Beijing Shangdi Luxury: Uncover Hanting Hotel's Hidden Gems!
Beijing Shangdi Luxury: Uncover Hanting Hotel's Hidden Gems! (Or Maybe Just Some Gems…) - A Seriously Unfiltered Review
Alright, buckle up, because we're diving headfirst into the swirling vortex that is the Hanting Hotel in Shangdi, Beijing. I'm not going to lie, I went in expecting… well, let's just say my expectations were calibrated somewhere between "budget backpacker" and "slightly-less-budget backpacker." But "luxury," as the title so boldly suggests? That's a claim that needs some serious unpacking.
(Accessibility, let's get this out of the way)
Accessibility: Okay, here's the thing. They say they have facilities for disabled guests. But I didn't see them. Or, rather, I didn't investigate them. My own mobility challenges are limited to a slight preference for elevators over stairs. So, I can't give a definitive "yay" or "nay" on this front. Proceed with caution if you're relying on it wholeheartedly. I saw an elevator, at least!
Wheelchair accessible: See above. I'm guessing, maybe. But do your research.
(Internet - The Lifeline of the Modern Traveler)
- Internet access, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Hallelujah! The Wi-Fi worked. Mostly. It wasn't blazing fast, and I may or may not have had to wrestle with it a few times, but hey, free Wi-Fi is free Wi-Fi. And yes, you could get it everywhere. Which is fantastic, especially considering I was working from the room a bunch. So I was super grateful for the connection.
(Cleanliness and Safety - The Stuff You Really Want to Know About)
Cleanliness and Safety: Okay, now we're in the meat of it. They seem to take safety seriously. They've got the Anti-viral cleaning products list ticked, and Daily disinfection in common areas is a good sign. I definitely felt safe in my room.
Rooms sanitized between stays. Honestly, good to know they are cleaning those things.
Hand sanitizer was readily available, which, during our current circumstances, is a huge relief.
Staff trained in safety protocol: See above. Felt like it was being taken seriously.
Room sanitization opt-out available: Now that is interesting. Did I take the option? No, because I enjoyed the level of cleanliness.
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Fueling the Adventure)
Restaurants, Asian breakfast, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Snack bar, Coffee/tea in restaurant, and Western breakfast: The buffet thing did feel a little… meh. A large selection of things, but not necessarily high-quality. The coffee was… caffeinated, which is what I wanted. The Western breakfast options were edible. The Asian breakfast options looked pretty authentic. So, something for everyone.
Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service: It was there, it was served, and I got to fill up before my day.
A la carte in restaurant: Yes, there was one. I really felt like I didn't need it.
Bottle of water yes. Always a plus.
Poolside bar: I didn't drink at it.
Vegetarian restaurant I didn't see one.
(Services and Conveniences - Making Life Easier)
Services and conveniences: Okay, lots of options. They have a Concierge, Cash withdrawal, all the basics like Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, and even a Gift/souvenir shop. It's a well-oiled machine for sure.
Contactless check-in/out: In this day and age, that's a huge plus.
(Things to do, ways to relax - Unwinding After a Hard Day of… Stuff)
Fitness center: Okay, let's get real. I peeked in. It existed. It had… equipment. I did not use it. I like the idea of a gym more than the actual act of going to one.
Swimming pool: Ditto. I didn't use the pool, but it offered a view.
Massage/Spa/Body wrap/Body scrub/Sauna/Spa/Spa/sauna, Steamroom: Nope. Sadly, not for me. I was here for work. But if you want a spa day, you might be in luck.
Pool with view: It has one.
(Available in all rooms - The Real Nitty-Gritty)
Available in all rooms:
Air conditioning: Absolutely essential.
Free bottled water: Praise be!
Coffee/tea maker & Complimentary tea: Big ups for this. I am completely useless without a morning cuppa.
Wi-Fi [free]: See above. Indispensable.
Bathrobes & Slippers: Fancy!
Wake-up service: Thankfully.
Desk, Laptop workspace: Important. A little cramped, but I managed.
Mirror: Check.
Mini bar: Empty, as far as I could tell.
Non-smoking: Thank goodness.
Private bathroom: Of course.
Safety/security feature: Felt safe.
Satellite/cable channels: Check, but didn't watch TV much.
Shower: Fine as well.
Socket near the bed: Yes!
Soundproofing: Needed!
Telephone: Don't need it.
Toiletries: Basic, but functional.
Additional toilet: Nope.
- Alarm clock: There was one.
- Bathtub: No.
- Bathroom phone: Never used it.
- Blackout curtains: Good.
- Closet: Check.
- Desk: Yes.
- Extra long bed: Didn't notice.
- Hair dryer: Yes.
- High floor: No.
- In-room safe box: Yes.
- Ironing facilities: I think so.
- Linens: Check.
