Shanghai's BEST Kept Secret Hotel Near Dapuqiao Metro?! (Hanting Hotel Review)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the supposed "BEST Kept Secret Hotel Near Dapuqiao Metro" – the Hanting Hotel. And let me tell you, "secret" might be a bit of a stretch. But hey, for the price, it is a decent contender, and I'm here to spill the tea… or, you know, lukewarm tap water, depending on where you are in the room.
Accessibility - The Great Shuffle (and hopefully not the Great Fall!)
Okay, so accessibility is a big question mark. The listing says "Facilities for disabled guests," but that could mean anything from a slightly wider door to an actual ramp. This is CRITICAL. If you need true accessibility, call ahead. Don't assume anything. I didn't check this specifically because I'm able-bodied, but I did notice the elevators (a major plus, mind you, because lugging suitcases up external corridors in the Shanghai humidity is no one's idea of fun). The lack of specific info makes me worry, though!
On-Site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges – Hungry, But Accessible?
Again, I'd need to investigate specifically. The listing mentions restaurants and a bar, and I'll get into those in a minute, but accessible is the magic word. Double-check this if you NEED it!
Wheelchair Accessible – Fingers Crossed!
See above. The elevators are a good sign, but don’t take anything for granted.
Internet Access – The Wi-Fi Warriors
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes! Thank the heavens. Seriously. Essential. No point in being "hidden" if you can't, you know, connect.
- Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services: All present and accounted for. I connected no problem on my phone and my computer with the free Wi-Fi.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Yep. Not blazing fast, mind you, but it worked.
"Things to Do" – Beyond the Hotel Walls (and the Urge to Sleep All Day)
Listen, you're in Shanghai. You've got more things to do than you can shake a baozi at! This ain't a resort. This is a base camp. The Dapuqiao Metro station is your lifeline! Take advantage of it and you're golden!
Okay, let's get real. This is a functional hotel. You're not coming here for a luxury spa day. But…
Ways to Relax? Okay, Here's the Real Scoop (and the Honest Truth)
- Fitness center: Didn't see one and I didn't see any information about it either.
- Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Nope, nada, zilch. This is a budget hotel. Manage your expectations.
- Massage: Maybe you can find a place nearby – the concierge might know.
Cleanliness and Safety – The Good, the Bad, and the Sanitized
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good to know.
- Breakfast in room: I did not request this but it is an option.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Again, possible, but not my thing.
- Cashless payment service: Modern! Good.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Heard of it, but didn't see it in action.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Good to know.
- First aid kit: Always a good sign.
- Hand sanitizer: Likely.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Essential.
- Hygiene certification: Probably.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Probably.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Eh, in the common areas, maybe.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Listed.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Probably not, but maybe you can ask!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Hopefully.
- Safe dining setup: Okay.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Fingers crossed.
- Shared stationery removed: Good riddance.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: I assume.
- Sterilizing equipment: Listed.
My Emotional Reaction: Honestly, the cleanliness felt… clean. Not sterile, sparkling-brand-new clean, but definitely acceptable and I didn't get a gut feeling of "ick." That is HIGH praise from me.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Fuel That Keeps You Going
- A la carte in restaurant: See below.
- Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes, yes, almost certainly yes, and probably okay, but nothing to write home about.
- Coffee shop: Not that I saw, but Shanghai is full of coffee!
- Desserts in restaurant: Probably a selection of sugary delights.
- Happy hour: Possibly.
- International cuisine in restaurant: Possible.
- Poolside bar: Not applicable.
- Restaurants: Functional. See below.
- Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver sometimes.
- Salad in restaurant: Probably.
- Snack bar: Maybe.
- Soup in restaurant: Probably, if you're lucky.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Shanghai is great for veggies.
- Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Possible.
My Emotional Reaction: The food situation is… functional. It’s not gourmet. It's not a culinary adventure. You're probably better off eating at local spots nearby. I had breakfast in the "restaurant" – a pretty standard buffet. Think pre-cooked scrambled eggs that probably sat around for too long. Some weirdly sweet pastries. Basic, but it filled a hole. The coffee was… well, it was coffee.
