Shanghai's HOTTEST Hotel? 🤫 Holiday Inn Express Hongqiao North Review!
Shanghai's Secret Weapon: Holiday Inn Express Hongqiao North - A Review That's Honestly, All Over the Place (But Hopefully Helpful!)
Alright, alright, let's talk about this… this… Holiday Inn Express Hongqiao North. Honestly, I wouldn't normally dream of reviewing a Holiday Inn Express. They're… well, you know. Functional. But this one? It's gotten to me. And not always in a good way. Buckle up, because this review is gonna be a rollercoaster, just like my sleep schedule post-Shanghai.
Accessibility & Safety: Can a Wheelchair Wheelie? Did I REALLY Sanitize My Room?!
Okay, first things first: Accessibility. This is where things get… murky. They claim facilities for disabled guests. But finding specifics? Good luck. I’ll say this: the elevators are present and accounted for. The corridors seemed wide enough. But beyond that, I'm in the dark. Hopefully, they're up to snuff.
Safety-wise? Okay, I appreciated the CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Front desk [24-hour]. Especially after the jet lag started playing tricks on my sanity. They say they’ve got Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol. But honestly? I sanitized my room before I touched anything. Weird, I know. But you've been to Shanghai. You understand. I even opted out of room service the first night. I mean, the world's ending, right? 🤷♂️
The Breakfast Situation: Buffet Bliss or Bacon Betrayal?
Let’s get to the real meat of this hotel – the breakfast. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, buffet… it's all there! And in theory, that's great. But here’s my messy experience: I went down for breakfast around 9 am one morning (sleep schedule, remember?). Absolute carnage. Literally. I kid you not, I saw a scrum for the last plate of bacon. People were wielding tongs like battle axes. It was like a scene from Lord of the Rings, only instead of Sauron, it was a hungry businessman in a suit.
The buffet itself was… fine. Standard Holiday Inn Express fare. I grabbed some pre-wrapped pastries (thank goodness for the Individually-wrapped food options!), fueled up a little, and retreated back to my room to strategize my day. They do offer a Breakfast takeaway service, which might have been the smarter move. Lesson learned.
Rooms: Clean, Functional, But… Where's the Soul?
The rooms themselves? Pretty typical. Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Coffee/tea maker, Free Wi-Fi, the usual suspects. Free bottled water – always a win in China, especially when you're paranoid (guilty!). The Wi-Fi [free] was surprisingly reliable. The Internet access – wireless? Less so. I ended up using my phone as a hotspot a few times.
The Blackout curtains were a godsend, especially when dealing with the jet lag. And the Desk and Laptop workspace were useful for pretending to work (mostly just scrolling through travel blogs, let's be real). The mini bar? Nonexistent. Which, honestly, I was okay with. Less temptation.
The "Nice to Haves": Spa Daydreams & Poolside Regrets
Okay, here’s a confession: I didn't use the Spa, the Fitness center, the Steamroom, the Swimming pool (outdoors or with a view, even though, according to the listing, both exist!). I just… didn't. This is a Holiday Inn Express, people! Not the Four Seasons! Still, the fact they offer these things is a testament to this hotel’s… aspirations.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Mostly Misses, Some Wins, One Pizza Odyssey
Restaurants, Bar, Coffee shop, Snack bar, Coffee/tea in restaurant… blah blah blah. I didn’t test them out. But I did order room service one night – a late-night pizza adventure. And, oh boy, did that one need some Alternative meal arrangement.
It was a… process. Let’s just say there were communication issues. The pizza, when it finally arrived (two hours later!), was… an experience. I’m pretty sure the cheese was made of repurposed rubber. But hey, it filled a void. The Bottle of water was a lifesaver, though.
Services & Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Useful & "Meh"
The Concierge? Nonexistent. The Laundry service? Okay, I needed that badly. They also have a Car park [free of charge], which is a bonus in Shanghai. Daily housekeeping was efficient. But honestly, the whole "service" aspect felt a bit… sterile.
