Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Starway Hotel, Kaifeng's Hidden Gem!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Starway Hotel, Kaifeng's Hidden Gem?! (Or Is It… Let's Get Real!)
Okay, so I'm back. Back from Kaifeng, back from the Starway Hotel, back from a whirlwind of noodles, history, and… well, let's just say "experiences." They call this place a "Hidden Gem," and honestly? It's got some shine, but let's dig beneath the surface, shall we? This isn't your polished corporate review – this is real talk.
Accessibility & Safety – The Things That (Really) Matter:
First things first, the nitty-gritty. Accessibility: The website mentioned wheelchair accessibility. I didn't see it firsthand, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt – hopefully, it extends beyond just the lobby. Elevator? Check. That’s a lifesaver after a day wandering the ancient streets.
Cleanliness and Safety: This is where the Starway shines. In the age of… well, everything that's been going on, they clearly take hygiene seriously. They’ve got all the boxes ticked: Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Professional-grade sanitizing services. I even saw them actively sterilizing equipment. Dude, I felt safer here than I did in my own apartment, seriously. Plus, they offer room sanitization opt-out, which is a nice touch of choice. Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere, and they even removed the shared stationery, which is just smart. Staff trained in safety protocol? I saw them meticulously wiping down surfaces, so I buy it. They also have CCTV in common areas and outside property, fire extinguishers everywhere, and smoke alarms, which is all good.
Getting Around: They're pretty solid on this front. Airport transfer? Check. Car park (free of charge)? Also, check, and it’s on-site so you don't have to hike with your luggage. Taxi service is readily available, and they’ve got valet parking for those who like a little extra flair.
Internet… The Lifeline (or Lack Thereof):
Okay, this is where we hit a slight snag. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! - YES! Internet access – LAN. Well, I tried it. It wasn't blazing fast. Let's just say it was adequate for checking emails, but forget streaming your favorite shows. Wi-Fi in public areas was a little better, but still not consistently amazing. I mean, hey, I could technically upload my travel selfies, which is the important thing, right? (Kidding. Mostly.)
Rooms, Glorious (or Slightly Imperfect) Rooms:
My room? Pretty darn nice. Air conditioning blasting – essential in Kaifeng’s heat. Blackout curtains – yes, please! Coffee/tea maker – bless you! Free bottled water – because hydration is key. In-room safe box – peace of mind. Mini bar – always a temptation. (I may or may not have indulged in a slightly overpriced chocolate bar.) Non-smoking? Of course. (Though I did catch a whiff of something suspicious in the hallway once…)
The bathroom? Bathtub and separate shower/bathtub. Nice. Slippers, towels, toiletries, all the essentials. I especially appreciated the complimentary tea. It was a lifesaver after a long day of exploring the ancient architecture. However, I will say, the window that opens was stuck on mine.. I am not sure whether to fix it but it was ok.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Food Adventures!
This is where things get interesting. Asian cuisine in restaurant and International cuisine in restaurant - check and check! They also have a vegetarian restaurant (important for me). Breakfast was the highlight. A breakfast buffet is the main event, but the Asian breakfast section, in particular, was a revelation. I had more delicious dumplings and noodle soups than I could shake a chopstick at. The coffee/tea in restaurant was decent, not amazing, but sufficient to get me going. The poolside bar - a bonus especially after a warm day.
The room service [24-hour] menu was a lifesaver. And the a la carte in the restaurant allows you to have whatever you want. They even had alternative meal arrangement options for special request.
Now, a confession: The desserts in the restaurant were tempting, but I may have accidentally stumbled into a nearby street food market and demolished way too many deep-fried pastries. (No regrets.)
Things to Do & Ways to Relax? (Spoiler: It's Pretty Good!)
Okay, the fun stuff! And the Starway really delivers here. Let's start with the basics: Swimming pool [outdoor]? Yes! And it's beautiful. Pool with view? Absolutely. Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna and Steamroom? All present and accounted for. I spent a glorious afternoon melting into the hot tub. The foot bath was a welcome treat after pounding the pavement all day.
Massage? Oh, yes. I booked a massage after a full day of exploring, and literally forgot all my problems. The fitness center wasn't huge, but it had enough to get a decent workout in.
