Shanghai's BEST Hotel Near Xujiahui Metro? (Hanting Hotel Review!)
Hanting Hotel Xujiahui: My Shanghai Survival Guide (and Possibly Yours)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups. If you're hunting for a hotel near Xujiahui Metro in Shanghai, and by some bizarre twist of fate you stumbled upon this review, you're about to get the unfiltered truth about the Hanting Hotel. This isn't some sterile, corporate regurgitation; this is me, a travel-weary human, sharing my experience, warts and all. Prepare for tangents, because trust me, this place demands them.
First Impressions: Location, Location, Location! (and the Joy of a Metro Station in Your Backyard)
Let's be brutally honest, the main reason you pick Hanting is the location. It's practically glued to Xujiahui Metro Station. That convenience, my friends, is a lifesaver. Shanghai is a sprawling beast, and the metro is your lifeline. This hotel gives you instant access to everything – shopping, restaurants, dodgy street food (more on that later), and, most importantly, escape routes. The accessibility is fantastic. It’s generally easy getting to the entrance, the elevators are decent. I’m not sure about specific wheelchair accessibility within the rooms, but the public areas like the coffee shop and reception are definitely accommodating. I saw people using wheelchairs around the building, so that's a good sign. Now, if you're expecting scenic views from your room…well, let’s just say you’re probably not paying for a panoramic vista. You'll be staring at another building. But hey, you're in Shanghai. Who has time to look at scenery when you're busy trying to navigate the chaos?
Cleanliness and Safety: The Covid Era…and Beyond
Okay, let’s be serious for a moment. The pandemic has changed travel. And Hanting, to its credit, tries. They’ve got the hygiene certifications. There’s hand sanitizer slapped everywhere. They claim to be using anti-viral cleaning products, and my room did seem pretty clean. (Though, I'm still a bit wary of hotel carpets. They harbor secrets, I tell you.) The staff wear masks religiously, and the daily disinfection of common areas seemed pretty consistent. Room sanitization opt-out… I’m not sure about – I never bothered asking. The impression is, they want you to feel safe. They also have a doctor/nurse on call. That's reassuring, though I didn't need their services, thankfully!
The Room: More Functional Than Fancy (and that’s Okay!)
The rooms are… compact. Think "efficiently designed." There's air conditioning, thankfully, because Shanghai summers are brutal. You get the bare essentials: a bed (comfortable enough), a desk (for frantically googling "how to order food in Mandarin"), a mini-bar (with…stuff), a TV (with a surprising number of channels, including some with English subtitles!), and a private bathroom. The water pressure in the shower was surprisingly good, but trust me, after a day of exploring, all you need is hot water and a towel. The free Wi-Fi in the room is a godsend. You can connect to the world, and yes, you can definitely stream your shows (those blackout curtains are clutch). The in-room safe box gives you some peace of mind, and the extra long beds are a bonus. Though really, after too many nights traveling and not sleeping, my brain would always be on the lookout for any other comfortable way to lie down.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Surviving on Fuel
Let's be honest, the Hanting isn't known for its Michelin star cuisine. There's a restaurant, which the menu says has Asian cuisine, but I mostly went for the breakfast. It was a buffet. Buffet in restaurant. The breakfast was the usual suspects of the kind, so not the best and not the worst. There's also a coffee shop, and a snack bar. I confess, I ventured out for most of my meals. Shanghai offers a culinary playground! But for a quick bite or late-night snack, it works.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things that Matter (and the Big Things You Can Live Without)
The hotel has a lot of the basics. Daily housekeeping is consistent. They offer laundry service: an absolute lifesaver after you've been sweating buckets exploring this city. There are those convenience store and currency exchange in the lobby. The business facilities seem okay, but like, I didn’t need the Xerox/fax functions. I am the last of my kind, you know? The concierge was helpful with directions and basic questions, but don’t expect them to be organizing a private helicopter tour.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax): Not Exactly a Spa Destination
Okay, let’s get one thing straight: this isn’t a resort. There’s no pool with a view, no spa, no on-site fitness center. You’re here to explore the city, not lounge around in a robe. But hey, you can always get your steps in exploring the bustling streets of Shanghai. If you need to relax, there's a convenient foot bath or sauna nearby.
