Shanghai Luxury Getaway: Hanting Premium Hotel Review (Century Ave Metro!)
Okay, buckle up, because we're diving headfirst into the chaotic, wonderful, and sometimes slightly bewildering world of the Hanting Premium Hotel near Century Avenue Metro in Shanghai. Forget the polished, perfect brochures; this is the real deal, my raw, unfiltered, and let's be honest, slightly sleep-deprived review. Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of accessibility, Wi-Fi woes, and the eternal quest for a decent cup of coffee.
The Big Picture: Location, Location, LOCATION! (and My First "Oh, Crap" Moment)
First things first: Location, location, location! That Century Avenue Metro mention? GOLD. Seriously. I'm talking a stone's throw away. This thing is a lifesaver if you're trying to navigate Shanghai's sprawling beauty. My first "oh crap" moment happened about five minutes after I got out of the airport. I realized I needed to get to the hotel ASAP, and a cab just wasn't cutting it in terms of timing and cost, and it was all uphill after I jumped into a cab and got stuck in the worse traffic jam in my life. But the Metro? Smooth sailing, baby. So, immediate points for practicality.
Accessibility - Did They Actually Think About This?
Okay, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I do appreciate good accessibility because it translates to better experiences for everyone. Let's start with the basics: Elevators? Check. Good. The lobby? Spacious and easy to navigate, even with my mountain of luggage. The rooms? Well, that’s where it got a little…iffy…
- Wheelchair Accessible? I'm not a wheelchair user myself, but the information I found indicated that the hotel tries to cater to people with wheelchairs, so this is a good option.
- Facilities for disabled guests The hotel does offer some of this, good!
- Some other accessibility perks I found were Fire extinguishers, Smoke alarms, CCTV in common areas, and CCTV outside property. Good, the more safety, the better!
Rooms & The Wi-Fi Whisper of Despair
- Available in all rooms: 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.
Okay, so the rooms themselves? Pretty standard, but clean and well-maintained, this is what you want, really. The beds? Comfy enough, and the blackout curtains were a godsend after a long flight. And the free bottled water in a place that's a little further away from a convenience store? Huge win! But the Wi-Fi…Oh, the Wi-Fi.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (This is what it says, but…)
- Internet: And the truth is out there..
- Internet [LAN]: Ok, this wasn't cutting it…
- Internet services: Uh, it's there?
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Much better here…
Let's just say the "free Wi-Fi" was more like "free-ish Wi-Fi that occasionally decides to work." I spent a significant amount of time battling it, which, let's be honest, is a big mood killer when you're trying to actually do things. It was a lot easier to get the connection in my room, but it still wasn't enough for me. And yeah, the promised "LAN" access didn't work either. The best Wi-Fi seemed to be in the lobby, so I ended up doing a lot of work and zoom meetings here.
The Food Follies (and the Quest for Real Coffee)
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: Oh boy this category is a huge section!
- 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 situation was…varied. They had a buffet breakfast that had a good selection of both Asian and Western options. However, the coffee? Let's just say I've had better instant coffee. The coffee shop was not the best either, this caused a lot of pain for me, but the restaurant had some pretty good international cuisine and a good happy hour, so this was appreciated. I did appreciate the bottle of water in the room.
Things to Do (and Ways to Pretend You're Relaxing)
- Things to do:
- Body scrub
- Body wrap
- Fitness center
- Foot bath
- Gym/fitness
- Massage
- Pool with view
- Sauna
- Spa
- Spa/sauna
- Steamroom
- Swimming pool
- Swimming pool [outdoor]
Okay, so here's where the hotel kinda redeems itself. They have a decent fitness center, a pool, and a spa. I didn't try every one of these things, I did take advantage of the pool. It was pretty nice and relaxing, particularly after a busy day of sightseeing. The view was, well, of another building, but it still felt good. I did try the massage… it was ok, so I really can't say much.
Cleanliness and Safety - Were They Actually Cleaning?
- Cleanliness and safety: this is a long list, but I will go over it
- 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
In an era of… well, everything, cleanliness is critical. And yeah, my room felt clean, and the hotel seemed to be taking things seriously. The staff was wearing masks, and there were hand sanitizer stations everywhere. It was reassuring to see things like Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Individually-wrapped food options.
Services and Conveniences - The Good, the Bad, and the Indispensable
- 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
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your pristine, airbrushed travel brochure. We're diving headfirst into the messy, glorious chaos of a trip to Shanghai, with the Hanting Premium Hotel Youjia Century Avenue Metro Station as our shaky anchor. Prepare for a ride.
Trip Title: Surviving Shanghai (and Maybe Loving It) - A Hot Mess Express Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Initial Impress-ment (or Utter Overwhelm)
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at Pudong International Airport (PVG). Dear God, the crowds. I mean, seriously. It's like a zombie apocalypse of luggage-wielding humans. Find my pre-booked airport express train. Okay, that was surprisingly easy. Score one for me.
- 11:30 AM: Arrive at Century Avenue Metro Station and make it to our hotel near the bustling area.
