Unbelievable Benxi Hotel Deal: Hanting Hotel Near Railway Station!
Unbelievable Benxi Hotel Deal: Hanting Hotel Near Railway Station! - Ugh, Let's Talk About This
Okay, so, Unbelievable is a strong word, right? Especially when we're talking about a Hanting Hotel near a railway station in, well, Benxi. But, hey, the price was right. And, let me tell you, after a 12-hour train ride crammed between a toddler and a guy who snored like a chainsaw, anything that promises a bed and a (hopefully) clean toilet is a godsend.
So, here's the lowdown, warts and all, on Hanting Benxi. Think of this less as a polished travel brochure and more as me, rambling after a week of instant noodles and questionable tap water. Brace yourselves.
Accessibility: The Elevator Was My Best Friend… and, Sadly, My Only One
Okay, first things first: Accessibility. They do have an elevator. Praise the heavens! Because hauling my suitcase up multiple flights of stairs after that train journey? Forget about it. Bless the engineering gods for that. Beyond the elevator, though? Mmm, not so sure. They claim the facilities are for disabled guests, but I didn't see any ramps or specific accommodations for wheelchairs in the public areas. So, take that with a grain of salt.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: Didn’t see anything specifically accessible.
Wheelchair accessible: Doubtful, really.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Buffet… a Rollercoaster of Emotions
Let’s dive into the food situation. This is where things get interesting.
- Restaurants, yeah sure they have that: There were restaurants, plural! They even listed a vegetarian restaurant, which, as a semi-vegetarian (I give in to the occasional pork bun), filled me with a flicker of hope. I mean, it was a buffet, so I braced myself.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Ah, the breakfast buffet. This is where my soul was tested. Asian breakfast items were prevalent. The noodles? Surprisingly good. The congee? Surprisingly…congealed. There were Western breakfast options too, like soggy scrambled eggs and questionable-looking sausages. But hey, it was fuel, and in those early hours, I was fueled by desperation and a need for caffeine.
- Coffee shop, Coffee/tea in restaurant: There was coffee. It was… coffee. Strong enough to wake the dead, which was a plus considering my sleep deprivation. Complimentary tea was in the room, which was nice touch.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Didn't notice anything here.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized, Maybe?
Okay, let's be real. You're staying in a budget hotel near a train station. You're not expecting Michelin-star cleanliness. But did it feel safe?
- Daily disinfection in common areas: I saw staff scrubbing things, so points for effort.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: I don't know what they were using, but the air didn't smell too strongly of chemicals, which is a good sign, right?
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Here's where I started getting a little paranoid. I opted out of cleaning (see below)
- Staff trained in safety protocol: I couldn't judge, but people wore masks.
- Hand sanitizer: There was hand sanitizer everywhere, bless their hearts.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: I am assuming. They didn't hand me a magnifying glass.
- Safe dining setup: Buffet was mostly behind glass, so whatever.
- Hygiene certification: Who knows?
- Room sanitization opt-out available: I opted out of room cleaning for the entirety of my stay. I was in full germaphobe mode.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: I assume they washed things, but I didn't peep in the laundry.
- Individually-wrapped food options: The buffet had certain items individually packaged, which was reassuring.
Services and Conveniences: The Bare Necessities (and a Few Surprises)
- Doorman: Surprisingly, yes. A very stoic, non-smiling doorman (which is the standard in the area).
- Elevator: Already mentioned, but worth repeating.
- Cash withdrawal: There was an ATM, which was a lifesaver. Ran out of cash like, immediately.
- Luggage storage: Yup. Very handy for those early/late arrivals/departures.
- Daily housekeeping: they actually offer it.
Available in all rooms: The Real Deal… or Is It?
Here's the room breakdown. Did it live up to expectations?
- Air conditioning: Thank god. It was sweltering outside.
- Free bottled water: Always a win.
- Free Wi-Fi: And it actually worked! God bless modern technology.
- Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN: Yes, both, though I personally prefer WiFi.
- Bathing and toilet paper: Check, Check
- Bathrobes: Surprisingly, yes! It was a nice touch.
- Blackout curtains: Essential for sleeping off jetlag and train-induced exhaustion.
- Clean towels and Linens: Looked mostly clean, at any rate
- Mirror: Yes, yes.
- Non-smoking: Yes.
- Private bathroom: Yes.
- Seating area: Standard chairs.
- Shower: Yep. Separated, which I appreciated.
- Smoke detector: A reassuring presence.
- Toiletries: Basic stuff, better than nothing.
- Wake-up service: Yes, though I'm not sure I would trust them
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… Wait, Relax?
Okay, so, this isn’t exactly a spa resort.
- Gym/fitness: Didn't see one.
- Spa, Sauna, Steamroom: Nope. No pampering here, folks.
- Swimming pool: Absolutely not.
- Massage: Unlikely.
- Bar: No bars to be seen.
- Poolside bar: Yeah no. This is not that kind of hotel.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location… and Did I Mention the Train Station?
- Airport transfer: I did not see this, but since they were near the train station, there was no need for one.
- Car park [free of charge]: Yup. Parking was free, which is always good.
- Taxi service: Yes, there were taxis. You might have to wave them down, though.
- Nearest Station: Right next door! Very, very convenient, for those train journeys.
For the Kids: Not Exactly Disney World
- Babysitting service: I'm not sure. Probably not.
- Family/child friendly: Its budget hotel, nothing there.
My Overall Verdict: The Train Ride Wore Me Down
Okay, here’s the brutal honesty: Hanting Benxi is exactly what you’d expect a budget hotel near a train station to be. It's not luxurious. It's not fancy. But it’s clean enough, the staff were polite (if a little reserved), and the location was perfect for my needs.
Would I stay there again? If I needed a cheap, convenient place to crash near the railway station? Absolutely. Would I recommend it for a romantic getaway? Absolutely not. But for a tired traveler who just wants a hot shower and a decent night's sleep after a grueling train journey? Yeah, it did the trick.
Just don't expect miracles. Or a gourmet breakfast.
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This ain’t gonna be your sanitized, Instagram-perfect itinerary. This is real travel, Hanting Hotel Benxi Railway Station edition. Prepare for…well, who knows what! Let’s just dive right in, shall we?
Day 1: Arrival, Mild Panic, and the Mystery of the Hot Pot (and Maybe a Cold Shower)
Morning (Okay, more like mid-morning): Landed in Benxi. Jet lag? Oh, honey, it’s a state of being at this point. Finding the Hanting Hotel… well, let's just say I nearly tripped over a particularly aggressive poodle. The signage in Mandarin is beautiful… if you speak Mandarin. Which, let's be honest, I mostly don't. Finally, after twenty minutes of wandering and feeling vaguely like a lost dumpling, I found it. Relief! Except… the air conditioning. Apparently, it's optional. In a place with the humidity of a rainforest. Fantastic.
Afternoon: Check-in. The front desk person was sweet, bless her heart, and tried her best with my broken Mandarin and frantic hand gestures. Got my room key. And then… the room. Okay, it was clean, blessedly so. But the shower? Cold. Stone. Cold. (And I, being a Californian, am not used to water being quite so chilly). Spent a good twenty minutes trying to decipher the hot water controls while watching the water temperature slowly drop, eventually giving up and, for the sake of hygiene and sanity, taking a tepid wash.
Evening: Dinner! Ah, the promised land of hot pot. Found a little place near the station, smelling of spices and excitement. I wandered in, pointed at a menu, and hoped for the best. The table was already set with a bubbling cauldron of broth and an array of… things. Things like fungus, and what seemed to be intestines. I had no idea what anything was, but I plunged in. It was… an experience. The broth was delicious, the meat tender, and the whole thing was incredibly social - locals were at the next table and I loved watching them. Eating with chopsticks is difficult with the amount of soy sauce I ended up splashing on my face, and I realized about halfway through that I had no idea what I was doing. But hey, I survived! And so did my stomach. Mostly.
