Nanjing's Hidden Gem: Hanting Hotel Hexi Jiqingmen Street Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Nanjing's Hanting Hotel Hexi Jiqingmen Street: My Soulmate and Me, and a Whole Lot of Sanitizer (You Won't Believe This!)
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause I'm about to spill the tea on the Hanting Hotel Hexi Jiqingmen Street in Nanjing. And let me tell you, it's more than just a hotel; it's a vibe. Think of this more like a rambling diary entry, fueled by a potent mix of jet lag and an unnerving amount of hand sanitizer. I'm usually a seasoned traveler, always chasing the flashy, the Instagrammable. But sometimes, you just need a functional, clean, and relatively cheap place to crash. This Hanting? Yeah, it delivered, with a surprise or two thrown in for good measure.
First Impressions & Accessibility (The Basics, but Crucial!)
Okay, let's get the boring stuff out of the way. Accessibility: The hotel boasts an elevator (thank goodness!), and I vaguely recall seeing some facilities for disabled guests. But honestly, navigating the place with heavy luggage felt like a workout anyway. The exterior corridor setup gives it this slightly… utilitarian feel? Like a spaceport or something. CCTV in common areas and outside property are present and accounted for which felt comforting. Check-in/out [express] was a welcome bonus after a long flight.
Internet Access: My Love/Hate Affair
Thank. Freaking. God for Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! It's a lifeline, people. Especially for a digital nomad like myself. The Internet access – wireless was generally fine (see, I'm already holding back on the superlatives!), though I did have a moment of sheer panic one morning when the connection cut out during a crucial video call. The Internet [LAN] was also available, but who uses those anymore?
The Cleanliness Crusade (Post-COVID):
Okay, this is where Hanting really shines. The Anti-viral cleaning products were working overtime. They were like the hotel's personal superheroes. Every surface gleamed. They had this whole Rooms sanitized between stays thing going on, which, let's be honest, is comforting in a post-pandemic world. They really seemed to follow a lot of Hygiene certification rules; even with some Individual-wrapped food options. I mean, I saw the cleaning crew spraying more sanitizer than I'd used in a year! The Daily disinfection in common areas and Professional-grade sanitizing services were evident. And while I didn't see any of the Sterilizing equipment during my stay, I had the feeling they were there. They even offered optional Room sanitization opt-out available, which I appreciated because, at some point, you just want to touch things without feeling like you need to scrub your hands for 10 minutes afterwards. They offered Staff trained in safety protocol which made me feel good. They also had Hand sanitizer stationed everywhere, and they were serious about the Physical distancing of at least 1 meter - this was a serious business.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (A Culinary Adventure…Sort Of)
The Breakfast [buffet]… okay, let's be brutally honest, it was… functional. I mean, you weren't going to starve. They have Asian breakfast. It didn’t exactly set my taste buds on fire. But hey, it was food. You could get Breakfast takeaway service which was nice.There was a Coffee shop (blessedly), but the coffee was… well, let's just say it wasn't Italian-level. I'm a Coffee/tea in restaurant kind of gal, and I drank an uncomfortable amount. They also offered Western breakfast and Asian cuisine in restaurant. There was a Snack bar, which came in handy after the aforementioned coffee overload. Did I see any Desserts in restaurant? Probably, but I was too busy contemplating the meaning of life (and the lack of decent coffee) to notice. It was okay. They did have Bottle of water which was a lifesaver and a Poolside bar, even if it was closed when I wanted a drink. They have Restaurants and a Bar, and Room service [24-hour], so I guess you can eat a lot of things! The Buffet in restaurant had a lot of options.
