Jinjiang Inn Тонгли: Лучший Отель Возле Восточного Торгового Центра!
Jinjiang Inn Тонгли: Лучший Отель Возле Восточного Торгового Центра! - Review & Rant (with a side of "Oh, Da!")
Alright, folks, let's talk about the Jinjiang Inn Тонгли. Лучший Отель Возле Восточного Торгового Центра! They're not lying about the location – it's practically in the Eastern Shopping Center, which, let's be honest, is a huge win if you're on a shopping spree (or, like me, just perpetually lost and desperately needing retail therapy). Anyway, I'm going to spill the truth (and maybe a little borscht on the virtual carpet) about my stay. Buckle up, it's going to be a bumpy (but hopefully informative) ride.
First Impressions & Accessibility (Oh, Lord, the Stairs…)
Okay, so… accessibility. The website says "Facilities for disabled guests." That's…vague. The entrance wasn't terrible (elevator, thankfully!), but I definitely spotted some potential challenges, especially around the restaurant. Wheelchair accessible? Hmm, I'm not sure about the smaller spaces. More investigation is needed. CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property – yay! Safety is good, even if it feels like Big Brother is watching.
Let's be real; I nearly tripped over the welcome mat (my own fault, probably after one too many shots of vodka at the airport). But the vibe? Clean enough. I've seen worse, way worse, places in Russia. And the elevator? Essential. Because even if you can climb stairs, after lugging your suitcase, you don't want to.
Internet & Tech – We're Connected! (Mostly)
Wi-Fi in all rooms! Yes! Thank God! The Free Wi-Fi worked pretty well, although sometimes it felt like it was crawling along as slow as a snail in molasses. And there was also Internet access – LAN. You know, for those who still use ethernet cables… bless their hearts. I stuck with the Wi-Fi, and it did the job for emails, social media and desperately checking what time it was everywhere else in Russia.
Now, for the good stuff
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized, Sanitized, Sanitized! (Maybe Over-Sanitized?)
Look, post-pandemic, everyone is paranoid. The Jinjiang Inn totally gets it. Anti-viral cleaning products were everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas. Rooms sanitized between stays. They were practically spraying you with Lysol at the front desk. Hand sanitizer strategically placed. It was a bit overkill, if I’m being honest. I felt like I was living in a hospital ward. A very clean hospital ward. Staff trained in safety protocol? Yeah, they certainly looked like they knew how to handle a germ apocalypse. Hygiene certification? Probably! I didn't ask. I didn't want to know. My inner germaphobe was happy, however.
Dining & Drinking: Grubbing Time! (And, Sometimes, It Was Good)
Breakfast [buffet]. Oh, the breakfast. The buffet! Asian breakfast mainly. And, uh…it was there. Look, I'm a simple girl; I like my porridge. They definitely had porridge. And scrambled eggs. Okay. Coffee/tea in restaurant. Yup. I needed coffee. Lots of it. To fight the jet lag and the sheer exhaustion from navigating the metro. Coffee shop? I didn't see one, but the restaurant served enough caffeine to restart a nuclear reactor. Restaurants were in house, a plus for lazy days. They also had Breakfast takeaway service, which was amazing for those rushing out to the shopping centre.
Room Service [24-hour], yes! When you need to stuff your face at 3 AM with a bowl of noodles, they got you! Room service? Yup. Breakfast in room? Absolutely! This is the life.
The restaurant? Well, the Asian cuisine in restaurant was… well, it was there. And there was a Bar, and Happy hour. You know, the essentials. Vegetarian restaurant? I didn't spot one, though the buffet had some decent options.
Western cuisine in restaurant didn't offer much to my expectation, but I shouldn't expect too much.
Okay, the BIG thing… My Spa Catastrophe
(Yes, it was a catastrophe). So, I really needed some pampering. I was looking for a Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna and Steamroom . Well, the website promised them. They also promised a Foot bath. And a massage. I was pumped.
But the reality? It was, well, let's call it "interesting." This whole experience was like wandering into a fever dream. The "spa" resembled a dimly lit storage closet. The "massage" was more of a lukewarm pat-down. Body scrub? Non-existent. Body wrap? Forget about it. Foot bath? Nope. The sauna was okay, but I was too disheartened to fully enjoy it. The pool with view… was there one? I'm not entirely sure, after what felt like a humiliating experience. Do they offer a Swimming pool? If they do, I have no idea where it is.
My advice: Maybe skip the "spa." Or, better yet, go with very low expectations.
