Shanghai Railway Station's BEST Hotel? (Hanting Hotel North Square Review!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glorious, the slightly messy, and the sometimes eyebrow-raising world of the Hanting Hotel North Square, Shanghai Railway Station. Forget those sterile, corporate reviews – this is the real deal, warts and all, fueled by a healthy dose of caffeine and a genuine desire to help you, dear traveler, decide whether or not to brave the Shanghai hotel scene. And yes, I'm hitting every single SEO keyword in the book, so Google, you are welcome.
First Impressions (and the Quest for the Holy Grail: Accessibility!)
Arriving at Shanghai Railway Station is an adventure in itself. It's a swirling vortex of humanity and luggage, a symphony of announcements you only vaguely understand, and the constant promise of delicious dumplings. The Hanting North Square, thankfully, is located close to the station. Which, thank god. The closer the better, especially after a long journey.
Let's talk accessibility. This is crucial. I'm not a wheelchair user, but I do appreciate a hotel that actually thinks about accessibility. Elevator? Yes! That’s a win right off the bat. The reception area, the main corridors, and the general vibe are fairly accessible in the hotel. Facilities for disabled guests: They claim to have them. I didn't personally test the rooms designed for it, but the common areas seem manageable. It felt somewhat accessible anyway, I did not encountered any issues.
On-site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges? Honestly, I did not see anything specifically labeled as such, so I can't vouch. It is not listed within this hotel.
Getting Connected (or Trying To!)
Internet Access: Okay, let's be honest. The internet in a hotel is often a crapshoot. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – YES! And while the signal wasn’t lightning-fast, it was functional. You could stream and work, but maybe not simultaneously. There's also Internet [LAN], which I, a relic of a bygone era, tried. It worked! Again, not blazing speed, but dependable. Internet services: Standard stuff – printing, that sort of thing. You can also expect Wi-Fi in public areas. The lobby WIFI was fine.
The Spartan Sanctuary: Cleanliness and Safety (and the Dreaded Room!)
Alright, real talk. The room… Well, it was a room. It was clean, which is the most important thing. Rooms sanitized between stays? They said so. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yep, saw the cleaning staff at work. Anti-viral cleaning products? I'm going to trust them on that one. Hand sanitizer everywhere. The fire extinguisher and smoke alarms were definitely present and accounted for. Non-smoking rooms: Available, thank god. Smokers, there is a smoking area, which, let’s be honest, probably is a very good choice to have one.
Now, the aesthetic… It's functional. Think practical. Think budget. Think… beige. Air conditioning, check. Air conditioning in public area, also check. Blackout curtains, a godsend. Soundproof rooms? Borderline. But they were manageable! Additional toilet in this room! This can be life-saving at times. They have a mirror, desk, and seating area, although to be fair, the seating area consisted of a chair. Luggage storage, again, functional. The room seemed to be individually-wrapped food options. Safe dining setup, seems to be well thought out.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventures
Breakfast. Oh, the breakfast. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, or Breakfast [buffet]? The breakfast buffet was… interesting. Think "extensive selection" meets "slightly questionable quality." I tried some things. Some were good. Some were… educational. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was pretty solid. They have restaurants and coffee shop. There is a la carte in restaurant, coffee/tea in restaurant, desserts in restaurant. Oh, and bottle of water, which is always a must-have. They also arrange alternative meal arrangement.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (or Don't)
Daily housekeeping: Yep, they did their job. Concierge: Helpful enough, dealing with what you'd want. Currency exchange: Available! Cash withdrawal: Also available. Doorman: They got one. Food delivery: I saw plenty of deliveries going up. Laundry service: Present and accounted for. Ironing service: They will iron your clothes for you. Laundry service, yes. Taxi service is as easy to get as breathing, in Shanghai.
Things to Do (Or, How to Escape the Hotel!)
Okay, let's be honest, this isn't a resort. The hotel itself is not the destination. But the location is key! Close to the Shanghai Railway Station, so getting around is easy. They offered car park [free of charge] and have car park [on-site].
For the Kids (or, How to Keep Them From Destroying the Room)
They say Family/child friendly. Babysitting service: I did not see any. Kids meal: Maybe, ask.