Services and Conveniences – Beyond the Basics:
Concierge service, and they were super helpful with directions and recommendations. Daily housekeeping – my room was always spotless. Laundry service, dry cleaning, and ironing service for those of us who like to travel with a mountain of wrinkled t-shirts. Cash withdrawal and currency exchange – convenient! Gift/souvenir shop – for those last-minute purchases.
For the Kids:
Honestly, I didn’t travel with kids, but the hotel seemed pretty family/child friendly. They had babysitting service and it had kids facilities, so if you’re traveling with little ones, you'll be good to go.
The Quirky and the Unexpected:
I encountered a few things that added to the charm, even if unintentionally.
- One morning, I walked into the restaurant and witnessed a full-blown sing-along of patriotic Chinese songs. Unexpected, but delightful.
- The service wasn't always perfect, but the staff was always genuinely trying.
- I may have accidentally left a pair of socks in the sauna. (My bad.)
- The shrine on the property was a serene and unexpected touch. I'm not a religious person, but it was a peaceful place to pause and reflect.
The Honest Verdict:
The Starway Hotel in Kaifeng? It's a solid choice. It's not perfect, but it's comfortable, clean, and offers a fantastic range of amenities. The staff is gracious, the location is excellent, and the safety and hygiene standards are top-notch. The food is great. Some of the internet hiccups and imperfections were ok.
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Starway Hotel – Book Now and Experience Kaifeng's Magic (and Get a Bonus!):
Here's the deal:
- Book your stay within the next 48 hours and receive a FREE upgrade to a room with a view!
- Plus, get a complimentary bottle of local Kaifeng wine upon arrival!
- And, because I love you, use code "KAIFENGGEM" when booking and get a 10% discount on your spa treatment!
Why? Because the Starway is a great springboard to experience all the other amazing things Kaifeng has to offer.
Don't wait. Book your escape to Kaifeng and prepare to be charmed! (Just maybe bring a good book, in case the Wi-Fi acts up.)
Shenyang's Hidden Gem: Starway Hotel Review (Tiexi Baogong Street)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause this ain't your grandma's perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is my trip to the Starway Hotel in the Xiangfu District of Kaifeng, China. And honestly? It's already shaping up to be a glorious mess.
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Noodles of Uncertainty
14:00 - Landed in Zhengzhou, China (Kinda. Well, more like, I finally cleared customs.) Jet lag? More like a full-body tremor of exhaustion mixed with existential dread. Trying to find the airport shuttle was a hilarious (and horrifying) adventure. Let's just say my Mandarin skills are… developing. Managed to flag down a taxi using a combination of frantic hand gestures and desperate pleading. The driver looked like he'd seen it all, and probably had.
17:00 - Arrived at Starway Hotel Kaifeng Xiangfu District. (Hallelujah!) Okay, first impressions? The lobby is… functional. Not exactly "Instagram-worthy," but the air conditioning WORKS, and that's all that mattered at that point. The check-in process went relatively smoothly, which is a win in my book. The front desk person was incredibly helpful, bless her heart. I stumbled upon a tiny, hand-drawn map of the area on the counter -- score!
18:00 - Food hunt commence! The stomach rumbled. This called for…noodles! I read somewhere about Kaifeng's street food. Armed with a map and Google Translate, I ventured forth into the unknown! Found a noodle shop a few blocks away. The menu was a glorious tapestry of characters I couldn't decipher. Pointing and gesturing it is.
18:30 (ish?) - Noodle-palooza! My noodles arrived. The sheer size of the portion was intimidating. They were swimming in a broth that was simultaneously spicy and salty and umami-bomb-tastic. I think I also ordered a side of, like, pickled cucumbers? Honestly? I have no idea what half of it was, but it was GOOD, really good. A wave of pure culinary joy washed over me. I got super messy. Noodles were dripping. Sauce on my shirt. But I was in heaven. The local couple was in their own world of comfort there. It felt so real.
20:00 - Attempted a gentle stroll. Ate way too much. My stomach felt like I swallowed a small bouncy castle. Decided to attempt a leisurely walk to "digest." Got horribly lost. Ended up staring at a fish market. The fish were…well…a bit fishy. Decided to retreat back to the hotel and collapse.
