Unbelievable Nanchang Luxury: Starway Hotel's Qiushui Square Oasis!
Starway Hotel's Qiushui Square Oasis: My Nanchang Luxury Rollercoaster (and You Need to Book)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from a stay at the Starway Hotel's Qiushui Square Oasis in Nanchang, and let me tell you, it was…an experience. Forget those boring hotel reviews – this is the real deal, the messy, hilarious, and occasionally glorious truth. And yeah, you absolutely need to book this place. Seriously. Go now. I'll wait.
(Dramatic pause while you furiously open booking.com… or whatever your poison is)
Okay, cool. Let's dive in.
First Impression: Accessibility & The Great Elevator Gamble (and the lack of Bicycle Parking for the Hipsters)
Getting to the hotel? Easy peasy. The airport transfer was smooth as silk (a big plus after a long flight!). Plus, the fact that there's a car park and valet parking? Big points for practicality. Although, I did notice a distinct lack of bicycle parking. Come on, Starway! Nanchang's got a cycling culture, embrace it!
Now, accessibility. This is a huge deal, and the Starway does a pretty good job. Elevators? Check. Facilities for disabled guests? Check. They even have a little wheelchair ramp situation that made me feel like a secret agent. (Okay, maybe not. I'm not exactly James Bond. But it was there!) Anyway, solid work on the accessibility front.
The Room: My Personal Sanctuary (and the Blackout Curtains Were a Godsend)
My room? Ah, my little sanctuary. I got a "High Floor, Non-Smoking" room, and let me tell you, the view was something. The Blackout curtains? GOLD. Absolute gold. I'm a vampire at heart, so these were a godsend for avoiding sun and getting more sleep. Speaking of which, the extra-long bed was a lifesaver. I'm a restless sleeper, and I didn't feel like I was going to fall out.
The "Air Conditioning" worked like a dream, too. Essential in a hot Nanchang summer. The "Coffee/Tea maker", "Free Bottled Water" and the "Complimentary Tea" saved me in the mornings, though the coffee was, let's just say, distinctive. But hey, the view more than made up for it. The "Bathroom phone" was a bit odd, but hey, who am I to judge?
Now, the "In-room safe box" was a nice touch. Made me feel like a real international spy. Also, the separate shower/bathtub combo was fantastic. The "Bathrobes" and "Slippers" were luxurious!
The "Things to Do" & "Ways to Relax" Frenzy (Spa Day Disaster – in the best way possible)
Okay, let's talk about the "Spa". This is where things get interesting. I had visions of a zen-like experience, a blissful massage, the works. What I got was…a chaotic, hilarious, and utterly memorable afternoon.
Okay, first off: "Sauna, Steamroom, and Pool with View". Yes, yes, and YES. Incredible. The pool? Stunning. The view? Even better. It really felt like you're on top of the world. Okay, the "Poolside bar" was a total win, too. The "Foot bath" was a nice touch, too.
Then, the "Massage" happened. Now, I'm not going to name names, but let's just say my masseuse had the strength of ten oxen, and my body scrub turned into a full-body exfoliation experience. Imagine a hurricane of relaxation and… well, intensity. I walked out feeling like I'd been through a physical training session but in a really delightful way. The "Body wrap" was kind of like being swaddled in a warm burrito. It was a lot! After a while, the "Gym/fitness" got too boring.
Dining: A Culinary Adventure (with a Side of Confusion)
"Restaurants", plural? Yes! Here's where it gets interesting. I had a delightful "Asian breakfast" one morning…except…the options were vast. It was a bit overwhelming, but the food was delicious. I also had some "International cuisine in restaurant" and it was great! The "Salad in restaurant" was a welcome change of pace. The "Coffee/tea in restaurant" was alright. Now, a little "Desserts in restaurant" and "Soup in restaurant" and "Bar" makes it feel like home.
Now, the "Room service [24-hour]"? HUGE win. Especially after that…ahem…massage. However, the "Vegetarian restaurant" in the hotel made my friends miss me so bad, I was happy I had "Bottle of Water" in my room.
