Beijing's Hidden Gem: Hanting Hotel Guanganmen - Unbeatable Luxury!
Beijing's Hidden Gem: Hanting Hotel Guanganmen - UNBEATABLE Luxury?! (My Chaotic Review!)
Okay, so I've just clawed my way out of the Hanting Hotel Guanganmen in Beijing, and honestly, I need a nap. But first? The review. Because apparently, I'm contractually obligated to spew my feelings all over the internet. Let's dive in, shall we? Prepare for rambling, because that's just how my brain works, especially after a week of navigating the glorious chaos that is Beijing.
Accessibility & Safety (The "I Hope I Don't Get Eaten by a Dragon" Section):
First things first, accessibility. They claim it's accessible. I didn't specifically test the wheelchair access (sorry, not my jam!), but there is an elevator, and things looked reasonably wide. So, take that with a hefty grain of salt, alright? They offer airport transfer, which, after battling Beijing airport, is basically a godsend.
Now, the really important stuff: Safety. Okay, listen up. This hotel takes it seriously. Like, CCTV everywhere (both inside AND out), fire extinguishers plastered on every wall, and 24-hour security. I felt safer there than I do in my own apartment, which, let's be honest, is basically a death trap of questionable wiring. The staff are definitely trained in safety, and there's an abundance of hand sanitizer everywhere you look (which, in post-pandemic times, is a huge win). Room sanitization opt-out? Ha! I'm all about the spray 'n' pray, baby! They also had daily disinfection in common areas and some kind of anti-viral cleaning products. I'm not a scientist, but I'll take it!
Cleanliness and Safety: It's actually clean!
This part of the review is going to feel like a complete 180 compared to my own place's cleanliness. I was surprised to find out that rooms are sanitized between stays! They also were so hygienic that they used professional-grade sanitizing services. I definitely didn't encounter any germs or dirty things in their areas.
Internet & Tech - (Because You Need To Instagram That Peking Duck, Duh!)
Alright, let's be real. We live in the age of the 'gram. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! And it actually worked, unlike some hotels where the Wi-Fi is slower than a sloth stuck in molasses. Plus, you can get Internet [LAN] access if you're old-school. The Internet services were up to par so I could use all my devices
Rooms & Comfort (My Little Sanctuary):
Okay, the rooms. They're good. Really good. They're not ostentatiously luxurious – we're not talking gold-plated toilet seats here – but they're comfortable. Air conditioning that actually works (a necessity in Beijing summers!), blackout curtains (essential for beating jet lag), a decent desk for the inevitable laptop work, and a mini-bar stocked with tempting treats. And, most importantly, a comfortable bed. I slept like a baby… until the jet lag hit again.
Here's a quirky observation: I loved the **complimentary tea and *coffee/tea maker* and the free bottled water. It's the little things, people! Oh, and the bathrobes and slippers? Absolute game-changers. They also gave you towels, and toiletries, and even included an Umbrella, because hey, Beijing weather is unpredictable. They offer Interconnecting room(s) available which is great if you've got the whole family. The Additional toilet was a bonus - you know how it is.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (My Stomach's Odyssey):
This is where the Hanting really shines. Forget about boring hotel food. They offer a Breakfast [buffet] that's seriously impressive. I'm talking Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, your choice of coffee/tea in restaurant, and a whole buffet of stuff. I indulged. Regret? Zero.
They have restaurants with a a la carte in restaurant and buffet in restaurant and even a Vegetarian restaurant. I had a mind-blowing plate of Asian cuisine in restaurant and a delicious salad in restaurant.
My Epic Poolside Bar Experience (Slightly Dramatic Title, I Know):
Okay, so I spent an afternoon at the swimming pool [outdoor]. And the Poolside bar? Forget about it. Forget EVER leaving said pool. The pool itself? Decent size, refreshing, and the views were okay-ish. The real magic? The drinks. I had a cocktail (or two, or three…), and the service was impeccable. The bartender actually remembered my drink order! The best part? They had happy hour!. It's the little things in life.
Things to Do & "Ways to Relax" (Because Even I Need a Break from the Temple of Heaven):
Okay, listen. You've got the Fitness center—I didn't step foot in it, but it was there. They have a Spa! Yes! The spa itself was so good it was luxurious! I chose the body scrub and body wrap and I was in a daze of relaxation. They Also gave me a footbath! The Sauna was very relaxing as well as the Steamroom. They also gave me a massage!
