Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hanting Hotel Tianchang Tianfa Plaza Chuzhou
Unbelievable Luxury? More Like "Unbelievably Trying to Live Up to the Hype": A Rambling Review of Hanting Hotel Tianchang Tianfa Plaza, Chuzhou
Alright, buckle up buttercups. Because I just emerged, slightly shell-shocked but mostly caffeinated, from a stay at the Hanting Hotel Tianchang Tianfa Plaza in Chuzhou. "Unbelievable Luxury" they say? Let's just say my expectations, fueled by the glossy promo pics, were set about as high as the hotel's potential. This is going to be a long one. Get comfy. And maybe grab some snacks. You'll need them.
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- Metadata Description: Honest and detailed review of the Hanting Hotel Tianchang Tianfa Plaza in Chuzhou, China. Covering everything from accessibility and cleanliness to dining and amenities, with personal anecdotes and observations. Is it truly "unbelievable luxury"? Find out!
(The Arrival & First Impressions… or, How I Met the Concierge's Eyebrow)
First things first: Accessibility. Okay, this is important. They claim to have facilities for disabled guests. I saw an elevator. That's a start. The front desk was, thankfully, mostly accessible. But, let's just say, navigating the hallways with a suitcase felt a tad like navigating a maze designed by someone who’d only read about people with disabilities. The general vibe was… trying. Sort of like when you try to assemble IKEA furniture without looking at the instructions. You think you know what you're doing, but it just ends up crooked.
Check-in/out [express] and Check-in/out [private] - now, this is a funny one. They claim to offer both. I opted for the express. The check-in itself was pretty efficient. But the "express" part really meant "quickly processed but not necessarily swift." The concierge, bless his heart, seemed more focused on the architectural marvel that was his perfectly sculpted eyebrow than the actual process. Like, seriously, that eyebrow was a work of art. I almost asked him if he had an appointment with the Mona Lisa later.
The Room: A Tale of Two Realities
Alright, let's delve into the Available in all rooms section, shall we?
- Air conditioning - Check. Although, getting it exactly right was a battle of wills between me and the thermostat.
- Alarm clock - Check. Woke me up right on time. Annoyingly so.
- Bathrobes - Yep. Fluffy and cozy, thank goodness for those.
- Bathroom phone - Yes, but mostly for emergencies, not for casual dialing.
- Bathtub - Present, waiting patiently to use, but very shallow.
- Blackout curtains - Essential for a good night's sleep, absolutely loved these.
- Carpeting - Yes, in the beginning it was soft.
- Closet - Adequate. My clothes didn't feel particularly luxurious.
- Coffee/tea maker - Included. Thank god for coffee.
- Complimentary tea - Also present. Green tea, mostly.
- Daily housekeeping - Yes. The room was cleaned daily, but they seemed more meticulous about making the bed.
- Desk - A desk, which was great for working on the laptop.
- Extra long bed - YES! I'm tall, so this was a massive plus!
- Free bottled water - Provided, but tasted slightly of… well, let's just say not the freshest spring water.
- Hair dryer - It works.
- High floor - Yes, got a nice view.
- In-room safe box - Found, perfect for keeping my passport and things secure.
- Interconnecting room(s) available - Did not use, but it was an option.
- Internet access – LAN and Internet access – wireless - Both, but the Wi-Fi was a bit spotty. More on that later.
- Ironing facilities - Check. Saved me from looking like I slept in a washing machine.
- Laptop workspace - Also check!
- Linens - Generally clean and comfortable.
- Mini bar - Yep. Although, the selection was slim, and prices were, naturally, inflated.
- Mirror - Lots, which makes your image feel like floating in space in the morning.
- Non-smoking - Yes, the rooms are non-smoking.
- On-demand movies - Yes, and a decent selection.
- Private bathroom - Of course.
- Reading light - Present.
- Refrigerator - Works.
- Safety/security feature - Check.
- Satellite/cable channels - A decent selection.
- Scale - Yes, and yes, I used it.
- Seating area - Present, but underwhelming.
- Separate shower/bathtub - Yes, it was.
- Shower - Fine.
- Slippers - Provided, and surprisingly comfortable.
- Smoke detector - Present to notify if something went wrong.
- Socket near the bed - Yes! Thank heavens. Charging your phone is a necessity.
- Sofa - Fine.
- Soundproofing - Could have been better, but not too bad.
- Telephone - present.
- Toiletries - Basic, but adequate.
- Towels - Clean and fluffy.
