Unbelievable Lijiang Luxury: Hanting Hotel's Hidden Gem!
Unbelievable Lijiang Luxury? Hanting Hotel's Hidden Gem… Or a Polished Facade? My Chaotic Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on the Hanting Hotel in Lijiang, China. Forget the perfectly curated Instagram photos, because I'm going to give you the real deal, warts and all. This isn't just a review; it's a therapy session for my travel-addled brain.
First Impressions (and a Near-Disaster with the Taxi):
Getting to the Hanting was a whole adventure. Let's just say the taxi driver and I had a moment. My Mandarin is…let's call it "emerging." He, understandably, was not thrilled by my frantic hand gestures and panicked “Where is hotel?!” Eventually, we made it. Phew! And then, the facade. Seriously, this place looked stunning – traditional Naxi architecture gleaming under the Lijiang sun. Gorgeous. Instantly, my travel stress started evaporating. Until…
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag…and a Near-Trip:
Okay, listen up, because this is crucial. Accessibility is… complicated. The lobby, thankfully, was sprawling and wheelchair-friendly. Elevator? Check! But then you hit the cobblestone walkways leading to the rooms and… whoa. Not so smooth. While there was a ramp somewhere near my room, navigating it with a suitcase felt like an Olympic sport. I'm thinking the hotel needs a little more thought on this aspect; a flat path would make me happier especially when i would have to carry luggage.
Inside the Room: Oh, the Glorious Air Conditioning!
My room? Absolutely divine. Air conditioning in all its glory! After the sticky Lijiang heat, this was heaven. Free Wi-Fi, and not just in the room, but also in the Lobby and around the pool! Bonus: Complimentary bottled water and Tea and coffee, a mini-bar And the comfy bed! A plush cloud of blankets! The Blackout curtains were also a godsend for sleeping in. The Private bathroom was a dream with a separate shower and bathtub. The Bathrobes were the softest ever! I could finally relax. I think my sanity was being saved as I sunk down onto the bed… Ahhh…
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized… Mostly?
This is where things get a bit… nuanced. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Staff in masks? Check. Hand sanitizer stations everywhere? Check. The room, however, I had to opt out of the the opt-out of room sanitization. I felt happy and safe!
- Anti-viral cleaning products? Probably, but who knows for sure? I'd prefer a big, bold statement that they are being done - and it wasn't super obvious!
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items? Yes!
- Rooms sanitized between stays? They claim so. I would have to see more to really believe.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Adventures Ahead!
Okay, food time! And, honestly, the food was a highlight, and I'm a tough critic. Restaurants: There were multiple! And I took full advantage.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Loads of choice here…Asian, Western, you name it. I gorged myself on the Asian breakfast, which was all delicious.
- A la carte in restaurant: I indulged in this a few times – the food was delicious, it was all easy to enjoy.
- Coffee shop: Great to chill out in.
The Spa: Ah, Bliss… and a Tiny Hiccup (or Two):
Okay, the spa… where do I even begin? I booked a Body scrub and massage. It was heavenly. Pure, unadulterated bliss. My masseuse had magic hands. The Spa/sauna and steam room were an absolute treat. Especially the Pool with a View: stunning. I just melted into a human puddle of relaxation.
Then… a minor blip. The music in the relaxation room was a little too… new-age electronica. Also, I did have to ask for a second towel. But the overall experience? Worth every penny.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: More Than You Can Shake a Stick At
The Hanting really caters to relaxation! The Fitness center and gym were good, though I skipped it (I was too busy eating!). The Swimming pool was lovely, although the water was a bit chilly. I also enjoyed the Foot bath. Sauna/spa and steamroom were perfect. And of course, the beautiful pool. Definitely a place to unwind.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
This is where the Hanting really shines. Seriously, they've thought of everything.
- Concierge: Always super helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was always spotless.
- Laundry service: Super efficient.
- Currency exchange: Super convenient (if you need it).
- Room service [24-hour]: Midnight snack? Yes, please!