Day 2: Emperors, Temples & a Brush with History (and a Severe Case of Sunstroke? Maybe?)
09:00 - Rise and (very) slow, deliberate shine. Woke up with a sunstroke. I wasn't thinking smart yesterday, and the sun did a number on me. I’m not the best at drinking water, but I am now. I was really dehydrated, but I had some good sleep through the night and came back to life.
10:00 - Visited the Millennium City Park. The main attraction, the Qingming Shanghe Park, was breathtaking! The sheer scale of the place, the detailed recreations of historical Kaifeng… truly impressive. Lost my sunglasses. Swore a lot. Took about a thousand pictures.
12:00 - Lunch: Food Stall Frenzy. I was starving. Found a food stall with some kind of deep-fried dough sticks. They were greasy and delicious and totally not nutritious in any way. Perfect. Watched a street performer playing the erhu, a two-stringed Chinese violin. The music was haunting and beautiful and made me feel… things. Like, deeply, profoundly touristy. And I was okay with it.
14:00 - Fan Ta Si Temple. Okay, so I'm not really a "temple person" per se, but the Fan Ta Si Temple. The tower felt so real. You could feel the stories around you. And let me tell you, Climbing up those stairs was a serious workout, made my legs scream. The view from the top? Worth every single, aching, prayer.
16:00- The Old Quarter Hustle. Got lost in the maze-like streets of the Old Quarter, which was the prettiest place I had been in for a long time. So many shops selling trinkets I didn't need. But still, wandered. Saw a woman making paper cuts, and the intricate detail blew my mind. This is just amazing.
18:00 - Supper is for the hungry. My stomach was still in recovery from the noodle incident of day one. Found a small restaurant this time. The waiter was incredibly patient with my attempts to order, but I eventually got what I wanted (I think!). Another delicious, mysterious meal.
19:00 - Back to the hotel. I'm exhausted, sunburnt, and probably have a small piece of fried dough stuck in my teeth. Perfect end to the day. I will definitely sleep.
Day 3: The Market & the Farewell Feast of Regret
09:00 - The Morning Market (and More Food!). This market was something else. Everything from live chickens to beautifully woven baskets. I wandered. And found a stall selling freshly squeezed orange juice. Pure, unadulterated, vitamin C bliss. My sunglasses have still not turned up.
11:00 - "Regretful Feast" I went back to the noodle house. I ordered the same thing. The same noodles. The same deliciousness. I think I'm going to miss this place.
13:00 - Pack and Goodbye. I'm leaving. Kaifeng was amazing. The food. The people. The utter chaos. I feel like I needed another week.
14:00 - Goodbye Kaifeng. Back to the airport. I already want to come back.
Final Thoughts:
Traveling isn't always pretty. It's not always organized. Sometimes you get lost. Sometimes you eat something that gives you stomach cramps. Sometimes you almost die of dehydration. But it's always, ALWAYS, an experience. Kaifeng, you beautiful, messy, noodle-filled wonder, you were a glorious, chaotic, unforgettable journey. You are a memory I will never forget, but I'll still miss you.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Garden Awaits in Vendeuil, France!
So You Think You're Ready for the Starway Hotel? (Spoiler: Maybe Not!) A Messy FAQ
Okay, okay, what *is* this Starway Hotel business anyway? Sounds fancy. Is it actually fancy?
Fancy? Honey, that's the *selling point*. They *say* fancy. I went in expecting something… well, you know, *real*. Think… like, your great-aunt's dusty Victorian mansion that's had a facelift, but the cracks are still showing. That's the Starway. They *try* to be opulent. Marble floors? Check. Chandeliers that probably cost more than my student loans? Double check. But the illusion… it wavers. You'll see what I mean.
Right, so… Kaifeng? Where even *is* that? And why'd you pick it? Was it the Starway's fault?
Kaifeng? Central China. Land of… well, history, mostly. Think less glitz, more… noodles. I went because I was trying to escape my ex. Don't judge! Travel therapy, people. And the Starway popped up in search as a "luxury" option. I was vulnerable. I wanted marble. I *needed* marble. And the hotel's website? Oh, the website! Let me just say, photos can lie… a lot.