Services & Conveniences (The Little Extras That Make a Difference):
This hotel really goes the extra mile. 24-hour front desk, Concierge, Dry cleaning, Elevator - all the basics. They also had a Convenience store. Honestly, perfect for those late-night snack cravings. Cash withdrawal? Yep. Laundry service? Done. They even offer Car park [free of charge] which is HUGE in a city like Beijing.
For the Kids (If You're Traveling with Little Humans):
They had Babysitting service and are very Family/child friendly, which I didn't use as I was sans-kids.
The "Stuff I Didn't Use But Noted Because, Well, I Had To:
- **Banquet facilities, Indoor venue for special events, *Meeting/banquet facilities*
- Business facilities, Meetings,
- Cashless payment service, Contactless check-in/out, Food delivery, Foreign Currency exchange, Gift/souvenir shop
- Internet - LAN
- Outdoor venue for special events
- Proposal spot
The "Things I Didn't Care About But Might Matter to You" Section:
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Essential condiments, Extra long bed, Hotel chain, Meeting stationery, Non-smoking rooms, On-demand movies, Pets allowed unavailable, Reading light, Room decorations, Room service [24-hour], Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shrine, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Sterilizing equipment, Terrace, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center
My Final Verdict (Drumroll Please!):
The Hanting Hotel Guanganmen? It exceeded all my expectations. It's not JUST a hotel; it's a haven in the chaos. It's Unbeatable Luxury? Hmmm. Maybe not unbeatable, but let's call it damn good, and seriously well-priced. I’d 100% go back, and you should probably book it. Just pack your appetite, your sense of adventure, and maybe a phrasebook, because Beijing is an experience, people! And this hotel? It’s a pretty damn good place to call home while you’re doing it.
(And now, I'm off to find more dumplings…).
Escape to Paradise: Mazeki Boutique Hotel, Addis Ababa
Okay, buckle up, Buttercup, because this itinerary ain't gonna be pretty. This is less a meticulously planned trip and more a raw, unfiltered dive into my brain while stuck in a Hanting Hotel in Beijing. Prepare to get messy.
Trip: Beijing Babble (Hanting Hotel Guanganmen Branch – aka, the Beige Box of Beijing)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread in Beige
- 14:00: Landed at Beijing Capital International Airport. Pretty sure I aged a year during the customs line. Honestly, I've seen glaciers move faster. Found a taxi (miracle!) and got dumped (politely, mostly) at the Hanting. The Guanganmen branch. Why Guanganmen? Who knows. This place is beige. Everything is beige. The walls, the carpet, the sheer crushing mediocrity of the design. I’m pretty sure I saw a beige dust bunny scurry across the floor. I’m already feeling the existential dread setting in.
- 15:00: Check-in. The front desk guy was about as enthusiastic as a sloth on a tranquilizer. He handed me a key card and a look that said, "Welcome to beige hell." My room: small. My mood: smaller. Found a bag of questionable-looking peanuts on the desk. Tempted… very, very tempted.
- 15:30: Bathroom inspection. Okay, clean-ish. Water pressure is… adequate. Shower curtain is clinging to the inside of the tub like it's afraid of something (me?). Considered a power nap. Resisted. Must. See. Beijing. (Though the pull of the beige bed is strong.)
- 16:00: Wandered out, got totally lost in the complex, almost lost my mind, and ended up back at the Hanting. Ate the peanuts. Regret. Already miss my cat.
- 17:00: Decided to at least attempt to find some food outside the hotel. The street food offerings looked interesting (questionable). Stumbled upon a hole-in-the-wall place that appeared to be serving something edible. Ordered some noodles, pointed at a picture because my Mandarin skills are, let's say, "under construction." The noodles arrived. They… were… spicy. Like, FIRE-BREATHING DRAGON spicy. Tears flowed. Ate them anyway, because pride.
- 19:00: Back at the hotel, still slightly teary-eyed. The beige is starting to get to me. Contemplating a second shower (maybe to wash away the spicy-induced shame). Considered ordering room service but then, um, where WOULD I have that sent to?
- 20:00: Decided to watch some TV. The selection is… limited. Found a Chinese drama about… something. Couldn’t understand a word, but the melodramatic acting was mesmerizing. Spent an hour zoning out.
- 21:00: Managed to find the wi-fi password, which was a small victory against beige. Texted my best friend, ranting about beige. She’s used to it.
- 22:00: Sleep. Praying for a less beige tomorrow.
Day 2: The Forbidden City and the Great Wall (and the Great Cranky)
- 07:00: Wake up. The beige is still there. Ugh. Coffee. Need coffee.
- 07:30: Breakfast. The hotel breakfast is… well, let's just say it's "functional." Questionable eggs. Mystery meat (probably). Bread that tastes like cardboard. Drank the rest of the coffee for some sort of semblance of energy.