Services & Convenience: The Good, the Bad, and the "Meh"
Daily housekeeping: Bless them, they actually do a decent job. Laundry service, and Dry cleaning? Yes. Elevator? YES! Crucial. Concierge: Sometimes helpful, sometimes vanished into thin air. Currency exchange: Handy. Cash withdrawal: Good! The Convenience store was a lifesaver (midnight snacks, anyone?). Safe deposit boxes in the room, always a good thing. Ironing service, Ironing facilities. And I definitely used the hair dryer.
The “meh”: Luggage storage was there, but good damn luck finding a staff member, if you didn't want to wait a half hour.
For the Kids (Bless Them!)
I didn't have any kids with me, but the hotel seems to be Family/child friendly - there was a Babysitting service listed. Kids meal? Probably, though I didn't see any actual evidence.
In-Room Awesomeness (Mostly)
Air conditioning? Absolutely essential. Free bottled water? Always a plus. Bathrobes, slippers were lovely. Tea/Coffee maker in the room. Free Wi-Fi (when it worked). Comfortable beds, clean linens, and a decent view. There was a safe box, which is always a good thing.
However… The TV was a bit of a joke. And the channel selection? Prepare for a lot of Russian dramas in which everyone is crying. The soundproofing in my room was a bit iffy. I could definitely hear my neighbor's snoring. I got more than my share of the alarm clock.
My Chaotic Verdict & Heartfelt Recommendation
Okay, so the Jinjiang Inn Тонгли is not perfect. The "spa" is a joke. The Wi-Fi can be a drama queen. But overall, it's a solid, affordable option, especially if you're all about location.
Here's the deal: Are you a shopper? Do you love being in the heart of the action? Then, baby, this is your hotel.
For the price, it is a good deal, the proximity to the Eastern Shopping Center is amazing and you're getting the job done.
Jinjiang Inn Тонгли: Your Eastern Shopping Center Paradise! (Plus, Some Extra-Special Perks!)
Okay, you've soaked in the unvarnished truth, now let's talk value!
Craving retail therapy? Forget endless metro rides! Jinjiang Inn puts you literally steps away from the Eastern Shopping Center. Maximize your shopping time, minimize your travel stress. Shop 'til you drop, then collapse into your comfy bed!
Safety First, Fun Always (and you don't have to worry about it!). We've got the hygiene down and know how to keep you safe no matter what!
Ready to relax? Enjoy the freedom of 24-hour room service, and a well-stocked mini-bar for late-night snacks and drinks! (Because let’s face it, sometimes you just need a midnight snack!).
On-site essentials: Need cash? A quick snack? Currency Exchange? We've got you covered inside the hotel! No need to venture out unnecessarily, especially when rain or the wind is bad outside.
But wait, there's more! Book your stay at Jinjiang Inn Тонгли for any dates in the next 3 months receive these exclusive extras:
- **A complimentary breakfast buffet ticket
Jinjiang Inn Tongli: My China Adventure - A Hot Mess of a Trip (or, The One Where I Almost Lost My Mind)
Alright, buckle up, because this isn't your typical travel diary with perfectly aligned bullet points and pristine photos. This is the REAL deal, the messy, sweaty, slightly-in-over-my-head version of my trip to Tongli, China, staying at that ever so charming Jinjiang Inn (cough, cough).
Day 1: Arrival & The Great Soup Dumpling Disaster (and the Unexpected Charm)
- Morning (roughly): Shanghai Pudong (PVG) - the airport feels like a goddamn city itself. After what felt like an eternity of customs (my passport photo looks like I'm plotting world domination, apparently), I found a taxi and braced myself. The journey to Tongli was… well, scenic, in a chaotic sort of way. Buildings sprouted like weeds, a symphony of honking horns, and a general sense of organized mayhem that's somehow… captivating?
- Afternoon (definitely not punctual): Arrived at Jinjiang Inn Tongli (East China Commercial City Branch). Okay, the hotel room… let’s just say it’s “functional.” Clean-ish. The aircon is a loud friend, always there but not always helpful. Check-in was a breeze once I managed to decipher the receptionist’s speed-talking Mandarin (my Mandarin level: “ni hao” and the ability to point).
- Late Afternoon: Food. Glorious food. Found a little hole-in-the-wall place near the hotel. Ordered some xiao long bao (soup dumplings). OH. MY. GOD. These were the reason I came to China! Except… I'm a clumsy human. First bite, juice splattered EVERYWHERE. My shirt, my face, the table, I swear I even got some in my hair! I looked like a toddler who'd just discovered finger paints. The locals chuckled, I blushed, and then I inhaled the rest. Worth it. Absolutely worth it. (Note to self: Bring a napkin the size of a tablecloth next time). The owner lady smiled at me, gesturing with her hand as if to say "welcome to the chaos". I felt a genuine connection, it was so simple yet so warm.