Let's get to the money shot. The rooms. Are they actually… luxurious? Spill the tea!
Okay, fine. The rooms. Okay, so… picture this: You walk in, and BAM, it's… big. Like, *really* big. Like, "I could get lost in here" big. The bed? King-sized. Or maybe it was a small aircraft carrier. Anyway, the sheets were, thankfully, crisp. But then you look *closer*… the wallpaper? Peeling in one corner. The TV? Probably older than I am. And the bathroom… the bathroom was a *saga*. The shower took approximately five minutes to warm up, and then, inevitably, turned scalding before you could even say "luxury". One time, I was taking a shower and then suddenly, the shower head *started rotating*. I mean, it was doing a full 360. I swear, I thought the apocalypse was coming. And I’m still not sure who was more shocked, me or the shower-head…
Food! Gotta know about the food! I'm a big foodie, after all. Is it any good? Are there any… quirks?
The food… ah, the food. Alright, the breakfast buffet was… an experience. Let's just say, if you're not into congee at 7 am, you're going to be in a *bad* mood. There was also a mysterious dish that looked suspiciously like grey pudding every morning. I *think* it was supposed to be oatmeal? Maybe? I steered clear. But, the *staff* in the restaurant… bless their hearts, they were so smiley and sweet! One of the waiters, bless him, kept trying to refill my coffee even when I had a whole pot. I think he was just being nice but it started to feel a little… invasive. And let's not forget the language barrier. Pointing is your friend. And praying you don't accidentally order a plate of something you *really* didn't want to eat is also a good strategy. I’m still not sure what "mystery meat" was. Ignorance is bliss, right?
So, what about the service? Are the staff friendly and helpful? Can they actually, you know, *handle* things?
Okay, this is a HUGE mixed bag. The staff? Mostly lovely! They try *so* hard. But… the "handling" part? Well, let's just say there was a slight… disconnect. For example, one time the elevator broke down. Okay, fine, things happen. But then it stayed broken. *For hours*. I had to walk up six flights with my luggage. And then, the power went out. And then, there were no clear instructions on what to do. I felt like I was trapped in some poorly-written disaster movie. I was so hot (Kaifeng heat is brutal), I was sweating buckets, and my luggage was heavy. But, that said, I think I'll always remember the cleaning lady. God bless her. She always tried to speak with me even if we didn't understand a word each other were saying. She seemed genuinely confused by my luggage taking up half the room, though
Did anything crazy happen? Any memorable moments beyond the rotating shower?
Oh, you want crazy? Okay... I'll tell you one. I was there during a karaoke convention, let's just say the hotel *thrummed.* Picture this: every evening, from about 7 pm until the early hours of the morning, the entire hotel reverberated with the sound of… well, karaoke. And not the, like, *good* kind. Imagine a thousand caterwauling voices competing for space in your skull. I swear the windows were vibrating. It was… an experience. I eventually invested in industrial-strength earplugs, but even then, it seeped through. I spent three days in a fugue state, barely able to function. It was glorious, in a deeply disturbing way. And I'm now convinced I can hold a note. I'm clearly not alone in that belief.
Okay, so… the big question: Would you recommend the Starway Hotel? Or is it a total disaster?
Listen. The Starway Hotel is… well, it's a *thing*. It's not the flawless nirvana of luxury it pretends to be. It's got flaws, big ones. It's got quirks that will make you laugh, and quirks that will make you want to scream. But… would I recommend it? Honestly? Maybe. If you go in with REALLY low expectations, and a good sense of humor, you might actually have a story to tell. Just… pack earplugs. And, seriously, check the shower head situation before you unpack. You're welcome.
But… if I *do* go, what should I *really* expect?
Expect the unexpected. Expect the slightly dusty veneer of "luxury." Expect a staff who are trying their best, and a hotel that's *trying* to be amazing but just… quite isn't. Expect to laugh. Expect maybe a little frustration. But most of all? Expect to remember it. It's an experience, alright. Not necessarily a good experience, but an experience. Oh yeah… and bring extra toilet paper. Just trust me on that one.
Any tips? Any final words of… advice?
Okay, so… tips? Deep breaths. Seriously. AndHotel Safari
