Jiaxing's BEST Hotel? South Lake Wanda Plaza Hanting Hotel Review!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the swirling, sometimes slightly-off-kilter world of Jiaxing's BEST Hotel? South Lake Wanda Plaza Hanting Hotel Review! I say "BEST" with a healthy dose of skepticism, because let's be real, expectations can get a little… inflated. I've stayed here, I've poked around, and I'm ready to spill the tea, the lukewarm coffee and the questionable instant noodles.
First Impressions and the Great Wheelchair Adventure (Accessibility… mostly?)
Finding the Hanting Hotel South Lake Wanda Plaza was easy enough. Smack dab in the middle of… well, Wanda Plaza, so you can't miss it unless you're actively trying to. Okay, accessibility. Gotta start there, right? The lobby seemed accessible, elevators were present (thank god!), but the hallways… let's just say the hallways had that tight, slightly-claustrophobic feel. Navigating a wheelchair might be doable, but you’d be cozy with the walls. I didn’t personally test this, but I'm giving it a solid "cautiously optimistic."
Internet, Glorious Internet! (And Yes, Free Wi-Fi!)
Thank the tech gods! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! This is HUGE. I mean, seriously. In this digital age, a hotel that still charges for Wi-Fi is a hotel that’s stuck in the Stone Age, using dial-up on a potato. The Wi-Fi was generally reliable, though it sputtered a bit during peak hours – like, when everyone was frantically trying to stream their favorite K-dramas. They also offer Internet access [LAN], which seems positively ancient, but hey, if you're into connecting directly, it's there for you.
The Room: Clean-ish, But Don't Expect Miracles
My room? Ah, my room. It had all the basics: air conditioning (thank heavens, the air in Jiaxing can get sticky), a desk (for pretending to work), a coffee/tea maker (with suspiciously instant coffee), and the ever-present free bottled water. Now, let’s talk cleanliness. It looked clean. The linens were fresh. The bathroom… eh, it was okay. I wouldn’t eat off the floor, but hey, I’ve seen worse. The rooms are between stays, so that's a plus. I'm a bit of a germaphobe so good job for that. The non-smoking room was a must for me. It had the usual amenities, towels, and the bathroom was…functional. The hair dryer… well, let’s just say my hair wasn’t looking its best after that. Slippers are always a bonus!
Breakfast: Buffet or… Buffet?
Breakfast. The make-or-break moment for many a hotel stay. They offer both a buffet and the option for breakfast in your room. The buffet in the restaurant was… interesting. There were the usual suspects: some kind of sad scrambled eggs, mystery meat sausages, and a selection of… well, let's call them "interpretive" pastries. I went for the Asian breakfast, and actually that had some great options, and i highly recommend it! I did opt for my room once - and that's a solid recommendation.
Dining, Oh the Dining! (Or Lack Thereof)
Now, let's get to the juicy stuff. There IS a restaurant, but if you're looking for a Michelin-star experience, you’re in the wrong place. They have international cuisine, asian, western cuisine. I did stumble through a Chinese menu, even though i have terrible Chinese, and had a fantastic noodle soup in a small corner restaurant, i think they called it, it was so incredibly authentic. And cheap. (I suspect many of the restaurants are owned by the Wanda Plaza). They don't really have a bar. The coffee shop was a saving grace.
Things to Do (Beyond the Hotel Walls)
Okay, let's be real. Jiaxing isn't exactly a hotbed of wild nightlife. The South Lake itself is beautiful, and that’s what this is here for. The location is convenient, close to the South Lake.
The Spa/Wellness Zone – Where Dreams Go to… Well…
Okay, I'm going in! I was really intrigued. They offer a fitness center, a sauna, and a pool with a view. A pool with a view! I was picturing something spectacular, the city sprawling beneath me, a perfect Instagram moment.
Nope.