- Anecdote: The hotel lobby isn't exactly the palatial oasis I'd imagined. More like, well, a perfectly functional box with a slightly aggressive air conditioning unit. But hey, the staff are friendly, and there's a tiny, suspiciously strong-smelling air freshener. Let's hope it's masking something less pleasant.
- Quirky Observation: Why are all the Chinese signs in English, but the elevator buttons are only in Chinese?! It's like a conspiracy. I'm sure I'll get lost in the hotel before I'm done.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch! I'm craving dumplings. Like, a primal NEED. Finding a local "hole-in-the-wall" place.
- Emotional Reaction: I discover the ultimate dumpling experience and I. AM. IN. HEAVEN. Seriously, these things are bursting with flavor. The texture is perfect. It's like little edible pillows of joy. I order a second plate. And then a third. Regret is for the faint of heart. Also, I have no idea what the waiter is saying, but it seems polite and happy. I think.
- 2:00 PM: A stroll around the area. I'm hoping to catch my breath and get a sense of the neighborhood.
- Messy Structure: The sheer scale of Shanghai is something to behold. Skyscrapers claw at the sky, the traffic is a ballet of organized chaos (mostly), and the street vendors are relentless. I’m already feeling like a tiny ant.
- Opinionated Language: I don’t love the architecture, but I’m also no architecture expert.
- 4:00 PM: Attempt to navigate the Metro. This could be good!
- Real-sounding Imperfection: I get completely, utterly lost. I get on the wrong train. I get off the wrong stop. I ask for help in broken Chinglish and probably offend someone. I feel like a total idiot.
- 5:30 PM: Finally find my way back to the hotel. I am drained.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner somewhere random. Maybe find some fried noodles.
- Rambles: I’m so tired, all I want to do is get into the bed and watch TV.
Day 2: Culture Shock (or a Glimmer of Beauty)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. The buffet looks okay.
- Stream-of-consciousness: I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try the "mystery meat" on offer. I stick with the pastries. Maybe later.
- 10:00 AM: The Shanghai Museum.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: This place is amazing! The bronzes, the ceramics, the calligraphy… it's a sensory overload in the best possible way! I can't believe the level of detail in some of these artifacts. I'm seriously moved.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch near the museum. Something quick and easy.
- 2:30 PM: The Bund.
- Doubling Down on an Experience - The Bund: Okay, the Bund. Everybody says it's a must-do, and they're right. The views of the Pudong skyline are breathtaking. The colonial architecture is stunning. I spend, like, an hour just staring. I feel so small. The vibe is electric. The crowds are annoying, but I sort of understand why everyone's here.
- Anecdote: I try to take a picture of the Pudong skyline and get photobombed by about a hundred people. The Chinese are not the kind of people to be shy about getting in pictures!
- 4:30 PM: Stroll around French Concession area.
- Messy Structure: The French Concession is ridiculously charming. I can't even.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner in the area.
- 8:00 PM: If I have any energy left, maybe a drink at a rooftop bar. (Probably not. I'm getting old!)
Day 3: The Hustle and the Bustle, and the Great Escape
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast again at the hotel. Sigh.
- 10:00 AM: Yu Garden and the adjacent Bazaar.
- Opinionated Language: Honestly, the bazaar is totally touristy, but it's also kind of mesmerizing. The crowds are insane, the smells are overwhelming, and the trinkets… well, some of them are actually quite cool.
- Emotional Reaction: I'm definitely on sensory overload! People everywhere! It’s a zoo!
- Quirky Observation: I buy a pair of chopsticks.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch in the area.
- 2:30 PM: Explore the Nanjing Road pedestrian street.
- Anecdote: The crowds are even worse here than the Bund! The lights! The noise! It's an assault on the senses. I buy a pair of fake sunglasses and then wish I hadn’t.
- 4:30 PM: Last-minute souvenir shopping.
- 6:00 PM: Farewell dinner.
- 8:00 PM: Prepare for departure.
Day 4: Farewell, Shanghai!
- Morning: Depart from Pudong International Airport (PVG).
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: I feel a strange mix of relief and sadness. Relief that the constant sensory overload will end. Sadness that I'm leaving this chaotic, beautiful, frustrating, fascinating city. I'm exhausted, but I'm also changed. Shanghai, you've been a wild ride. And I think…I think I might actually miss you.
Important Notes:
- Transportation: Primarily relying on the Metro (thankfully) and taxis (when I'm totally lost and desperate).
- Food: Dumplings, noodles, and whatever else I can point at and hope for the best. Probably lots of street food.
- Language: Very, very basic Mandarin. Prepare for lots of pointing and smiling. And maybe a phrasebook.
- Expectations: Low. Embrace the chaos. And remember: getting lost is part of the adventure.
This is a fluid plan. Expect changes. Expect meltdowns. Expect amazing dumplings. And expect to have a pretty good time, maybe. Now, wish me luck!
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Shanghai Luxury Getaway: Hanting Premium Hotel - My Brain Dump of a Review (Century Ave Metro!)
Okay, spill. Is Hanting Premium REALLY 'Premium'? I'm on a budget, you know...
