Shangrao's BEST Hotel? This GreenTree Inn Will SHOCK You!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because we're about to dive deep into the rabbit hole of… Shangrao's BEST Hotel? This GreenTree Inn Will SHOCK You! Yeah, I'm using the clickbait title because frankly, even I was a little skeptical. GreenTree Inn? In Shangrao? My expectations were…low. Let's just say, the "shock" factor was real, and not always in the way you'd think. Prepare yourself for a slightly manic, definitely unfiltered review.
Let's start with the basics, shall we? Because even the most luxurious hotel is useless if you can't get to it, or function once you are there.
Accessibility, Seriously? (Mostly Good, Kinda Weird)
- Wheelchair Accessible: Okay, so, the ground floor seemed pretty decent for wheelchair access. Ramps, elevators…the usual suspects. HOWEVER (and there's always a "however"), the hallways seemed a little tight in places. I didn't have a wheelchair with me, but I could imagine it being a squeeze. This is a major consideration for some, so keep that in mind!
- Elevator: Yep, there was one. Thank goodness!
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: Beyond the basic accessibility, I didn't spot any specific facilities advertised. So, call ahead and clarify if you have any specific needs.
- Getting Around:
- Car Park [on-site]: Free parking is a HUGE win. Finding parking in China can be a nightmare.
- Airport Transfer: I didn't use this, but it’s listed. Check the details when you book.
- Taxi service: Yup, readily available.
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-Era Jitters (and Surprises)
Okay, so, this is where things got interesting. COVID has changed everything, right?
- Hygiene certification: They said they had it, but let's be honest… it’s hard to fully verify these things, right?
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Rooms sanitized between stays: All the buzzwords! They seem to have taken it seriously, and I could see evidence – hand sanitizer readily available, staff wearing masks, etc.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. Like, EVERYWHERE. Good. But, and here's a personal observation: I’m a bit of a germaphobe. I saw them cleaning. I think they cleaned well. But you know what? I still wiped down my entire room with my own travel wipes. Call it paranoia.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Good to know.
- Safe dining setup: More on that later.
- Cashless payment service: Convenient!
- Check-in/out [contactless]: They offered it. I opted for the chat.
Rooms: My Little Shangrao Oasis (Mostly)
- Available in all rooms - Yeah, it seems almost everything is available, and in multiple forms
- Additional toilet - Nice!
- Air conditioning - Absolutely essential, especially in summer.
- Alarm clock - Standard.
- Bathrobes - A nice touch!
- Bathroom phone - I mean… why not?
- Bathtub: Some rooms, not all. Request one!
- Blackout curtains - Crucial for sleep!
- Carpeting: Standard.
- Closet: Adequate.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes! Essential caffeine fix.
- Complimentary tea: Score!
- Daily housekeeping: It was good. Beds made, room tidied. But…
- Desk: Useful for working (or pretending to).
- Extra long bed: Good for taller guests.
- Free bottled water: Always appreciated.
- Hair dryer: Thankfully, yes.
- High floor: Available, depending on the room.
- In-room safe box: Peace of mind.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Great for families.
- Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi [free]: ALL THE INTERNET! And it worked! No complaints here.
- Ironing facilities: Essential to get rid of the creases.
- Laptop workspace: Check
- Linens: Clean, comfortable.
- Mini bar: Well-stocked.
- Mirror: Yes, several!
- Non-smoking: Thank goodness! Though I did see a few people sneakily smoking on their balconies…
- On-demand movies: Meh.
- Private bathroom: Essential.
- Reading light: Yes.
- Refrigerator: Helpful for keeping drinks cold.
- Safety/security feature: Standard stuff.
- Satellite/cable channels: A decent selection.
- Scale: For…weighing yourself, I guess?
- Seating area: Some rooms.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Some rooms.
- Shower: Fine.
- Slippers: Oh yeah!
- Smoke detector: Always a good thing.
- Socket near the bed: Crucial for phone charging!
- Sofa: Some rooms.
- Soundproofing: Decent.
- Telephone: Still exists!
- Toiletries: Basic, but adequate.
- Towels: Clean, fluffy.
- Umbrella: Always useful in China!
- Visual alarm: Safety!
- Wake-up service: Available.
- Window that opens: Phew! Fresh air!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (with a Side of Chaos)
Okay, so this is where the "SHOCK" title might be most relevant. The dining situation was… interesting.