The "pool with a view" was indoors, the view… was of the next building over, and the water felt like lukewarm bathwater. The sauna, while present, felt more like a slightly warm cupboard. It wasn’t a particularly luxurious sauna at all, just a box with a heater. I didn’t try the massage, but if it’s anything like the sauna, I’m glad I didn’t.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe-ish
They claim to have Anti-viral cleaning products and do Daily disinfection in common areas. You can Room sanitization opt-out available (which, frankly, I actually appreciate, if I'm honest. I don't need everything, disinfected). And the staff is trained in safety protocol, so that's good. I figured I would skip them and just disinfect everything myself.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh"
Cashless payment service? Check. Daily housekeeping? Check. Luggage storage? Check. They offered a convenience store (which was a lifesaver for snacks), but the selection was limited. No ironing service, but you can get laundry service Doorman? Yes. Concierge? Well, they were there. Elevator? YES! Super important.
For the Kids: Keep Them Close, I'd Say!
I don't have kids, but I did notice that the hotel seemed Family/child friendly. There were Babysitting service - and a Kids meal on the breakfast menu.
Getting Around: Perfectly Adequate
Car park [free of charge]? Absolutely brilliant – a huge plus. Taxi service is readily available. Airport transfer? Check.
The "Why You Should Stay Here" Pitch (Because I Have To)
Okay, so… should you stay at the Hanting Hotel South Lake Wanda Plaza? As a human, i'm going to keep it real.
Here's the honest-to-goodness truth:
For the Price: It is genuinely… good. It's clean, it's generally safe, it has the basic necessities (free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a decent bed… mostly).
The Location Rocks: You’re right there in Wanda Plaza, so shopping, food, and entertainment are at your fingertips. You can also visit South Lake easily.
If you are looking for an affordable place to crash, it's a good option.
So, there you have it. The Hanting Hotel South Lake Wanda Plaza – not perfect, but a solid contender for a comfortable stay in Jiaxing. If you're looking for luxury, look elsewhere. If you want a functional, clean, and reasonably priced option, this might just be your jam.
My Final Word: Book It (If You Know What You’re In For)
Shanghai's HOTTEST Hotel: JI North Bund Luxury Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's pristine travel itinerary. We're diving headfirst into Jiaxing, China, with a base camp at the Hanting Hotel near South Lake Wanda Plaza. And trust me, it's going to be a wild ride.
Day 1: Arrival & Wanda Wonder… or My First Mandarin Mishap
Morning (ish): Land in Shanghai. Ugh, airports. Always the same chaotic ballet of delayed flights and frantic tourists. Took the high-speed train to Jiaxing. Smooth, sleek, surprisingly… German-looking? (Maybe it was just the seating). Finding the Hanting Hotel near Wanda Plaza was a breeze. It’s clean, functional, with that slightly antiseptic air that screams “budget hotel in China.” But hey, at least the Wi-Fi works. (Fingers crossed).
Afternoon: Wandered into, you guessed it, Wanda Plaza. Massive. Overwhelming. A true concrete jungle. First order of business: Lunch. I spotted a noodle place. Confidence levels: high. Skill level: non-existent. Pointed at a picture of noodles (classic tourist move), gestured wildly, and attempted a broken “xie xie” (thank you). The woman behind the counter just stared. Finally, she pointed at a small bowl of… something. Turns out it was spicy, vinegary, and I think there were chicken feet involved. Not my finest culinary hour.
Evening: Wandered around South Lake. Beautiful, serene, with the iconic Red Boat. Took a million photos. Felt a wave of pure, unadulterated "I'm actually here" joy. Followed by a gnawing hunger. Dinner at a restaurant in a side street. Ordered pork belly. Heaven. Absolute pure, unadulterated, melt-in-your-mouth heaven. The kind of food that makes you momentarily forget how much your feet hurt. Spent the night battling the hotel air-conditioning which seemed to be either freezing or on full tropical summer mode.
Day 2: South Lake's Ghosts & Tea-tastic Tirade!