The Little Things That Grated My Gills (And Some Kudos)
- The Good: The car park [on-site] was genuinely helpful. Cashless payment service? Yes, please! Check-in/out [express]? Crucial when you're bleary-eyed and frazzled. The Air conditioning in public area was a lifesaver.
- The Not-So-Good: The lack of soul. The generic-ness. The slightly-cold, vaguely-helpful demeanor of the staff. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't… memorable.
- The Quirks: The weirdly aggressive elevator music. The constant hum of the air conditioning. The faint smell of…something… that I couldn't quite place.
The Verdict: It's a Hotel, Not a Miracle
So, is the Holiday Inn Express Hongqiao North the "hottest" hotel in Shanghai? Absolutely not. It's a perfectly serviceable, clean, relatively safe, and conveniently located hotel. It’s a solid, functional, place to crash.
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- Meta Description: Honest and messy review of the Holiday Inn Express Hongqiao North in Shanghai. Find out if it's the right place to stay – the good, the bad, and the bacon wars!
- Title: Shanghai Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Express Hongqiao North - Honest, Messy & All Over the Place!
Final Thoughts:
Would I stay here again? Probably. Because sometimes, you need a decent, no-frills place to rest your head. But next time, I'm packing my own bacon. And a hazmat suit. Just in case.
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream 4-Bedroom Camps Bay Ocean View Villa Awaits!Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because this itinerary isn't going to be some perfectly manicured brochure. This is real life, remember? And my life, in a Holiday Inn Express (which, let's be honest, screams “efficient, not exciting”) in Shanghai? Get ready for the delightful disaster that’s my travel style.
Itinerary: Shanghai Shenanigans (Holiday Inn Express Hongqiao North Edition)
Phase 1: Arrival and the Great Jet Lag Gambit (aka, Day 1)
- 6:00 AM (Shanghai Time, or roughly 2 AM my time): Wake up in a cold sweat. Did I pack enough socks? Did I accidentally leave my passport in the drier? Jet lag is hitting me like a ton of bricks. My brain is currently a scrambled egg, and I suspect I haven't slept in the last 3 days. Ugh.
- 7:00 AM: Drag myself out of bed. This hotel room… well, it’s a Holiday Inn Express. Clean, functional, looks like every other one in the world. But hey, at least the water pressure is decent. That might be the best thing that can happen to me, after all that flight time.
- 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM: The dreaded free breakfast. Okay, the idea of free is great. The actual execution… Less so. There's some kind of congee that looks suspiciously like wallpaper paste. I opt for the "American" breakfast and feel a strange mix of triumph and disappointment when I successfully devour two overcooked eggs.
- 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM (ish): First Attempt to Get out of the hotel. Okay, the hotel is kind of right beside the metro station, and I'd already looked up which way to go downtown. I'll put it this way. I got lost. The Google Maps wasn't working properly. I ended up wandering aimlessly near the airport, sweating like a pig and getting stared at by more stoic-looking Chinese people than I could count. My mood was pretty awful at this point.
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (ish): The most delicious (and surprisingly cheap) street food lunch I've ever had, which I ate somewhere I'm not particularly sure of because I was lost. A steaming bowl of noodles with mysterious, delicious meat. Fueling up for the day, hopefully. Still don't know where I am.
- 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Okay, the city is a blur. I think I saw the Bund, I think I rode a ferry across the Huangpu River. My memories of walking in the old city near Yu Garden are fuzzy, but pleasant. So. Many. People. The sheer volume of people is overwhelming. I am also pretty sure I got ripped off in some tea shop. But hey, the tea was pretty good, so maybe it's worth it.
Phase 2: Culture Shock and Spicy Food Adventures (Day 2 & 3)
Day 2, 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast again. The "fruit" selection is… optimistic. I might have to start bringing my own protein bars.
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Determined to be a "culture vulture"! Visited the Shanghai Museum. The porcelain exhibit was stunning, but my attention span lasted for about forty minutes. Got distracted by a group of school kids on a field trip and ended up eavesdropping on their teacher. My Mandarin is non-existent, and all the kids laughed at the sight of me.