Services and Conveniences – Making Life Easier (Maybe)
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: A whole lot of possibilities!
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: All the standard stuff that you would expect.
My Emotional Reaction: The convenience store? A lifesaver. The concierge was helpful. The elevator was a godsend. The 24-hour front desk? Excellent. No complaints.
For the Kids – Family Fun Factor? (Kinda)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Maybe, maybe not. If you're traveling with kids, call ahead.
Getting Around – Shanghai Survival 101
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Okay, so the airport transfer is key. The Dapuqiao Metro station. Seriously. It's a dream. You're five minutes away. Embrace it.
- Metered Taxis: Easy to get, but can be a pain during rush hour.
Available in all rooms
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
- Additional toilet: Don't know.
My Emotional Reaction: The room was… fine. Clean. A little bit…
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hanting Hotel Luoyang - Your Dream Stay in China!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't gonna be your sanitized, perfectly-planned travelogue. This is real life, Shanghai style, post-Hanting Hotel near Dapuqiao Metro Station. Prepare for a rollercoaster, a glorious, stumbling, slightly-hungover rollercoaster of a trip.
Day 1: Arrival, Sensory Overload & Noodles of Destiny (and Regret)
14:00 - Arrival & Hotel Chaos:
- Touchdown! Shanghai. Jet lag already hitting me like a rogue rickshaw. Finding the Hanting… uh… (checks notes) …Dapuqiao Metro Station edition. Easy, right? Famous last words. Navigating the airport was a minefield of people, signs in languages I couldn't even pretend to read and that smell… a heady mix of diesel, dumplings, and something vaguely floral. Ah, the magic of the East! After what felt like an eternity, I find the hotel, sweating like a pig in a sauna. Checking in was a battle of wills with the reception desk – me, armed with a rusty command of Mandarin, and them, radiating polite bewilderment. Eventually, SUCCESS! Room is… well, it's a Hanting room. Basic, functional, and smells faintly of bleach and a past life. Alright, deal with it - sleep is priority number one.
16:00 - Food Quest – Noodle Ambush:
- Okay, hunger pangs! A proper meal is in order! The concierge (bless her patient soul) points me towards a "famous noodle shop" right around the corner. Sounds promising, right? WRONG. Or at least, wrong for my poor, unprepared stomach. The shop… oh god, the shop. Bustling, noisy, with steam billowing everywhere. I somehow manage to order a bowl of something. It looked innocent enough at first… but then, BAM! Chili oil. Loads of it. My mouth erupted into flames. I swear, I saw my whole life flash before my eyes, all while battling the heat and the slippery noodles. It was an experience. I survived - that's all that matters - so at least I can tick that off the list.
18:00 - Post-Noodle Stroll & Immediate Regret:
- Feeling like I could breathe fire, I decided a stroll was in order. Walked aimlessly around, absorbing the sights, the sounds, the energy. It's a sensory explosion. The neon lights, the constant chatter, the sheer density of people… whoa. Bought some super-sweet snacks (probably a bad idea after the noodles). Took some pictures of everything… and definitely got lost. Thankfully, my phone has a GPS, otherwise I'd still be wandering around the back streets of… wherever I even was at that point.
20:00 - Bedtime - Exhaustion is REAL
- Collapsed in bed, defeated but mildly exhilarated. The noodles, the sugar rush, the jet lag… all collapsing onto me at once. My brain felt like scrambled eggs. Sleep is my only hope now. Tomorrow, I shall plan an actual, sensible plan. (I lie to myself constantly).
Day 2: Temples, Tea & the Terror of the Metro
09:00 - The Planned Breakfast Disaster:
- Woke up feeling slightly less like a melted candle. Decided to try the included "Chinese breakfast" at the hotel. Curiosity. It was… an experience. It seemed to be a congealed, congealed mess of something, with weird, gelatinous cubes. I took a bite, winced, and went straight for the instant coffee. My stomach is not happy with my life choices.