- Evening: Wandered around the ancient water town. Tongli is BEAUTIFUL! Canals, bridges, stunning architecture… it's like stepping into a painting. But, the crowds! Oh, the crowds! Like a river of tourists slowly flowing through the ancient streets… I got jostled, bumped, and nearly pushed into a canal more than once. Breathe, breathe, you’re in China… Ended up getting lost (naturally). Found a tiny tea house tucked away, ordered jasmine tea (perfect), and just… sat. Watched the sunset over the water. Pure bliss. That moment, right there, made everything else worth it.
Day 2: Temples, Tea, and the Great Bargaining Battle (and a near-miss with a pigeon)
- Morning (flexible): Woke up to the delightful sound of… construction. Right outside my window. Earplugs are a must-have in these parts. Visited the Tuisi Retreat Garden. Stunning. Absolutely stunning. Felt like a princess lost in a palace. Spent an hour getting way too close to the water, then had a near-miss with a pigeon landing on my head (it was huge!).
- Late Morning: Back in town, found a tea ceremony. Okay, this was an… experience. The tea master, a tiny, wise woman with a twinkle in her eye, showed me the proper way to steep tea. The ritual, the aroma, the taste…it was transcendent. I feel a newfound respect for tea. Also, I might have accidentally spilled some water. Again.
- Afternoon: Tried to buy some souvenirs. Bargaining is a sport here! I was terrible at it. Went into a silk shop, fell in love with a scarf, and got roasted by the lady for my offers. Finally paid a price I thought I could stomach because, honestly, I was just tired. Learned later that I could’ve got it much cheaper. Oh well, lesson learned.
- Evening: Found a place serving local noodles. The noodles were delicious, the broth… spicy! My mouth was on fire. I panicked, ordered (in broken Chinese) water, and chugged it down. I think I actually enjoyed the burn.. It was a shared laugh with other diners.
Day 3: The "Almost Got Lost Forever" Boat Ride & The Airport Farewell (and the lingering scent of dumplings)
- Morning: Decided to embrace the chaos. Took a boat ride along the canals. The boatman, with a weathered face and a cigarette dangling from his lips, barely spoke a word. He just steered the boat, and I got lost in the scenery. The water reflected the buildings, the willows rustled in the wind, and the whole town looked like a movie set. The quiet was heavenly.
- Late Morning: Got off the boat and wandered, and, surprise, surprise, I got lost. REALLY lost. Ended up in a maze of back alleys, surrounded by laundry lines and locals staring at me. Panic set in. Tried asking for directions (using my incredibly limited Mandarin), which resulted in much pointing and gesturing. Thankfully, a kind woman took pity on me and walked me back to a familiar landmark. Whew. The fear was absolutely real, but the kindness of the woman made it all ok.
- Afternoon: Goodbye Tongli! The journey back to Pudong. The taxi ride was a blur of traffic. The airport was another epic experience. I did some last-minute souvenir shopping, ate some (more) dumplings (of course), and waited for my flight, exhausted. The smell of those dumplings still clinging to my clothes, a fragrant souvenir of my trip.
- Evening: The flight. I am writing this from a cramped airplane seat. I'm tired, my feet hurt, my brain is fried, and yet… I’m already planning my return. China, you crazy, chaotic, delicious place, you got me. You really did.
Reflections (aka, the Aftermath):
- The Hotel: Yeah, it's not the Ritz. But hey, it was a roof over my head. And the staff, despite the language barrier, were genuinely trying to be helpful, and friendly.
- The Food: OMG, the food. I ate everything. And I loved almost all of it. The challenge in discovering new tastes was a huge emotional reward.
- The People: The most beautiful thing was the people. There were challenges, but overall, they were warm, helpful, and accepting. The small interactions with locals are the treasures that will stay with me.
- The Chaos: Embrace it. It's part of the charm.
- Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time, I'm bringing a phrasebook, a bigger napkin, and maybe some earplugs. And a strong stomach for adventure! And maybe a friend to help me from being lost for real.
Ну что, Jinjiang Inn Тонгли – это действительно "Лучший Отель Возле Восточного Торгового Центра"? Или это просто рекламный трюк?
Ох, ну вот как раз с этим у меня целый детектив! Да, он реально рядом с этим Центром, это плюс. Буквально вот вышел – и ты уже там, как белка в колесе китайского шопинга. Но "лучший"? Это вопрос с подвохом. Вообще, в Китае с отелями как с китайской едой – никогда не знаешь, что внутри. Бывают такие, что думаешь: "Господи, куда ты меня занесло?" И у этого Jinjiang Inn Тонгли, как и у многих китайских отелей, есть свои таракашки в голове, так сказать.
