Shanghai Nanxiang Getaway: Jinjiang Inn's Unbeatable Deal!
Shanghai Nanxiang Getaway: Jinjiang Inn's "Unbeatable Deal"? Well… Let's Unpack That! (A No-Holds-Barred Review)
Okay, so I just got back from Shanghai, and the name "Shanghai Nanxiang Getaway: Jinjiang Inn’s Unbeatable Deal!" keeps flashing in my brain. It's like the hotel wants me to review it. So, fine, here goes. Buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your typical sterile hotel review. This is my brain on Jet lag, dumplings, and a whole lotta… well, let's see.
First Impressions & the "Unbeatable Deal" Myth:
The name is ambitious, right? "Getaway"? Promises escape? Let's be honest, a budget hotel in Nanxiang, while technically "Shanghai," ain’t exactly the Maldives. Still, the idea of an "unbeatable deal" got me. And hey, the price was right. Cheap. That’s the truth bomb.
Accessibility, for Whom? (And a Dash of Frustration):
Right off the bat, access is a mixed bag. Let's talk accessibility. I am not a wheelchair-bound person, and this is an aspect of hotel reviews that I do not have knowledge of personally. However, I will give you what I was able to find:
- Elevator: Yep, thank goodness!
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: This is where it gets sketchy. The website vaguely mentions it, but no real details. I’d strongly recommend calling the hotel directly and getting specifics if you need this. Don’t rely on the website; I felt like the information was almost hidden.
- Exterior Corridor: The corridors of the room were pretty standard, and I didn’t see anything obviously problematic… but again, call.
(My Personal Whinge on Accessibility - Just for Fun):
I did notice a lack of clear signage in the hotel, which made navigating… interesting. It took me a solid ten minutes to find the coffee shop the first morning. I’m moderately able-bodied (aka, I can walk and carry my own luggage), and this was a minor irritation. This could be a huge problem for someone with mobility issues.
Rooms: Clean…ish. And a Deep Dive into Bedding (Because Why Not?)
My room was… clean enough. They definitely tried. The sanitization protocols were evident (more on that later), but let's just say the corners weren't exactly gleaming. The devil is in the details, and the details were a bit… lacking.
- Air Conditioning: Needed it. It worked. Praise be!
- Blackout Curtains: YES! Crucial for battling jet lag and the relentless Shanghai sun.
- **Bedding: ** Okay, this is where things got… interesting. The bed was comfortable. The pillows? Eh. I prefer a fluffy cloud, not a dense brick. And the linens… let's just say they had seen better days. Slightly worn, a little… used. I am not sure when they were replaced last but definitely not recently. It was bearable, but I’ve stayed in budget hotels with much better sheets.
- Extra Long Bed: A plus. I'm a tall guy, and I appreciate this.
- In-room safe box: Yes. Always a good thing.
The "Essential Condiments" (and the Coffee Problem):
My room also had:
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes. Crucial.
- Complimentary tea: Tea bags. Generic. Fine in a pinch.
- Free bottled water: A life-saver given the tap water situation.
- And… the "essential condiments" (which turned out to be instant coffee, tea bags, and creamers).
(The Coffee Shop Debacle)
The "coffee shop" was a small, dingy little corner of the lobby. It offered instant coffee. And it was terrible. I had to walk to a 7/11 (several blocks away) every morning for a real coffee. A real espresso. The fact that the hotel touted this as a coffee shop was, frankly, insulting to the concept of coffee.
Internet: Free… but with a Catch? (and Streaming Struggles!)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes! Hooray!
- Internet access – LAN: Didn't even try it. Who uses LAN these days?
- Internet access – wireless: It worked, mostly. But the connection was… spotty. Streaming movies was a battle. I spent more time buffering than watching. Not ideal when you're trying to relax at the end of a long day.
(My Grumpy Internet Rant):
Seriously, in this day and age, a reliable internet connection is a necessity. It's 2024! I needed to work, and the Wi-Fi made it difficult. It was frustrating, to say the least. I will make it a point to remember this when choosing again.
Eating, Drinking, and the Art of the Buffet (or the Lack Thereof):
- Breakfast [buffet]: Technically, yes. But… it was more buffet-adjacent. The selection was limited (think mostly Asian fare), and the quality was… well, it wasn't gourmet. But, hey, it's free. It'll do.
- Restaurants: There was a restaurant. I ate there once. It was functional. Not memorable. The staff's English language skills were… questionable.
- Room service [24-hour]: YES! Always a winner. They had a basic menu. It was reliable. I ordered a pizza. It arrived quickly. And it was… edible. (Again, not gourmet, but hey, it was 2 am.)
- Snack bar: Didn’t exist.
- Poolside bar: Haha! Nope.