- Restaurants, Coffee shop, Snack bar, Bar, Poolside bar: (allegedly) all available.
- Breakfast [buffet], Asian breakfast, Western breakfast: They claimed to have the spread.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes! And honestly? A godsend at 3 AM when you’re hungry and jet-lagged.
- A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant: Okay, so the buffet was a mixed bag. Some dishes were surprisingly good. Others…well, let's just say they seemed to have been sitting out for a while. I stuck to the made-to-order noodle station.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yup.
- Desserts in restaurant: A selection, but nothing to write home about.
- Alternative meal arrangement: I assume they could accommodate dietary needs, but I didn't test it.
- Bottle of water: ALWAYS available.
- Soup in restaurant, Salad in restaurant: Standard.
- International cuisine in restaurant, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant: The selection, again, was broad. Some good, some… less good.
- Happy hour: Never saw it.
- Safe dining setup: They tried, with staff wearing masks and distancing tables.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items They said they did.
So, in terms of dining: Don't expect Michelin-star quality. But the room service was reliable, and the made-to-order noodles saved the day more than once.
Things to Do/ Ways to Relax: You're on Vacation! (Kind Of)
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: They had one. I didn't see anyone in it.
- Pool with view, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Okay, the pool was…well, it looked clean enough. Not the most glamorous pool in the world, but a pool nonetheless.
- Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Sauna, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage: The usual spa things! I'm not sure how authentic it was, but hey, you're in Shangrao!
- I will admit, since I didn't want to spend time in the gym, I did take a look at the Sauna. It looked decent.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (Mostly)
- Air conditioning in public area: Essential.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Seminars, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: The kind of things you'd expect.
- Business facilities: Okay, there was a working Xerox/fax in the business center.
- **Cash withdrawal,
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. We're going to Shangrao, China, and if my gut is any indication (and it usually is, especially when it comes to travel), it's going to be a glorious, chaotic mess. This isn’t some polished travel blog, it's my brain throwing up a travel plan. And it might be gorgeous, but it's definitely messy.
Destination: GreenTree Inn Shangrao Poyang County Yingbin Avenue Express Hotel (Yes, that's its whole name. I feel like I need to recite it every time I mention it, just to prove I haven't forgotten.)
Duration: Roughly 3 days. Lord help me.
The Pre-Trip Anxiety (Which is the Best Bit, Right?)
Ugh. Packing. I loathe it. I’m the kind of person who ends up with three pairs of shoes, two of which are definitely impractical, and a t-shirt with a stain I can’t remember getting. The first thing I have to do is find my passport. It's probably under that pile of "important" tax documents… which are, admittedly, important. But finding the passport is more immediately important, isn't it? Right.
Day 1: Arrival and Bewilderment
- Morning (Maybe): Wake up, frantically pack that bag of "essentials" which will probably contain a book I won't read, but must be there, a phone charger that probably won't work, and a miniature bottle of moisturizer. I have to squeeze the toothpaste in after realizing the bag is almost full, and then, inevitably, I forget something obvious. It's a law of the universe.
- Mid-Day: Fly into Shangrao. Hopefully, the flight isn't delayed. I get motion sick easily, so wish me luck. Then, the real challenge: navigating the airport and finding a ride to the hotel. My Chinese is… let's say "rudimentary." I’ve downloaded a translation app, so wish me even more luck. I predict a lot of pointing, gesturing, and bewildered stares. Airport food, a necessary evil. Probably end up with a mystery meat pastry. (I'm secretly excited.)
- Afternoon: Finally, finally, reach the GreenTree Inn. Take a picture of the front desk, the first of many photos, many to be deleted later because they're blurry, or I'll just look like an idiot. Check-in. Pray they have my reservation. Pray the room is clean. Pray it's not facing the highway (noise is the bane of my existence). Settle in/unpack. I'll unpack, maybe. Probably just dump the bag on the bed and stare at the ceiling for a while. Recover.
- Evening: This is where things get…interesting. I'm going to TRY to find a restaurant nearby. I will absolutely get lost. I will have an overwhelming urge to buy some noodles. I will probably accidentally order something I cannot identify, but bravely eat it anyway. The quest will involve a lot of wandering, a lot of smiling, and hopefully, no food poisoning. Might even try to learn a phrase besides "hello" and "thank you." Maybe. Depending on my bravery level.