My Glorious, Glorious Room
Now THIS is where the Hanting actually impressed. It offered every thing I needed. The Air conditioning worked perfectly. The Air conditioning in public area worked great also. The Blackout curtains, people! Pure heaven! I slept like a freakin' baby. The Closet was adequate. I had a Desk that wasn’t wobbly. The Free bottled water was a godsend, especially after my coffee binge. And the Wi-Fi [free] was a constant, reliable companion. Now, the extra long bed was not extra long for me but it was a nice plus! The Bathroom phone made me laugh, because who uses a bathroom phone these days? The Bathtub was super clean and well maintained. The Bed was a very comfortable one and came with Bathroom and a Private bathroom. I really liked the Coffee/tea maker and the Refrigerator which helped store my snacks. There were Satellite/cable channels on the TV and a Shower with great water pressure. The Soundproof rooms made sure the outside sounds did not bother me. The Complimentary tea was a nice gesture. The Desk was perfect for my laptop. The Extra long bed was so comfortable. The In-room safe box was a relief, as I always worry about my stuff. The Laptop workspace and Reading light also were useful. The Mirror made getting ready much easier. The Separate shower/bathtub and Shower were a real treat, as they offered a great space to relax. I found the Slippers and Towels to be very useful. The Wake-up service was really convenient, and the Window that opens added a nice touch . There were some non-smoking rooms which kept the place fresh
The "Things to Do" (Beyond Sleeping and Sanity)
Okay, this is where my review takes a slight detour. Things to do? Well, there's a Fitness center. I glanced in once. It looked…gym-y. I did not partake. I’d rate the Gym/fitness a solid 'meh.' They have a Spa/sauna which may be good to have, and if you like it, it'd be useful. There is a Spa. If you actually want to enjoy a Massage, this might be a decent option. I didn't investigate; I was mainly focused on surviving. They had Swimming pool and a Swimming pool [outdoor]. I did not use them. I'm pretty sure someone had a Body scrub and a Body wrap, so if you want extra TLC… The Sauna and Steamroom were also tempting.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter)
The 24-hour Front desk [24-hour] was appreciated! They also got Daily housekeeping in on the reg. So clean. The Laundry service also was a welcome plus. They offered Car park [free of charge]. The Car park [on-site] was also available. The Cash withdrawal was a great convenience. Concierge service was nice to have. They provided Dry cleaning. They had Gift/souvenir shop to purchase something fun. The Ironing service was good. You also can store your Luggage storage. They also had Safety deposit boxes to keep your belongings. They also offered Smoking area with plenty of room. They also included Taxi service. The Elevator helped a lot. The Daily housekeeping kept the place in great condition. The availability of Facilities for disabled guests was a relief to see. There were Essential condiments available.
For the Kids (I Didn't See Any, But They Seemed Prepared!)
They have a Babysitting service and Family/child friendly rooms. Pretty chill.
Safety First, Always…
They have CCTV in common areas, Exterior corridor. I love the Check-in/out [express]. There's a Fire extinguisher and always Front desk [24-hour]. The Non-smoking rooms are great, it can be a Proposal spot; The Safety/security feature were on point. The Security [24-hour] can make people feel relaxed. The Smoke alarms work well and the Soundproof rooms are great to have. It's a good Hotel chain.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back? Look, the Hanting
George & the Dragon: UK's BEST Denture Clinic? (Shocking Truth Inside!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. We're diving HARD into a Hanting Hotel experience in Nanjing, China. This is NOT your polished, perfect travel blog. This is raw, messy, and probably involves me losing my phone at least twice. Let's get this show on the road…
Nanjing Shenanigans: A Hanting Hotel Adventure (and a probable existential crisis)
Day 1: Arrival, Relief, and Ramen Regret.
1:00 PM: Arrive at Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG). The air is thick with that sweet, slightly-polluted smell of China. It’s familiar, in a way. Like a slightly dusty memory of a summer romance. Find the airport's currency exchange counter, feel scammed, and immediately contemplate a life of bartering on the black market with my limited Mandarin.
2:30 PM: Taxi to Hanting Hotel Nanjing Hexi Jiqingmen Street. Hexi Jiqingmen Street… try saying that five times fast after 14 gruelling hours of flight. The cab driver, bless his cotton socks (!), seems to know where he's going, thankfully. The whole journey is a blur of neon lights, scooters weaving like drunken fireflies, and a general sense of controlled chaos. This is exhilarating, terrifying and I love it all.
3:30 PM: Check-in at Hanting. Ooof, the lobby is…well, it's definitely a Hanting lobby. Clean, functional, and vaguely reminiscent of a hospital waiting room. The receptionist is efficient, bordering on robotic. Do they ever smile in this place? I wonder if they're secretly plotting world domination through perfectly folded towels. I ask for a room with a view, because, why not? Get a view of a car park ðŸ˜. No matter.
4:00 PM: Room check. Standard Hanting fare: small, clean, and boasting that lovely, slightly-musty smell that permeates every budget hotel in Asia. Decide instantly that I am not going to be getting close and personal with the bedsheets in this place. Check the wifi. Working, thankfully. Commence a mental battle with jet lag.
5:00 PM: The Ramen Rendezvous of Doom. Okay, this is where things went south. Found a little ramen place nearby the hotel. Looked promising, packed with locals, the magic ingredients for deliciousness. Ordered what I thought was a simple pork ramen. WRONG. The broth was oily, the noodles were like rubber bands, and the pork? Well, let's just say it tasted like… I'm not even sure what it tasted like. A philosophical contemplation of the very nature of food followed. I barely ate a thing. Walked back to the hotel feeling deflated and slightly nauseous.
8:00 PM: Crawl into bed. Netflix binge-watching. Resolve to find better food tomorrow, or die trying.
