Chuangchun's BEST Hotel Near Northeast Normal University? (Hanting Hotel Review!)
Chuangchun's BEST Hotel Near Northeast Normal University? The Hanting Hotel Review! (Spoiler Alert: It's Complicated.)
Right, so, let's get real. I needed a hotel close to Northeast Normal University. Like, yesterday. And the Hanting Hotel near the campus kept popping up. Google maps? Yep. Travel websites? You betcha. So, with a weary sigh (and a backpack full of questionable snacks), I booked it. Here's the lowdown, the good, the bad, and the utterly baffling of this Hanting adventure.
Accessibility (Or, How Well Does This Place Cater to the… Less Nimble?)
Okay, so the hotel claims accessibility. We'll get back to that "claims" bit. There is an elevator. Hallelujah! Though, I'm not sure it's the most reliable elevator I've ever encountered. (More on this later.) I think the idea of wheelchair accessibility is present. I saw some ramps. Whether they're actually practical for a wheelchair? I can't say with certainty, but I'd advise calling ahead to double-check. Honestly, I had a moment of real concern; I was carrying a backpack and almost bumped into the elevator - and the door almost got stuck! Made me wonder if the doors will open…
…And the Hotel’s Biggest Secret: The Room!
The room, bless its heart, was…a room. It had a bed which I’d say was the biggest luxury, and a desk. The desk, honestly, felt a little… sticky. I wiped it down with a wet wipe (because, let’s be honest, who doesn't carry wet wipes on their travels?). The curtains! Blackout curtains! A lifesaver in the eternal grey of a Chuangchun winter. The toilet… well, let’s just say it did what it was supposed to do. The shower? Adequate.
Internet & Tech (The Wobbly World of Wi-Fi)
"Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" the website screamed. Ha! Laughter is my only solace. The Wi-Fi was… spotty. I'm talking more "signal strength of a dying goldfish" than "blazing fast internet." Connecting was a pain. Staying connected? An even bigger pain. I ended up tethering off my phone most of the time, which ate into my data plan faster than I could say "Chuangchun winter blues." The LAN connection? Forget about it. Never even attempted the mess.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking (Fueling the Adventure)
Let’s talk about the food. Breakfast? Included. Buffet style? Yup. International cuisine? Sure, if your definition of international includes slightly watery scrambled eggs and mystery meat that might be sausage. I stuck to the Western breakfast (toast, coffee, the aforementioned eggs). There was a coffee shop, but I’m pretty sure the coffee was instant. There are also restaurants at the hotel with Asian cuisine. However, I didn't try. A bottle of water was a nice touch, though.
Cleanliness and Safety (Feeling Safe in This Place)
This is where the Hanting Hotel actually shines. The room, while not sparkling, felt clean. They’re clearly taking the whole COVID thing seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff wearing masks religiously. Daily disinfection in common areas. All good, all reassuring. Seeing the staff cleaning common areas during the day and the rooms after the guests left was a plus.
Services and Conveniences (The Good, The Bad, and the Utterly Weird)
Okay, so, they had daily housekeeping. Excellent. They had a concierge (I think? I never actually saw one). They had a laundry service. This is where things get a little… strange. The laundry service was like a time warp. Took about three days to get my clothes back. I asked several times, that's why I remember it. And the staff? Well, let’s just say their English wasn’t exactly fluent. Communication was an adventure, a fun adventure sometimes. And yes, there is a cash withdrawal.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Or, What Else is There to Avoid?)
Pool with a view? Spa? Sauna? Gym? (I’m still laughing). Now that the hotel is far from the university, it may have a pool and sauna, which I couldn’t find. There wasn’t much in the way of relaxation, unless you count staring out the window at the bleak Chuangchun landscape as a form of meditation. A fitness center was nearby, but not for you…
For the Kids (This Ain't Exactly Disneyland)
Family/child friendly? Yes. But in a "we have a room big enough to put a kid in" kind of way. Babysitting service? Doubtful. Kids' facilities? Nope. It’s a very functional hotel, not a family holiday destination.
Getting Around (The Art of Not Getting Lost)
Taxi service? They can arrange one. Airport transfer? Yep. Car park on-site? Free. All pretty standard. Getting in and out of the hotel was easy.