(The Buffet Experience - A Comedy of Errors)
The buffet… Oh, the buffet. Let's just say the presentation was… rustic. There were what looked like stir-fried greens in a trough, and strange little meat dishes in a warming tray. I made a plate, and then… slowly regretted almost everything on it. My stomach and I have a somewhat complicated relationship. It was fine though, what I wanted was good, and everything was very edible. (The coffee shop, however, was a betrayal.)
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitization Symphony (or, How Many Times Can You Sanitize a Room?)
Okay, gold stars to Jinjiang Inn for trying to be super careful about cleanliness and safety.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Mentioned. Good!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Seen.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes, I believe so (they told me).
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Seemed like it.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Mentioned too.
(My Take on the Sanitization Overdrive):
Look, I appreciate the effort. But there was a certain… sterile vibe to the place. It felt a little like living in a hospital. I think it would have been a lot more inviting if they had done a little more to add personality. On the other hand, I did feel safe.
Things to Do (and Not Do):
- Fitness center: They had a very small gym.
- Massage: No.
- Pool: No.
- Spa: Nope.
(The Nanxiang Paradox):
Nanxiang is known for its famed, delicious soup dumplings! It's the thing to do. There's also a beautiful classical garden nearby. But other than that, the area feels very… suburban. The hotel is a good base for exploring Nanxiang itself, but don't expect a vibrant nightlife or lots of attractions. Pack your own excitement, basically.
Services & Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Incomplete:
- Concierge: Bare minimum. Helpful, but not exactly a wealth of insider tips.
- Cash withdrawal: Yes.
- Convenience store: There was a vending machine with snacks and drinks. Nearby 7/11.
- Dry cleaning: Yes.
- Elevator: Yes!
- Facilities for disabled guests: See above.
- Laundry service: Yes.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Safety deposit boxes: Yes.
- Smoking area: Designated. Important.
- Airport transfer: Yes.
(My Service Anecdote: The Laundry Mishap)
I put my laundry out. It took forever to come back. Then, it came back wrong (missing some items). Not a disaster, but a minor annoyance. And it took a bit of persuasion to get things sorted out.
For the Kids: Not Really, But…
- Family/child friendly: I saw no evidence.
- Babysitting service: Unlikely.
- Kids meal: Seriously doubtful.
**(My
Unbelievable Nagano Views: Route-Inn Dai-Ni Hotel's Hidden Gem!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your average, perfectly curated travel itinerary. This is my ACTUAL, probably slightly disastrous, but undeniably real experience trying to navigate Shanghai from the cozy (hopefully) confines of the Jinjiang Inn Nanxiang. Prepare for some serious whiplash…
Day 1: Arrival - Shanghai Shock and Dim Sum Delight (and Existential Dread)
- Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Landed in Pudong. Jet lag hit me like a rogue dumpling. Seriously, are all airport signs written in code? Took forever, and I mean forever, to find the Maglev. I swear, I thought I was gonna die lost in a massive, brightly lit rabbit warren of duty-free perfume. The Maglev itself? Awesome. Like, futuristic, whoosh-y awesome. Briefly felt like I was in a Bond movie. Briefly.
- Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Arrived at Nanxiang Station. Okay, feeling slightly less like I'm being abducted by aliens. Tried to order a Didi (Chinese Uber, remember that, future Sarah? Ugh). App wouldn't cooperate. Language barrier kicked in, a swift, brutal jab to the gut. Eventually, a nice lady at the station gestured vaguely in the direction of a taxi, pointed at my phone, and made a universal "are you lost?" face. Success! Sort of.
- Morning (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Checked into Jinjiang Inn. Place is… functional. Clean, I guess. Small. The aircon sounds like a dying walrus. Okay, deep breaths. You're in Shanghai! You're traveling! You're supposed to be excited, not having an internal monologue about how clean the grout is.
- Midday (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM): Found this amazing little dim sum place literally around the corner from the hotel. Seriously, the best char siu bao I've ever had. Flurry of Mandarin (thanks, Google Translate!) and pointing. Got a table. Ate until I thought I was going to pop. Stuffed. Gloriously, wonderfully stuffed. This is what life is about, right? Dim sum, fresh off the steamer, a small table, and a big, delicious feeling, it's what it is. I was lost inside the moment (as I often am), feeling the textures of the bun, pork filling that just melted the right way, the flavors of the sauces, the tea, the tiny glass it came in.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Wandered around the Nanxiang Old Town. Attempted to look cultured and appreciative of the architecture. Mostly just felt disoriented but the buildings. The smell of street food wafted. The crowds. The sheer density of people! It's breathtaking. I feel so small, insignificant. And yet, somehow, alive. Tried to buy a bottle of water. Managed to communicate "water" and "money" (thanks, Duolingo!). Success!
- Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Nap time. Jet lag is a beast. Seriously, I think I’m more tired now than I was on the plane. Also, the aforementioned dying walrus aircon. It's a soundtrack of despair.
- Evening: (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Dinner at a local noodle shop. Ordered by pointing at pictures. Got something that resembled noodles. It was… fine. Spicy. Needed water. Lots of water. Still not sure what I ate. Am I ever going to get used to this? Am I going to spend the rest of my life confused and slightly overwhelmed?
- Evening (9:00 PM onwards): Collapsed in bed. Attempted to decipher Chinese TV. Gave up. Read a book. Think about how I did on the dim sum, the buns, the tea. The tiny glass, and that feeling…. And that feeling… Sleep. Or at least, an attempt.
Day 2: The Bund, Gardens, and a Lesson in Patience (and Possibly Failure)
- Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Determined to conquer the Metro. Downloaded the app. Studied the routes. Thought, "I got this." Then, faced with the actual sprawling, confusing network, I nearly had a panic attack. Found the right line. Got on the wrong train. Got off at the wrong stop. Almost cried. This is not glamorous, people. This is hard.
- Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): FINALLY found The Bund. The iconic skyline. It’s… impressive. The buildings are grand and gleaming. The crowds are… less impressive. More like, a swirling, relentless tide of humanity. Tried to take a photo. Got ten blurry pictures of the back of someone's head. Gave up. Embraced the chaos. Just breathed.
- Midday (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch near The Bund. Decided to try a fancy-ish restaurant. Ordered with more confidence, felt a little less like a confused foreigner. Realized I'd accidentally ordered something that contained ingredients I didn't know I hated. Ate it anyway. Managed to keep a straight face. Victory! (Also, a slightly upset stomach.)
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Yuyuan Garden. Absolutely stunning. Tranquil. Peaceful. For about five minutes. Then, more crowds. Couldn't actually see the garden because of the sheer volume of people. (I’m sensing a theme here.) Ended up just people-watching, which, let's be honest, is often more entertaining.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): More Metro adventures (aka more potential for disaster). Successfully navigated one stop! Small victories, people, small victories. Reward myself with a bubble tea. The tapioca pearls are like little gelatinous bombs of fun.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Dinner back near the hotel (comfort food is key when you're half-drowned in a new place). Found a place that served delicious, cheap, and recognizable dumplings. Ate until I felt vaguely human again.
- Evening (9:00 PM onwards): Packing for my trip to the other city. Wondering if I should take a nap before. Thinking about taking a train journey to see the architecture.
Day 3: Goodbye Shanghai (For Now!) - A Bittersweet Farewell
- Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): One last dim sum run! Absolutely refused to leave Shanghai without one final fix of those incredible char siu bao. Devoured them with a sense of melancholy and a deep-seated appreciation.
- Morning (9:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Checked out of the Jinjiang Inn. Said a silent prayer the walrus aircon would be taken care of. Actually enjoyed it.
- Morning (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM): One last attempt to embrace my inner explorer. Wandered around the area, soaking it up. Seeing the faces of people. Watching real life happening, and knowing for the first time that I was truly alive.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Taxi to the airport. This time the Didi app actually worked (miracles do happen!). The ride felt different. It's always different once you've been somewhere, and you get to return. The city rushed by, and now I knew some of it. I saw the places of the city, and the faces, and I waved goodbye, and felt that twinge of regret.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM onwards): Plane. Headed home. I have so much to look forward to.. The best parts of life, those moments, were here, and I learned.
Final Thoughts: Shanghai is a whirlwind. It’s beautiful, chaotic, exhausting, and exhilarating. It's a place where you'll probably get lost a lot, misunderstand things constantly, and eat the best dim sum of your life. It’s a lesson in patience, resilience, and the absolute necessity of a good nap. And, most importantly, it's a place where you can lose yourself and, somehow, find yourself. I'm going to miss it. And I'll be back. Eventually, after a lot of post-trip naps.
Asheville's Hidden Gem: Omni Grove Park Inn's Unbelievable Luxury Awaits!
Okay, Spill the Tea: Is This Nanxiang Jinjiang Inn 'Deal' ACTUALLY a Deal? (Or Just a Sad, Empty Promise?)
Alright, alright, let's get down to brass tacks. This Jinjiang Inn in Nanxiang? Yeah, it's a deal. *A* deal. Not a *steal*, mind you. Depends on your definition of "deal," and also, your level of desperation. I went there last month, after a train delay that felt like an eternity. By the time I actually arrived in Nanxiang? I'd have slept on a park bench if it meant escaping the station for a few hours. So, yeah, in that context? A deal. If you're looking for luxury, stop reading. Seriously. Go elsewhere. But if you're on a budget and need a crash pad that's not the train station floor, then... yeah. It'll do. Just… manage your expectations, okay?