For the Kids: Family-Friendly… But Maybe Not Super Wild
I didn't travel with kids, but the hotel seemed to have some family-friendly options. There was a Babysitting service available. The general vibe was welcoming to families, however, I did not see any specific Kids facilities or Kids meals.
Getting Around: A Word of Warning About Taxis
Okay, so I already mentioned the taxi debacle. Let me reiterate: Taxi service around Lijiang can be… interesting. The hotel offers Airport transport so use it! Car park: Lots of parking and free! Bike parking available which is great!
Final Verdict: Worth the Trip (and the Taxi Trauma?)
Would I recommend the Hanting Hotel? Absolutely. The rooms are gorgeous, the spa is divine, and the staff is incredibly helpful. Yes, there are some minor imperfections (the accessibility, for example, could be improved), but overall, it's a truly special place. Just… maybe Uber instead of taking a taxi… maybe… Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (Minus half a star for the taxi stress and the accessibility hiccups)
Escape to Paradise: Panoramahotel Schwendbergerhof Awaits in Stunning Hippach, Austria
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because we're about to get real about my Lijiang adventure, starting at the Hanting Hotel Lijiang Ancient Town Da Shui Che Branch. (Try saying that five times fast after a few Baijius, am I right?). This isn’t your pristine, Instagram-perfect itinerary. This is… well, this is me trying to survive a trip to Yunnan. Here we go:
Lijiang, China: The Almost-Perfect (Mostly Messy) Itinerary
(Arrival Day: The "Lost Luggage & Level 9 Anxiety" Debacle)
- Morning (Before 9:00 AM): Arrive at Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (LJG). The air is DIFFERENT. Thin. I swear, just walking from the plane to baggage claim made me feel like I’d run a marathon. Grabbed my bags, but… wait a minute… where's my bag? Apparently, it’s "taking a scenic route" to somewhere in shanghai. Great. Already I'm looking for the nearest panic room (probably a local dumpling shop).
- Morning (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Taxi to Hanting Hotel. The taxi driver, bless his soul, clearly hadn’t learned English past “Ni hao”. We communicated purely through hand gestures and the universal language of “stress” as he navigated the chaotic traffic. The hotel itself? Clean. Functional. The AC actually works, which is a serious win.
- Morning (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Check-in. Attempt to locate my lost luggage. Fail miserably and contemplate buying an entire new wardrobe at the local market purely out of spite for the airline.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch at a nearby noodle shop. This is where things get interesting. I order something vaguely resembling “beef noodles” based on a picture. Turns out, it's delicious. The broth is this rich, savory symphony of flavors, and there are these weird, squishy bits. I think I'm in love. Wait, are those tripe? Decide I don't care. My stomach is happy.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): A wander through the Ancient Town. Oh. My. God. It's more beautiful than the pictures. Cobblestone streets, canals, traditional architecture. It's a total sensory overload. I get happily lost in a maze of shops. Get almost run over by a rickshaw. Worth it.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Tea ceremony! My guide, bless her heart, is trying to teach me the proper way to prepare tea. I'm pretty sure I'm massacring the ritual. Spilling tea everywhere. But the tea is… sublime. Seriously, the flavors! There's one tea that tastes like sunshine. I swear.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Dinner! I'm starving after all the walking and tea-tasting. I try another local dish. This time it's "Yak Meat BBQ." It sounds exotic and delicious! But, texture wise, it has a slightly… chewy consistency. "Alright," I think, "I can do this," but after all I can only manage two bites before giving up.
- Evening (7:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Roam around the bars, Listen to live music, feeling like a fool because I don't understand anything. Laughing!
(Day 2: "Lost in Translation & Local Delights")
Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Wake up. Still no luggage. Rage-eat a breakfast of instant noodles. Then remind myself, this is to be my adventure.
Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Explore the Black Dragon Pool (Heilongtan Park). It's supposed to be the best place for photos of the Snow Mountain. I'm too busy marveling at the local life. An older woman is doing tai chi by the water. Kids are flying kites. It's peaceful, stunning, and I secretly want to join them. The mountain is visible. It's breath-taking. I take some photos.