- 08:30: Took the subway to the Forbidden City. It was crowded. VERY crowded. I'm pretty sure I got elbowed by a small child. He seemed unfazed. I, on the other hand, am now permanently claustrophobic.
- 09:30: Finally, into the Forbidden City! Holy. Moly. It's stunning. The scale, the architecture, the history – it's mind-blowing. Wandered around, gawking, taking pictures (which, of course, can't capture the true majesty). The sheer number of people trying to take their own selfie game.
- 10:00 - 13:00: Walk, wander, and get lost in those halls. I saw the throne! Found out who the people worked for! Did my research, and enjoyed every bit of it. Stood in front of the throne room, feeling a connection to the past.
- 13:00: Oh my god, I am starving. Found a tiny restaurant outside the Forbidden City. Ate something that looked like a dumpling wrapped in a cloud. Incredible.
- 14:00: Great Wall time! (And this is where things get a tad chaotic.) The bus ride was… an experience. Think tightly packed sardines in a metal tube. The driver seemed to have a personal vendetta against speed limits.
- 15:00: Arrived at the Great Wall. Okay. Wow. Just. WOW. The view. The sheer audacity of it all. Climbed. Gasping for breath. Feeling utterly, overwhelmingly, magnificently small in the face of such grandeur. Took a million photos. Struggled to breathe. The Great Wall is a beast.
- 16:00: I was climbing the Great Wall again, and I decided to be a hero and push through. Then, I took a bad fall. Luckily, there was a group of people that helped to support and assist me.
- 19:00: Got back to the hotel. Exhausted. Legs screaming. Emotions all over the place. Showered. Ate some more peanuts (I know, I know). Regretted the dumplings.
- 20:00: Fell asleep watching the Chinese drama. Dreaming of the beige.
Day 3: Temple of Heaven and… Well, More Beige
- 08:00: Coffee. This time with a little more milk. Small victories.
- 09:00: Temple of Heaven. Beautiful, serene, peaceful. Felt the good vibes. Watched people doing Tai Chi. Tried (and failed) to imitate them. Looked ridiculous.
- 11:00: Wandered around local shops, and then… realized I was hungry again. Ate more noodles. Less spicy this time.
- 13:00: Got lost in the subway station. (Again. Seems to be a theme.)
- 14:00: The internet in my room (finally) is working and it’s time for an interview with my boss.
- 17:00: Back at the hotel (surprise!). Stared at the beige, feeling a creeping sense of cabin fever. Decided to venture out for some fresh air… and more questionable food.
- 18:00: Found a tiny restaurant that specializes in… something. Couldn't decipher the menu. Pointed at a picture. Got something vaguely resembling chicken and vegetables. It was, surprisingly, delicious.
- 19:00: Strolled through the park. There were people flying kites, playing instruments, and just generally being… happy. Felt a twinge of melancholy. Missing my cat.
- 20:00: Back in the beige. Feeling the weight of jet lag. Another episode of the Chinese drama. Realized I'm actually starting to understand a few words. This is either an accomplishment or a sign of impending madness.
- 22:00: Contemplating a midnight snack of… you guessed it… peanuts.
Day 4: Departure (and a Final Farewell to Beige)
- 06:00: Wake up. Packing. The beige seems to be mocking me.
- 07:00: Breakfast. Same questionable eggs, same cardboard bread.
- 08:00: Final walk through the hotel, taking a photo of the beige. For posterity. And therapy.
- 09:00: Taxi to the airport. Saying goodbye to China. The beige will remain.
- 10:00: Check-in. Go through security.
- 12:00: Take off. Heading home. Looking forward to my cat and to never seeing beige again.
Overall Impression: Beijing is incredible. The food's incredible. The people are incredible. The Hanting Hotel… well, it was beige. But hey, it kept me sheltered and gave me a real experience. I'd do it again to do it better.
Escape to Paradise: Ying Zhen Hotel's Taoyuan Oasis Awaits!
Hanting Hotel Guanganmen: Unbeatable Luxury... or Just a Pretty Room? Let's Dive In!
Okay, spill the tea. Is Hanting Guanganmen *really* as luxurious as they claim? I'm used to backpacking, so luxury is... well, a different planet.
