Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: GreenTree Eastern Hotel, Xuancheng's Hidden Gem!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: GreenTree Eastern Hotel, Xuancheng's Hidden Gem!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits? GreenTree Eastern Hotel, Xuancheng: A Rambling, Unfiltered Take
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because trying to review a hotel based on a laundry list of amenities is like trying to eat alphabet soup with chopsticks. It’s gonna get messy, opinions WILL be formed, and I’m probably going to forget half the things I should be covering. But hey, that's life, right? Especially after a trip to Xuancheng. Let's dive into the GreenTree Eastern Hotel and see if it truly lives up to its "Unbelievable Luxury" billing.
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Right, got that out of the way. Now, where were we? Ah yes, the "Unbelievable Luxury." My initial reaction? Hmm, more like "Believable-ish Luxury," but let's give it a whirl.
Accessibility: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Confusing
Okay, so, Wheelchair Accessible. They say it's available. And, judging from the elevator (which, praise the travel gods, worked!), I think it's probably true. I didn't specifically test it out with a wheelchair, but the hallways seemed wide enough. However, the online info on exact specifications was… well, let's just say it could have been clearer. Facilities for disabled guests: It’s listed, but a little more specific information would have been helpful. Also, the lack of accessible info online is a minus.
The Internet… Where Dreams Go to Buffer
Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms!: YES! And it's good, when it's working. The Internet, Internet [LAN], and Wi-Fi in public areas were generally okay. I'd give it a solid B. But don’t expect to stream high-definition videos without a few hiccups. There were periods of, shall we say, "glacial" internet speeds. This is where the Internet access – wireless in the room comes into play. It's definitely a necessary thing to have.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitizing Overload? (Maybe)
Alright, they are really pushing the anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and all that jazz. Rooms sanitized between stays? Check. Hygiene certification? Probably. They’re taking a very cautious approach. Honestly? I felt a little too much sanitization. Maybe I’m just paranoid, but it felt like they were trying just a bit too hard. But hey, better safe than sorry, right? (Even though I have this sneaking suspicion I’ve developed an immunity to everything from dust mites to alien viruses). Staff trained in safety protocol? Seemed like it. I saw a guy in a full hazmat suit cleaning the elevator one day. I’m guessing he knew the drill. Hand sanitizer everywhere, and Individually-wrapped food options abound. I'm not complaining, but it did feel a lot stricter than other hotels I've stayed at recently. The Room Itself: A Mixed Bag, Honestly
Where to start? My room was a Non-smoking haven, thankfully. It had a desk, a fairly comfy seating area with a sofa, and the all-important air conditioning (praise the gods of comfortable room temperature). The blackout curtains were clutch, especially after my jet lag kicked in. The extra long bed was truly excellent, because it allowed me to sprawl out. Complimentary tea and free bottled water are always a plus! Additional toilet in the room: Yes! Score! That's always nice when you're sharing (or prone to late-night snacking and copious amounts of water).
Now, the imperfections… The mirror could've been bigger (vanity, much?), and the carpet, while clean, had a slight "lived-in" feel. The decor was… well, let's call it "functional." No real wow factor, but not offensive, either. A little bit boring. The bathroom was typical. The shower was good. I did appreciate the slippers – comfy! And I really liked my bathrobes. The in-room safe box was nice to have; I always appreciate a place to keep my passport and other valuables. The closet space was decent.
Okay, but here's the real problem: I could hear everything. I mean everything. The soundproofing wasn't amazing. So much for a relaxing night! I could hear the neighbors talking, the TV blaring (or, thankfully, the TV blaring when it wasn't something I wanted to hear). The soundproof rooms are a bit of a stretch.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Feast of Choices (But…?)
This is where things get interesting. They have a ton of options here, with A la carte in the restaurant, a Buffet in the restaurant and buffet breakfast! They claim to have both Asian and international cuisine in the restaurant. And the 24-hour room service is a lifesaver. There's a coffee shop, a poolside bar, and even a vegetarian restaurant for all you herbivores out there.
And, I would like to add that the Asian breakfast was pretty good!