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): I'm now on a mission. Find the best street food. It turns out, the best place is in a small alleyway I could have easily missed. The food stall has a delicious rice cake, not the sweet type but the savory one. It's filled with veggies and spicy sauce. A local lady watches me with amusement as I struggle to eat it without making a mess. She gestures and grins. I grin back, my mouth full of rice.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Climb up the Lion Hill (Shizi Shan). This is a steep hike, and I'm regretting not doing more cardio before this trip. The views from the top are incredible reward! I can see the whole town, the mountains, everything! I'm sweating like a pig, but the view is worth it.
Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Rest, drink tea. I'm exhausted. My legs feel like jelly. I find a charming little teahouse and spend time looking out at the streets.
Evening (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Get some retail therapy. Time to find some tourist souvenirs. A local artist paints a picture of me. I get to see an entirely different view of myself and the scenery.
Evening (7:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Feast on local delights. We're talking all the local restaurants tonight. It is not a diet friendly food adventure.
(Day 3: "High Altitude, Higher Emotions, & Farewell Baijiu")
- Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Pack up. It's time to leave. Damn, it's sad. My lost luggage is still missing, which is a constant source of frustration.
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): A last morning stroll through the Ancient Town. This time I'm looking for gifts for my colleagues. I stop at a small shop. The owner speaks a little English. We chat. She tells me about the way of the town and the people. I end up buying a scarf, a few postcards, and a feeling of sadness for the departure.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM): One last meal. Noodles, of course. This time I get it perfectly.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Head to the airport. Taxi driver is still not speaking English. We exchange smiles. I'm suddenly choked up with tears.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Check in. Head through security.
- Evening (5:00 PM): Board your flight.
- Evening (6:00 PM): The adventure comes to an end. Leaving the town, I know I would come back again.
Observations & Quirks:
- The Altitude: Seriously. Breathless. Constantly. Take it easy, even if you feel like you can handle the climb.
- The Food: Incredible. Strange. Sometimes questionable. Embrace it all!
- The People: Friendly. Helpful. And patient enough to deal with my terrible Mandarin. (Xie xie!)
- The Pace: It started out slow. Then it speeds up. There's no right or wrong way to experience this place.
Emotional Reactions:
- Joy. Wonder. Frustration. Homesickness. Profound appreciation. The full spectrum.
- I left a piece of my heart in Lijiang. And maybe a small piece of my dignity too.
Overall:
Lijiang is magical. Imperfect. Messy. And utterly unforgettable. Go. Get lost. Eat strange food. Learn some Chinese. And don't worry about the lost luggage. Just enjoy the ride. You won't regret it!
Escape to Paradise: Mahabaleshwar's Tranquil Resort & Spa Awaits
Unbelievable Lijiang Luxury: Hanting Hotel's Hidden Gem! (and the Messy Truth!)
Okay, so...is this Hanting Hotel *really* a "hidden gem"? Sounds kinda cliché.
Ugh, I know, right? "Hidden gem" is such a travel blogger buzzword, makes me want to hurl. But... hear me out. I was skeptical too. Hanting Hotels, in my experience, are usually... well, functional, let's say. Think clean, basic, and maybe a tad soul-crushing in their corporate-ness.
This one in Lijiang? Different beast. It *is* a hidden gem (I hate admitting it!). It's tucked away, not right in the middle of the chaotic Old Town, which is already a massive plus. The reviews were good, but I figured, "Meh, they're probably paid!"
I was wrong. SO WRONG. From the moment I walked in, I felt like I was in a completely different dimension. Not just a hotel, but a freaking *experience*. Think serene courtyards, the gentle sound of a water feature, and the smell of... something heavenly. Jasmine, maybe? I'm hopeless at identifying smells, but trust me, it was good.
What's the location *really* like? Is it a pain to get around?
Location? Okay, this is where it gets interesting. It's *close enough* to the Old Town to be convenient, but far enough to escape the hordes of tourists. This is crucial, people. I mean, walking through those streets crammed with people wearing matching hats and holding selfie sticks gave me hives. Seriously, I almost had a panic attack on my first day.
