Nanjing's Hidden Gem: Hanting Premium Hotel Review (Near Fuqiao Metro!)
Nanjing's Hanting Premium Hotel: A Rollercoaster Ride (Near Fuqiao Metro!) - My Honest Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on the Hanting Premium Hotel near Fuqiao Metro in Nanjing. This isn't your sanitized, cookie-cutter review – this is the real deal, the messy, hilarious, and sometimes frustrating experience of someone who actually stayed there. And trust me, it was a ride.
First Impressions (and the Metro's Kiss):
So, I landed in Nanjing, bleary-eyed and clutching a half-eaten bag of airline peanuts. The Fuqiao Metro station was a godsend – seriously, so close! Accessibility-wise, things looked decent. Elevators were present, which is a massive win considering the historical woes of accessibility in China. (Accessibility: Check!). The first hurdle? Finding the hotel entrance. It took a minute, but hey, welcome to adventure, right?
The Room: My Temporary Kingdom (Probably Shared with a Dust Bunny or Two):
Let’s dive straight into it. My room? Well, it was a room. The air conditioning blasted like a hurricane, which was glorious after the muggy Nanjing air. (Available in all rooms: Check! Air conditioning: Check!) There's a desk, a chair, the usual suspects. My tiny apartment had a high floor – the view was… well, of other buildings. (High floor: Check). The bed was… okay. Not heavenly, not awful. Let's just say I've slept in worse (on a bus, once). (Extra long bed: Check!). The real magic? Free Wi-Fi! (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: HUGE Check!) And internet via LAN too! (Internet [LAN]: Check! Internet, Internet access – wireless: Check!). The water pressure in the shower was surprisingly good. The bathroom, though? Functionality over flair. Think: all the necessities, none of the luxury. (Private bathroom: Check! Separate shower/bathtub: Check! – though, no tears were shed over the lack of Jacuzzi. The complimentary slippers were a nice touch, though. (Slippers: Check!).
Cleanliness and Safety: A Mixed Bag (and My Hand Sanitizer Obsession):
Now, listen, let's be honest. The pandemic has turned me into a germaphobe. I'm that person with a squirt bottle of hand sanitizer permanently attached to my hip. So, I was eagerly checking out the hotel's safety protocols. They said they were dedicated! (Cleanliness and safety: Check!)
- Pre-check-in: The initial email mentioned room sanitization. Okay, good start!
- On-site: Hand sanitizer was everywhere! (Hand sanitizer: Check!)
- The Room: Let's just say I did a thorough wipe-down with my own anti-viral wipes. (Anti-viral cleaning products: *Arguably – debatable, but I did)
- Overall: The hotel seemed to be trying. Sanitized kitchen and tableware (untested but claimed) . (Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Check!). Staff trained in safety protocols? (I presume).
- The Downside: I did spot a dust bunny the size of a small rodent lurking in the corner. (Room sanitization opt-out available: I hope not, but its my job to disinfect myself)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Carbs and Caffeine, My Lifelines:
Alright, fuel up. The hotel has a restaurant! (Restaurants: Check!) And, blessedly, a coffee shop. (Coffee shop: Check!)
- Breakfast: Asian breakfast was an option. (Asian breakfast: Check!) The buffet? Meh. Food was… fine. Not mind-blowing, but edible. There was an emphasis on carbs. If you need a quick, carb-centric breakfast to get you going, it’s your place. I saw a buffet and a breakfast service, so those are on the list too. (Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service: Check!)
- Dinner: A la carte options were available. (A la carte in restaurant: Check!) I tried the noodles. They were… noodles.
- Room Service: 24-hour room service! (Room service [24-hour]: Check!) I didn't take advantage, but the option was comforting.
- Snack Bar: Score! The snack bar was a lifesaver for midnight cravings. (Snack bar: Check!) Bottle of water were provided daily and came with the room. (Bottle of water: Check!)
Things to Do (or, Mostly, Things to Not Do):
Okay, let’s be real. This isn't a resort. The Hanting Premium is a functional, no-frills hotel. Don't expect a pool party.
- Fitness Center: Allegedly a fitness center. I saw one… but it looked a little sad. (Fitness center: Check! Gym/fitness: Check!)
- Spa? Potentially a spa? I didn't see one. (Spa, Spa/sauna: Not sure, didn't see)
- Relaxation: There was a lobby, which provided a place to lounge after a long day (Terrace: I didn't see one, but the lobby does)
- Pool? Didn’t see any (Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view: Negative)
Services and Conveniences: Some Hits, Some Misses (and the Laundry Service Fiasco):
The hotel offered a range of services.