However, the sheer volume of options was a little paralyzing. It's like staring at a menu that’s longer than the Declaration of Independence. I ordered room service once… it was decent, but not mind-blowing. The coffee/tea in the restaurant was decent. The desserts in the restaurant looked good. I didn't try them because I, regrettably, didn't pack any of my stretchy pants.
And a word of warning: Don’t expect haute cuisine. It’s more… comfort food with a slight international flair. The salad in restaurant was probably the healthiest thing I ate all week.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The Spa Saga (and More)
Alright, let's talk pampering! They boast a Spa, a sauna, a steamroom, massage, and a fitness center, along with a swimming pool [outdoor] and a pool with view! You can even schedule a body wrap or a body scrub.
I signed up for a massage. And. It. Was. Weird.
The spa area felt a little… clinical, maybe. The masseuse, bless her heart, might have been a robot. The massage itself was… perfunctory. No real connection, just going through the motions. I left feeling more awkward than relaxed. The foot bath did feel nice, though.
The swimming pool looked inviting. I didn’t get the chance to actually swim. But it did offer a nice view, and the poolside bar seemed like a good place to grab a drink.
Services and Conveniences: Smooth Sailing… Mostly.
Air conditioning in public area? Check. Daily housekeeping? Yup, and they were very efficient. Concierge? Present and helpful, though their English was a little limited. Cash withdrawal? Gotcha. Elevator? Yes, thankfully. Facilities for disabled guests? Covered that already. Laundry service? Available. Luggage storage? No issues. They have a gift/souvenir shop if you are looking to buy some presents. The car park [free of charge] and car park [on-site] came in handy.
Now, for the messy part: Contactless check-in/out. Yay! (In theory). The whole thing was a bit clunky. Felt like it took longer than it should have. The doorman was friendly, though.
For the Kids: A Family-Friendly Zone?
Okay, I don't have any kids, but the presence of kids facilities, and a babysitting service, suggests they are trying to cater to families.
The Verdict: Believable-ish
So, does the GreenTree Eastern Hotel deliver on its "Unbelievable Luxury" promise? Not exactly. But it's a decent hotel. It has all the basic amenities you need. It tries very hard, sometimes a bit too hard.
Here's my final take:
- Would I go back? Probably. It's a solid choice in Xuancheng.
- Is it luxurious? Debatable. Comfortable, yes. Luxurious? Not quite.
- What's the best thing about it? The location (assuming you want to be in Xuancheng) and the comfy bed.
- What needs work? The soundproofing, the slightly sterile spa, and a little more personality.
So, there you have it. A brutally honest, slightly rambling, and probably overly-detailed review. Hopefully, it helps
Dalat Dream Home: Fodawy White House Awaits You!Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, perfectly-packaged travel brochure. This is a chaotic, messy, and hopefully hilarious account of my time in Xuancheng, China, staying at the GreenTree Eastern Hotel and getting lost in Laoshizi Street. Prepare for the whines, the wins, and the sheer, unadulterated me of it all.
Day 1: Arrival and the Eternal Search for Coffee (and Sanity)
- 7:00 AM (ish): Wake up in Shanghai, feeling vaguely hungover. Flight to Xuancheng theoretically leaves at 9:00 AM. My internal clock is already screaming "travel disaster incoming."
- 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Airport chaos. The kind where you’re convinced your bag is lost, you’re standing in the wrong line, and all the airport announcements sound like they’re being delivered by a malfunctioning robot. Finally, miraculously, I board the plane.
- 12:00 PM-1:00 PM: Arrive in Xuancheng. Taxi to the GreenTree Eastern Hotel. First impression? Clean, functional, and the air conditioning is definitely working. This is a major win. I need it because I'm already sweating.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Unpack, shower, and then the real problem hits me: caffeine withdrawal. My internal monologue: "Where is the coffee? I need coffee NOW. Starbucks? Probably not in this part of the world. Am I going to have to survive on sad, instant granules? The humanity!"
- (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Struggle to find a decent coffee shop. Walk the streets of Xuancheng. It's all a bit…industrial. I see a shop selling what might be coffee, but the sign is unreadable to me. Take a leap of faith and enter. It's a tiny, smoky place with a bunch of older men playing mahjong. The coffee? Let's just say it was “robust.” And by robust, I mean it tasted like tar mixed with regret. I downed it anyway. Survival, right?