You can walk (maybe a 15-20 minute leisurely stroll), but honestly, I just grabbed a Didi (the Chinese version of Uber) - super cheap and easy. The hotel staff can arrange them for you too, so you don't have to deal with any potential language barriers... which, trust me, is a blessing when you're hangry.
And the views! Oh god, the views. My room looked out onto the mountains, and those sunrises? Breath-taking. Okay, maybe I'm getting carried away, but they were genuinely amazing. Waking up to that every morning? Worth the entire trip.
Let's talk rooms. Are they actually *luxurious*? Because "luxury" can mean anything these days.
Okay, "luxury." This needs some unpacking. No, it's not the Four Seasons. But for the price, it's *insane*. Think spacious rooms, beautifully decorated with traditional Chinese touches (think: dark wood, calligraphy, comfy cushions). I'm a sucker for a good bed, and the one I had was like sleeping on a cloud. I actually felt guilty leaving it every morning.
The bathroom? Spotless. Seriously, pristine. The water pressure in the shower was perfect – a crucial factor, in my opinion. And the toiletries? Not those cheap, sad little bottles you get in some hotels. Proper stuff! I may have accidentally taken a few extra of the body wash. Don't judge me.
My only *slightly* negative thing? The Wi-Fi was a little patchy sometimes, especially at peak times. But honestly, who cares? You're on holiday! Embrace the digital detox (or, you know, just find a better spot in the courtyard). Oh, and the air conditioning in my room was a bit loud. Nothing major, but worth noting if you're a super light sleeper.
What about the staff? Are they helpful? Do they speak English?
Ah, the staff! This is where the Hanting Hotel *really* shines. They were genuinely lovely. Now, I'm not saying they're all fluent in Shakespearean English, but they *tried*. And that's the important thing. They were patient, friendly, and went out of their way to help. Even when I, in my infinite wisdom, managed to lock myself out of my room at 2 AM after a late-night snack (don't ask).
They’d find someone to translate, even if it meant waking someone up. They’re eager, and that counts for a lot. They helped me book tours, recommend restaurants (some of which were incredible – more on that later), and generally made me feel welcome. Plus, the smiles! Always a smile, even when I probably looked like a total mess.
Food! Tell me about the food! What about breakfast?
Okay, food. The most important thing. Breakfast was included, which is always a win. It was a buffet, but not the sad, reheated-eggs variety. There were fresh fruit (amazing mangoes!), pastries, noodles (yay!), and all sorts of deliciousness. They had some Western options, too, but honestly, I was all about the local cuisine.
Now, here's a confession: I developed a *serious* addiction to their congee. OMG, the congee! It was creamy, flavorful, and the perfect way to start the day. I could eat it every single day. Actually, I probably *did* eat it every single day. No regrets. They also had these little savory pancakes… oh, I'm drooling just thinking about it.
Pro tip: Don't be afraid to try everything. Even the weird things. You might discover your new favorite food! And the hotel can also recommend some amazing restaurants in Lijiang, especially local places that often specialize in Naxi cuisine. Some were a little bit pricier, but they were worth it. One place gave me food poisoning though, so, like, watch out.
Any downsides? Anything that might ruin the "hidden gem" experience?
Let's be honest, nothing is perfect. The Wi-Fi could be better (as I mentioned), and the AC in my room wasn’t whisper-quiet. The biggest potential downer? Crowds. Lijiang is *popular*. And for good reason! It is gorgeous. Especially at night. BUT... if you’re easily overwhelmed by throngs of tourists, this might not be the place for you.
The hotel itself is a tranquil oasis, but stepping outside… well, you're back in the tourist maelstrom. Which is part of the experience, I guess? Just be prepared. And try to go in the shoulder season (spring or autumn), to try and avoid the worst of the crowds.
Oh, and one more thing. Trying to find the hotel the first time was a bit of a head-scratcher. Google Maps was… not super helpful. So, download a map, and maybe ask the hotel for clear directions before you arrive.
Okay, so... would you recommend this hotel? Spill the tea!
YES. Absolutely, unequivocally, yes. Despite the potentialHotel Deals Search
