Beijing's BEST Hidden Gem Hotel Near Beishenshu Metro?! (Hanting Hotel Yizhuang Review)
Beijing's BEST Hidden Gem Hotel Near Beishenshu Metro?! (Hanting Hotel Yizhuang Review - Hold On, Is This REALLY a Gem?)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Hanting Hotel Yizhuang. Let me preface this by saying: finding a truly hidden gem in Beijing? It’s like finding a decent Beijing ice cream – rare, and often a bit… questionable. But the promise of convenient access to the Beishenshu Metro station, and a budget-friendly price tag, lured me in. Prepare yourselves, because this review is gonna be… a journey.
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Getting There & Settling In: The Accessibility Angle (and My Own Clumsiness)
First things first: Accessibility. (Sigh). This is always a gamble in China. Hanting, bless their hearts, lists facilities for disabled guests. Now, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I've got a bum knee and sometimes need a bit of extra space. The elevator? Check. Probably fine for a wheelchair, though space is always at a premium. The exterior seems fairly navigable. The Beishenshu metro itself? That’s another story altogether. Some stations are fantastic, some are a labyrinth of stairs. I wouldn’t bet my life on perfect accessibility at the metro, but the hotel seemed okay. I’ll let you know if my bum knee complains later.
The check-in was… well, let's just say "express" turned out to mean "trying to remember basic Mandarin after a long flight." Contactless? Apparently… though the bewildered look on the front desk person's face when I waved my phone was anything but contactless. Eventually, after a little charade of pointing and grunting, I got my keycard. Thank goodness for 24-hour front desk – I could tell I was going to need it.
And speaking of needs… Elevator? Yes. Thank goodness. This old bum knee would've never made it up the stairs!
The Room: A Mixed Bag of Practicality and "Meh" (and the Eternal Question of Cleanliness)
Inside the room, the first thing I noticed? It was… clean. Really. Like, surprisingly clean. This is a MAJOR plus. I'd given myself pep talks beforehand preparing for the worst but to my surprise found Room sanitization opt-out available. Rooms sanitized between stays! This felt like a win. The Air conditioning worked like a charm, which is a vital detail in Beijing's heat!
Available in all rooms: You'll find the basics: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Complimentary tea, Hair dryer, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
And what did I do? Well, crashed. Collapsed into bed, because the Extra long bed was a blessing. The Blackout curtains meant I could sleep off the jet lag – crucial. The Internet access – wireless was free and surprisingly (surprisingly!) worked well (a huge win!). I also noticed a Desk, a Closet, and the all-important Coffee/tea maker. The Mirror was appreciated for quick fixes.
One minor hiccup: I couldn't for the life of me figure out the in-room safe box. Probably user error, but still.
Cleanliness & Safety: The COVID Era Check (and My Paranoid Hand-Sanitizer Obsession)
Let's get real: traveling during a pandemic is stressful. And Hanting, to its credit, seemed to take things seriously. Daily disinfection in common areas was evident. Hand sanitizer dispensers were everywhere (my personal happy place!). The staff were wearing masks, and there were signs about social distancing. Staff trained in safety protocol – a relief. Anti-viral cleaning products? They probably used them… I REALLY hope they did!
They had First aid kit… in case I needed some more hand sanitizer!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Surviving the Food Fight (Without Getting Food Poisoning… Hopefully)
Okay, the dining situation. Breakfast [buffet] was available. Apparently. "Buffet" usually translates to "massive gathering of people reaching for lukewarm mystery meats" – I wasn't brave enough to try it (my stomach is as delicate as a porcelain doll). I did see coffee and tea in the restaurant.
Instead, I opted for Breakfast takeaway service - a genius decision! I also noticed a Snack bar that was… there.
A la carte in restaurant wasn't appealing. I am not very sure whether I would risk Asian cuisine in restaurant or International cuisine in restaurant if I was starving.
Room service was available. 24-hour even! Another win!