Cleanliness, Safety & Those Pesky Protocols (and the Hand Sanitizer That Haunts My Dreams)
The "Cleanliness and safety" was top-notch. Seriously. "Staff trained in safety protocol," "Hand sanitizer" everywhere (I’m still seeing it), and “sterilizing equipment" at every corner made me feel safe and sound. "Rooms sanitized between stays"? Good. "Professional-grade sanitizing services"? Check. This felt like a place where they genuinely cared about my well-being.
The "First aid kit" was also reassuring.
The "Services and Conveniences" Parade (and the Elevator That Played a Game)
Okay, "Services and conveniences". Let's see… "Concierge"? Super helpful! "Daily housekeeping"? Excellent! I loved having my room cleaned every day. The "Business facilities" were available too. The "Elevator," as I said, was a bit playful at times. "Cash withdrawal", "Dry cleaning", "Laundry service", "Luggage storage", "Safety deposit boxes" were all available, too. They thought about everything!
For the Kids…and the Rest of Us (Babysitting Anyone?)
I didn't travel with kids, but if you're bringing the little ones, the "Family/child friendly" aspect is a big plus. "Babysitting service"? Nice! I'm sure the "Kids meal" is perfect.
The Verdict: Book It, You Crazy Kids!
Okay, so it wasn't perfect. The coffee was…questionable. The spa was an experience. But honestly, the Starway Hotel's Qiushui Square Oasis is a gem. It’s clean, comfortable, and it genuinely cares about its guests. The location is fantastic. They have everything you need and more!
Here's why you should BOOK: (The Unforgettable Offer!)
The "Ultimate Relaxation Package": Book a Deluxe Room and get a complimentary 60-minute massage AND a free pool pass, and free breakfast! (Seriously, after that massage, you'll NEED the pool. And a nap.)
The "Nanchang Explorer's Deal": Get a free day pass for Qiushui Square's attractions and a 20% discount on all dining at the hotel!
The "Stress-Free Travel" deal: 30% off on the airport transfer.
Book by [Date] To get the best deals!
Don't wait, you won't regret it! This is Nanchang luxury done right.
(I'm off to book my next stay…and maybe learn Mandarin so I can navigate the breakfast buffet with more confidence.)
Uncover the Hidden Gem: La Bastide du Calalou's French Charm!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is the Starway Hotel Nanchang, Honggu Middle Avenue edition, and it's going to be a glorious, slightly chaotic mess! Prepare yourselves.
Day 1: Arrival and the "Lost in Translation" Noodles of Doom
14:00 (ish) - Touchdown Nanchang! Okay, let's be real, "ish" is the operative word here. Flights, you know? They're like buses, with wings and more potential for existential dread. Landing in Nanchang…it's a sensory overload. The air is thick, a warm, delicious hug of humidity, and the signs are ALL in Chinese. Panic level: mild. But hey, at least I found a smiling airport worker who (I think) understood "Starway Hotel" and pointed me towards a taxi. Bless him/her!
15:00 - Check-in Chaos and the Room That Time Forgot. The Starway Hotel. It's… well, it’s a hotel. The lobby smells faintly of Lysol and hope. The receptionist, bless her heart, is clearly having a day. After a rather dramatic mime show involving my passport and some vigorous pointing, I'm in. The room? Cleanish. Furniture is a little… well-worn, like it’s seen a few emperors come and go. The air conditioning sounds like a dying walrus, but hey, at least it's trying.
16:00 - The Quest for Food Begins (and Ends in Humiliation). Okay, hunger pangs! Time to conquer the local cuisine! I wander out, armed with my phone's translator app and the boundless optimism of a tourist. The restaurant – a tiny, bustling place down the street. No English menus. Cue the charade! I point at pictures, smile, and try not to sweat too much. The waitresses are incredibly patient, giggling behind their hands. I end up with a giant bowl of… something. Noodles. Lots and lots of noodles. The broth is intense. My tongue is now officially on fire. And I think there were bits of chicken? Honestly, at this point, it’s all a blur. But the noodles were cheap. Triumph!
17:30 (ish) - Attempted Nap and the Terrifying TV. Post-noodle coma hit me like a ton of bricks. Tried to nap. Failed spectacularly. The TV, however, is fascinating. Channels I don't understand, but I can see the people. The drama, the fashions, the commercials for things I can't comprehend… it's enthralling. It's also loud. Very loud. And I can't seem to turn the volume down. Send help!