- On-demand movies: I didn't see them.
- Reading light: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Yes.
- Scale: No.
- Seating area: Yes.
- Separate shower/bathtub: No bathtub.
- Smoke detector: Yes.
- Sofa: No idea.
- Soundproofing: Needed.
- Towels: Yes.
- Umbrella: No information.
- Visual alarm: Maybe if you ask.
- Window that opens: Check.
(For the kids - Family Matters)
- For the kids: They have Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, and Kids meal. All the basic kid-friendly offerings!
- Breakfast takeaway service: Didn't try it.
(Getting around - Navigating the City)
- Getting around: Airport transfer and Taxi service were available.
(Other - Everything Else that Didn't Fit Anywhere Else!)
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Yes!
- Cashless payment service: Mostly.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Yes.
- Hygiene certification: I don't know.
- Individually-wrapped food options: There were some.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Seems to be in place.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Hopefully.
- Safe dining setup: Hopefully.
- Shared stationery removed: Yes.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Yes.
- Exterior corridor: I believe so.
- Fire extinguisher: Probably.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Yes.
- Hotel chain: Yes.
- Room decorations: Uh… I didn't really notice.
- Smoking area: Yes.
(My Overall Experience - The Honest Truth)
The Hanting Hotel in Shangdi, Beijing? It's… fine. It's not a luxury experience in the way you might imagine. It’s more like "comfortable and convenient," with some solid amenities and good safety measures in place.
(The Offer - Book Now and Experience… Comfort! (And Free Wi-Fi!))
Ready to be… accommodated in Beijing?
Book your stay at the Hanting Hotel in Shangdi, Beijing, and get ready for a stay that’s… convenient. You'll get a comfortable
Tianjin's Hidden Gem: Hanting Hotel Near Zhujiang Hardware Market!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to descend into the wonderfully chaotic abyss that is planning a trip – specifically, a stay at that (relatively) budget-friendly haven, the Hanting Hotel Beijing Shangdi. Let's be real, this isn't going to be a perfectly manicured Insta-worthy itinerary. This is real life.
My Hanting Hotel Beijing Shangdi Extravaganza (AKA Surviving Beijing on a Budget, Mostly):
Day 1: Arrival & The Dreaded Jet Lag… And Dim Sum Dreams (Shattered?!)
- Morning (ish): Land in Beijing. Ugh. The flight. The smell in the airport (seriously, what is that, dumplings and ambition?). My brain feels like scrambled eggs. Pray to the porcelain gods I survive customs. Finding the Hanting Hotel Shangdi… that’s going to be an adventure in itself, I just know it. Hopefully, the taxi driver understands “Shangdi” and doesn't think I'm trying to order a mythical dragon fruit smoothie.
- Midday (ish): Arrive at the Hanting. Okay, first impressions… it’s… Hanting. Clean-ish. Smelling of… neutral, not the worst, that is good. Check-in. Pray I didn't mess up the Mandarin I’ve been painstakingly trying to learn on Duolingo. My biggest fear is messing up the deposit, or my room key, or the free breakfast.
- Afternoon: Nap. A mandatory, epic nap. Jet lag is a beast. (Side note: I packed earplugs and an eye mask. I’m a seasoned traveler… at least, I pretend to be.)
- Late Afternoon/Evening: FOOD. Must. Eat. Dim Sum. The dream. Found a place called "Tasty Dumpling Delight" or something. I Google Mapped it, crossing my fingers it has pictures AND English on the menu. I picture myself inhaling fluffy, perfect bao buns… maybe a little too much.
- Reality Check (or, the Dim Sum Debacle): Okay. So, "Tasty Dumpling Delight" was… not delightful. Or maybe I was just too jet-lagged to appreciate the finer points of Chinese cuisine. Picture this: a dimly lit room, a menu ONLY in Chinese (thank goodness for the translator app!), and a waitress who looked at me like I'd just landed from Mars. I think I ordered something… it tasted vaguely of… cabbage? Let’s just say, my dim sum dreams crashed and burned. I ended up at 7-Eleven gnawing on a stale onigiri. Defeated.
Day 2: The Forbidden City & The Hustle of a Hawker
- Morning: The Forbidden City. This is what I’m here for! I got my ticket online (thank God). I'm going to feel so cultured. I hope I don't get lost in the vastness of it all. Also, pray for good weather. Sun, please, come out.
- Midday: Lunch time! I'll grab something from a street vendor – the REAL Beijing experience. I've been warned about dodgy street food, but hey, YOLO, right?… Maybe. I’ll double-check the sanitation of their food on a scale of 1 to "dodgy".
- Afternoon: Exploring the hutongs. Getting lost is practically mandatory. I hope my phone battery lasts. The best experiences are almost always unplanned, right? (Famous last words.)