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax): Spa Dreams and Fitness Nightmares
This is where Hanting gets… quirky. Spa/sauna? Nope. Fitness center? No sign. Swimming pool? Nope, no, no. But… there's a terraced area! And a bar… which I didn’t see either! There is also a massage option.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (and the Totally Unnecessary Ones)
Hanting had your Services and conveniences covered! The concierge might be useful if you are not afraid of the language barrier. Daily housekeeping was great. Laundry service - a must. Taxi service? Available. Airport transfer seems possible.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location! (And Praying to the Subway Gods)
The best part? The Beishenshu Metro station genuinely is close. You can walk there quickly! This alone elevates Hanting from "meh" to "decent."
For the Kids: Family / Child Friendly! (Bring Your Own Entertainment)
If you are traveling with kids, there is a babysitting service.
My Verdict (And Will I Ever Go Back?!)
Look, Hanting Hotel Yizhuang isn't the Ritz. Heck, it's not even a "luxury" anything. But, for the price, location, and (surprisingly) cleanliness? It's FINE. It's a solid option if you need a clean, convenient, and cheap place to crash while you explore Beijing.
Would I go back? Maybe. If I really needed to be near the metro and on a budget, sure. Would I call it a hidden gem? Probably not. But, yeah… I might recommend it, with the caveat that you manage your expectations, pack your own snacks, and brush up on your Mandarin (or Google Translate, which for me, is the same thing!). It's a perfectly passable hotel. Now to go get some ice cream… hopefully it has less question marks.
Escape to Paradise: Stunning River Views Await in Sylhet!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-organized travel itinerary. This is… well, it's my hazy, caffeine-fueled, slightly-panicked, and wonderfully-unplanned adventure in Beijing, starting from the Hanting Hotel near Yizhuang Beishenshu Metro Station. Wish me luck. I'm gonna need it.
Beijing Blitz: A Chronicle of Clumsy Adventures and Unexpected Delights
(This is less a schedule, more a series of loosely-connected explosions of experience. Prepare for impact.)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Wall of… Where Exactly?
Morning (aka the "Jet Lag is a Jerk" Session): Landed in Beijing. Everything is…big. The airport, the crowds, the air (slightly). Found the Hanting. It’s…functional. Clean-ish. Bed looks inviting. But NO! Adventure calls! (Or at least, the promise of something vaguely resembling adventure does.)
The Metro Mishap: Figuring out the Beijing metro is like trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube after downing a triple espresso. Finally, finally got on the correct line. The sheer volume of people, the announcements in rapid-fire Mandarin that sound like a caffeinated squirrel, the sheer density of the experience… It's a sensory overload, in the best possible way. I think I even managed a smile at a friendly-looking old lady who was clutching a bag of something mysterious and smelling like heaven.
The Wall Quest (and a Near-Death Experience… By Buffet?): The Great Wall. My raison d'etre for this trip. Took a tour bus (haggling for a price felt like a victory). Pro Tip: Don’t underestimate the stairs. Seriously. My thighs still scream. The views? Stunning. Absolutely breathtaking (when I wasn’t gasping for air). Spent way too long taking photos. Ate some questionable (but delicious) street food. Afterwards? Exhausted, hungry, and feeling a little lost. The tour was supposed to include a buffet lunch. It looked amazing. Seriously, amazing. I was so hungry after the Wall that I didn't even bother taking photos of this, I just went for it. I piled my plate high with all sorts of delicious-looking things and tucked in. (A little too enthusiastically, perhaps). I felt fine… until about 45 minutes later. Suddenly I was on the verge of being sick and having to run to the restroom. Somehow I managed to avoid a full-blown food poisoning incident, but I'm still convinced the world's record for fastest escape to a bathroom from a buffet lunch is held by me!
Evening (aka the 'Collapse' Phase): Collapsed in the hotel. Managed to order some noodles from a delivery app. They were…okay. More importantly, they were food. Journaled. Realized I'd probably written the same sentence three times in a row. Jet lag: 1, Me: 0.
Day 2: Forbidden City Fumble and Temple Tantrums (of Joy)
- Morning (aka 'The Lost Tourist' Period): Determined to be a responsible tourist today. Headed to the Forbidden City. Found it… crowded. Like, Disneyland-on-a-national-holiday crowded. Navigating the throngs felt like a strategic game of dodgeball. Saw some amazing architecture. Felt a pang of guilt that I couldn't seem to take photos of anything without someone photobombing me.
