Huzhou's Hidden Gem: Jinjiang Inn's Historic Charm!
Huzhou's Jinjiang Inn: More Than Just a Room, It's a… Well, IT'S SOMETHING. (A Really Long Review)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving deep into the hidden gem that is the Jinjiang Inn in Huzhou. I went in expecting… well, I honestly didn't know what to expect. Huzhou isn't exactly buzzing on the global tourism radar, and the name "Jinjiang Inn" conjured images of… let’s just say, budget-friendly efficiency. But, surprise! This place actually charmed the pants off me, even if it did present a few… ahem… quirks.
Metadata for the Google Gods (and You, Because You're Here Too):
- Title: Jinjiang Inn Huzhou Review: Historic Charm, Unexpected Delights & Honest Musings
- Keywords: Jinjiang Inn, Huzhou, China, Hotel Review, Budget Hotel, Historic Hotel, Accessibility, Free Wi-Fi, Restaurant, Spa, Swimming Pool, Cleanliness, Family-Friendly, Business Facilities, Value for Money
- Description: A candid and detailed review of the Jinjiang Inn in Huzhou, exploring its historic charm, amenities, and accessibility, with a focus on honest opinions and personal experiences. Includes details on dining, relaxation options, cleanliness, and more.
First Impressions, and the Question of “Accessibility”
Right, let’s get to it. First off, finding the place was easy enough; the taxi driver knew exactly where to go, which is always a win (Getting Around - Car Park [on-site] - check!). The exterior hinted at something a bit more… well, aged than I'd anticipated. It's got this certain… patina, let's say, of history. The lobby was clean enough, though, and the front desk staff (Services and conveniences - Doorman, Front desk [24-hour] – check!) were friendly, if a little… reserved.
Now, accessibility. This is important, folks. I'm not in a wheelchair, but I appreciate knowing what's what. Wheelchair accessible? Yes, technically. There’s an elevator (Services and conveniences - Elevator - check!), and I saw ramps. However, the hallways and doorways seemed a tad on the narrow side. Might be a squeeze for some, honestly. And I did notice, um… a slight lack of visible signage dedicated to accessibility features. It’s something that could absolutely be improved upon.
The Rooms: Comfort and… Surprise Decor
The rooms! My room had…character. (Available in all rooms - Air conditioning, Wi-Fi [free], Coffee/tea maker, etc. - check, check, check!) It was clean (Cleanliness and safety – Rooms sanitized between stays – Yes, certainly they make an effort!), and the bed was surprisingly comfortable (Available in all rooms - Extra long bed - check!). The Internet access was blazing fast which surprised me, and the free Wi-Fi in all rooms was a godsend (Internet - check!). But what really caught my eye was the décor. Picture this: a perfectly functional room… with… wallpaper. Not the modern, minimalist, "oh-so-chic" wallpaper. No. We're talking… let’s say… bold patterns. Think 1980s meets… something… something I can't quite place. Let's just say it was a visual experience! But hey, the blackout curtains were effective (Available in all rooms - Blackout curtains - check!), and the air conditioning worked like a dream (Available in all rooms - Air conditioning - check!), so who am I to complain?
Dining Delights (and the Occasional Mystery Meat)
Okay, the food. This is where things got…interesting. The Asian breakfast was a must-try (Dining, drinking, and snacking - Asian breakfast - check!), and honestly, it was quite good! Think noodles, dumplings, and all sorts of things I couldn't actually name. I went in feeling adventurous and was happy with the experience. They had a decent selection of breakfast [buffet] options too (Dining, drinking, and snacking - Breakfast [buffet] - check!). The coffee/tea in restaurant (Dining, drinking, and snacking - Coffee/tea in restaurant - check!) was fine, and the bottle of water (Dining, drinking, and snacking - Bottle of water - check!) in the room was a lifesaver.