19:00 - Evening stroll near Qiushui Square. Taking a stroll around the square. The lights, the people, it's an amazing cultural spectacle! It has a lot of things, water, trees, places to sit down. It's so cool, the city is so alive at night. Really makes me think about where I am and why I am.
21:00 - Bedtime story. I am so tired.
Day 2: The Qiushui Square Adventure and the Mystical Market.
08:00 - Early Bird Gets… a Cold Shower. The walrus AC is still at it. The hot water? A fickle friend. My shower is a bracing wake-up call. My skin is now thoroughly exfoliated and I’m 100% awake.
09:00 - Breakfast of Champions (Maybe?). The hotel 'breakfast' is included. I cautiously investigate. It consists of some sort of congee (rice porridge), questionable fried dough sticks, and what appears to be instant coffee. I choose the coffee. It tastes like regret. But the congee is actually not bad.
10:00 - Qiushui Square, Round Two. Back at Qiushui Square. I want to see it on a sunny day. There are a lot more people in the morning. The vibe is different. Energetic doesn't even begin to describe it.
12:00 - Lunch in another local food place. I end up in another place, and I end up ordering what looks like chicken this time.
13:00 - The Market Maze. A.K.A. Where I Almost Died of Sensory Overload. Okay, this market… wow. It's a riot of colors, smells, and the constant buzz of voices. Everything under the sun is for sale. Fake designer bags sit alongside mountains of fruit I can't identify. The air is thick with the scent of spices and… well, probably something else. I get hopelessly, delightfully lost. It's exhilarating and exhausting. I buy a fan. I'm pretty sure I need it.
14:30 - Tea Time (or Trying to Understand the Tea Ceremony). Found a tea shop in the market. The tea master (who speaks limited English) gives me a demonstration. It's beautiful. Elegant. And I manage to spill tea down my front. Note to self: more practice required.
16:00 - Back to the hotel for a nap. Again. Never get enough.
18:00 - Dinner with a new friend. I met a person at the hotel. We went to a BBQ place and ate so much. Really felt nice to talk with someone.
20:00 Bed. Sleep.
Day 3: Departure and Lasting Impressions (or, "How Nanchang Made Me Question My Life Choices, in the Best Way Possible")
09:00 - Final Breakfast of Regret and Redemption. More coffee! Less regret this time. I find an actual edible pastry. Progress!
10:00 - Last-Minute Souvenir Hunt. Desperate search for something to bring home to prove I actually went to China. Finding something that isn’t plastic and is also vaguely useful is a challenge. I settle on some tea and a calendar of Nanchang in all its glory.
11:00 - Goodbye, Starway Hotel! Check-out is surprisingly painless. The receptionist smiles. Maybe she’s used to me. Or maybe she’s just relieved to see me go.
12:00 - Travel to the airport. Taxi, airport, then back to the airport.
14:00 - The flight back home. It was a crazy ride, but I would totally do it again.
15:00- The end. It was such a journey.
Unbelievable Nanchang Luxury: Starway Hotel's Qiushui Square Oasis! ...Or Is It? (A Frankly Brutal FAQ)
So, is this Starway Hotel actually luxurious? 'Cause the website photos are... well, you know.
Look, let’s be honest, those website photos? They’re a blend of Photoshop magic and wishful thinking. "Luxurious" is a loaded word, right? Like, are we talking five-star Dubai luxury? Absolutely not. But is it nicer than the cockroach-infested dive I stayed in last year? Holy moly, yes! It *attempts* luxury. Think… a really ambitious three-and-a-half star. I'd say "clean and modern with design quirks"... but "design quirks" might secretly be a kind word for "what were they *thinking* with the lighting?" (Wait, I'll get to the lighting in a second. Or five.)
Is the location, Qiushui Square, really as awesome as they say? Is it actually... an oasis?