Alright, alright, let's get real. "Premium" is a loaded word, isn't it? Look, I’m going to be honest, it’s not the Park Hyatt. But for the price? For the convenience? Yeah, I’d say it punches above its weight. It’s more like... *elevated Hanting*. Think less "marble-floored opulence" and more "clean, modern, and actually pretty comfortable." And honestly, sometimes that’s all you need after a day battling the crowds in Shanghai.
Here's the deal: the rooms are decent sized, surprisingly quiet (which in Shanghai is a *miracle*), and the beds... the beds were a godsend. I crashed in that thing like a brick. One word: **comfy**. But the *luxury* aspect? Nah. You're not getting a personal butler or a gold-plated toilet seat. You're getting a well-maintained room in a prime location, which, for me, is a win.
Century Avenue Metro: Seriously? How close *are* we talking? Because I'm picturing schlepping luggage for a mile...
Oh, the Century Avenue Metro situation is a game changer. I'm talking, like, a five-minute walk, tops. Maybe even less if you're a speed walker (which I am *not*). Seriously, if you're bad with directions (like me), you can't miss it. Just step out of the hotel, turn left, walk, and BOOM. Metro station. It’s practically *in* the lobby. (Okay, not literally, but you get the idea).
And trust me, in Shanghai, that's HUGE. Traffic is a nightmare, taxis can be a roll of the dice, and the metro is clean, efficient, and affordable. So, yes. The location is absolutely a major selling point. I hopped on the Line 2 and zipped around Shanghai like a local ninja. No more sweaty bus rides for this girl!
The Room Itself: Did it have that "cheap hotel" smell? (You know the one...)
Okay, this is a biggie for me. I have a super sensitive nose. Bad smells can ruin a trip. Thankfully, no! No lingering cigarette smoke, no musty dampness. Whew! The room smelled... clean. Actually, *really* clean. They clearly put effort into the upkeep. (And trust me, I sniffed around. I’m that person.)
The decor was modern and simple. Think clean lines, functional furniture, and minimal clutter. Everything worked. The AC blasted (necessary in Shanghai summers) The shower pressure was actually decent (another miracle!). And the bed was SO comfortable. I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but seriously, the bed...
Now, don't expect a luxurious experience in the room itself. There aren't any extra perks, but considering the price point, you shouldn’t be expecting that! What you *do* get is a clean, comfortable, and functional space, which is a major win.
What about the Breakfast? Because I heard it's included... and I'm a foodie.
Okay, okay. Breakfast. Here's the (delicious) truth. It's… included. And it's... decent. Let's just put it like that. Don't expect a gourmet spread worthy of a Michelin star. Think a buffet with a mix of Chinese and Western options.
There were noodles (always a win in my book), dim sum (sometimes hit, sometimes miss – hey, it's mass-produced!), some Western-style pastries, coffee (drinkable, at least!), and some fruit. I went in expecting the worst and I was pleasantly surprised. Sure, it wasn’t a culinary revelation, but it was enough to fuel my explorations. Plus, free is always good, right? I mean, it's not the reason to pick the hotel, but it is a welcome bonus!
Customer Service – Any horror stories? I’ve had some BAD experiences with hotel staff.
Okay, this is where I have to admit something. I'm terrible with languages. Like, *really* terrible. I get flustered easily and panic. So usually, I hide behind my phone and translator apps.
That being said, the staff at Hanting Premium were generally pleasant and helpful. They spoke decent English (which was a lifesaver!). Checking in and out was a breeze, they always greeted me with a smile. I didn't have any major issues, but everyone was professional and did their best to help, which is all you can ask for really. I really only have positive feedback in this area.
Is it Loud? I'm a light sleeper... and Shanghai can be noisy.
Right, Shanghai. Siren city, noise central. I'm a light sleeper. I usually end up sleeping in earplugs AND a sleep mask! The good news is, I found the Hanting Premium surprisingly quiet.
Remember how I said it's a miracle to find a quiet place in Shanghai? This hotel felt like a little oasis of calm. I didn't hear much street noise, and the walls seemed decently soundproofed. Of course, if you're right next to the elevator, you might get some noise, but the rooms are well positioned in this respect. Honestly, I slept like a log!
Anything that REALLY annoyed you? Gotta be honest...
Okay, let me put on the grumpy hat for a minute. The only thing that really bugged me was the lack of proper storage space in the bathroom. I'm a messy traveler. I need a counter to lay out my stuff. This one was small. I ended up putting some toiletries on the floor because the counter was just not enough. That was it.
Oh, and the other slightly annoying thing was the internet. It was a bit spotty sometimes. Fine for basic browsing, but trying to upload large files or stream video could be a struggle. But hey, you're in Shanghai. Embrace the disconnect, right? It’s a good excuse to put your phone down and explore!
Would you stay there again? Be honest!
Alright, the million-dollar question! Yes. 100% Yes. If I'm looking for a clean, convenient, and budget-friendly base in Shanghai, I'd absolutely stay at the Hanting Premium nearComfy Hotel Finder
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