However, dinner… well, dinner was a gamble. The restaurants offered a mix of Asian cuisine and some attempt at Western cuisine (Dining, drinking, and snacking - Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant - check!). One night, I ordered something that looked… vaguely familiar. It arrived. It was… interesting. I'm pretty sure it was some variant of… well, let's just call it "mystery meat stew." Delicious? Not particularly. Edible? Absolutely. I took it as a cultural journey! Room service [24-hour] was available though (Dining, drinking, and snacking - Room service [24-hour] – check!), so that's a bonus! They also offered an alternative meal arrangement should you require it (Dining, drinking, and snacking - Alternative meal arrangement - check!).
Relaxation Station: Spa, Pool, Sauna, Oh My! (or Not)
Now, listen, I’m a sucker for a good spa. The brochure advertised a spa, pool with view, sauna and, of all things, a Foot bath. (Ways to relax - Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor] - check!) I was HYPED.
And then… I found out the pool was closed for some maintenance. The sauna was a bit, well… rustic. The spa? It was present, but more "service provided" than a luxurious experience. The gym, though, was actually pretty decent. Not a state-of-the-art fitness center, but it had the basics, and that's all I needed to run off that "mystery meat stew." This whole area felt under-utilized, and again, while the intention was certainly there, it wasn’t quite hitting the mark.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Mixed Bag of Good Intentions
Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room: COVID. Honestly, I felt like they were trying. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, and Staff trained in safety protocol (Cleanliness and safety – all these - check!) were clearly in play. They had individually-wrapped food options, which I appreciated (Cleanliness and safety - Individually-wrapped food options - check!), and the staff wore masks religiously. They also had physical distancing of at least 1 meter enforced (Cleanliness and safety - Physical distancing of at least 1 meter- check!), which made me feel pretty safe.
However, there were a few areas where things felt… less stringent. Some of the signage could have been clearer, and I felt like I saw more staff than guests disinfecting surfaces. It's a work in progress, and I give them props for trying. As for the individual room hygiene, I'd rate a solid B.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Confusing
The Jinjiang Inn offers a whole heap of services (Services and conveniences - all kinds - check!). The concierge (Services and conveniences - Concierge - check!) was helpful, the daily housekeeping (Services and conveniences - Daily housekeeping - check!) was efficient, and the luggage storage (Services and conveniences - Luggage storage - check!) was convenient. I even saw a gift/souvenir shop (Services and conveniences - Gift/souvenir shop - check!), though I didn't really browse it.
But some things were a little… clunky. The internet access – LAN was a bit sluggish (Available in all rooms - Internet access – LAN – check!) and I’m pretty sure the bathroom phone (Available in all rooms - Bathroom phone - check!) was purely decorative. Their attempts at catering to international guests - Currency exchange - didn't really deliver.
Things to Do and For the Kids. It's a Mixed Bag
Things to do: This is where Huzhou itself comes in, and the Jinjiang Inn is a perfectly good base to explore. The hotel itself has very few onsite activities. There is a Terrace, where you can get some fresh air (Services and conveniences - Terrace - check!).
For the kids: As for for the kids, Babysitting service is present (For the kids - Babysitting service - check!), but the hotel itself doesn't seem particularly geared towards families. Family/child friendly? Maybe not so much (For the kids - Family/child friendly- No).
The Quirks and the Charming Imperfections
Look, the Jinjiang Inn isn't perfect. It has quirks. It has imperfections. But that's part of its charm. It's a real place, not a sterile, cookie-cutter hotel experience. It’s got character. It's got heart. And honestly, for the price (which was very reasonable), it delivered.
**
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this is gonna be less a travel itinerary and more a diary of a slightly unhinged adventure in Huzhou. And honestly? That's probably more useful than a polished, perfect plan. This is REAL. This is ME. And this is going to be…well, let's see.
Huzhou Hustle: A Jinjiang Inn & Then Some (Oh, GOD, the Smells!)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread in a Hotel Room That Smells Like…Something
- 14:00 – Arrive at Huzhou High-Speed Rail Station. Okay, first hurdle: navigating the sheer SCALE of this place. It's like a futuristic ant farm. Found the exit after accidentally joining what I thought was a line for ice cream (turns out it was for…something else entirely. I think it involved doctors? Not gonna lie, a little scared).