For the Kids: Pass
I saw a few kids, but this isn’t really a "family friendly" kind of place.
Getting Around: Your Metro Masterclass Starts Here
As I said, the metro access is gold. The hotel can arrange airport transfers and arrange for the car park on-site. But honestly, the metro is the way to go! It's clean, efficient, and ridiculously cheap, and it gets you exactly where you need to go. Just remember to have your phone ready with a translation app - some signs are only in Mandarin.
My Verdict: The Bottom Line (and a Few Rambles)
Look, the Hanting isn't perfect. It's not luxurious. But, it's clean, it's incredibly well-located, and it's a solid option for budget-conscious travelers who want to experience Shanghai. You can’t expect the world for the price.
The most important thing to remember is that Shanghai is incredible. It's a city that rewards exploration, curiosity, and a willingness to get a little lost (or a lot lost). The Hanting Hotel provides a perfectly functional launching pad for all of that. So, embrace the chaos, order that spicy noodle soup, and enjoy the ride.
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- Meta Description: Honest and detailed review of the Hanting Hotel near Xujiahui Metro in Shanghai. Pros, cons, and unfiltered impressions for budget travelers. Accessibility, cleanliness, amenities, and location insights.
- Title: Hanting Hotel Shanghai Review: Your Unfiltered Guide to Xujiahui Metro
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn’t your grandma’s meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is the real Shanghai, Hanting Hotel Xujiahui Metro Station edition, served up raw, with a healthy side of chaos and existential dread (just kidding… mostly).
Day 1: Shanghai, Here I Come… And My Luggage is Probably in Tokyo
6:00 AM (GMT +8): Wake up in my… decidedly not luxurious but hey, it’s a roof-over-my-head-in-China situation, right? – Hanting Hotel room. Sun is already blasting through the cracks in the drapes, which, despite being a cheap hotel, I actually find quite charming. Though, that probably says more about me than the hotel. (Pro tip: Pack earplugs. Trust me.)
6:15 AM: Panic level slightly elevated. Realize my luggage from the flight to Shanghai… is not here. Apparently, it's enjoying a vacation in Tokyo. Fantastic. Decide to embrace the minimalist aesthetic: toothbrush, phone, and the clothes on my back. Chic.
7:00 AM: Downstairs in the lobby, the breakfast buffet is a glorious, questionable adventure. There's congee, which I'm pretty sure is rice porridge, and it looks exactly like… well, like it sounds. Decide to play it safe and go for the questionable "toast" and a mystery juice. The juice is… an experience. My stomach is rumbling. Okay, maybe I should venture out for something else.
7:30 AM: Time to tackle the Shanghai Metro. First time using a new subway system is always thrilling. Oh boy. Luckily, I know how to use the Google translate on my phone, so I can get around the metro relatively easily. I'm pretty sure I understand the signs…I really hope so. Getting lost will have to work with my "minimalist aesthetic." Which would also mean my luggage is still in Tokyo.
8:00 AM: The Hanting Hotel is conveniently located near the Xujiahui Metro station, which is a huge plus! At least something is going right.
9:00 AM: Got on the Metro, successfully avoided getting smooshed by the rush-hour crowd. Victory! I'm heading to the Yuyuan Garden, aiming to soak in some ancient beauty.
10:30 AM (Yuyuan Garden): Wow. Just wow. The gardens are incredible; a maze of pagodas, koi ponds, and… crowds. Oh, the crowds. I’ve seen more elbow-to-elbow action than a Black Friday sale. Managed to snag a few Instagram-worthy shots despite the constant jostling. Worth it. Absolutely worth it. I'm not sure how the locals are used to this, but I will learn.
12:00 PM (Lunch): Found a tiny dumpling shop in the old town. The xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) were… life-changing. Seriously. I burnt my tongue, but I have no regrets. Best food I've had in ages. I could have eaten hundreds!
1:00 PM (Shopping): Wandered through the shops nearby, mostly just window shopping because, you know, Tokyo. Did pick up a ridiculously cheap silk scarf that’s probably going to fall apart tomorrow, but hey, it's Shanghai! I can pretend!
