Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Atour Hotel Shaoxing Shangyu! (E-You Town, China)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my experience at Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Atour Hotel Shaoxing Shangyu! (E-You Town, China). Forget the perfectly polished reviews, I'm here to give you the real deal, the messy, the glorious, and the occasionally slightly bonkers truth. Let's go!
First Impressions & Location (The Good, The Less Good, and the "Wait, Where Am I?")
Okay, "E-You Town." Sounds… futuristic? Turns out, it’s more of a sprawling industrial area, and Atour is right there smack-dab in the middle. Not exactly a postcard view from your window, but hey, at least it's convenient for… well, whatever business brings you to Shaoxing Shangyu. Getting there was a breeze with their airport transfer – smooth, efficient, and mercifully air-conditioned. Now, I came prepared for the car park [free of charge], and the car park [on-site] was right there ready and waiting. No stress about finding a spot. Accessibility? Didn't need it personally, but I did see elevator and plenty of space, so big thumbs up there.
The Room: My Little Fortress of Comfort (Mostly)
Alright, let’s talk rooms. Mine? Glorious. The air conditioning blasted Arctic winds, which was a lifesaver after the humidity outside. And the blackout curtains? Chef's kiss. I'm a light sleeper, and those things are pure magic. The bed was… well, a dream. Extra long bed, perfect for a taller person like myself. I sank into the plush bedding, and that’s where the real magic happened. The slippers were a nice touch, but the bathrobes? Now, those were genuinely luxurious. I basically lived in that thing for the first 24 hours.
The Wi-Fi [free] worked like lightning. I mean, seriously, I binge-watched a whole season of my favorite show without a single buffering issue. The Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN were both available, but I’m all about that wireless life. Complimentary tea and a coffee/tea maker were absolute necessities. Needed that caffeine to combat the jet lag.
Amenities, Amenities, Everywhere Amenities (But Did I Use Them?)
Okay, this is where things get slightly… overwhelming. The list is insane. Swimming pool – Yes, it was there. Did I swim? Nope. Fitness center? Present. Did I lift? Also no. Spa/sauna, steamroom, massage – tempting, but I was too busy writing this review. Spa? Body scrub, Body wrap? Maybe next time, Atour. Maybe next time. I did, however, spend way too much time in the foot bath. Seriously, after a day of exploring, it was absolute heaven.
Food, Glorious Food (And Some Minor Hiccups)
The breakfast [buffet] was a feast for the eyes. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast… a dizzying array of options. The Asian cuisine in restaurant, and Western cuisine in restaurant were also tempting. I ended up sticking mostly with a buffet, which was a safe bet. And the coffee shop? The coffee wasn't the best, but the atmosphere was nice.
Now, here's a confession: I tried the room service [24-hour] once. I was craving a midnight snack. I ordered a burger. It arrived… okay. Not the best burger I've ever had, but hey, it was 2 am, and it hit the spot. And the bottle of water they provide in the room? Essential!
Cleanliness, Safety, and the COVID-19 Circus (They Take It Seriously)
Okay, let's be real: traveling in the age of COVID is a trip. But I have to say, Atour really took safety seriously. Staff trained in safety protocol, hand sanitizer everywhere, and physical distancing of at least 1 meter. They even had rooms sanitized between stays, and you could opt-out of the room sanitization opt-out available, which is a solid move for those of us who like a bit more control. The Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas gave me a sense of security, which is no small feat these days. The front desk [24-hour], and security [24-hour] just added up to the peace of mind.
The Quirks, the Flaws, and the "Huh?" Moments
Look, no hotel is perfect. There were a few oddities. The signage could be a little clearer. And, I'll be honest, I wandered around for a good five minutes trying to find the bar. But hey, that’s part of the adventure, right?
And here's a fun little anecdote: I wanted to send a postcard. The convenience store was okay, but the gift/souvenir shop didn't have any postcard stamps (I know, crazy!). So, I had to walk around looking for stamps in a foreign country. It was an adventure, but the card finally found its way!
For the Record: The Things I Didn't Experience (But Were There)
I didn't use the Babysitting service, the Family/child friendly amenities, the Kids meal, or the Kids facilities. Nor did I explore the Indoor venue for special events, the Outdoor venue for special events, or the Meeting/banquet facilities.