In-Room Amenities (The Little Things)
My room had air conditioning (thank god!). A hair dryer (another blessing). A mini-bar (empty, as usual). An in-room safe (that I didn't trust.) The television had a million channels but everything was in Chinese. I didn't even bother playing it to not be able to understand. The coffee/tea maker was a basic kettle situation. Wake-up service worked. Slippers were a nice touch. Overall, pretty standard.
Now, the REALLY Messy Stuff: My Personal Hanting Horror Story (And Why You NEED to Know This)
The elevator. Oh, the elevator. It was a saga. I got stuck in it. I wasn’t being funny, I wasn't being dramatic. I. Got. Stuck. For about ten interminable minutes. The doors creaked shut. The lights flickered. I pressed the emergency button (which didn't work). I pounded on the door. I considered my life choices. Eventually, a staff member (who, bless her heart, looked as bewildered as I felt) managed to pry the doors open. I scrambled out, heart hammering, feeling like I'd aged a decade. The staff member just shrugged. “Sometimes, the elevator…” she trailed off. Yeah, sometimes the elevator… eats you. I was thankful… I went straight back to my room and had some of those questionable snacks I mentioned. I didn't take the elevator again for the rest of my stay.
The Verdict: Should YOU Stay Here?
It's a mixed bag, folks. On the one hand, the price is right. It's near the university. The cleanliness is a plus. But the Wi-Fi is abysmal, the elevator is potentially a death trap, and the general vibe is… functional. Not exactly "luxury." Do not make the mistake I did by booking this hotel thinking this place would be great. It isn't. I'm going to be frank: if you're looking for a basic, budget-friendly hotel near Northeast Normal University and you're prepared for some quirks, then the Hanting Hotel might be okay. Just… be prepared to walk up the stairs, and bring your own entertainment (and a good book). And maybe… a parachute, just in case.
In short, I'm not sure I'll stay there again. And perhaps, you shouldn't either.
Shanghai's HOTTEST Hotel Near Jiangning Rd Metro?! (Ji Hotel Review!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's travel itinerary. We're going to Changchun, China, and we're staying at the Hanting Hotel on Renmin Da Street… next to Northeast Normal University, which sounds about as exciting as watching paint dry, right? Wrong. Prepare for a hot mess of emotions, questionable decisions, and the absolute glory that is travel.
Changchun Chaos: Hanting Hotel & Beyond (Get Ready to Rumble)
Day 1: Arrival, Jet Lag, and Questionable Noodles
- Morning (7:00 AM): Ugh, the flight. Let's just say I survived the cramped seats, the questionable airplane food (seriously, what was that?), and the guy next to me who snored like a walrus gargling rocks. Finally, Changchun! The airport seemed… well, normal. Expected a bit more futuristic flair, to be honest.
- Mid-Morning (10:00 AM): Taxi ride to the Hanting Hotel. The city whizzed by. So many high-rises! The driver spoke… a little English. Enough to mostly understand my frantic, "Hotel? Hanting?" I think.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Check-in at the Hanting. The lobby was… functional. Not exactly the Ritz, but clean enough. The desk clerk seemed utterly bored, but hey, I'm jet-lagged, so who am I to judge? Found the elevator, which thankfully worked. Room: Small. Clean. Adequate. Basic. I'm already sensing a theme with this hotel.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): The Hunger Games. Time to find food! Wander out into the street. The street food aromas were… overwhelming. So many smells, I couldn't decipher which direction to go. I went with the busiest place, probably because it must be the most popular, right?
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Ordered something. I think I pointed at a picture. Noodles. I couldn't understand the menu. The woman smiled, which I appreciated. Ate the noodles. They were… interesting. Chewy. Brothy. Spiced with something that made my nose run. Maybe it was the jet lag? Regardless, ate them anyway. They weren't anything like the ramen I was used to.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM): Walked around. The area around the hotel… busy. Cars, people, scooters zipping everywhere. Felt like I was in a video game. Got lost. Felt a moment of panic (what if I can't find the hotel again? Did I make any meaningful connections with anybody yet?). People stared. I stared back.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Back at the hotel. Passed out. Jet lag won. Dreamt of questionable noodles and flashing neon signs.