Late Night: Back at the hotel. Wondering if I dare try the shower again. Probably not.
Day 2: Caves, Chaos, and a Spiritual Awakening (Maybe)
- Morning: The breakfast buffet at the hotel… was quite something. I ended up eating mostly rice porridge and a mystery meat patty. Fuelled me up (more or less) for the day, though. Headed out to the Benxi Water Cave, a place I'd heard about. This was the main event!
- Afternoon: Okay, the Benxi Water Cave… it was spectacular. Floating through the caves in a little boat, seeing the stalactites and stalagmites, and the sheer beauty was almost overwhelming. It was magical, I'd even say! The light dancing on the water, the silence broken only by the gentle drip, drip, drip… then, we tried to leave and there were masses of people. Suddenly, all the tranquility was replaced with shoving, shouting, and the overwhelming smell of street food. The bus back to the city? A sardine can on wheels. An experience, to be sure.
- Evening: Decided to try some street food, despite the potential for stomach upset after the hot pot of the night before. This time I went for skewers, which I pointed at. Which was amazing. The lady was fantastic, and I still have no clue what it was that I was eating, but I loved it.
- Late Evening: Back at the hotel. Shower? Still cold. I'm starting to think this might be a sign.
Day 3: The Railway Station, Farewell, and the Promise of Better Showers
- Morning: Last day feeling utterly unprepared for the level of culture shock after all of this time. Spent a few hours wandering around the station. Watching people come and go, families reunited, people crying, laughing, the air was thick with the energy of moving and motion. The railway station is something else. I watched a man take a nap, and I felt a strange sense of peace.
- Afternoon: Prebooked taxi to drive some distance away. As the taxi drove out of the city, I see how different but the same the world is.
- Evening: Heading home. Boarding the train and praying I can find a decent shower upon my return.
Reflections:
- The Food: The food was an adventure. Some things were delicious, some were a mystery, and some… well, let’s just say I’m carrying a bottle of Pepto-Bismol with me for the rest of my life.
- The People: The people of Benxi were genuinely kind, even if we didn’t share a language. The little smiles, the helping hands, the sheer resilience of the locals. I left with a warmth in my heart.
- The Showers: Okay, the showers. I’m going to dedicate a whole day, when I get back home, to the ritual of a hot, long, luxurious shower.
- The Verdict: Benxi? It was messy, it was chaotic, it was beautiful, and it was real. And I wouldn't trade a single (cold) second of it. It was everything travel should be.
So there you have it. My Hanting Hotel Benxi Railway Station experience. You're welcome (or, you have my apologies). Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to research portable hot water heaters. Just in case.
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Unbelievable Benxi Hanting Hotel Deal: Hanting Hotel Near Railway Station! (Or is it??) – FAQs That (Maybe) Answer Your Questions
Okay, so... Is this Hanting Hotel *really* near the train station? Because, like, Google Maps sometimes lies, you know?
Alright, here's the deal, and trust me, I've learned this the HARD way… "Near" is relative, people. In Benxi, "near" could mean a leisurely five-minute stroll… or a death march through a blizzard carrying three suitcases, a toddler, and a suspicious-looking sausage. The website *said* near. My gut, my weary, travel-worn gut, screamed "LIAR!" But hey, the price was tempting.
Let's just say… it was technically *possible* to walk. After a solid 20 minutes of weaving through traffic, dodging rogue scooters, and praying to the heavens I wouldn't trip and faceplant in a melting pile of snow. So, yeah, near-ish. Pack comfy shoes. And maybe a Sherpa.
The price… that's what got me interested. Was it actually as cheap as advertised? Did they pull a bait-and-switch? Did someone just slip up and give me the hotel for free?