Morning (early): Tried to navigate the local buses. I'm pretty sure I ended up on a route that went in a giant circle. Gave up. Taxis it is.
Late Morning: Returned to South Lake, determined to see the historical Red Boat more closely. It's a beautiful area, but the history… it's heavy. So much blood, so much sacrifice… I teared up a little, just imagining the revolutionaries and all. Seriously, sometimes just sitting there, you can almost hear the past whisper. I think I needed a hug at this point.
Afternoon - TEATIME TERROR: Found a tea house. Thought I was being cultured. Oh, how wrong I was! The tea ceremony was… long. Very, very long. The tea master (a woman with eyes that could see your soul) was all about the rituals – the precise pouring, the intricate placement of cups, the intense stares while you sipped. I'm pretty sure I wasn't holding my cup the right way. Or breathing correctly. Or existing in a way that met her expectations. I was sweating. I choked on a tiny tea leaf. The tea itself? Bitter. Utterly and completely bitter. I survived it all. I'm not sure she considers me worthy, but I survived it.
Evening: Indulged in some retail therapy at Wanda Plaza. Bought a ridiculously oversized panda t-shirt. No regrets. Dinner was at a hot pot restaurant. I'm pretty sure I ate enough to feed a small army. Accidentally dropped a shrimp in the soup. Tried to fish it out. Failed. Accepted my fate. Sleep came hard and deep.
Day 3: The Search For Authentic… And a Meltdown in the Silk Market!
Morning: Attempted to visit a local market. Aim: authenticity. Reality: Slightly terrifying. The smells! They hit you like a wall. The vendors yelling in rapid-fire Mandarin. The sheer volume of… everything. I wanted to buy a melon. Pointed. Made squeaking noises. Got something. Turns out it wasn't a melon. I'm still not sure what it was.
Lunch: Comfort food time. Found a small dumpling place. These were the classic, melt-in-your-mouth delicious kind of dumplings. Suddenly, everything felt a bit better.
Afternoon - A Silky Debacle: Went to the silk market. Oh, the silk markets. A kaleidoscope of colours, textures, and relentless sales pitches. Found a beautiful silk scarf. Haggled. Got it down to a reasonable price. Felt smug. Then, the saleswoman suddenly decided I owed her more money. I argued. It escalated. Tears welled up. I stomped away. I hate haggling! I hate feeling like I'm being ripped off! I hate… Wait. I can’t stand this feeling.
Evening: Headed back to the hotel. Ordered room service. Ate the rest of my comfort dumplings in my room, wrapped in my new panda t-shirt, wallowing in the sheer exhaustion of it all. Watched a Chinese drama with subtitles. Found myself oddly captivated. And that was a wrap.
Day 4: The Journey Home: Goodbyes & Longing…
Morning: One last walk around South Lake. Tried to burn the memories of the silk market out of my brain. Ate a final breakfast of… well, let's not talk about it. It was probably a mistake.
Midday: Headed back to Shanghai for my flight. Sat on the train, watching the scenery whiz by, and feeling a pang of… sadness? Nostalgia? Whatever it was, it was unexpected.
Final Thoughts:
Jiaxing wasn't perfect. It was chaotic, occasionally frustrating, often confusing. But it was also… real. The people, the food, the history… it all sunk in. I came here expecting a vacation, and I got an adventure. I can’t wait to be completely drained, yet again.
Unbelievable Zhoushan Getaway: Hanting Hotel Baiquan Review & Hidden Gems!
So, Is This REALLY the "Best" in Jiaxing? (Spoiler Alert: Maybe Not...)
Is the Location Actually Good? (Because, Wanda Plaza…)
The Room Itself: Cleanliness, Comfort, and the Great Air Con Mystery…
Breakfast: Worth the Free Food? (The Verdict…)
Staff: Were they Helpful? (Or Just… Present?)
The Wi-Fi: Did It Work? (Because, Social Media!)
The Overall Vibe: Would I Go Back? (The Big Question!)