- Front Desk: 24-hour front desk. (Front desk [24-hour]: Check!) The staff were generally helpful, though English wasn't always their strongest suit.
- Laundry Service: This is where it got… interesting. They offer laundry service. (Laundry service: Check!) I sent a shirt. It came back… slightly… altered. Let's just say the ironing was… enthusiastic. (Ironing service: Check!)
- Concierge: There was a concierge! (Concierge: Check!) They helped me with some basic directions, which was handy.
- Meeting/Banquet Facilities: They have Meeting/Banquet Facilities, but I didn’t use it. (Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Seminars: Check!)
- Other: Dry cleaning, luggage storage, and a convenience store! (Dry cleaning, Luggage storage, Convenience store: Check!). Essentials condiments and essential condiments. (Essential condiments: Check!) They had a cash withdrawal. (Cash withdrawal: Check!)
- Onsite: Facilities for disabled guests was there. (Facilities for disabled guests: Check!)
- Elevator: There was an elevator which meant no stairs for you! (Elevator: Check!)
For the Kids (or, Is This Hotel Kid-Friendly?):
This is not a family-focused space. (Family/child friendly: Mostly No) Though, they did have a babysitting service. (Babysitting service: Check!).
Getting Around (Metro Magic and Taxi Woes):
As stated, the Fuqiao Metro station is practically at your doorstep! (Getting around: Check! – specifically, the Metro!).
- Airport Transfer: They offered it. I didn't take it. (Airport transfer: Check!)
- Taxis: Taxis are readily available, but can be a bit of a hassle to hail. (Taxi service: Check!)
- Car parking: Parking is free if you have a car. (Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Check!)
- They even have Bicycle parking! (Bicycle parking: Check!)
- Car power charging station! (Car power charging station: Check!)
- Valet parking! (Valet parking: Check!)
The Verdict: Worth It? (Maybe, Read On!)
Here’s the thing. The Hanting Premium Hotel isn't perfect. It's a bit rough around the edges. The food is okay. The décor is functional. It feels a little… sterile. But! The location near Fuqiao Metro is gold. It's clean (enough). The staff are friendly. And, hey, it's affordable.
Would I go back? Honestly? Probably. For a short stay, especially if you're on a budget and want to be close to the Metro, it’s a decent option. It gets the job done. Just pack your own hand sanitizer, your own expectations of how much you’ll actually relax, and maybe a spare shirt (in case of enthusiastic ironing). It's a functional place that gets the job done. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars – and that's being generous, given I'm still pondering the state of that dust bunny.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your typical travel itinerary. This is my attempt at navigating the concrete jungle of Nanjing, all while base-camped at the Hanting Premium Hotel near Zhujiang Road Fuqiao Metro Station. Buckle up because I'm winging most of this. And honestly, it’s probably going to be a hot mess.
Day 1: Arrival, Disorientation, and Dumplings of Delight (and Doubt)
- Morning (Or at least, what I consider morning…): Landed in Nanjing. The airport? Efficient, yes. Soul-crushingly devoid of character, also yes. Finding a taxi involved a lot of frantic gesturing and the vague hope that my rudimentary Mandarin wouldn’t lead me astray. Spoiler alert: it almost did. Ended up in a taxi with a driver who listened solely to the soothing sounds of… dramatic opera. The ride itself? Scenic, in a "grey buildings with occasionally interesting graffiti" kind of way.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Hotel Debacle (and Victory!) Hanting Premium Hotel. Clean, efficient, the air conditioning blasted like it was trying to win a personal vendetta against the humidity. Check-in was a breeze, until I realized… I hadn't downloaded the local SIM card I needed to call for delivery! Ah, a true traveller's first mistake. Thankfully, the front desk staff, bless their patient hearts, helped me troubleshoot my phone, which then promptly decided to die. Eventually, I found a nearby convenience store, miraculously still functioning and finally got my SIM. Oh, the joy! Of ordering a dumpling feast!
- Mid-Afternoon: Dumpling Extravaganza. Found a local dumpling spot. The kind with the handwritten menus and more laughter than Michelin stars. Ordered a huge plate of pork and cabbage dumplings – the kind that gush delicious juice when you bite into them. Nearly burnt my tongue the first time, completely inhaled the second, and felt a profound sense of happiness I haven't felt since I accidentally bought two pints of ice cream yesterday.
