Tianjin Luxury Getaway: Hanting Premium Hotel Review (Near Metro!)
Tianjin Luxury Getaway: Hanting Premium Hotel Review (Near Metro!) – A Messy, Honest, and Totally Human Take
Alright, let's get real, shall we? This isn't just some sterile hotel review; it's my actual experience, the good, the bad, and the hilariously awkward, all squeezed into one write-up. We're talking about the Hanting Premium Hotel in Tianjin, promising luxury and ease, especially since it's "Near Metro!" (important for a clumsy tourist like yours truly). Here's the lowdown, straight from the trenches:
First Impressions & Getting There: The Metro Miracle (and a Slight Panic)
Okay, "near metro" actually meant near the metro! Score one for accuracy. Finding the hotel was a breeze with the detailed directions, and the entrance was clean and welcoming. The metro? Absolute lifesaver. Being able to hop on the train made exploring Tianjin a damn sight easier than fumbling with taxis I couldn't understand. My general approach is "point and grunt," but even that gets tiring.
Accessibility & General Stuff: Phew, No Stair Climbs! (Mostly)
Accessibility: This is important. The hotel claims to be accessible, and I saw elevators (major win!), though I'm not using a wheelchair currently, so I can't personally vouch for the full experience. But elevators and a generally level layout is already a huge plus. Elevator: Yay!
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: I didn't specifically check for this, but the general setup looked adaptable. Probably best to call ahead and ask about specific needs.
Wheelchair accessible: See above – the bones are there.
Internet Access: Wi-Fi Woes (and Triumphs)
Internet, Internet [LAN], Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Wi-Fi in public areas, Internet services:
Okay, the Wi-Fi. Let's have it out. The free Wi-Fi in the room? Sometimes brilliant, sometimes… Well, let's just say I developed a deep, abiding relationship with the hotel's lobby. The LAN access? I never even attempted it. And the Wi-Fi in public areas was pretty reliable. The lobby became my de facto office and place to be entertained to my shows. This is a major plus for me!
Stuff to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams (and Reality Checks)
Things to do, ways to relax, Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]:
Alright, here’s where things get interesting. Hanting Premium plays it big with promises of relaxation.
- Fitness center: Fine. Nothing particularly inspiring, but the equipment looked usable. Didn't go myself, I'm more of a "walk around the block and eat a dumpling" type of fitness enthusiast.
- Spa & Spa/Sauna: This is where I confess… I just peeked. I saw a sign for the "Spa," and my inner princess did a little jig. The staff were very helpful and welcoming and I didn't fully experience any of it, but the idea of a spa day here is appealing.
- Swimming pool: The promise of a "pool with a view" had me sold, until it turned out to be an indoor pool and not really a view. More of a "pool with a wall." Still, a pool is a pool, and I’d get a chance to exercise, but just not like the ads suggested.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Secure (Mostly)
Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms:
This hotel really seems to take the whole "cleanliness is next to godliness" thing seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff wearing masks, and signs about keeping your distance. The emphasis on disinfection made me feel pretty safe, especially with the pandemic still lingering. I appreciate the effort.
Rooms, for that matter, were clean, but one corner could have used a tad more attention. They cleaned the room daily, which was super helpful!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast Bonanza (and a Little Disappointment)
Dining, drinking, and snacking, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant:
The food. Let's talk about the food.
- Breakfast [buffet]: The breakfast buffet was… a mixed bag. There were moments of pure joy. A killer pastry one day. The next, maybe a slightly sad-looking sausage. The Asian breakfast was good, with a variety of congee, noodles, and other delights.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: This one, I loved. A good, hot cup of coffee while I planned my day was just what I needed.
- Room service [24-hour]: Didn't try it, but the option is a definite plus.
- Restaurants: The hotel had a few restaurants, and the one I tried was fine – nothing to write home about.
Services and Conveniences: Perks & Quirks
Services and conveniences, Air conditioning in public area, 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, Babysitting service:
- Concierge: The concierge. What a champ! They were incredibly helpful with my many, many questions (mostly about how to get to the best dumpling place).
- Convenience store: Super handy for snacks and water.