Day 2: The Poyang Lake Adventure (Or, the Day I Actually Do Something…Maybe)
- Morning: The hotel breakfast. It's either going to be blissfully good, or a culinary disaster. There is no in-between. Eggs? Noodles? Mystery meat? I am braced for anything. Probably coffee that tastes vaguely of burnt rubber. But I'll drink it anyway because caffeine.
- Mid-Morning: Today I might actually do something resembling tourism. The plan is to visit the famous Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China. (If I can find out how to get there.) Research the local transportation. The buses? Taxis? More likely, I will rely on a combination of luck and desperate smiling at locals. I hope the lake is as majestic as the photos depict.
- Afternoon: I'll explore the area near Poyang Lake, take some photos, smell the air, and probably embarrass myself by trying to say a few words. I will make sure to take lots of photos. Even if they turn out blurry, the memory of taking them will be perfect. Probably get hopelessly lost. Possibly end up in a tiny village where no one speaks a word of English, but offers me tea and a smile. (Wouldn't that be fantastic?)
- Evening: Dinner. More mystery meat. More adventures in ordering. Try to find a quiet spot to watch the sunset, hopefully without traffic noise. Write in my travel journal. Maybe. Probably just stare at the ceiling for a while, letting the day swirl around me.
Day 3: Shangrao City and Departure (The End is Nigh!)
- Morning: One last hotel breakfast. This time, I will try the "unidentifiable" item. Maybe it'll be delicious! (Spoiler: it probably won't be.) Do some last-minute souvenir shopping (AKA buying something random from a street vendor. Because I'm sentimental like that and want to remember ALL of it).
- Mid-Day: Explore Shangrao city. Maybe visit a local market. Maybe find a park. Mostly, wander around aimlessly, getting a feel for the place. Soak it all in. This is the actual moment of remembering where I am for the first time.
- Afternoon: Pack. Sigh. The inevitable task, with the inevitable regret of not buying more souvenirs. Say goodbye to the hotel. Pray for a smooth journey.
- Evening: The flight home. Reflect on the chaos, the joy, the food, the confusion, and all the things I experienced in Shangrao. And, perhaps, dream of my next adventure, and where the next adventure will get hopelessly messed up.
The Quirks and Imperfections (Because Life, and Travel, Are Messy)
- The Food: I am, without a doubt, going to eat something I regret. But I will do it with gusto. I am there to live, not just survive.
- The Language Barrier: My Mandarin skills are nonexistent. It’s going to be a lot of pointing, gesturing, and smiling. And the translation app. Pray for technology.
- The Unexpected: The best part of travel is the unexpected. Delays, detours, and the random encounter. Come what may, I'll embrace the chaos. As long as it doesn't involve a hospital visit, since I speak even less medical Mandarin.
- The Emotional Rollercoaster: Travel is a weird mixture of excitement, joy, anxiety, and homesickness. I'll be crying over a noodle soup one minute, laughing at myself for getting lost the next.
- The Photos: The photos are the memories. The blurry ones, the ones with my finger in front of the lens, all of them. They are a testament to the experience, the imperfect, beautiful experience.
So there you have it. My less-than-perfect, probably-hilarious itinerary for Shangrao. I'm going in with an open heart and a willingness to be utterly, gloriously bewildered. Wish me luck! And maybe, just maybe, I'll send a postcard. Perhaps. If I can manage the postal system. Adventure awaits!
Nusa Penida Paradise: Your Deluxe Sea View Double Room Awaits!
Okay, so, this GreenTree Inn in Shangrao... is it REALLY the "BEST"? Like, BETTER than that dingy place I stayed in last time?
Alright, buckle up, because "BEST" is a loaded word. And honestly? No, I wouldn't say it's the Ritz-Carlton. We're talking GreenTree Inn, people. Think... solid, comfortable, clean-ish. Better than the last place? Oh, *GOD*, yes. That place reeked of stale cigarettes and despair. This GreenTree Inn? It felt… relatively fresh. There was a faint, almost floral, air freshener scent battling the general hotel aroma. A win! So, "best" might be inflating things. But surprisingly decent? Maybe. Did it surprise me? Absolutely. I walked in expecting a battle for survival, and I got... a pretty okay night's sleep. That alone makes it legendary in my Shangrao travel history.
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they tiny? Do they have, like, a window that opens? (Important!)