Okay, deep breath. Yes, the price *was* ridiculously cheap. Like, "I'm pretty sure I paid more for my morning coffee" cheap. And here's the even weirder part: they *didn't* try to upsell me on anything. No hidden fees. No sudden "oh, you also need this ultra-deluxe toothbrush for 500 yuan!" I walked in expecting some elaborate scam and... nothing. Just a tiny, plastic keycard and a bewildered smile from the front desk staff. Honestly, I was waiting for the catch. Still am, maybe.
There *was* a slight moment of panic when I realized the room might be *too* cheap. Like, haunted cheap. But, thankfully, no spooky apparitions of past hotel guests. Just… the occasional questionable stain on the carpet. We'll get to that.
What about the room itself? Clean? Decent? Did you find any… interesting… surprises?
Clean? Let's say… "lived-in." Look, it's a budget hotel. You're not going to find a spa bath and a butler. You *might* find a slightly-less-than-spotless bathroom and a few… lingering smells of previous occupants. I am NOT going to go into details here, but I've seen things. I've *experienced* things. Things some people would rather not think about, especially after a 14-hour train ride.
The bed? Surprisingly comfortable. I mean, it wasn't a fluffy cloud, but it was a solid, firm surface to collapse onto. The TV? Worked! (Which is always a pleasant surprise in budget hotels.) As for "interesting surprises"... Let's just say I became intimately acquainted with the concept of "air freshener as a lifestyle." Pack your own, trust me
The Wi-Fi? Because, you know, can't survive without the internet and social media. Did it work? Was it decent for video calls?
Ah, the Wi-Fi. This is where things get… *interesting*. It was there. Technically. It connected. Sometimes. About as reliably as my mood after a long day of travel.
Video calls? Forget about it. Unless you enjoy watching your face pixelate into oblivion and having your voice sound like a broken robot. Uploading photos to Instagram? Prepare to wait. Like, *really* wait. I think I aged a couple of years trying to download a single picture. Moral of the story: download all your shows beforehand. And maybe pack a good book.
Food nearby? Any decent options within, say, stumbling distance?
Okay, so "stumbling distance" is my preferred range. And the good news is, YES! There were food options. Not always the Michelin-star kind, mind you, but filling, and sometimes even delicious. Think small noodle shops, tiny restaurants with menus written entirely in characters I couldn't decipher (adventure!), and those stalls that sell questionable meat on sticks (tempting fate!).
One night, fueled by nothing but train station food and desperation, I stumbled across this tiny place. No English. Just a lot of pointing and miming. Ended up with a steaming bowl of something. Looked suspicious. Tasted… unexpectedly good. Best 10 yuan I ever spent. So, yeah, food is available. Do not be afraid to experiment.
Any major downsides? Like, dealbreakers?
Okay, the downsides. Let's be honest. First, the "near" factor has already been discussed. Secondly, the noise. Benxi doesn't exactly sleep. There's traffic, there's construction, and there's the general thrum of city life. Earplugs are your friend, trust me. Also, the occasional questionable stain (mentioned, but worth repeating). Finally, the bathroom. It worked. It was not glamorous.
But, and this is a big but… for the price, it was… acceptable. This isn’t a luxurious spa. Its a place to sleep, and in that regard, it does the job. I didn't expect the Ritz and I'm not sure how I feel about it.
Would you stay there again? Honestly?
Honestly? Yeah, probably. Why? Because I'm a cheapskate. And because, despite its flaws, it had a certain… charm? Or maybe I'm just scarred from previous budget hotel experiences and this was a step up?
Look, if you're expecting perfection, book a luxury hotel. But if you're looking for a clean-ish, cheap-ish place to crash near the train station (eventually!), and you don't mind a few quirks, the Hanting Hotel is a solid option. Just pack some earplugs, a sense of humor, and a healthy dose of optimism. And maybe, just maybe, a Hazmat suit.