- Umbrella - Provided. Crucial.
- Visual alarm - I did not use, but it was provided.
- Wake-up service - They do.
- Wi-Fi [free] - …More like "Wi-Fi [sometimes works]."
- Window that opens - Small but helpful for the fresh air.
The Big Wi-Fi Wobble:
Okay, let's talk about the Internet situation. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! they boast. And technically, that's true. Technically. In reality, it was more like "Free Wi-Fi… when it feels like it, and if you pray really hard to the internet gods." Seriously, I spent more time reconnecting to the Wi-Fi than I did actually using it. It would drop out at the most inconvenient times. Halfway through an important email? Gone. Trying to stream a movie? Forget about it. This was one of the biggest drawbacks of the stay. (Internet [LAN] was supposedly an option, but I didn't test it, and you know, it's 2024, so come on.)
Dining: Where the "Unbelievable" Got a Little Believable
The Dining, Drinking, and Snacking options are a bit of a mixed bag.
- Restaurants: They have a couple. The main restaurant offered a Breakfast [buffet], which was… well, let's just say it was an adventure. Asian breakfast and Western breakfast options were available, but the quality varied. The pastries, which looked amazing, proved to be quite dense. The coffee tasted like it had been brewed approximately 7 hours ago.
- A la carte in restaurant / Salad in restaurant / Soup in restaurant - They did provide this.
- Coffee shop: Present, and a lifesaver for those caffeine cravings.
- Poolside bar: The pool was… well, let's get to the Swimming pool [outdoor] later.
- Room service [24-hour]: Surprisingly efficient, saved my hungry bacon a few times.
- Snack bar: Basic, but convenient.
- Happy hour: Didn't catch it while I was there.
- Bar: The bar itself was, well, the bar.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Available, didn't try it, but good for the hotel to offer.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant / Western cuisine in restaurant: yes, available for both.
- Desserts in restaurant: Yes, though the quality does vary.
- Bottle of water: Provided.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Mixed Bag of Anti-Viral Cheer and Questionable Practices
This is where things get interesting. The hotel clearly tries. You see Hand sanitizer stations everywhere. They proudly advertise Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas. Rooms sanitized between stays is a claim they make, and I hope it's true.
- Daily housekeeping - The room was cleaned daily, and the staff were friendly. I felt they are doing their best.
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because you’re about to get a glimpse into my brain – and my stomach, and my jet lag – because here's the real deal itinerary for surviving (and hopefully enjoying) the Hanting Hotel Tianchang Tianfa Plaza, Chuzhou, China. Don't expect a polished brochure; expect the raw, unfiltered me.
Day 1: Arrival and the Existential Dread of Airport Noodles (plus a whole lotta jet lag)
Morning (or, technically, the middle of the night according to my internal clock): Land in Nanjing. Whew. Survived the flight. My ankles are swollen. Already regretting that third gin and tonic. Immediately hit with a wave of… everything… when I stepped out of the airport. The humidity! The noise! The sheer number of scooters! Took a taxi to Tianchang. The drive was… an experience. Think bumper-to-bumper, honking symphonies and a general disregard for lane markings.
Afternoon (or, in my brain, perpetually late afternoon): Checked into the Hanting Hotel. Decent enough. Clean-ish. The air con might or might not be working. The room smelled vaguely of cigarettes and… something else. Not sure what, but it's definitely a "China smell." I'm already developing a love-hate relationship with that smell. Unpacked. Tried to fight the jet lag monster. Lost. Badly. The urge to nap was overwhelming.
Late Afternoon/Evening (or, I think…maybe): Went in search of food. This is where things get real. Walked around Tianfa Plaza. Found a noodle shop. Ah, yes. The universal language of noodles. Ordered something that looked vaguely familiar. It arrived. Looked less familiar. Was it spicy? I couldn't tell. I ate it anyway. It was…an experience. Texture-wise, it was a revelation. Spicy, yes. Salty, yes. Delicious? Debatable. But after 14 hours of travel. I'd eat a shoe. I was so absolutely, utterly tired. I think my brain was short-circuiting. I felt like a slightly confused alien attempting to navigate Earth cuisine.
Night: Passed out. Wake up two hours later, completely disoriented. Wondered if I had truly consumed noodles. Or if it was just the jet lag having a laugh.