Alright, buckle up, buttercup. "Unbeatable Luxury?" That's a bold statement, even for Beijing. Look, it's *Hanting*. Let's not pretend we're waltzing into the Ritz. But compared to the average hostel I've been clinging to for dear life in the past? YES. Absolutely, unequivocally YES! That first step inside, after a week of dodging rogue scooters and questionable street food... pure bliss. The lobby is all gleaming surfaces and hushed murmurs. It *feels* fancy. Now, is it Buckingham Palace? Nope. But for the price, and considering the sheer exhaustion levels of a typical Beijing tourist? Pure, unadulterated, air-conditioned heaven.
Anecdote Time: I remember, after battling the crowds at the Temple of Heaven (sweat dripping, sanity fraying), collapsing onto that king-sized bed. The sheets were crisp, the pillows fluffy. I almost cried. Seriously. I almost actually, physically wept. Then, I promptly spilled instant coffee all over one. Perfection, I tell you, *utterly* shattered. But hey, the hotel's laundry service fixed that right quick. So... maybe not *unbeatable*… more like, easily-beaten-but-still-winning!
What's the deal with the location? Guanganmen… sounds far. Is it a pain to get around from there?
"Far" is relative, my friend. Guanganmen isn't smack-dab in the Forbidden City's backyard. You won't be stumbling out of bed and into Tiananmen Square. I'd say its fine. It is very well connected to the subway system which is a lifesaver in Beijing. The nearby metro station is a golden ticket.
My Crazy Experience: Listen, I had a truly epic adventure. One day, I decided "I'll walk to the Summer Palace!" I'm a tough cookie, right? Wrong. After about 40 minutes, I was lost, hangry, and utterly defeated. The subway rescued me, and even then, it was a bit of a trek. So, yeah, the location's not *perfect*. But the subway is basically a miracle.
The rooms! Tell me about the rooms! Are they actually nice? Any hidden disappointments?
The rooms are generally pretty solid. Clean, modern, and the air conditioning works like a dream – crucial, especially in the summer. The furniture is nice. The bathroom is modern and usually well-kept.
However, here's the juicy stuff. The internet (Wi-Fi) is a bit spotty. It's usually good enough for basic browsing, but streaming is a gamble. And the walls... well, let's just say you might hear your neighbor's snoring. Not ideal if you're a light sleeper.
Imperfect memory: The room I had first, the curtains didn't really close properly. So much light spilled in at 5 am. I ended up propping them closed with a shoe. I still shudder at the memory, mainly because I didn't bring my own shoes. Oops.
Food, glorious food! What about the breakfast situation? Is it worth the cost?
Okay, breakfast. This is where things get a little… interesting. The breakfast buffet is included, and it's not exactly a culinary masterpiece. Think a mix of Chinese staples (congee, noodles, some vaguely-identifiable meats), toast, and the occasional sad-looking fruit.
My emotional rollercoaster: I remember the first morning I went down, I was unbelievably excited. I imagined myself eating a mountain of dim sum. I was so disappointed, and then suddenly, a little old man from the hotel, dressed in the same uniform as the front desk attendant, came over and waved at me. He pointed at the noodles and smiled, making a happy, almost-too-happy noise. That was a great moment.
Honestly? I'd probably skip the breakfast and explore the street food nearby. You'll find much more exciting things. But, hey, free is free, right? And it fills you up.
Okay, so the word "service" gets thrown around a lot. What's service like at Hanting Guanganmen? Are the staff helpful? Do they speak English?
The staff are generally polite and try their best. English proficiency varies, and sometimes even the simplest requests can get a bit lost in translation.
My Quirky Experience: I swear, one time, I spent a solid ten minutes trying to explain to a staff member that my hairdryer wasn't working. It was such an ordeal. The lady was trying really hard to understand, but I ended up just waving my arms around and making "poof" noises. Eventually, we gave up and just went back to the room with wet hair. I loved it, it really felt like I was embracing the real Beijing.
So, be patient and, if you can, have Google Translate or a translation app ready on your phone. It'll make things a million times easier.
Noise! Beijing is noisy. Is the hotel itself noisy?
This is a legitimate concern. The hotel is on a busy street, so you can expect some traffic noise. Inner rooms are probably quieter.
The time I just couldn't deal: On one occasion – my first time in Beijing – I arrived very late, and there were these huge groups of people outside, and they were so loud. I was exhausted and couldn't get any sleep. This is more of a general Beijing thing than just the hotel.
So, bring earplugs. Trust me. You'll thank me later.
Value for money? Is Hanting Guanganmen a good deal?
For the price, absolutely! It's not the ultimate luxury experience, but it's clean, comfortable, and a welcome respite after a day of sightseeing.
My Opinion: It gives me the feels. I'll always remember it, and for that reason, I'd recommend it in a heartbeat. Even with its flaws, it's a solid choice that won't break the bank.