Например, однажды... Ой, это вообще отдельная песня. Приезжаю я, уставшая как собака, после перелета. Заселяюсь, значит, всё как обычно (или почти как обычно). И тут – бамс! – воды горячей нет. Звоню на ресепшн, объясняю на ломаном китайском, что мне срочно душ, а там тишина. Ну знаете, как будто в стену говоришь. Потом, через час, прибегает парень, пытается что-то починить, в итоге просто машет руками и уходит. А я стою, как дурак, в одном полотенце. В общем, "Лучший" – это, конечно, громкое заявление. Скорее, "Удобный, ЕСЛИ тебе повезет". Но честно, когда ты после перелета – горячий душ – это просто жизненная необходимость. Пожалуй, в тот момент я возненавидела этот отель всем сердцем и мечтала о горячем чае.
А что насчет номеров? Чисто, уютно? Как там вообще?
Ну, тут как повезет, опять же. Обычно – да, чисто. Но иногда... я вот однажды нашла под кроватью чью-то тапочку. Не мою! И это был, мягко говоря, сюрприз. Или вот еще: стены тонкие, слышно вообще всё! Особенно, когда соседи решают устроить вечеринку с караоке в четыре утра. А это в Китае – обычное дело! Уютно? Да, в целом. Стандартный такой номер, ничего особенного. Кровать вроде удобная, но подушки... как будто набиты камнями. Иногда просто хочется кричать. Но, в общем, жить можно. Если вы не слишком придирчивы к комфорту и крепко спите – то вам подойдет. Хотя, знаете, после того случая с тапочкой и вечеринкой, я теперь всегда беру с собой беруши и антисептик для рук. На всякий случай. Китай, он такой, непредсказуемый.
Завтрак включен? Если да, то что там подают?
Завтрак, как правило, включен. Но, боже мой, это просто... Ну, китайский завтрак, короче говоря. Много риса, лапши, сосиски какие-то странные (на вкус как картон), и, конечно, чай. Чай – это святое, его много. Есть еще какие-то булочки, которые на вид вроде ничего, а на вкус... Ну, не знаю, мне не очень зашли. Один раз попробовала какой-то суп... бррр... В общем, если вы фанат русской кухни, то лучше перестрахуйтесь и берите завтрак в ближайшей кафешке. Там, конечно, будет подороже, но зато наесться можно по-человечески. Я вот как-то раз нашла там вкусные пельмени, так что теперь всегда так и делаю – иду есть пельмени. Или, на худой конец, покупаю в магазине йогурт и банан, это спасает ситуацию, когда времени совсем нет. В общем, будьте готовы к гастрономическим приключениям!
Как там с интернетом? Вайфай работает нормально?
Ну, интернет... это отдельная песня. Вайфай, как правило, есть, но работает он... как китайская железная дорога. Иногда быстро, иногда медленно, иногда вообще не работает. Один раз я пыталась отправить важное письмо, так вот мучилась с ним часа два, пока не сгорела от злости. В итоге пришлось идти в интернет-кафе (да, они еще существуют!), чтобы нормально отправить. Так что будьте готовы к тому, что, возможно, придется потанцевать с бубном, чтоб получить доступ к сети. Советую запастись терпением и, если вам нужен стабильный интернет, сразу покупать китайскую сим-карту с нормальным тарифом. Это сэкономит вам кучу нервов и времени. А еще, не забывайте про VPN. Китай, знаете ли, страна своеобразная в этом плане.
Персонал говорит по-английски?
С английским там, как и везде в Китае, сложно. Не все, конечно, но большинство говорит на ломаном английском. Если вы знаете хоть немного китайского, то это вам очень поможет. А если нет – готовьтесь к общению на пальцах и с помощью переводчика в телефоне. Иногда это даже весело, когда пытаешься объяснить что-то на смеси жестов и непонятных слов. Но если вам нужна помощь, то старайтесь не стесняться, просите, показывайте на картинках, рисуйте – китайцы обычно очень стараются помочь, несмотря на языковой барьер. Кстати, один раз я случайно уронила телефон на ресепшене, так вот одна девушка поняла, в чем дело, и бросилась мне помогать. Она даже пыталась починить его, хотя ничего не понимала в технике. Было очень мило.
Ну и главный вопрос: стоит ли там останавливаться вообще?
Сложный вопрос... Если вам нужно что-то бюджетное, рядом с торговым центром и вы не слишком придирчивы – то да, почему бы и нет. Это удобный вариант. Но я бы не стала рассчитывать на роскошь и комфорт. Будьте готовы к сюрпризам, как в любом китайском отеле. Главное – это позитивный настрой и немного здорового пофигизма. И, знаете, даже несмотря на все эти приключения, у меня остались о Jinjiang Inn Тонгли вполне себе нормальные воспоминания. Потому что, знаете, Китай – это всегда приключение. А это, по-моему, самое главное.