2:30 PM: Aching feet. Need… coffee.
3:00 PM (Coffee Shop): Found a cute, independent coffee shop. The "latte art" was… interesting. More like a milky blob. But good coffee is good coffee, no matter the artwork.
4:00 PM: Back to the hotel/room. Going to find some TV to stream or whatever they have here. Trying to get some sleep.
5:00 PM: Sleep!
6:00 PM (Dinner): Ordered food through a delivery app. I think I ordered correctly. The wait is killer.
7:00 PM (Dinner Arrives): The food arrived! It's a delicious-looking stir-fry situation. I'm pretty sure I ordered correctly. Feeling pretty good!
8:00 PM: Binge-watching the TV. Still no luggage. Contemplating a shopping trip to find basic clothes.
9:00 PM: Shower. Maybe I should have bought some soap.
10:00 PM: Trying to sleep. The sounds of the city are… relentless. Earplugs are my best friends.
11:00 PM: Sleep!
Day 2: Temples, Tea, and the Trials of Laundry!
6:00 AM: Wake up with the sun, which, as always, is relentlessly pushing its way through the curtains. Still no luggage. Beginning to think I should accept this as my new reality.
7:00 AM: Breakfast. More congee. Maybe I'll try it this time? Nope. Toast.
8:00 AM: This day is all about the Jade Buddha Temple. It's incredible. The detail! The serenity! The sheer number of people who are also trying to find serenity! I watched people burn incense, and I lit some. Not a bad way to start the day.
10:00 AM: After the Jade Buddha Temple, I had tea at a traditional tea house. I have no idea what kind of tea I drank, but it was served with so much ceremony that I was completely mesmerized. The owner was so kind to me, even letting me take pictures with her.
12:00 PM: Lunch was at a small noodle shop I found. The noodles were so good! I should write down the address and try it again. I'll never remember the name of that place though.
1:00 PM: Decided to be a responsible adult and do laundry. Finding a laundromat in Shanghai is… an adventure. Ended up at a small shop near the hotel, hoping the language barrier wouldn't be too much. The attendant did not speak any English. I managed to point and gesture my way through the process.
2:00 PM: Laundry… almost done!
3:00 PM: Decided to walk around the neighborhood and see what I could find. Found another shop, and bought more clothes.
4:00 PM: Laundry is done.
5:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Exhausted.
6:00 PM: Dinner out. Food I don't know what it is, but it tastes good.
7:00 PM: Sleep.
8:00 PM: Sleep.
9:00 PM: Sleep.
10:00 PM: Sleep.
11:00 PM: Sleep.
Day 3: So Long, Shanghai… Maybe I'll Be Back?
- 6:00 AM: Wake up. The sun is still a jerk. Still no luggage.
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast. Congee. I try congee. It's… not bad.
- 8:00 AM: Last ditch effort to find my luggage. Nope.
- 9:00 AM: Check out.
- 10:00 AM: The Shanghai Metro is packed.
- 11:00 AM: Getting to the airport.
- 12:00 PM: Flight!
- 12:01 PM: Goodbye, Shanghai! I might have been lost, and my luggage might have been lost, but I had an absolutely, unexpectedly, chaotic blast. And those xiaolongbao… I'll dream of them.
- 1:00 PM: In the air. Thinking about Shanghai, realizing that I love the city.
Important Notes (and rambling thoughts):
- Metro: Get an alipay or WeChat pay for the transport. Makes life so much easier.
- Food: Be adventurous! (But maybe carry some emergency crackers).
- Language: Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases. Even a "hello" and "thank you" goes a long way.
- Expectations: Shanghai is a whirlwind. Embrace the chaos. Don't expect everything to go smoothly. That’s part of the fun!
- Luggage (sigh): Pray your luggage arrives. If not, embrace the sartorial freedom of a minimalist traveler. You'll be forced to buy weird souvenirs and clothes. Enjoy!
- Hotel: The Hanting Hotel Xujiahui Metro Station is fine. It’s clean, the location is great. But don't expect luxury. It's a place to rest your weary head after a day of epic adventures (and potential luggage-related disasters).