10:00 - The Long-Lost Temple Trip:
- Gearing up for a trip to the Jing'an Temple. Taking the metro to save myself from a taxi. Wish me luck.
- 10:20 - After 2 attempts I'm on the right subway line. So many people. So little personal space. Wow.
11:00-13:00 - Temple Triumph & Inner Peace (Maybe):
- Jing'an Temple was honestly stunning. The incense, the chanting, the gold… it was a welcome respite from the urban sprawl. I spent an hour just wandering, trying to absorb the atmosphere. Did I achieve inner peace? Nope. But it was nice to escape the chaos for a bit.
13:00 - Tea Time & Questionable Choices:
- Found a tea house nearby. Okay, this is where things get interesting…
- Rambling commences Okay, so they had this amazing tea ceremony. The woman was talking about the significance of the tea and the history. Then she made it so clear that she had a certain bias for the tea. She was clearly trying to sell me some tea. I'm not a tea aficionado, so I probably will just stick to the instant coffee at the Hanting to be honest.
- Rambling ends
- Also, the snacks were… interesting. Let's just say, some of them tasted like feet.
16:00 - Back to the Hotel & the Metro Again (Heart in Mouth):
- The metro again. The anxiety is peaking. It's like a moving sardine can. But hey, I survived! Another near-death experience (okay, maybe a slight exaggeration).
- Realized I lost my metro card somewhere. Cue mild panic. Found it thankfully, but it's currently being gripped like a life-line.
18:00 - Food Quest Again! - This Time, Safer (Probably):
- Going to try that little dumpling place that looked appealing (judging by the queue) from earlier. Hoping for less-fiery success this time. Wish me luck. (God, I'm hungry.)
23:00 - Bedtime & Another Day Done!
- Survived another day. Dumplings were a resounding success! Mildly less lost than yesterday. Still a bit confused, but in the best way possible. Shanghai, you crazy city.
- Tomorrow… well, who knows. Maybe I’ll actually try to visit that museum. Or, perhaps I will just spend the day wandering, getting lost, and embracing the beautiful chaos. And getting another bowl of noodles.
Ongoing Observations & Imperfections:
- The Language Barrier: I swear, my rudimentary Mandarin gets me into more trouble than it helps. I'm pretty sure I accidentally ordered a live prawn for a pet.
- The Food: The food here is a rollercoaster of deliciousness and sheer terror. My stomach is a brave, valiant warrior.
- The Crowds: They are relentless. But I'm starting to get used to being jostled, pushed, and generally existing in a state of constant motion.
- The Honesty: I have no filter. What you see is what you get.
- The Imperfection: Shanghai is not perfectly planned. It's messy, unpredictable, and constantly surprising. And that's what makes it amazing.
P.S. My socks are currently wet from some unidentifiable puddle. Because obviously.
Nanjing's BEST Hotel? Shangyuanmen Metro Station Luxury Awaits!
Shanghai's "Best Kept Secret" (Hanting Hotel near Dapuqiao) - Unfiltered FAQs
Okay, spill the tea! Is this Hanting Hotel *really* a secret gem near Dapuqiao? What's the big deal?
Look, "gem" is a strong word. Let's just say it's... a perfectly acceptable, and CHEAP, base of operations. The "secret" part? Well, it's not the Ritz. But for the price, and *that location*? Absolutely. You're talking walking distance to Dapuqiao Metro, a *lifesaver* in Shanghai. You're talking everything, from the Tianzifang's art and chaos to the restaurants, the shopping, you name it. It's convenient as heck. Secret? More like, "smart traveler's haven on a budget."
The location is supposed to be great, but like, *how* great? Be honest.
Okay, picture this: You've spent all day battling crowds and navigating the metro, your feet are screaming, and your bank account is crying. Dapuqiao station is your escape, and the Hanting is basically RIGHT THERE. I'm talking, after a long day exploring, you can stumble out of the metro, see your (admittedly basic) hotel, and collapse within like, five minutes. No lengthy cab rides, no frantic phone map searches in the pouring rain... Pure, unadulterated bliss. Bliss I tell you! Also? Easy peasy to get to everywhere else. Seriously, the location is the *selling point*. Don't go expecting views, go expecting a convenient launchpad to Shanghai.