- The Temple of Heaven Teeter: After Forbidden City, I headed to the Temple of Heaven. The air was fresher. The atmosphere was calmer. People were practicing tai chi. It was… peaceful. Maybe a little too peaceful. I almost fell asleep. (Note to self: avoid sitting down on park benches. You will become one with the bench.) The acoustics in the temple were incredible. I sang a tuneless note and the whole building seemed to hum. It made me think of people generations older than me and I felt a pang of something I couldn't name.
- Street Food Stupor, Take Two: Okay, so I learned my lesson about the buffet, but I'm not a complete coward. The street food, however? That’s a gamble worth taking. Ordered some skewers (some kind of meat -- don't ask). Found myself surrounded by locals, all happily chomping away. I wanted to strike up a conversation, but my Mandarin is, shall we say, "limited." The language barrier makes me both fascinated and annoyed. How do people do this?
- The 'Lost in Translation' Dinner: Attempted to order dinner at a local restaurant. Pointed at pictures. Made awkward hand gestures. Accidentally ordered something that looked suspiciously like… a giant, gelatinous block of…something. Ate it anyway. It wasn't good. But the experience? Priceless.
Day 3: Art, Adventures, and Airport Antics (Or, the Day I Almost Missed My Flight)
- Morning (aka 'Chasing Culture'): Visited a contemporary art museum, which made my head spin in the best possible way. It felt good to escape the crowds and contemplate something other than where to find the bathroom. Found myself strangely drawn to a display of broken teacups and a video of a man eating noodles (a theme, perhaps?).
- The Hutong Hustle: Went on a rickshaw tour of the hutongs (traditional alleyways). It was charming. Quaint. Tour guide was very enthusiastic. I felt like I was in a real-life movie set. I kept expecting Jackie Chan to leap out and start kicking.
- Afternoon (aka the frantic rush): Airport time! Thought I'd left ample time. Nope. Beijing traffic is a beast. Check-in lines are a labyrinth. Security… let's just say I nearly had to get my shoes X-rayed. Rushed to the gate, heart pounding the whole way. Saw my flight being boarded. Almost missed it! Made it onboard just as the doors were closing.
- Emotional Post-Flight Dump: I'm so exhausted. I need a vacation from my vacation, but I'm so deeply glad that I went. The world is big, sometimes scary, but always fascinating. Beijing: You broke me a little, but you made me feel alive.
- Evening (aka the aftermath): On the plane. Heading home. Already planning my return. Next time… I’ll learn Mandarin. And maybe pack some Pepto-Bismol.
(End of transmission. Subject probably currently napping on a plane, dreaming of noodles and food poisoning, happy as only a slightly-scarred traveler can be.)
Unbelievable D'Gunduls Homestay: I-City Shah Alam's Hidden Gem!
So, where *exactly* is this "gem" located? And is it actually near the Beishenshu Metro?
Okay, let's be honest. Finding this place felt like a treasure hunt directed by a blindfolded pirate. "Near the Beishenshu Metro," the website chirped. "Easy peasy!" they promised. Lies. All lies. Yes, it's *technically* near. As in, you can *eventually* see the station after a brisk 15-minute walk through a semi-industrial wasteland that might or might not house a rogue flock of pigeons. I'd recommend downloading a map app specifically for the journey. Seriously. And bring snacks. You'll need them. Trust me, I almost died of hunger on my first arrival. Note the "near" with caution, it's a relative term that stretches the bounds of reality.
What's the vibe? Is it… clean?
Vibe? Hmm. Think "functional." It's not exactly a five-star spa retreat. The lobby is… well, it's there. The staff are polite enough, though sometimes a little… distracted? The rooms themselves? Okay, let's go with "clean-ish." I once found a single, lonely, *enormous* hair clinging to the bathroom mirror. I named him Reginald. (Don't judge me, jet lag is a cruel mistress). Overall, it’s clean enough. You're not gonna be catching any super-gnarly diseases, but don’t expect Marie Kondo to pop in and declutter your soul or anything. The cleaning staff were often absent, or at least seemed to forget stuff if they ever did show up. I once left a pair of shoes outside my door to dry, and the next morning, they were GONE! I swear I almost had a mental breakdown, this was my favorite and only decent pair of shoes. Luckily, I eventually found them tucked away in the hallway's laundry basket, smelling faintly of cleaning chemicals. Still haven't forgiven whoever did that.