12:30 PM: Lunch. Gotta try the hotpot! Found a place recommended by a blog. Spicy, delicious, and almost killed me. I'm pretty sure my face turned the same color as the chili oil. Worth it.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Failed to get a massage. Apparently, I look like I could use one. But I was too chicken to go into a "traditional" place. My attempt to communicate with the receptionist at a fancy spa (using a lot of arm waving) was met with a polite but firm "Ni hao."
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Found a bar with a rooftop view. Sipping a ridiculously overpriced cocktail, watching the city lights flicker to life. Finally managed to capture some nice photos. Feeling a touch of contentment.
Day 3, 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Same breakfast routine, sadly. Time to embrace the routine.
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM: Took a cooking class! Learned (a tiny bit) how to make dumplings. The instructor was super patient, and the results were edible. Maybe.
12:30 PM: Tried a different hotpot place. Spicy, delicious, and didn't kill me this time. I'm slowly building up a tolerance!
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Explored the French Concession, which was gorgeous. Wandered around, bought a ridiculous souvenir (a tiny, ceramic panda that's probably going to break in transit). Felt very relaxed in the area.
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Karaoke, alone, in my room. Singing badly to some cheesy 80s music. No regrets.
Phase 3: Farewell (and hopefully an actual flight home) (Day 4 & Departure)
- Day 4, 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Yep, you guessed it. Breakfast. Wondering how my stomach will handle the flight.
- 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM: One last attempt to find some authentic souvenirs. Panicked and bought everything at the airport gift shop anyway.
- 1:00 PM onwards: Taxi to airport. Getting ready to leave. Waiting in line. Wondering if I'll ever use all the Chinese words I learned. (Probably not.)
- Departure: On the plane! Tired. Sunburnt. Slightly broke. But, utterly, completely, wonderfully… Shanghai-ed. Looking forward to being back home!
Notes (aka, My Ramblings):
- Language Barrier: Don't expect to be fluent in Mandarin. Learn the basics, and be prepared to use gestures. It's an adventure!
- Food: Be adventurous! Even if it almost kills you.
- Pace Yourself: Don't try to do everything. Embrace the chaos. And bring comfortable shoes.
- Hotel: The Holiday Inn Express is… fine. It's a bed. It's a shower. It's a place to recharge. Do not expect romance.
- Final Thoughts: Shanghai is a whirlwind. It's sensory overload. It's frustrating. It's incredible. I'd go back in a heartbeat. But next time, I'm definitely bringing a better phrasebook, an actual sense of direction, and maybe… some more patience. And more socks. Always bring more socks.
Shanghai's Holiday Inn Express Hongqiao North: The Unvarnished Truth (and a Whole Lot of Ramen)
So, is this place REALLY as "express" as they say? Like, can you check in, crash, and be out before you've even fully unpacked your existential dread?
Alright, let's get this straight. "Express" is *definitely* the operative word. Check-in? Smoother than a Shanghai traffic cop directing… well, any traffic. Seriously, I waltzed in after a 14-hour flight, looking like a crumpled dumpling, and was in my room within minutes. They even got me a room on a high floor, which, let's be honest, is pure gold for a jet-lagged zombie craving altitude. Bonus points: friendly staff who didn't judge my questionable appearance. And checkout? Even easier. Just toss the keycard in the box. No dawdling, no hassle. Just… freedom. (Until you realize you forgot your phone charger. *Dammit*.)
The rooms: Tiny shoebox or surprisingly spacious? Give it to me straight; I'm a claustrophobe.
Okay, look, the rooms aren't *palatial*. Think… efficiently designed. My first thought? "Wow, this is… cozy." My second thought? "Where am I supposed to *put* all my stuff?!" Seriously, the luggage space is a bit of a puzzle. I ended up living out of my suitcase for the entire stay. But! The bed was actually comfy, and the bathroom was clean enough. The shower pressure? Excellent. And honestly, after battling Shanghai's crowds, I quickly adjusted. It's a place to sleep, recharge, and binge-watch something on your tablet. It's all about perspective, baby! Plus, at this price point? You're not paying for luxury, you're paying for a clean place to crash, right? Right?
Breakfast Included? And if so, what kind of culinary delights are we talking about? Is it the dreaded continental buffet or something more… exciting?