- Laundry service: Used it, loved it! (Traveling light is not my forte).
- Cash withdrawal: ATM on-site, another winner.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: While I wasn't holding a board meeting, the facilities looked well-equipped.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly? (Probably)
For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal:
I didn't have any kids with me, but the hotel seemed to cater to families.
Available in all Rooms: The Room Itself – Cozy or Claustrophobic?
Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, 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:
- The bed: Comfy!
- Bathroom: Clean, but a bit cramped.
- Blackout curtains: Essential for battling jet lag.
- Coffee/tea maker: A lifesaver in the mornings.
- The view: I was on a high floor, and it wasn’t a great view.
- Wi-Fi [free]: See above.
Getting Around: Metro Mastery & Other Options
Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking:
- Airport transfer: I didn't use it, but it was offered.
- Car park [free of charge]: Didn't need it, thanks to
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly-organized, glossy travel brochure itinerary. This is the real deal. This is how it really went down in Tianjin, at the Hanting Premium Hotel near the Huabei Group Metro Station. Brace yourself, because it's… well, it's a journey.
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Crisis of Instant Noodles (aka "Welcome to Tianjin, You Crazy Fool")
14:00 - Arrival at Tianjin Binhai International Airport (TSN): Okay, so first of all, the airport itself is… fine. Efficient, I guess. But the sheer amount of people silently judging me while I frantically try to figure out the public transport situation? That's a full-on experience. Took a taxi after that. The driver seemed to think my attempts at Mandarin were hilarious, which, honestly, fair.
15:30 - Check-in at Hanting Premium, Settle into the Room (and Maybe Question Life Choices): First impressions? The room is… clean. Functional. The air conditioning is blasting arctic levels. I feel like I’m living inside a giant refrigerator. And then, BAM. The view. Brick buildings, laundry hanging, the distant clanging of… something. This feels a world away from the "luxury" I, in my naive travel planning, had envisioned. But I can see the metro station from my window. That's a win, right?
16:00 - Mandatory Attempt at Grocery Shopping (and the Language Barrier Blues): Okay, I need food. Real food. I wander out, armed with Google Translate and a desperate yearning for something other than whatever airplane food left in my stomach. I enter a local store. It's a cacophony of incomprehensible labels, exotic smells, and the general chaos of a place where no one speaks English. I point at things. I gesture wildly. I end up with a package of instant noodles that I think is chicken flavored and a bag of something that might be dried seaweed. Wish me luck.
16:30 - The Noodle Incident (or, A Culinary Masterclass in Failure): Back in the hotel, armed with a kettle and a prayer. The noodles, folks? Spicy. Like, whoa spicy. My mouth is on fire, my eyes are watering. I take a tiny bite of the seaweed. It tastes of… the sea. And despair. I retreat to bed, defeated, and consider ordering room service. But, you know, the budget…
19:00 - A Stroll Around the Block (and a Moment of Existential Dread): Seriously, do people live here? It’s bustling, chaotic, and yet… beautiful in its own way. I walk past street vendors selling who-knows-what, the air thick with the smell of soy sauce and… something unidentified but tasty. I spot a park, filled with people gracefully practicing Tai Chi. It is… a lot. I may or may not have shed a single tear while contemplating the meaning of life, right there in the middle of that chaotic Tianjin night. I need a plan.
20:00 - Attempt to find a Beer (Fail): The local beer selection is… well it may be my inner snob, but it's not that good.
21:00 - Early Night (Curled Up in Bed like a Lonely Cat): This is the life.
Day 2: Exploring the City (and Embracing the Chaos)
08:00 - Breakfast (Hotel "Breakfast"): The "breakfast" at the hotel… let's just say it exists. I eat something vaguely resembling a hard-boiled egg, and a sugary bun. Fuel for the day! And my rapidly increasing cynicism.
09:00 - Metro Adventures: First Attempt. Okay, the metro is surprisingly easy to navigate! (Says the person who spent 15 minutes staring blankly at the ticket machine before finally giving up and asking a very patient (and beautiful) local for help.) I mean, it looks like a subway, just in Chinese. But even I can tell it's good. I am in Tianjin, baby!