Day 2: The Great Tea Hunt and the Mysterious Case of the Missing Towel
- Morning (or, whenever I finally drag myself out of bed after the sun has been up for a couple of hours): Actually, had to get up early. I had a mission: TEA. Needed to find some decent tea. The instant coffee in the hotel was… well, let's just say it wasn't winning any awards. Wandered around, hoping to find a traditional tea shop, instead I was completely lost. I kept seeing these little grocery shops with what looked like instant tea packets. Not what I was looking for. After two hours, finally found a shop that seemed promising.
- Early Afternoon: The tea shop owner did not speak a word of English. I didn't know any Mandarin. But, somehow, through a combination of pointing, smiling, and desperate gesticulations, I managed to buy some tea. The tea was good, or at least, it was better than the instant stuff. Triumph!
- Late Afternoon: Back at the hotel. Notice that my towel has disappeared. Vanished. Poof. Gone. I suspect the hotel maid. Of course, I don't know any Mandarin. Went down to the front desk, again, using my hands and what words I did know. New towel obtained. Now I'm starting to suspect the hotel might just be a bit… eccentric. Also, starting to get a blister on my foot.
Day 3: The Park and the Unexpected Delight of People-Watching (and the Continuing Saga of the Air Con)
Morning: Decided to check out a nearby park. Needed some green space. Needed some perspective. Needed something other than the four walls of my hotel room. The park was… lovely. Filled with older people doing tai chi, kids chasing pigeons, and couples strolling hand-in-hand. People-watching is a global pastime, and China does it with aplomb. Some elderly women were practicing this graceful fan dance. Absolutely fascinating. I just stood there and stared. I even forgot my blisters!
Afternoon: Attempted to have lunch at a local restaurant. Ordered something from a menu with no translation. Another "mystery meat" experience. Wasn't sure what I was eating. Some stuff looked like chicken feet, and some other thing looked like entrails. Nope. I stuck to the noodles. Again. They did not disappoint this time.
Evening: The Air Con is still broken. Or, rather, it blows cold, and then hot, and then it seems to blow nothing at all. It's a roller coaster of temperature, and honestly, it’s exhausting. I'm seriously considering sleeping in the hallway. Contemplating buying a portable fan, but I’m not so sure I can find them.
Night: Contemplate a full-blown mental breakdown. Consider writing a strongly worded note to the hotel, but quickly realize that, with my limited Mandarin, I’ll just end up saying something offensive. Decided to just suffer in silence.
Night (Later on): The air conditioning starts working, only getting cold, but nothing is perfect. I'm happy. So completely happy.
Day 4: The Market, The Street Food, the Food Baby, and the Return Trip
- Morning: Went to the local market. It was a sensory overload in the best way possible. The sights! The smells! The vibrant chaos! I tried some street food, (from a seemingly trustworthy vendor). Deep-fried dough things. (Definitely not sure what it was, but I did not care.) Some kind of spicy skewers. My stomach started to rumble.
- Afternoon: Bought a ridiculous, oversized straw hat. I'm certain I look like a total tourist, but who cares? I feel like the world's most attractive scarecrow. I bought some incredibly cheap and probably fake sunglasses. I have a food baby. I don't care.
- Late Afternoon: Time to catch the train. A little sad, I had just gotten comfortable with the area, the food, the Hanting Hotel.
- Night: Goodbye, Chuzhou. Goodbye, air-con woes. Goodbye, mystery meat. Until next time, China. Until next time… I'll be back.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was messy. Imperfect. Full of misunderstandings, language barriers, and a general sense of being slightly lost. But it was also beautiful. It was real. It was… well, it was me. And that, my friends, is what travel is all about. (And yes, I did eventually discover how to make the air con sort of work, kind of. Maybe. Possibly.) Now, I'm off to find the nearest McDonald's. Just kidding! (Maybe).
Escape to Tuscany: Cozy Indonesian Studio Awaits!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hanting Hotel Tianchang Tianfa Plaza Chuzhou - Your Unofficial Guide (Because Let’s Be Real, They Wouldn't Write This)
Okay, first thing’s first. Is it *actually* luxurious? Don't get my hopes up!
The Location. Tianfa Plaza, huh? What's *that* about?
The rooms! What are they like? Spaciously cramped? Comfortably minimalist? Give me the lowdown!
The WiFi. Is it like, "connecting to the void," or actually usable? Because I *need* my social media fix!
The Staff. Are they friendly? Do they speak English? The essential questions!
What about the breakfast? Is it worth getting up for? Or should I just grab something on the street?
What about the cleanliness of the Hotel?
Is it close to public transport? Will I need to hail taxis?
Overall, bottom line? Would you stay there again? Honestly.