- Final Thoughts: Shanghai is a city that grabs you by the shoulders, shakes you around, and leaves you breathless. It's messy, overwhelming, and utterly captivating. I can'
Shanghai Hotel Near Xujiahui Metro: Hanting – The Unfiltered Truth (and My Sanity)
Okay, Seriously – Is Hanting Hotel a Good Choice Near Xujiahui? I Need Honest Answers!
Honestly? It’s cheap. *Dirt* cheap. That's the primary draw. I snagged a room last year for practically nothing. It was so budget-friendly, I felt like I was stealing from the hotel itself. And look, the location *is* great for getting around. Xujiahui is a transport behemoth. But… the room? We'll get there.
So, a "good choice"? If you prioritize location and price *above all else* – yeah, maybe. But manage your expectations. Seriously. Manage them like you're training for a marathon. And bring your own pillow. Trust me on this.
What’s the Room Like? The *Real* Vibe? Is it Clean?
Cleanliness? It's... adequate. Think "airport bathroom" clean. I'm not saying it was filthy, but it wasn't sparkling. I *did* find a suspicious stain on one of the sheets (that I thankfully noticed before I, you know, *slept on it*). My advice? Inspect everything. *Everything*. And if you’re a germaphobe… well, prepare for therapy.
The decor… minimalist. To put it politely. Think… beige. Beige walls, beige furniture, a beige existence. There's a reason they call it a "budget" hotel, folks. It's functional, yes. Aesthetic? Absolutely not.
And the bathroom? The shower pressure was weaker than my willpower after a bad break-up. And the drain? Slow. Painfully slow. I spent more time *watching* the water drain than I did actually showering on one particular visit. It was an existential experience, honestly.
Anecdote time! I remember one time, arriving *exhausted* after a crazy day of street food adventures. I just wanted a shower. But the shower…it was a dribble. I spent like, 10 minutes trying different angles just to get *some* water. The ultimate frustration was my own, and the hotel certainly didn't care. It's a memory I will never ever forget, because that shower was a metaphor for the life of a traveler. (deep sigh).
Is the Wi-Fi Reliable? I need to work (or at least, pretend to)!
I remember one time, trying to Zoom call my boss (who, naturally, was in the super-fast-internet-country) and the connection kept cutting out. I ended up squatting in the hallway outside my room, trying to catch a decent signal. It was a sight. And embarrassing. And my boss probably thought I was in the middle of the jungle because of the patchy signal so that's something.
So, for browsing and basic email, it's *probably* fine. For anything requiring a stable, high-speed connection? Prepare to potentially lose your sanity. Or at least budget for a data plan. Or consider the lobby.
Is There Breakfast? What's *that* like?
It’s usually something along the lines of congee (rice porridge), some questionable Chinese pastries (suspect consistency and questionable origins), and maybe some hard-boiled eggs. Coffee? It’s coffee-esque. Think, "barely-awake-and-desperately-craving-caffeine" quality.
Honestly? I usually skipped it. Xujiahui is *packed* with options for breakfast, from street vendors selling amazing baozi (steamed buns) to actual cafes. My advice? Explore the street food. You’ll thank me later. The hotel breakfast is just... a thing. It exists! and that's all you can say.
What’s the Staff Like? Are They Helpful? (Do they speak English?)
I once had a minor issue with my room key (it wouldn’t work). The staff, to their credit, sorted it out... eventually. There was a lot of pointing, gesturing, and me standing in the hallway for a good ten minutes, feeling like a complete idiot. But hey, they fixed it!
Okay, So, The Verdict: Would You Stay at Hanting Again?
But honestly? I'd probably try to find something *slightly* better. Even if it meant walking an extra five minutes or paying a few extra dollars. The memories of that miserable shower linger. And the thought of those sheets... well, let's just say I always pack extra sanitizing wipes now.
So yeah, it's not terrible. But it's also not great. It's… Hanting. It’s a budget experience. And go in with your eyes wide open. And bring your own pillow. Seriously.
Any Tips for Surviving a Stay at Hanting?
- Pack Lysol wipes. Seriously. Wipe down everything.
- Bring your own pillow. You'll thank me later. Your Stay Hub