Okay, room size… let's call it "efficient." You're not hosting a dance party in here, alright? My main priority: is there enough space to avoid tripping over your suitcase at 3 AM? Success! Crucial window question: YES! Hallelujah. I need fresh air, people. I swear, the first time I flew to China, I felt like I was starting to grow mold and then my hotel had NO window. No air. I panicked. So, yes, window. Bonus points: It *actually* opened. And though the view of the surrounding buildings wasn't spectacular, it did provide that vital air circulation that kept me from slowly suffocating. A true lifesaver.
The Breakfast. Tell me *everything* about the breakfast. Is it edible? Is it included? (Please, tell me it's included...)
Alright, the breakfast. Deep breaths. It IS included. That's a win right off the bat. What's in it? Well, let’s just say you’re not getting a Michelin star meal. Think… a fairly standard Chinese buffet. You got congee (rice porridge – it's actually comforting, especially after a night of questionable street food), some pickled vegetables, maybe some noodles (they can be surprisingly good), and the ever-present hard-boiled eggs. The eggs are always there, and they always look a little… forlorn. Look, it's not gourmet, but it's fuel. And hey, the coffee? It's… coffee. It wakes you up. Don't expect artisan, but it's there. My pro-tip? Go early. Things get picked over fast. I learned that the hard way. One morning I got there too late, and the only thing left was a mountain of slightly-warmed-over fried dough sticks. The memory still haunts me.
What about the location? Is it convenient for, you know, *doing things* in Shangrao?
Location… it depends on what "doing things" means. It wasn't smack-dab in the middle of everything, but it wasn't a trek to Narnia either. It was… conveniently located enough. There were restaurants nearby, some local shops, and it felt safe enough to wander about in the evening. I wouldn’t say it was *prime* location, but let's be real, Shangrao isn't exactly New York City. Getting around was reasonably easy, taxis were available (though communication can be a fun adventure!). I walked to a local market that was full of the most amazing smells, and honestly, being just a little off the beaten path sometimes gives you the best perspective on a place. So, not perfect, but… pretty decent.
Service? How were the people? Were they friendly? Did they speak ANY English? (Panic ensues...)
Service… ah, the service. It’s China, so your mileage may vary. The front desk staff was generally polite, though English was somewhat of a hurdle. Embrace the smile and point technique! I once needed extra towels and I swear, it took me about 10 minutes through exaggerated hand gestures and facial expressions to get what I needed. But they were helpful! They tried! And honestly, that's what matters right? But one time, I lost my room key. I was SURE I left it in the lobby. Oh. My. God. The chaos. The frantic search. The mime act of “I LOST THE KEY!” It was a comedy of errors, and in the end, it all worked out. The staff, bless their hearts, got me a new key card eventually and didn't even charge me (maybe they felt bad for my performance? Who knows). Ultimately, the staff were friendly, or at the very least, tolerably patient with my abysmal Mandarin.
Now, be honest, how CLEAN was it, *really*? I have standards. And sometimes, in China... well, let's just say "clean" has a different meaning.
Okay, okay, deep breaths. Cleanliness. This is a big one. Look, again, we're talking about a GreenTree Inn, not a palace. BUT! It was surprisingly clean. Like, actually clean. The floors were swept, the bathroom was… well, mostly clean (look, you'll always find *something*, it's a hotel!). The sheets seemed fresh (no mysterious stains!). I've stayed in places where I’d be afraid to put my luggage down. This wasn't one of those places. I mean, it’s no pristine, five-star resort, but for the price and the location, it was WAY above my expectations. And honestly, after some of the places I'd seen, I was just relieved. Relief is a powerful feeling when you're traveling.
Anything else to watch out for? Any unexpected surprises?
Oh, surprises? Always. The internet was a bit spotty at times (bring a VPN, people, trust me). The elevator felt like it was plotting my demise on a daily basis (creaky and slow, but it got you there eventually). The TV had a million channels in Chinese (and maybe a couple in English, if you looked hard enough). And the walls… let's just say they aren't soundproof. I heard everything. And I mean. EVERYTHING. I hope my neighbors weren’t having the same experience. Also, the air conditioning. It either blasts you with arctic air or does absolutely nothing. There's no in-between. But honestly, those are minor things, right? Mostly? I would stay there again. Seriously. Because after a long day of exploring Shangrao, you need somewhere safe and decent. This GreenTree Inn... it provides. It's not perfect, but it's real. And sometimes, "real" is exactly what you need. And the lack of bed bugs was amazing! That's my review.
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