The Verdict: Should You Book? (My Opinionated Answer)
Okay, despite a few minor quirks, I loved my stay at Atour Hotel Shaoxing Shangyu. It's clean, comfortable, and the staff is friendly (and spoke decent English). The location might not be ideal for sightseeing, but if you're in the area for business or happen to be visiting the area for other reasons, I'd highly recommend it. It’s a fantastic place to de-stress after a day of… whatever you're doing!
My Compelling Offer (Because, Why Not?)
Alright, here's my pitch:
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Atour Hotel Shaoxing Shangyu - Your Gateway to (Relative) Tranquility!
Tired of the same old hotel routine? Craving a little bit of pampering? Then book your stay at Atour Hotel Shaoxing Shangyu and prepare to be wowed.
Here's what you get:
- Unbelievably comfy beds: Seriously, you'll sleep like a baby (or at least someone who forgot their worries).
- Delicious food: From the bountiful breakfast buffet to the (sometimes) amazing room service.
- Serene Spa-like Ambiance: Rejuvenate in the fitness center, or treat your feet to a foot bath.
- Impeccable Cleanliness & Safety: Rest easy knowing they've got your health covered.
- Unbeatable Value: Get all this luxury without breaking the bank!
Book NOW using code ATOURADVENTURE and receive a complimentary upgrade to a room with a view (if available), and a free drink at the bar! Don't miss out on your chance to experience the Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Atour Hotel Shaoxing Shangyu! (E-You Town, China)! This isn't just a hotel; it's an escape. Click here to book your stay today!
Escape to Paradise: Cozy B9 Glory Beach Resort Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-polished itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the wonderfully chaotic world of Atour Hotel Shaoxing Shangyu E-You Town, and trust me, we're going to stumble. Get ready for a trip report that's less "travelogue" and more "verbal vomit with pictures."
Shaoxing Shenanigans: Atour Hotel, Shangyu Edition (aka My Attempt to Not Mess This Up)
Day 1: Arrival and the Art of Jet Lagged Confusion (and a Misunderstanding with the Front Desk)
- 14:00 - Landed in Shanghai, the First Mistake (well, not really a mistake, but…you know)
- Okay, so the airport. A monstrous, gleaming testament to human engineering. After a 14-hour flight, it felt less like a welcoming committee and more like a labyrinth designed by a grumpy robot. I’m pretty sure the signs were laughing at me. Found my luggage! Victory!
- 15:30 - Train to Shaoxing! (Wish me luck and caffeine)
- The train situation. Smooth, fast, and blessedly quiet. Chugged coffee like my life depended on it, which, with the jet lag, it kinda did. Kept staring out the window at the rice paddies. So green! So…rice-paddy-ish.
- 17:00 - Arrived at Shaoxing Station. (And the language barrier begins…)
- Lost a solid 20 minutes trying to figure out how to get a taxi. Learned a few new swear words in Mandarin, mostly from the drivers. No, seriously. But finally got one, and off to Shangyu!
- 18:00 - Check-in at Atour Hotel. (The Front Desk Saga Begins…)
- Walking into a hotel after a long travel is generally a relief, but not at the Atour. The front desk staff were… well, bless their hearts, they were trying. But my pronunciation of the hotel name? Apparently, it sounded like I was trying to order a pizza with a sentient hamster. Took me a solid 10 minutes to convince them I had a reservation. The lady, bless her, kept repeating "What? Hotel? Name?" in a tone that implied I was speaking Martian. Eventually, with some frantic pointing and my phone's translation app, we got there. I think.
- The room itself? Pretty standard. Clean, comfortable bed - jet lag's best friend. The tiny TV? Probably a good thing I didn't understand Mandarin. I’d probably get sucked into some weird daytime drama and never leave my room.
- 19:00 - Dinner Adventure (or, Eating My Emotions in Noodle Form)
- Found a little noodle shop nearby. It looked promising. The menu was, of course, in Chinese, so I just pointed. I ended up with a giant bowl of noodles, something vaguely meat-like, and a broth that could probably cure any ailment. Honestly, after the train and that front desk ordeal, it was the best darned thing I'd ever tasted. A small victory.
- 20:30 - Collapse into Bed, Attempt to Sleep (Wish Me Luck!)
- Good luck in that department. Jet lag is a cruel mistress.