Day 2: Northeast Normal University & The Mysterious Bookstore
- Morning (9:00 AM): Woke up. Surprised I slept well. The bed at the Hanting is not as bad as I thought. Decided to tackle Northeast Normal University. Now, I'm no scholar, but the campus was HUGE! Huge. And beautiful, actually. The architecture was impressive.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Wandered around campus. Watched some students playing badminton. They were good! Made me feel… inadequate. There are so many people here!
- Mid-day (12:00 PM): Found a… bookstore? It was next to a little cafe. I don't speak Chinese but the pictures were promising. Went inside. This is where it got weird. The place was filled with books (obviously), but the air felt… heavy. Like secrets and unread novels. There was a scent of old paper and… incense? It felt like a vortex, pulling me in.
- (12:30 PM): My inner voice said "Get a book!"
- (1:00 PM): Attempted to find English books. Failed. I ended up buying a book with lots of pictures because I couldn't read the title.
- (1:30 PM): Bought some coffee. I was glad to do it.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Lunch. Found what looked like a dumpling shop. Pointed at a picture again. Dumplings! Glorious, juicy dumplings. My taste buds are in heaven.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Journaling. This place makes me feel all kinds of things. Confused. Excited. Slightly terrified.
- Evening (7:00 PM): TV! Found a channel with Chinese dramas. Couldn't understand anything, but the acting was… intense. And the outfits! Oh, the outfits!
Day 3: The Museum, The Market, and The Unexpected Karaoke
- Morning (9:00 AM): Decided to visit the Puppet Emperor's Palace. The history is… heavy. The whole experience was a bit overwhelming. So much information, and the story is tragic. It really makes you think.
- Mid-day (12:00 PM): Lunch. Found a street vendor selling something that looked like fried pancakes. Yes. Always yes.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): The market! A sensory overload! Loud, chaotic, wonderful. Everything from clothes to electronics to… live chickens. Haggled over a souvenir and felt like a total badass.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Back at the hotel. Nap time. The day was exhausting, but in the best way possible.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Okay, remember how I said I wasn't a karaoke person? Well… let's just say a group of locals dragged me along. Didn't understand the lyrics. Sing along badly. Somehow end up doing a duet with this amazing lady who belted out a song like it was her profession. It was the most joyful, silly, and unexpected experience. I felt happy. Real connection. And let's just say I saw myself in a mirror and probably could barely recognize that person.
Day 4: Departure & Reflections (and a Vow to Learn Some Mandarin)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Woke up… regretting a little of last night's karaoke. But, man, was that awesome. Packed my bags. Said goodbye to the almost-too-simple room at the Hanting. The shower still worked, after all.
- Mid-day (11:00 AM): Taxi to the airport. Changchun, you were… a revelation.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Flight. Reflecting. The "mystery" book is now in my bag. I'm definitely going to try to read it. Realized I experienced all the things I wanted and didn't expect to experience. So much more than a list of places you visit. Real human connection.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Home! Exhausted but completely invigorated. Vowing to learn at least a few basic Mandarin phrases before my next trip. This is probably not the last time I will visit.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Already planning my return.
Important Notes:
- Language: Learn some basic Chinese phrases! It'll make your life a million times easier. Really.
- Food: Be adventurous! Try everything. You might hate some of it, but you'll have stories.
- Culture: Be respectful of the local culture. Observe and learn.
- The Hanting Hotel: It's basic, but it's a place to sleep. Don't expect luxury.
- Expect the Unexpected: Travel is messy. Embrace the chaos. That's where the magic happens.
This is just a framework, a suggestion. Go out there, get lost, make mistakes, laugh, and experience Changchun. It might surprise you. And don't forget to tell me all about it when you're done! I want to live vicariously through your own chaotic adventure!
Escape to Avignon: Medieval Majesty Awaits at Le Palais des Papes!
Chuangchun's BEST Hotel Near Northeast Normal University? (Hanting Hotel Review - Hold My Beer!)
Okay, spill. Is the Hanting Hotel near Northeast Normal University *actually* good? Like, REALLY good?
What's the location like? Seriously, is it actually *near* the uni?
The rooms... are they... clean? I'm asking the important questions.
What about the breakfast? Is the breakfast an actual thing? And is it edible?
Are there any hidden fees or things to watch out for?
What's the staff like? Are they… helpful? (or at least not actively trying to sabotage your stay?)
Okay, best story time. What's the MOST memorable thing that happened to you during your stay? Let's hear it.
Would you *actually* recommend it? Be honest!