- (5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: ) Explore Laoshizi Street. Okay, wow. This is more like it. Cobblestone streets. Lanterns strung everywhere. The smell of food – a mix of delicious and slightly terrifying – fills the air. I'm slightly overwhelmed but also utterly captivated. The whole scene feels like a movie set. Immediately get sidetracked by a small shop selling dried fruits. Buy way too much mango. (No regrets).
- (7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: ) Dinner. Found a small noodle shop. Totally butchered trying to order. Ended up with a mountain of noodles, some mysterious meat that I think was chicken (don't ask!), and a side of what I think was pickled vegetables. Delicious! The local people are lovely, even with my terrible Mandarin
- (9:00 - 10:00 PM: ) Back to the hotel. Collapse into bed, completely wrecked but happy. The world is crazy and beautiful, even with the caffeine-induced jitters.
Day 2: Embracing the Chaos (and Maybe Falling in Love with Tea)
- (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Coffee mission, round two! I finally found an okay coffee shop near the hotel. It might be good, but It still isn't perfect coffee, but at least I'm not actively repulsed. Start the day feeling vaguely human.
- (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Wandering Laoshizi Street again. This time with a plan: Find a tea shop. I'm not a huge tea person, but everyone raves about Chinese tea. After some fruitless searching I find a small shop with a beautifully elegant woman that is very patient with my lack of Mandarin.
- (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): The TEA SHOP. (Insert dramatic music here). This isn't just a shop; it's a tea ceremony experience. The woman, whose name I never quite caught (probably because she spoke Mandarin far too quickly for me), is a true artist. She shows me how to properly steep the tea, explaining the different types in excruciating detail. I try several. The first one tastes like…well, interesting. The second one is slightly better. By the third one, I’m starting to get it. By the fourth, the jasmine tea, I'm converted. The light is hitting it just right, the aroma is heavenly, and I felt a connection to this ancient practice that I never expected. I bought way too much tea and now my suitcase smells like an elegant botanical garden. Worth it.
- (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Attempt to find some food. It's a struggle. My stomach is rumbling. I manage to find a small stall selling dumplings. Perfect. They’re cheap, delicious. I almost ate my fingers.
- (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Walk around Laoshizi again. And Again. Again! I'm still utterly enraptured by it. I stop to watch a group of elderly men playing some obscure Chinese game. I have no idea what’s going on, but it's fascinating. The energy is vibrant. I snap a bunch of photos, feeling like the ultimate tourist.
- (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner. This time I went for hot pot, which I’d never done before. Hot pot is both amazing and terrifying. I burned my tongue multiple times. Also, try to eat with chopsticks when you are not very good. The broth is spicy, the meat is delicious, the vegetables are… well, they're green. I laugh so hard the broth almost went up my nose. Another win.
- (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Collapse again, smelling faintly of jasmine tea and hot pot broth. Feeling an odd mix of contentment and complete exhaustion. Is this travel? Is this even real life? Who cares!
Day 3: Goodbye (or, "I'm Already Planning my Return")
- (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Final coffee run (okay, better than the first one), quick breakfast, and last-minute souvenir shopping. I find a cute little shop that sells hand-painted fans. Buy one for myself, and a bunch for my friends. Start thinking about my next trip here.
- (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Last walk through Laoshizi Street, taking a final look at all the things I’ve seen over these few short days. I linger a little longer at the tea shop. I ask the woman for one last cup. She even gives me her card.
- (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Check out of the GreenTree Eastern Hotel. It was a decent hotel. The air conditioning worked, which is all that matters. Taxi to the airport.
- (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): The flight. Say goodbye to Xuancheng. I spend the whole flight daydreaming about the tea shop.
- (5:00 PM Onwards): Land back in the real world. Still processing everything. A mixture of being happy to be home, and already missing this amazing place. I learned a lot, tried things I'd never dream of trying, and now I'm going to go home and make tea. And dream of the next trip, which can't come quickly enough.
So, there you have it: My messy, honest, and utterly human trip to Xuancheng. The GreenTree was fine. Laoshizi Street was magical. The tea changed my life. And I'm already planning my return. (And this time, I'm bringing my own coffee).
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