Qiushui Square *is* stunning at night. The lights, the fountains, the whole... *vibe*. Oasis? Maybe. But then you realize you're also sharing said "oasis" with hundreds of other tourists, selfie sticks practically poking your eyeballs out. And the air? Nanchang air, let's just say it's... got character. So, yes, location is good. It’s undeniably convenient. But idyllic? Depends how you define "idyllic". Personally, I'd choose a cleaner, fresher, less selfie-stick-populated oasis, but hey, here we are!
The rooms... are they worth the price? I'm seeing some conflicting reviews.
Okay, the rooms. This is where the "unbelievable" part gets... shaky. It's a game of roulette, really. You might luck out and get a spacious, well-appointed room with a decent view. Or, you might end up with a room that looks like a budget hotel's slightly-less-budget cousin had a makeover... with some questionable design choices. Like, the lighting. Oh, the lighting! Imagine a series of LEDs, each emitting a slightly different shade of neon. It’s like living inside a disco ball... someone with a serious vendetta against sleep. My first room? The aircon sounded like a dying walrus. Second room? The view was of a brick wall. Third time's the charm: a nice room. So, price... well, depends if you're lucky (and if you get a good room). Negotiating is your friend. Seriously.
What about the food? The website talks about a "culinary journey."
Oh, the culinary journey! Right. Breakfast is… an experience. Let's just say it caters to a very specific palate, which, unfortunately, isn't entirely mine. There’s a weird mix of things, some of which are delicious, some of which... well, let’s just say I became exceptionally proficient at identifying what looked safe. The coffee? Instant. And bitter. But they had those little individually wrapped packets of... *something*. They looked like butter, but they tasted like… I don't know what. Adventure! It's an adventure in your mouth! The on-site restaurant (if you manage to find it) is okay. Better options exist off-site. Trust me. Go explore.
Is the staff helpful? I've heard mixed reports about service in China.
Helpful, yes. English proficiency? Varies wildly. There was one young lady at the front desk who seemed to understand my frantic hand gestures and basic Mandarin better than she understood the English language. And bless her, she seriously tried. Others… well, good luck. Bring a translation app. Learn some key phrases. Patience is key. But they are genuinely trying to be helpful - they'll bend over backwards to *try* and please... unless you're complaining about the lighting. Don't even bother. They *know*.
What's the deal with the "gym"? Is it actually usable?
The gym. Ah, the gym. Remember that bit about the website photos and wishful thinking? Yeah. The gym is small. Really small. Like, "can barely swing a cat" small. The equipment... looked old. Like dinosaurs had probably used it. I think I saw one treadmill, a few rusty weights, and some exercise balls that looked suspiciously deflated. I lasted about five minutes. Then I went back to my room and ordered room service. (Which, in fairness, was passable). Don't rely on the gym. Walk around Qiushui Square instead. At least the air is somewhat fresher outside of the gym.
Any other tips or hidden things to keep in mind?
Okay, the REAL hidden gems, the stuff you *need* to know: * **The Wifi:** It's decent, mostly. But expect dropouts. Download movies before you go. * **Toothbrushes:** Bring your own. Seriously. This is common in many hotels, but I just got the habit of always bringing one now. * **The mini-bar:** Overpriced. And often not that well stocked. * **Laundry:** There is laundry service. It's reasonably priced. Use it. Pack light! * **The elevator:** May or may not work. I'm not joking. Pack light, again! Stairs are an option, and a workout in themselves. * **Embrace the quirks.** Look, this place isn't perfect. But that's kinda the charm, right? Right?! (I need to believe that.) * **Most importantly: Manage your expectations.** This isn't the Ritz-Carlton. It's a solid (sometimes wobbly) attempt at a decent hotel in Nanchang. Just go in with your eyes open, a sense of humor, some good earplugs (because those neon lights are *brutal*), and a willingness to roll with the punches. You'll survive. You might even (dare I say…) enjoy it. And maybe, just maybe, you'll laugh about the whole thing later. I know I did... eventually. After drinking a lot of bad instant coffee.
Would you go back?
That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Honestly? Maybe. If I had to. If I got a guaranteed good room, away from those infernal lights. And a massive discount. And someone, *anyone*, to fix the air conditioning. Because the location is great, and the staff, bless their cotton socks, are lovely. But those lights... Seriously, they're like aUnique Hotel Finds