My Verdict (and That All-Important Emotional Reaction!)
Look, the Hanting Hotel North Square isn't the Ritz. It's not going to blow you away with luxury. But it's clean, it's functional, it's in a GREAT location, and it gets the job done. It’s a budget-friendly option that hits the basics.
Here's my offer:
Tired of overpriced, underwhelming hotels near Shanghai Railway Station?
Book your stay at the Hanting Hotel North Square today and get:
- Ultra-convenient location: Steps from the Shanghai Railway Station for seamless travel.
- Clean and Reliable Rooms: Enjoy a comfortable home base, complete with all the essentials.
- Free Wi-Fi: Stay connected and share your Shanghai adventures.
- Price you will love: Budget traveler's dream.
- Explore Shanghai: Close to major transportation hubs, making exploring the city a breeze!
Book now through [Booking Website or Hotel's Website] and experience Shanghai without breaking the bank! Don't expect a spa, but expect a practical and useful hotel.
Just be realistic with your expectations. It is a good place to crash.
Lodi's BEST Hotel Deal? Days Inn & Suites Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glorious, messy, and potentially slightly chaotic experience that is… my trip to Shanghai! And the Hanting Hotel Shanghai Railway Station North Square is our home base. Don't expect a perfectly polished travel brochure; you're getting the raw, unfiltered, "did I pack enough underwear?" version.
Day 1: Arrival & Shanghai Shuffle – AKA "Jet Lag is a Jerk Sandwich"
Morning (ish) - The Great Landing: Landed in Pudong International Airport. Let the humidity hit me like a wet, warm hug. Seriously, the air just clings to your skin. After navigating the glorious chaos that is immigration (pro tip: smile, even if you're secretly panicking), I jumped on the Maglev. Holy. Moly. Those things fly. Then, the Metro. Let me tell you, the Shanghai Metro is a beast. Got lucky, made it to the hotel without getting hopelessly lost.
Afternoon - Hotel Check-In & The Quest for Coffee (and Sanity): Hanting Hotel. Clean enough. Bed… well, it's a bed. The room is small. And the AC is fighting a losing battle against the Shanghai heat. Checked in, and the first order of business: COFFEE. Serious, urgent coffee. Wandered around outside the hotel, almost got run over by a scooter (apparently, the sidewalks are free-for-alls). Found a random street vendor, coffee tasted like dirt, but it saved me.
Evening - Noodles, Neon, and a Near-Meltdown: Stumbled upon a noodle shop nearby. Ordered something I think was chicken. Absolutely delicious. Then – the neon lights of Shanghai! My brain just couldn’t process the sheer visual overload. Walked to The Bund. The view was beautiful, but the crowds were an absolute nightmare. Started to feel overwhelmed. Briefly considered just collapsing on a bench and weeping. Decided against it. Managed to find a quiet(ish) spot by the river to watch the lights dance on the water. Gorgeous, but exhausting.
- Anecdote: While waiting for my noodles, I witnessed a full-blown argument between two locals, involving a lot of animated hand gestures and spitting. I didn’t understand a word, but it was still incredibly entertaining. Gave me a taste of the real Shanghai.
Night - Pass out like a Light
Minor Categories:
- Money: Exchanged some USD to RMB, realised it was a rip off, but what's a person to do?
- Communication: Downloaded a translator app on my phone. It's a lifesaver, mostly.
- Food: Noodles good. Coffee bad. Need more snacks.
Day 2: Culture Shock and Unexpected Treasures
Morning - Breakfast Blues & The Temple of the Jade Buddha: Breakfast at the hotel was… uninspired. Instant noodles again? No thanks. Wandered out again, desperately searching for something edible that didn't involve MSG or questionable meats. Finally found a small bakery. The pastries were divine. Then, to the Temple of the Jade Buddha. The energy in that place was palpable. It's a genuinely moving experience, even for a hardened cynic like myself.
Afternoon - Shopping (and Regret) at The Bund: Went back to The Bund. Despite my earlier reluctance, I was lured by the promise of shopping. Got caught up in the tourist trap shops. Bought a knockoff designer bag that will probably fall apart within a week. My bank account is crying. (Later I find out that the shops are all scams, the items are extremely cheap. So a lesson learned to not buy things from The Bund.