The beds? Are they comfy? I *need* a good night's sleep!
Ah, the beds. This is where things get… subjective. Personally, I found them to be of the "firm, but not *unbearably* firm" variety. Think "slightly dented concrete slab with a thin blanket on top." Some people might call it a "supportive" mattress; I called it a "nightmare waiting to happen" on the first night. Let's just say, you’re not going to be waking up feeling like you’ve been cradled by clouds. But on the plus side, I slept so soundly that I didn’t even notice the construction noise from the new building going up across the street! Every. Freaking. Morning. The construction noise and the bed are both a strong 3/10.
Breakfast? Is there even breakfast? And is it edible?
Breakfast. Ah, yes. The… experience. Yes, there IS breakfast. And yes, it IS, technically, edible. "Edible" being the operative word here. Think a limited buffet of mostly… beige things. Some mysterious fried things. Soggy noodles. Scrambled eggs that might or might not have seen an actual chicken. And enough white rice to feed a small army. The coffee? Let's just say it's best described as "brown-ish water." I found some pre-packaged pastries that were okay, if you were starving… which I usually was. Honestly, after day three, I started sneaking out to the nearby street vendors for breakfast, where I found amazing street food, at an inexpensive cost too. This breakfast is an adventure!
What about the staff? Friendly? Helpful? Or lost in a fog of bored indifference?
The staff… well, it's a mixed bag. Some are genuinely lovely and try their best to help. Others, bless their hearts, seem… tired. I once tried to explain a problem with the Wi-Fi (which, by the way, was about as reliable as a politician's promise) and the person on reception just stared blankly at me for a solid minute. I think she might have been contemplating the meaning of life. Eventually, she just shrugged. Hey, at least she was honest, right? Most of the staff knows enough English to get by, not always enough to be "helpful" but enough to get by. Just don't go expecting personalized service, and you'll be fine.
Okay, the Wi-Fi. Spill. Is it a dealbreaker?
Oh, the Wi-Fi. Where do I even begin? It was… a disaster. A complete and utter digital wasteland. Slow? Yes. Intermittent? Absolutely. Dropouts? Frequently. Streaming a video? Forget about it! Sending an email? Hope you have a LOT of patience. Honestly, I spent half my stay tethered to my phone, which, ironically, actually had a stronger signal. The constant buffering was enough to make me want to throw my laptop out the window. It really did create a great distraction so that I didn't care about the bed.
Anything else to be aware of? Any hidden horrors?
Hidden horrors? Hmm. Well, the walls seemed to be made of paper. I could hear EVERYTHING. The couple next door's… *ahem*… enthusiasm. The construction crew's early morning radio. The incessant beeping of the elevator. Oh, and the light switches! They're apparently wired by a mischievous imp, because you never know what light you're actually turning on. Prepare for unexpected illumination! But honestly the biggest surprise was the lack of an iron in the room. How am I supposed to go to a business meeting with a wrinkly shirt? It's a crime. I'd also suggest bringing your own toiletries. They're the standard stuff, but the soap in my room once looked like it was left over from the Tang dynasty. Bring your own shampoo, and conditioner - your hair will thank you – and a good pair of earplugs. Trust me on that one.
So, would you recommend it? Be honest!
Okay, here's the brutal truth: It depends. If you're on a super-tight budget and need a place to crash, maybe. If you’re looking for anything even remotely resembling luxury or comfort, run. Run far, far away! Think of it as a place to park your luggage and sleep (sort of). Just don't expect too much, and you might survive. Ultimately, it’s a functional, cheap hotel, and for the price, you can’t expect the Ritz, but maybe, just maybe, a slightly less-wobbly Wi-Fi connection and a better mattress. And a shoe iron. Seriously, the shoe iron is a must.