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Shopping for souvenirs. Need to find something to bring back for my annoying, but loved cousin. Hopefully, I can bargain. I love a good haggle. It should be fun, and if nothing else, it'll eat up some of the afternoon.
- The Lost in Translation Bust-Up with the Hawker: Right, the Street Food. I found a little gem. A noodle stand. I ordered what looked like the most amazing dumplings (picture perfect, obviously). The vendor… oh, she was an experience. She spoke zero English. I pointed, I gestured, I tried my broken Mandarin. It was a comedy of errors. The dumplings came. They were… spicy. Very spicy. My mouth felt like it was on fire. I think I accidentally called her something rude in English (a complete accident, I swear!). We both laughed (at least I think it was laughter). This is Beijing, baby!
Day 3: The Temple of Heaven… And Karaoke Catastrophe (Potential!)
- Morning: The Temple of Heaven. Another bucket list item. I’ll try to be mindful and appreciate the serenity (though my brain is usually a whirlwind of anxiety and to-do lists). Fingers crossed, I have a spiritual moment.
- Midday: Food! Time to find some interesting dishes I haven't tried, ideally with an English menu. I'd love to find a place where I can chat with some locals, but I'm pretty sure my Mandarin is going to let me down here.
- Afternoon: Back to the hotel for a nap. I'm already starting to feel the fatigue. The hotel will be a welcome relief from the day's hustle.
- Evening: Karaoke. My friend, she's always wanted to do some karaoke. Let's see if my friend will follow me to the karaoke bar. The main goal is to have fun. I'm not a bad singer, but I'm not a good one either. But hey, it’s all a part of the experience, right? Right?!
- The Karaoke Catastrophe: This is where things get interesting. Turns out, my karaoke skills – or lack thereof – are a force of nature. The bar was smoky, the lighting was… questionable, and the song selection was heavily biased towards Mandarin pop songs. I butchered a rendition of… well, let's just say it's best left forgotten. The locals found it endlessly entertaining. I hid behind my friend the entire time, red-faced and mortified.
- The Silver Lining: The Shared Embarrassment: Okay, so maybe there was a silver lining. The shared embarrassment with my friend was bonding. Plus, the guy making the music (who kind of looked like a friendly bear) gave us free shots. He's the best!
- The Karaoke Catastrophe: This is where things get interesting. Turns out, my karaoke skills – or lack thereof – are a force of nature. The bar was smoky, the lighting was… questionable, and the song selection was heavily biased towards Mandarin pop songs. I butchered a rendition of… well, let's just say it's best left forgotten. The locals found it endlessly entertaining. I hid behind my friend the entire time, red-faced and mortified.
Day 4: The Great Wall… and the Long Road Home
- Morning: The Great Wall. This is a must-do. This will be the highlight of the entire trip. The pictures are always incredible. I pre-booked a tour (smart, right?). Can't wait to experience this incredible place with my friend.
- Midday: Lunch at a roadside restaurant near the Great Wall. Pray for edible food. Pray even harder that I can understand the menu.
- Afternoon: Back to the hotel. Last-minute souvenir shopping (because I'm disorganized). Pack. Sigh. (The joy of returning home after a long trip)
- Evening: Depart from Beijing. Farewell delicious, spicy food. Farewell the friendly karaoke man. I'll miss you, China. On the plane, I'll be reflecting on the adventure, the delicious food, the beautiful scenes, the people I met. The good. The bad. The dim sum.
Post Trip…
- Reflections: The Hanting Hotel Shangdi was… fine. A perfectly acceptable place to crash between adventures. The real magic was outside those doors. Beijing is a whirlwind of noise, chaos, and unexpected delights. I might have spent half the time sweating from the chili, but I loved it. I'll definitely be back. Just, next time, I'm bringing a phrasebook AND a translator app. And maybe an extra pair of clothes in case I get lost and end up sleeping on a park bench.
- Final Thoughts: This trip wasn't perfect. There were mishaps, cultural blunders, and moments of pure, unadulterated silliness. But that's what made it unforgettable. Beijing, you magnificent mess, I salute you!
- Things I Learned: How to say "spicy" in Mandarin. How to eat with chopsticks (mostly). And how to embrace the chaos.
Beijing Shangdi Luxury: Uncover Hanting Hotel's Hidden Gems! ...Or Maybe Not?
Okay, Shangdi… Luxury? Hanting? Are we sure about this? I've seen some things…
So, the rooms…what are we *really* dealing with? Because "clean" and "functional" are my minimum requirements.
Breakfast. The ultimate test of a hotel's soul. What's the verdict?
Speaking of staff… are they helpful? Do they speak English? Are they maybe… human?
Location, location, location! Is it actually *convenient* for Shangdi?
Hidden Gems? Spill the tea! Did you find any?
The Verdict: Would you recommend it? Honestly?!