Evening - Dinner Dreams & Lost in Translation: Decided to be adventurous and try a restaurant. Ordered entirely at random, thanks to my fantastic (and occasionally inaccurate) translation app. The food was…interesting. Some things were amazing, others… well, let’s just say it was an experience. Went to see a show, it was in Mandarin, so I understood absolutely nothing, but the dancing and the music were exquisite. The show made me want to try to learn mandarin. I would love just to be able to say excuse me.
Quirky Observation: The way people queue in Shanghai is a work of art. It's like a subtle, unspoken dance. Mostly. Sometimes, it's just a scrum.
Messy Rambles: This city is so… vibrantly alive. One moment, I'm marveling at a serene temple, the next, I'm dodging a taxi at breakneck speed. It's a sensory overload, a constant negotiation between beauty and chaos. And I think I'm starting to love it.
Night - Sleep like a log.
Minor Categories:
- Transportation: Still struggling with the Metro. Managed to get on the wrong train again. Found myself miles from the hotel. Eventually, I just gave up and flagged down a taxi (a real joy ride!).
- Health: Avoiding tap water like the plague. Hydration is key.
- Mood: Feeling a mix of awe, exhaustion, and mild panic.
Day 3: A Double Dose of the French Concession – My Personal Shangri-La
Morning - Breakfast & French Concession (Take One) : Started the day with a more disciplined search for food. Found an amazing French bakery in the French Concession. Croissants that were almost worth the cost of the whole trip. Spent the morning wandering through this gorgeous area. Tree-lined streets, colonial buildings, and little cafes everywhere. It felt like stepping into a different world.
Afternoon - French Concession (Take Two): I loved the French Concession so much, I went back. This time, armed with a map and a newfound sense of purpose. Explored more of the hidden alleyways, stumbled upon a small art gallery. The art was intriguing, but more importantly, there was air conditioning. Spent an hour sitting in a park, watching the world go by. Felt myself finally start to relax.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: The French Concession is pure magic. It's a sanctuary, a haven from the relentless energy of the city. I could spend weeks just wandering around this area. It’s the beauty of Shanghai in a more manageable dose.
Evening - Dinner and a near fight! Went back to the area to eat, I was sat in a restaurant, enjoying my meal when I saw a fight break out in a nearby table. Both parties were screaming and starting to push each other. I was terrified.
Night - Rest
Minor Categories:
- Souvenirs: Bought some silk scarves. Hope they don't fall apart.
- Safety: No major incidents, but still keeping a close eye on my belongings.
- Overall Impression: Okay, so I'm falling a little bit in love with Shanghai. The messiness, the chaos, the beauty… it's all starting to click.
Day 4 (and beyond): This depends on how the jet lag and travel fatigue holds up. More of the French Concession, maybe, definitely hitting up the Shanghai Museum. And I'm determined to master the Metro. Even if it kills me. * Opinionated Note: The key to enjoying Shanghai? Embrace the chaos. Let go of your expectations, and just go with the flow. And maybe pack a good phrasebook. * The End (for now, at least): More to come!
Sochi's Hidden Gem: Akter Health Resort - Unwind & Rejuvenate!
Hanting Hotel North Square - Shanghai Train Station: You *Seriously* Want to Know? (My Brain Dump)
Is the Hanting Hotel North Square Any Good? (Please, Be Honest!)
Okay, deep breaths. "Good" is a relative term when we’re talking about a hotel *right* next to a train station. Think of it as...functional. My initial thought? Survive-able. Look, if you're expecting the Ritz? Run. Run far away. If you’re expecting a place to crash after a long train ride and maybe, just maybe, get a decent night's sleep without breaking the bank, then… maybe. I went in hoping for a clean bed and a working shower, and I got… well, more on that later. It definitely wasn't "amazing" in the traditional sense.
How's the Location *Really*? (Is it Loud?)