The rooms... what are they like? I'm picturing… something.
Yeah. Okay. Temper expectations. They're… functional. Think IKEA-chic on a budget. Small, generally clean (with the occasional errant hair... you know how it goes), with the necessary basics: a bed (usually comfortable enough after a day of pounding the pavement) a small TV (mostly Chinese channels, but hey, sometimes you get hooked), and a bathroom that will get the job done. Don’t expect luxury, people! Don't wail if it's a little cramped. It's Shanghai, babe. They are small everywhere.
What was the ONE thing you absolutely LOVED (or HATED) about your stay? Come on, give me the juicy details!
Okay, buckle up. Let me tell you about the *breakfast*. I went down one hungover morning, expecting… well, not much. It's a Hanting, for crying out loud. I’m picturing some dried-out pastries and lukewarm coffee. But, to my shock, a little old Chinese lady, with a smile that could light up the entire hotel, was making fresh, piping hot *Jianbing*. JIANBING! I mean, it’s a savory crepe, a Shanghai street food staple. Sweet lord, it was good. Crispy, flavorful, perfect for soaking up the remnants of the night before. I swear, I went back like, five times that week just for that Jianbing. Okay, so *that* was a highlight... Definitely a memory I'll cherish. The unexpected breakfast was a game-changer. Every other hotel breakfast felt like a failure after that. Also, she was so nice. Bless her little Jianbing-slinging heart.
Any tips or tricks for navigating the hotel or the area around it?
* **Learn a Few Mandarin Phrases:** Trust me, it goes a long way. Even a basic "Ni hao" and "Xie xie" can make a difference. Google Translate is your friend. Pre-download the Chinese language pack! * **Metro Smart:** Get a Shanghai Public Transportation Card (like an Octopus card). It makes things a million times easier. Top it up whenever you can! * **Explore Tianzifang:** It's right there! Seriously, wander through the lanes, get lost, try the street food. It's a sensory overload in the best way. Beware the "tourist trap" element, though. Some things are a bit overpriced and overly crowded. * **Pack Light:** You’ll be doing a LOT of walking. Trust me. Your feet will thank you. Also, the hotel's not exactly cavernous. * **Embrace the Chaos:** Shanghai is a whirlwind. Just go with it. Don't expect perfection. And don't be afraid to try new things. The quirks are what make it memorable!
Okay, so avoiding those inevitable downsides, like noise or smells. What's the deal?
Noise is a potential issue. Some rooms face the street, and Shanghai traffic can be… vocal. Pack earplugs. Seriously. The walls aren't exactly soundproof. As for smells, well... China. You'll encounter them. Sometimes the air conditioning might be... a little old, and might have a slight aroma. Don't walk into it expecting pristine sterile hotel smells. Embrace the adventure. The smell of delicious food everywhere usually makes up for anything stinky.
Would you stay there again? Be real.
Honestly? Yeah, I probably would. For the price, and the location, it's hard to beat. I'd go back just for the Jianbing lady, if I'm being honest. But, you know, it's not a luxury experience. It's functional, it's convenient, and it's cheap. If you're looking for a base camp to explore Shanghai without breaking the bank, it's a solid choice. Just... manage your expectations. And for the love of all that is holy, get the Jianbing.
What are the other places to visit in the area?
Tianzifang is a must-see. Beyond that, it's easy to reach: the French Concession. Nanjing Road. The Bund. The Yu Garden. The Shanghai Museum. Literally everything is a short metro ride away! Just hop on the metro, explore at your own pace. The location of the hotel is truly the cherry on top of a fantastic time.
Is the staff friendly?
The staff ranged from efficient to friendly. Some spoke decent English, others less so. Most importantly, they were helpful. It's not like the Four Seasons service, but they are there to help you and get you sorted. Just try to be patient, use some of your newly-found Mandarin skills, and have a smile. You will get more from your interactions than you might expect!
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