09:30 - Porcelain House (And Mind-Blowing Beauty): Whoa. Seriously. The Porcelain House is just… jaw-dropping. Every surface, coated in shards of porcelain and ancient pottery. Art on speed. I wandered around for a solid hour, taking a zillion photos, and feeling like I'd stumbled into a fairy tale. I want a house like this. I need a house like this. But I’ll have to win the lottery first.
11:00 - Italian Style Town (A Little Piece of Europe - A Lot of Tourists): Okay, it's pretty. The gelato is okay. Kinda touristy. It feels a little… manufactured, in a way. Like a theme park of early 20th-century Europe. But still, the architecture's beautiful, and it's nice to get away from the chaos for a bit. I eat some pasta. I question the authentic-ness of the Pasta, then the nature of reality, then order another.
13:00 - Lunch (A Food Stall Mishap and The Power of Pointing): Alright, now it's time for some actual food. I brave a street food stall. The smell of frying things, the happy chatter of the people around me… it's all a bit overwhelming. The language barrier is back in full force, but I manage to order something. I think. It involves some meat, some noodles, some vegetables, and a lot of delicious oil. It could be chicken, beef, or rat. Who knows? But It is delicious. I have no regrets.
14:30 - Lunch Aftermath and a Rest (or, the Siesta of the Slightly Overwhelmed Traveler): Okay, that meal hit harder than I thought. I stumble back to the hotel, slightly food-drunk and completely shattered. Nap time.
16:00 - Exploring (The real Tianjin): You know that old saying, "when in Rome…". I'm in Tianjin so I'm going to explore. The Tianjin Eye? Yes. The Drum Tower? Yes. But I'm going to wing it! I'm going to wander! I'm going to get lost! I'm going to embrace all the chaos that this city throws at me.
19:00 - Dinner (and The Unspeakable Noodles Again…): Okay, so I went for another noodle adventure. But it's different this time. They're called "Zhajiangmian". Delicious. I understand why people love them. I might be in love with them.
20:00 - Evening Leisure: A quiet walk around, a last look at the city. I'm starting to like this place. Even the cold hotel room doesn't seem all that bad.
21:00 - Time to sleep (Before all the people get up):
Day 3: Departure (Or, The End of an Adventure and the Promise of Home)
08:00 - Breakfast of Champions (Probably more of that egg-like object): The breakfast situation still needs work. But hey, you know what? I've survived this far.
09:00 - Last-minute souvenir shopping (and the panic sets in): Gotta grab gifts! For the family, the friends, the cat. The cat will never appreciate the Tianjin-themed mug, I am sure.
11:00 - Check Out and Farewell: The final walk, the hotel feels even colder than before, the final thoughts.
12:00 - Fly:
- Reflect on what you've done, what you've eaten, and how a strange place, if well-lived, can feel all the more familiar at the end.
13:00 - Back to the airport:
14:00 - Going Home:
Final Thoughts:
Tianjin, you were… an experience. You punched me in the face with your chaos, your food, your language barrier, and your sheer, unadulterated life. You made me laugh, you made me cry (okay, a little), you made me question everything. And somehow, I loved it. I will always remember this trip. I wouldn't go back. I wouldn’t trade the experience.
P.S. I'm pretty sure that seaweed was actually… just seaweed. Go figure. And next time, I'm bringing a phrasebook! And possibly a translator. And maybe, just maybe, a hot water bottle for that arctic hotel room. And maybe, just maybe I will book a better restaurant.
Unbelievable Xianyang Stadium Views: Starway Hotel's Secret Revealed!
Is This Hotel REALLY "Premium?" I Saw the Word "Hanting" and Got Nervous...
Okay, The Metro Proximity – How Close ARE We Talking? Because I'm Lazy.
Let's Talk Rooms: Were They Actually... Nice? Or Just "Acceptable?"
Hotel "Amenities" - What's the Deal? Did You Get a Free Towel That Wasn’t Frayed?
The Breakfast Buffet (If There *Was* One): Was It a Sausage-and-Egg Massacre?
The Staff: Smiley or Grumpy? Did They Speak English?
Would You Stay There Again? And WHY (or Why Not)?