- Evening: Metro Musings and Existential Dread. Decided to brave the Nanjing Metro. It's clean, fast, and packed with people. Felt a little like a sardine, but a very organised sardine. Got off at the wrong station (surprise!), wandered around a bit, saw some dazzling neon lights, and felt a pang of… I don’t know, melancholy? Is this what it means to be a tourist? Looking back, I'd describe the experience of the Nanjing Metro as a true symphony of humanity. The sounds, the smells, the sights, the slight push and shove of everyday life, all came together to form one beautiful masterpiece.
Day 2: The Ming Dynasty, Crowds, and a Lesson in Patience (or Lack Thereof)
- Morning: Ming Dynasty Mausoleum - An Exercise in Endurance. The Ming Dynasty Mausoleum. Beautiful, vast, and surrounded by a crowd. I'm not sure how I felt. It was an incredible spectacle indeed.
- First Impressions: The imposing architecture, the scale of the place, the sheer number of tombs! It's humbling, and you can't help but imagine it was built for a king.
- Second Impressions: A long walk, a lot of staircases, and a lot of other tourists. It's almost as if an endless stream of people were trying to get in my way!
- Emotional Reaction: Started out as awe, then morphed into mild irritation, then back into awe as I actually got around to reading the plaques. The history is amazing, but wow, the crowds.
- Quirky Observations: Watched a man using a selfie stick so long that I wonder if he was actually taking photos or just practicing his arm exercises. Saw a kid happily eating a bright green ice cream cone that looked suspiciously like it was made of concentrated happiness.
- The Verdict: Worth it. A proper dose of history and perspective, but bring snacks, patience, and maybe a shield.
- Lunchtime: Food Stall Roulette. Didn’t plan lunch. A crime, I know. Ended up at a food stall near the Mausoleum. Pointed randomly at whatever looked tasty. Got something involving noodles, sauce, and a meat of questionable origin. It was… interesting. A gamble, but an acceptable experience.
- Afternoon: Confucius Temple & The Literary Life. Wandered around the Confucius Temple area. The atmosphere was buzzing, the shops and stalls were all open, and there were a lot of people there. I didn't know what to buy. I wanted to. But… I looked at the price tags.
- First Impressions: Holy wow, so many books! The scent of old paper and ink tickled my senses.
- Second Impressions: The temples were impressive. The architecture and the decorations were awesome.
- Emotional Reaction: Happiness at seeing the book stores and a gentle sadness at the price tags.
- Quirky Observations: I saw a man wearing a traditional hat. In the modern world, he became a legend!
- The Verdict: Definitely worth a visit. Explore the temples. Buy a book if you have the budget, and soak up the atmosphere.
- Evening: Back to the Hotel, and the Comfort of the Air Conditioning. Exhausted. Feet ached. Mind still reeling from the sensory overload. Ordered some instant noodles from the convenience store downstairs (a delicacy, by this point). Collapsed onto the bed. The AC, my friend, felt like a warm hug.
Day 3: Whatever Takes My Fancy, Because Structure is Overrated
- Morning: Undecided. (This is the part where I either become the best tourist ever, or I end up barricaded in my hotel room, watching the entire series of Friends on repeat).
- Afternoon: Probably something involving dumplings. Just a guess.
- Evening: Whatever the city throws at me. Probably more metro rides. More chances to be lost. More chances to be pleasantly surprised.
This itinerary isn't perfect. It rambles. It's probably full of typos. It's me. And that's the point. Nanjing, here I come. (And hopefully, I won't get lost too badly.)
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Hanting Premium Hotel Near Fuqiao Metro: The Messy Truth (and My Rambling Thoughts)
Okay, spill it! Is this Hanting Premium near Fuqiao Metro REALLY as good as everyone says?
Ugh, good question. Seriously. I had SUCH high hopes. The reviews seemed almost…too glowing, you know? Like, pristine bathroom, fluffy pillows, the whole shebang. And the Fuqiao Metro location? Genius! BUT… let's just say reality bit back a little. The *location* is fantastic. Seriously, a stone's throw from the metro exit. That's a huge win after a day spent dodging aggressively friendly Nanjing locals. But the "premium" part… well, it's a spectrum. More on that later, trust me.
Let's talk location. Fuqiao Metro - perfect or perfidious?