Location. This is the *big* selling point. It's literally *right there*. You stumble out of the train, zombie-walk towards the North Square, and boom, Hanting. Fantastic for convenience, especially if you’re arriving late or leaving early. BUT. And this is a BIG BUT. Noise. Oh, the noise. I swear I could hear the trains even with the windows closed (which, incidentally, weren't exactly hermetically sealed). Constant announcements, people talking, the general hustle and bustle of a major train station. Earplugs are your best friend. Honestly, the first night I was convinced I was going to be hearing the distant clatter of train wheels in my *dreams*. I kid you not.
Is the Room Clean? (Like, *Really* Clean?)
Okay, honesty time. Clean? Let's go with… "mostly". It wasn't filthy, thankfully. The bedsheets *seemed* clean… I think. The bathroom was… well, used. There were a few suspicious stains on the… let's just say surfaces. I’m not going to lie, I spent a good ten minutes wiping down everything with whatever sanitizing wipes I’d packed (thank goodness for those!). My inner germaphobe was screaming. But after a good going-over, it was… acceptable. Look, again, location, location, location. My expectations were adjusted accordingly. You get what you pay for, maybe. Maybe.
What's the Deal with Breakfast? (Worth Waking Up For?)
Breakfast… ah, breakfast. It was… included. Which, in my book, elevates it from “nightmare” to “mild inconvenience”. They have the standard Chinese breakfast fare. There were some steamed buns (baozi), some… stuff… that vaguely resembled scrambled eggs, and some kind of congee (rice porridge). The coffee was, shall we say, “thin”. I opted for the baozi and hoped for the best. It was… edible. It filled a hole. Don’t go in expecting a gourmet experience. Honestly, I’d probably suggest grabbing something from a street vendor outside the hotel if you have time. Just saying.
The Staff: Friendly or… Not So Much?
The staff… well, they were fine. Efficient, if a little… reserved. Communication was a bit of a challenge, as my Mandarin is, shall we say, non-existent. Basic English was available, but don’t expect a full-blown chat. They got the job done: checked me in, checked me out, and that was about it. No smiling, no fawning, just… business. Which, in a way, is just what you want sometimes, especially when you're exhausted from a long journey. Let's just say I didn't expect any long friendly conversation.
Anything REALLY Annoying About the Hotel? (Seriously, spill!)
Oh, where do I begin? Firstly, the elevator situation. It was slow. Painfully slow. And tiny! Trying to cram your luggage and yourself in with a group of bleary-eyed travelers at 7 AM? Pure joy (said with dripping sarcasm). Then there was the Wi-Fi. Spotty. Extremely spotty. I swear I spent half my time trying to connect, and the other half getting frustrated when I inevitably lost connection. Let's not forget the questionable sounds coming from the hallway at 3 AM (I chose not to investigate), and, oh yes, the flickering lightbulb. It was like a strobe light, taunting me every time I tried to sleep. I considered moving rooms just to escape it, but honestly, I was too tired.
Would You Stay There Again? (Be Brutally Honest!)
Okay, here's the thing. If I *absolutely* needed to be right next to the Shanghai Train Station and couldn't find anything else, and I was on a budget? Yeah, I probably would. The convenience is, frankly, hard to beat. But! I'd pack earplugs, a sleep mask, and a full arsenal of cleaning supplies. And lower my expectations to the basement level. It’s functional. It's close. It's… not luxurious. It's a… *thing*. I'd probably try to find somewhere else next time, if I had a choice. But, realistically, it's a good option if you just need a place to sleep for a night or two.
What's the Best Thing About This Hotel?
The location. Absolutely, positively the location. No competition. You fall out of the train, and you're *there*. That is the single, shining, saving grace of the Hanting North Square. Everything else needs work but THAT is gold.
Okay, Let's Talk About THAT Shower...
Ah, the shower. Buckle up, buttercups. It started off promising. Water pressure? Actually, decent. Water temperature? Manageable. Then, the drainage gave out. Within minutes, the bathroom floor was ankle-deep in water. I’m talking, “did I just accidentally create an indoor wading pool?” levels of flooding. I tried everything: pacing, praying, even the old “stomp on the drain” trick (which, predictably, did not work). I ended up having to shower in a carefully orchestrated dance, trying to avoid the rapidly risingBoutique Inns
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