Day 2: The Temple of Doubts (and Dim Sum Delight)
9:00 AM: Wake up with that lovely "I'm-in-a-completely-different-country-and-mildly-hungover" feeling. Scoping out breakfast possibilities. I will be brave, dammit! I am going to eat the (probably mysterious) hotel breakfast.
9:30 AM: Hotel breakfast. It was…an experience. The "porridge" tasted like wallpaper paste. The "sausage" was an unnerving shade of pink. The coffee? Let's just say it could curdle paint. Lesson learned: stick to bananas and instant noodles.
10:00 AM: Head out to explore the Linggu Temple. The taxi ride from the hotel was actually quite pleasant. It's a lovely, traditional temple complex, serene and beautiful. The architecture is simply stunning. It's a feast for the eyes, the sort of place you can lose yourself for hours in, just wandering, taking in the details, and getting a profound sense of the history of the place. The scale is enormous and I stood in the middle of the courtyard for what felt like an eternity, watching the monks go about their duties. I felt ridiculously small, and incredibly privileged to be there.
1:00 PM: Lunch (the redemption arc begins!!). Found a dim sum place, thank god. This place restored my faith in humanity, and, more importantly, my stomach. The steamed buns were pillowy soft, the dumplings bursting with flavour, even the fried wontons were light and airy. Ate far too much, experienced a food coma, and contemplated booking a permanent residence nearby.
3:00 PM: Stroll through the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall. Okay, a sobering experience, obviously. Powerful, moving, and emotionally draining. This isn't something you can just "pop into" and then forget about. I wept. I felt a profound sense of sadness, outrage, and a renewed appreciation for the life I have. If you’re in Nanjing, you have to go. It's essential.
5:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Contemplating a shower. The existential dread of the shower. Do I bring my phone in? Will it get wet? Is life even worth a shower?
6:00 PM: Decided to walk to a nearby shopping mall. More neon. More scooters. Managed to buy a bottle of water and a packet of Pringles before deciding that I'd had enough sensory overload for one day.
7:00 PM: Back in the Hanting. Netflix binge again. Feeling a profound connection to the hotel room now. It's my safe haven.
Day 3: The Wall, the River, and a Very Long Wait
9:00 AM: Another dreadful breakfast… I was starting to get tired of the blandness.
10:00 AM: Taking a taxi to the City Wall. The taxi driver seemed to know what he was doing, but I was starting to get that paranoid feeling of being taken for a ride (literally).
11:00 AM: The City Wall, finally. It's huge, impressive, and offers amazing views of the city. Walked along the wall for hours, feeling like a tiny ant on a gigantic, ancient spine. The history is palpable. Imagined all the battles and sieges that took place here.
1:00 PM: Went for a walk along the Yangtze River. The wind was blowing strong. The river is wide and impressive, reminding you that China is a giant. Was watching the boats coming and going, reflecting on the immensity of space and the insignificance of one solitary traveler.
3:00 PM: Tried to find authentic Nanjing duck restaurant. The restaurant was so busy. Waited for ages! And when the duck finally arrived, it was… well, okay, I give up. It was tasty. But was it worth the wait? Maybe. Maybe not.
6:00 PM: The Hanting Hotel beckons. The allure of the Netflix has become irresistible.
7:00 PM: Another Netflix binge. I fear my brain has turned to mush.
Day 4: Departure and the bittersweet symphony of leaving
9:00 AM: One last, soul-crushing breakfast. The porridge. My nemesis.
10:00 AM: Check out of Hanting. The robotic receptionist actually cracked the tiniest, most imperceptible smile. Maybe I imagined it. Maybe I'm going mad.
11:00 AM: Taxi to the airport. Goodbye Nanjing, goodbye Hanting. It's been… an experience. I've been challenged, frustrated, delighted, and occasionally disgusted. I feel like I've seen a glimpse of a world that's both chaotic and beautiful.
3:00 PM: Arrived back home. Feel jet-lagged, vaguely traumatized, and already daydreaming about the next adventure… and the first proper, amazing, home-cooked meal. I'm thinking Indian.
Okay, spill it. Is the Hanting Hotel Hexi Jiqingmen Street truly a "hidden gem"? Or is that clickbait?
Let’s talk about the *location*. Is it actually convenient? I’m not looking to walk for miles.
The *room* itself. Is it clean? Like, *really* clean? Because I have standards.
Tell me about the *staff*. Are they helpful, or do I need to brush up on my Mandarin?
What’s the *Wi-Fi* situation? Important for social media, of course…
Breakfast? Is there one? And is it any good?
What about the *surrounding area*? Anything interesting nearby? Food? Nightlife?
Okay, let’s be brutally honestCheap Hotel Search