Nanxiang? Is That... Far? Like, REALLY Far? (Because I’m Already Tired.)
Nanxiang is… outside. Let's put it that way. Think "suburbs of Shanghai." Think "a reasonable train ride away, but not exactly walking distance from the Bund." My travel companion had this brilliant idea: "Oh, we'll just hop on the subway and be there in 30 minutes!" HA! Bless her optimistic soul. It was closer to an hour and a half, maybe two, depending on the express line. And after a full day of sightseeing? You *will* be tired. Bone-deep, soul-crushing tired. So, yes, Nanxiang requires travel. Factor that into your cost/benefit analysis. And pack a protein bar. You'll need it.
The Room! Tell Me About The ROOM! (Size Matters!)
Okay, the room. Let's be real. Spacious it is not. Picture: a box. A very clean box, thankfully. Seriously, it was spotless. I'm a germaphobe. The cleanliness was the first (and possibly only) thing I appreciated (though that was overshadowed by the absolute lack of space). The bed? Firm. Like, REALLY firm. If you have back problems? Bring a pillow. Three pillows. Maybe four. There was a TV, which worked. Yay. And a tiny bathroom that made me question my ability to maneuver in tight spaces. You *will* bump into things. I'm still pretty sure I somehow managed to kick the faucet on the first night. It's all good though, right? It's not like I planned to do yoga there. Which brings me to... there's barely enough room for yoga. The most you can do in there is a modified child's pose.
Breakfast Included? Because Hangry Me Is Not a Pretty Sight.
Breakfast…ah, breakfast. Technically, yes, breakfast is included. Think of it as a generous interpretation of the word "breakfast." It's mostly...noodles. And some kind of mystery meat. And some…other stuff. And a weird, slightly sweet porridge. *I personally* stuck to the instant coffee and hoped for the best. The staff were lovely, though. Honestly, the people working there are the real gems. They're sweet and helpful and trying their best. If you're a picky eater? Pack snacks. Lots of them. Trust me on this one. Or be prepared to become intimately acquainted with the local convenience store.
Nanxiang Xiaolongbao! Is it worth the trip just for that?
Okay, here's the thing. Nanxiang is famous for its xiaolongbao. And yes, you can get xiaolongbao *right outside* the hotel. Like, literally, a five-minute walk. The very first time I went, I was in a food coma after a long flight, but it wasn't even the *best* xiaolongbao necessarily, but it *fulfilled*. The soup dumplings were actually really good, but I have a confession: I'm not sure I'm a xiaolongbao *expert*. I'm more of an enthusiastic consumer. So yes, go. Eat. Get messy. The experience is worth it. Just be prepared for a massive queue. AND be ready to wait. Because it's popular, even with the locals. But do it. Seriously. That's the highlight, TBH. It's the reason to come. The reason to stay. The delicious, steamy, soul-satisfying reason.
The Hotel's Surroundings: What's NEARBY? (Besides Xiaolongbao, obviously.)
Okay, so the IMMEDIATE vicinity is… well, it's Nanxiang. There's a supermarket. Other little shops like noodle places. A few other restaurants that are likely the same as the first ones. The hotel is literally right next to a big bus station. Convenience is an understatement. And a train station is within reasonable walking distance, which makes getting back to Shanghai proper relatively smooth. It’s a little slice of local life, removed from the glitz and the glam of the city. You'll see the real Shanghai, and no tourists. The area is very… Chinese. That's all I'm going to say.
The Wi-Fi! Is It... Usable? (Because I Have to Post My Xiaolongbao Pics!)
The Wi-Fi. Ah, the internet. It worked. Sort of. Sometimes. It wasn’t blazing fast. Streaming your favorite show? Maybe not. Uploading those all-important xiaolongbao pictures? Eventually. Patience is key, my friend. Consider it a digital detox. And you KNOW you need one after all that shopping and food! Be grateful it's there, or accept your fate and buy a local SIM card.
Would You Stay There Again? (Be Honest!)
Okay, the million-dollar question. WOULD I stay there again? Hmm. Probably. If I needed a cheap place near Nanxiang and those glorious dumplings? Absolutely. If I was staying longer than a night? No. If it's a quick trip, and you're prioritizing food and budget over fluffy pillows and room to breathe, yes. It’s a functional base. It's a place to rest your weary head. And most importantly, it's a place to launch your epic xiaolongbao adventure. Just...go in with open eyes and a full stomach. And pack earplugs. Because the walls are thin. And sometimes the air conditioning sounds like a jet engine. But hey, it's an experience. And in travel, sometimes the most imperfect experiences are the most memorable. And that, my friends, is a review!
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