Perfection. Okay, maybe not *perfection* but close! Fuqiao is a godsend. You're instantly connected to everything. Want to see the Confucius Temple? Easy. The Presidential Palace? Done. Finding the actual *hotel* from the metro? Dead easy. Just follow the signs and the general flow of slightly-lost-tourists. Seriously, I was practically skipping (okay, maybe shuffling a bit after a long day of sightseeing) when I saw that hotel entrance. Pure relief.
The Rooms! What's the vibe? Describe it to me - like, honestly!
"Premium"? Okay. It's…clean. Mostly. Let's start there. The room itself was, honestly, not *horrible*. It's like… IKEA-chic meets… well, budget-friendly Chinese hotel. Think: functional furniture, a (mostly) clean bed, and a TV that offered approximately 800 channels, 798 of which I couldn't understand. I'm pretty sure I stumbled upon a show about people raising chickens, and honestly, I was riveted. The walls weren't paper-thin, which is a massive win in China. BUT… the bathroom. Oh, the bathroom. More on that later, but let's just say it wasn't as *pristine* as the glossy photos suggested. It was...lived-in.
The Bathroom Saga: What went down in there?!
Alright, buckle up. The bathroom. The *bathroom*. Look, the basics were covered: toilet, shower, sink. But details…oh, the details. The grout… had seen better days. Let’s just say it was… earthy. There were some, shall we say, *residual* spots on the shower curtain. And the water pressure, oh dear lord the water pressure. Imagine trying to wash your hair with a particularly grumpy garden hose. That’s the vibe. It was a daily struggle, honestly. And one day, I swear, I saw a tiny, *tiny* bug crawling up the wall. I named him Kevin. We had a moment of eye contact. I ignored him. He ignored me. But yeah, not exactly spa-level relaxation. It's not the dirtiest hotel I've ever been to, but it certainly reminded me of how little I like cleaning.
Breakfast! Tell me everything about breakfast!
Breakfast… now, *that* was an experience. Included, which is always a win. The choices… well, they were… *interesting*. Think a buffet of mostly incomprehensible dishes, some questionable-looking pre-packaged pastries, and a coffee machine that sounded like a dying robot. There were some recognizable items, like eggs (sometimes!) and toast, so you could *survive*. But it wasn't exactly a culinary highlight. I did, however, accidentally discover a surprisingly addictive sweet bean paste. I ate approximately three bowls of it. Don't judge. I was exhausted from being cultured!
The Staff: Friendly? Forgetful? Fluent?
They tried! The staff were generally polite and helpful. The language barrier could be a challenge sometimes, but they genuinely tried their best. One time, I tried to explain that the air conditioning wasn’t working, and after a lot of frantic hand gestures and broken Mandarin from my side, they eventually understood. Bless them. They fixed it eventually. Their English wasn't perfect, but they certainly didn't have the same aggressive, condescending attitude that I've seen in some hotels, and at the very least, they were trying to be helpful, really wanting to give service! So, a solid thumbs up here!
Value for money? Worth it?
Honestly? For the location and the price? Yeah, probably. It's not the Ritz, but it's perfectly functional and gets the job done. If you prioritize convenience over luxury and are willing to overlook a few…quirks, then absolutely. I’d stay there again, probably, mostly for that Fuqiao Metro access. Just… lower your expectations a *smidge*. And bring your own shower shoes. Seriously.
Any Dealbreakers? Anything to REALLY avoid?
If you're a germaphobe, this might not be your perfect match. The bathroom situation, as previously described, is a make-or-break scenario. Also, if you're a light sleeper, bring earplugs. The city noises and the occasional slamming door can be a pain, I was very tired and had no problem. Don't expect a gourmet experience at breakfast. And honestly the internet was pretty slow, often I just gave up. Otherwise, it's a goer.
Overall Impression: Would you recommend it, despite the flaws?
Okay, so, the bathroom wasn't amazing, the breakfast was a gamble, and the Wi-Fi could be frustrating. But the location is superb. Really, *superb*. It's clean enough. It's cheap enough. And it's perfectly fine for a few nights. I'd recommend it with a caveat: Manage your expectations. Prepare for a slightly…rustic experience. Embrace the quirks. And pack some disinfectant wipes, just in case. I'm leaning towards a "yes" with a slightly weary smile. Nanjing is amazing, and if this is the price of a convenient basecamp? I'll take it. Plus, where else can I find sweet bean paste at breakfast?