Day 2: Temples, Tea, and a Near-Death Experience with a Skewer (Probably)
- 08:00 - Wake up feeling vaguely like I've been hit by a truck. Breakfast (The Buffet, The Struggle Is Real…and Possibly the Food Poisoning?)
- The hotel breakfast buffet. A culinary minefield. Tried to navigate the assortment of…things…and went for a plate of what looked like scrambled eggs. They were definitely not scrambled eggs. More like vaguely yellow, gelatinous blobs. Ate a few bites and pretended they tasted good. I'm not sure how I felt afterwards.
- 10:00 - Exploring Lingyin Temple (Zen, Then Chaos)
- Okay, this place! Lingyin Temple. Stunning. Just…gorgeous. The ornate carvings, the scent of incense, the quiet serenity… At least until I accidentally bumped into a chanting monk, and nearly knocked him over. Mortified. Apologized profusely, he just smiled. So, yeah, the Zen thing? Still a work in progress.
- 12:00 - Lunch at Some Random Place (More Pointing, More Luck!)
- Found a tiny, dingy restaurant near the temple. The kind of place where you're pretty sure the owner's cat is also the head chef. But the food! Surprisingly delicious, flavorful… and I am pretty sure I accidentally ate a part of the head of a chicken.
- 14:00 - Tea Ceremony Interlude (Attempting to Be Classy)
- Tried to participate in a tea ceremony. I’m all in for culture, but the whole "sipping tea with perfect poise" thing? Not my strong suit. Spilled tea on myself twice and nearly choked on a tea leaf. Got a few sympathetic smiles, and a lot of amusement.
- 16:00 - Strolling through the streets (eating, drinking, and possibly dying)
- Found the local street food. This is where it went south. Trying food on skewers, saw a kid with a very happy face eating one, I thought, "Why not?" Ordered something… I do not know what it was. It was covered in spices. I took a bite. It was spicy. My eyes teared up. My mouth was on fire. I think I may have been a bit delirious, but by the time I walked back to the hotel, it was a memory.
- 18:00 - Back to the Hotel (and the sweet, sweet embrace of the bed)
- Need a solid few minutes with some water and some peace.
Day 3: The Unexpected Detour (and A Bitter Departure)
- 09:00 - Goodbye from the hotel.
- The hotel staff were all great, even if they had to cope with me. Left a tip and a massive "thank you" to the lady who did the best she could when I didn't know how to pronounce the name of the hotel.
- 10:00 - The Unexpected Detour (I'm Late, I'm Late, For a Very Important Date… with a Train)
- Instead of my planned train ride, I was heading back to the airport. Life does not always go as planned. But with many memories and a new respect for those translators, I have no regrets.
Final Thoughts (or, What I Learned in Shaoxing)
Shaoxing, you were wild and I'm honestly not sure if I'll ever look at scrambled eggs the same way ever again. I stumbled, I mispronounced, and I ate things that might still be haunting my dreams, but that's the joy of travel, isn't it? The messy, imperfect, sometimes terrifying beauty of it all. Atour Hotel, you were a comfortable place to attempt being normal. And to anyone considering a trip: Pack extra pepto-bismol, learn a few basic Mandarin phrases, and embrace the chaos. You won't regret it (probably).
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Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Atour Hotel Shaoxing Shangyu! (E-You Town, China) - The (Hopefully) Honest Guide
Is the Atour Hotel REALLY as “unbelievable” as the website claims? I'm skeptical. (And broke.)
Okay, let's be honest. "Unbelievable" is marketing hyperbole, right? I went in with that exact mindset. My bank account… well, let's just say it screamed a silent, mournful cry. BUT, and this is a BIG but, the *experience* was… pretty damn good. Not “sell my kidney” good, but genuinely impressive. The lobby? Stunning. Think grand, minimalist, and smells faintly of… something expensive. Like a very well-dressed woodshop.
My room? Clean. Crisp linens that felt heavenly against my skin. The little details? Surprisingly thoughtful! Fruit upon arrival, a personalized welcome note (which, I’m not going to lie, made me feel like a VIP, even though I probably wasn't). Is it worth the price? That's where it gets tricky. I'd say, if you're looking for a special occasion splurge, or just *really* need a recharge, go for it. But maybe skip the daily buffet unless you have the stomach of a garbage disposal. (More on that later...)
What's the deal with E-You Town? Is it a total ghost town, or what?