Breakfast? Ohhh, the breakfast. It's *included*, yes. And...it's... an experience. Let's just say I wasn't exactly blown away. There's definitely a continental vibe going on. Think: questionable scrambled eggs (suspect they knew my ex-boyfriend), a sad array of pastries, and… noodles. Yes, noodles. Apparently, noodles are a breakfast food now. And instant ramen. And I confess, I *may* have gone overboard on the ramen one morning when my stomach was doing the tango from the flight. Let's just say that the bathroom was my best friend after that. Look, the breakfast options aren’t going to win any Michelin stars, but it's fuel! You can fill up, grab a coffee (coffee was surprisingly decent!), and get your day started. Don't go expecting gourmet, and you'll be fine. Just… maybe avoid the questionable eggs. Your stomach will thank you.
Location, Location, Location! Is this place a logistical nightmare or an actual, you know, convenient spot?
Okay, the location? Kinda good, kinda meh. It *is* near Hongqiao Airport and the high-speed train. Seriously, if you're flying in or out, this is GOLD. Super convenient. The metro station is also not too far, so getting into the city center is doable. BUT... the immediate surroundings aren't exactly the most glamorous. Lots of industrial vibes. Think: warehouses, office buildings, and… not much else. Finding a decent restaurant nearby? A bit of a quest. But hey, you're in Shanghai! You can always hop on the metro and discover a whole world of food. Just be prepared to navigate the crowds. And possibly get lost. Repeatedly. (I know I did.) Also, it’s a bit far from the main sights like the Bund, but hey, trade-offs, right?
Cleanliness: Germaphobe's Guide to Survival?
Alright, cleanliness is a big one for me. And, honestly, the hotel was pretty clean. The rooms were spotless, and the bathrooms were well-maintained. The staff seemed to be constantly cleaning, which is a huge plus. No questionable smells (other than my own after that ramen incident). The sheets and towels were good. I really appreciated the fact that the room was cleaned daily. I have stayed at hotels where it seems that people are sleeping in the bed with their shoes on. I felt pretty comfortable, which is definitely saying something! They did a good job with that. I would stay at this hotel again, if I was looking for a place to lay my head!
The Staff: Angels or Agents of Chaos?
The staff were a mix! Generally very helpful, spoke decent English, which is a lifesaver. They really went the extra mile to help me with a problem I had with my taxi. The front desk was always friendly and efficient. BUT (and there's always a but, isn't there?), sometimes there were a few communication hiccups. Like, one time I asked for a hairdryer, and they brought me a… something. Not a hairdryer. I'm still not sure what it was. We had a good giggle about it, but, yeah. Mostly great, though!
Value for Money: Worth it, or should I just book a cardboard box under a bridge?
Okay, for the price? Absolutely worth it. It's a budget hotel, so don't expect the world. But you get a clean, comfortable room, a decent breakfast, and excellent access to the airport and train station. And that, my friends, is a win in my book. It's not luxury, but it's practical, convenient, and won't break the bank. I’ve paid a LOT more for a LOT less. I’d definitely stay again, and I definitely recommend it. Especially if you are on a budget. You won't be disappointed. Just… pack some snacks. And maybe a Pepto-Bismol. Just in case.
Anything else I should know? Like, secret pro-tips, hidden gems within the hotel, or scandalous rumors?
Scandalous rumors? Sadly, no. This isn't that kind of hotel. Secret pro-tips? Hmm… okay, here’s what I learned:
- **Earplugs are your friend:** Shanghai is a noisy city. Pack some. Traffic is relentless.
- **Learn a few basic Mandarin phrases:** Even a little "xie xie" (thank you) goes a long way.
- **Embrace the noodles:** Okay, I'm joking a bit… but the breakfast does have its moments. And hey, carbs for energy, right?
- **There's a 7-Eleven nearby:** Stock up on snacks, water, and sanity-saving provisions.
- **Don't be afraid to ask for help:** The staff are generally willing to assist.
- **If you REALLY care about good coffee, findUnbelievable Hotel Alarun Germany: You WON'T Believe What We Found!
