of your own. Or a sweater. Or both. Because you'll likely need both. One time it was so hot I considered sleeping in the shower. Seriously. I’m not saying it's *always* terrible, but be prepared for a crapshoot.
What's the Wi-Fi like? Because I gotta work.
Wi-Fi? Good luck. It’s another adventure. It’s probably spotty… and slow… and, at times, non-existent. I wouldn't rely on it for anything remotely important. If you have to work, tether to your phone. Download everything you need beforehand. Pray to the Wi-Fi gods. And consider getting your deadlines pushed back. Just in case.
Is there a breakfast? And is it edible?
Yes, there *is* a breakfast. "Edible" is… a matter of perspective. Breakfast at Hanting is an experience. You get the usual suspects; rice porridge, hard-boiled eggs, and sometimes…things. I've seen things I dare not describe. It's… simple. Bland. You can fill your stomach. But don't expect a culinary masterpiece. I’d suggest grabbing something from the nearest convenience store. Or possibly skipping breakfast altogether. The coffee? Oh, the coffee. Let’s just say it’s strong. And it probably tastes of nothing but regret. Maybe it’s better to arrive *after* breakfast. Or just avoid the breakfast altogether. You are warned.
So, basically, you're saying I should avoid this place?
Look, let's be real. If you're staying *solely* because you have an early flight or a delayed flight and absolutely, positively must be near the airport, then... yeah, it's an option. But before you book, take a deep breath, and understand what you're getting into. Seriously, it is far from a luxurious experience. The Hanting at Chenggong Ave is functional, and nothing else. It is not a relaxing place to stay. It is not a place to pamper yourself. It is, however, close to the airport. Pack earplugs, have low expectations, and accept your destiny. Or consider another location. My advice: Look for a different hotel. Seriously. Unless the airport is the only reason you booked it. In the end, you might survive. Maybe. And that, my friends, is the highest praise I can give it.
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