E-You Town… hmmm. It's... developing. Let's put it that way. Picture a brand new city, still finding its feet. There are definitely pockets that feel a little… sterile. Like that movie where everything is suspiciously perfect. But! The hotel itself provides a nice bubble of luxury. There *are* shops and restaurants nearby-ish. Walking distance? Maybe for a marathon runner. Grab a taxi or Didi (the Chinese Uber) and you're golden. Don't expect buzzing nightlife, though. Think more… quiet evenings of reflection. (Or binge-watching Netflix in your ridiculously comfortable bed.)
Seriously though, the town is getting there. I got lost for about an hour searching for a "local" noodle shop - a true culinary adventure! (It was worth it.)
The food. Tell me about the food! Is the breakfast buffet worth it? Because buffets can be… hit or miss.
Okay, the buffet. Buckle up. Here’s the straight truth: It’s AMAZING… at first. The presentation is gorgeous, a rainbow of perfectly arranged pastries, fresh fruit, and glistening dim sum. My first morning, I felt like royalty. I piled my plate high, tasting everything. This is the good life!
Then… by day three? I started to notice things. The croissants, while flaky, were somehow just… *slightly* stale. The scrambled eggs? A tad… rubbery. The "freshly squeezed" orange juice? Probably from a concentrate factory miles away! I began to feel a general sense of… buffet fatigue. A creeping, existential dread. The sheer *volume* of food was overwhelming. Honestly, skip the buffet after a couple of days. Explore the local options. Your stomach (and your sanity) will thank you.
What are the rooms like? Are there any standout features? (Aside from the "unbelievable" part!)
Standout features? Oh, yes. The bed. The *bed*. Seriously, I'm still dreaming about that bed. It was like sleeping on a cloud made of marshmallow fluff and pure, unadulterated comfort. I’m not normally a "bed person," but I could have happily spent my entire stay just… existing in that bed.
The tech was pretty slick too. Everything was controlled by a tablet: lights, curtains, temperature. Very Jetsons. But the best part? The HUGE windows. Big enough to let in all that beautiful Shaoxing sunshine. (Or the occasional dramatic thunderstorm, which was awesome to watch from my marshmallow cloud.) The bathroom *was* another highlight, by the way. HUGE walk in shower! And the toiletries smelled divine.
Is there anything I should watch out for? Any hidden costs or sneaky surprises? (Besides the potential for buffet-induced existential crises?)
Good question! First, watch your mini-bar consumption. Those little snacks and drinks add up *fast*. I’m not exaggerating when I say I almost choked on my water bill when I checked out. Second, the spa. It looked amazing… but the prices made my eyes water. I’m talking, "could-buy-a-small-car" prices. So, unless you're REALLY feeling flush, maybe stick to the free gym, and the free (and surprisingly nice) communal bath.
And lastly, be prepared for some language barriers. Not everyone speaks impeccable English. Arm yourself with a translation app, learn a few basic Mandarin phrases, and embrace the adventure. You’ll be fine! (Probably.)
How is the service? Are the staff friendly and helpful? (Because, honestly, that can make or break a stay.)
The service? Generally, excellent. The staff were genuinely friendly and seemed eager to please. There’s that classic issue of language, but they went the extra mile to understand my (often disastrous) attempts at communication. From helping me find a decent coffee shop (a challenge!) to retrieving a charger I’d accidentally left in my room, they were always helpful. One time, I was wrestling with the incredibly stubborn safe, and a staff member practically sprinted to my aid. He fixed it in seconds (while I was having a minor meltdown). That's the kind of service that sticks with you!
That said, be patient! Things move at a slightly slower pace than what you might be used to, but that's part of the charm (and perhaps part of the cultural adjustment). No one's *perfect*, but I can't fault their genuine efforts.
Okay, final verdict: Would you go back?
Honestly? Yes. Absolutely. Even if it’s just to sleep in that bed one more time. The Atour Hotel Shaoxing Shangyu isn't flawless, and "unbelievable" is a stretch, but it's a genuinely lovely experience. It's a place to recharge, to pamper yourself (on a budget, if possible!), and to explore a region that’s still finding its feet.
Just… pack your own coffee and maybe a box of emergency snacks. And prepare for the buffet. May the odds be ever in your favor. (And mine, next time I go!)
Is there a gym, pool, or other amenities?
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