- 14:45 – Taxi to Jinjiang Inn Huzhou Yishang Street Historic Zone. The driver, bless his heart, spoke approximately three words of English. We communicated mostly through frantic hand gestures and me pointing vaguely at my phone screen. Success! Though I'm pretty sure he thought I was going to the moon.
- 15:30 – Check-in (and, Oh Dear God, the Air). The hotel itself? Pretty standard. Clean-ish. The lobby smelled faintly of… disinfectant and… something floral? That’s where the problem starts, it mixed weird. The real challenge arrived in my room. It smelled like a combination of old, slightly damp carpet and… I can’t quite place it. Fish? Maybe. A lingering sadness? Potentially. I opened the window, which provided a lovely view of… another building. Sigh.
- 16:00 – First Panic Attack Exploration of Yishang Street. Okay, here’s where it gets… interesting. Armed with my phone and a desperate hope for Wifi (which, thankfully, the hotel has), I decided to wander Yishang Street. My initial reaction: sheer awe. This place is beautiful. Cobblestone streets, ancient-looking buildings with intricate carvings, the whole shebang. My inner romantic purred with delight.
- 16:30 – The Food Stall Gauntlet! Okay, so the romanticism faded quickly. The sheer volume of food options is overwhelming. Suddenly I remember I haven't eaten since my flight, my stomach growled in protest. I didn't speak Mandarin, which resulted in me pointing frantically and praying for the best. I somehow ended up with what I think was a deep-fried…doughnut? But it was savoury? And coated in seeds? And tasted of…everything. My tastebuds were doing the Macarena.
- 17:00 – The "Accidental" Tea Ceremony. I was just looking, I swear. I thought I was viewing the tea ceremony, and next thing I knew, I was in the tea ceremony. The tea master, a tiny, serene woman with eyes that could see right through you, smiled and gestured me to sit. I made a fool of myself, spilling tea everywhere, making the worst faces, and generally looking like a clumsy oaf. She just kept smiling. Now, I have no particular love for tea, but I think I'll revisit it.
- 18:00 – Dinner Disaster at a Random Restaurant. Okay, this was a comedy of errors. A mix of pointing at pictures, wild gesticulations, and a phrase book that was about as helpful as a chocolate teapot. I ended up with a dish that appeared to be… intestines. I didn't eat it. I couldn't. I gave it a shot, though, I tried to be adventurous. I felt a bit bad about the waste but hey, it was an honest mistake.
- 20:00 – Retreat to the Hotel Room of Mystery Scents and Existential Dread. Honestly, after the food experience, all I needed was to be safely back in the room with the weird air. Also? Realized I'd forgotten my toothbrush. Facepalm. Off to sleep.
Day 2: Temples, Temples, Everywhere (and More Food Shenanigans!)
- 08:00 – Wake up to the same smell! I don't know how I got to sleep, it's still there. I'll have to ask the front desk if there's a different room.
- 09:00 – Breakfast and the Great Translation Debacle. The hotel breakfast buffet was… an experience. I tried everything. Most of it was delicious. Some of it I couldn't even begin to identify. The joy of not knowing what you're eating is immense!
- 10:00 – The Flying Rainbow Temple or something called Fei Hong Si. This temple was seriously impressive. The architecture was beautiful, the air was thick with incense, and the sheer history of the place was palpable. Stood in awe for an hour. It gets a little much after a while to be honest, the incense smell, the repetitive chanting, but worth a visit.
- 12:00 – Lunch at a Tiny Noodle Shop (Success!). I found a tiny noodle shop. The owner, bless him, spoke a few words of English. The noodles were sublime. The broth was a hug in a bowl. I felt like I'd genuinely earned the experience.
- 14:00 – Water Town Wondering. I took a taxi out of the city core and visited the famous water town of Nanxun. I took some pictures, the place was awesome. I had to be careful with the water so I didn't fall in!
- 16:00 – Back at the hotel. And yes, the smell. Still there. I tried more places.
- 19:00 – The Deep-Fried Doughnut of Dreams. I spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to find the food stall with the savoury doughnut. I'm not even entirely sure why. Maybe it was the thrill of the hunt, or maybe I'm just a masochist. Regardless, I found it. Ate one. The weirdness of this doughnut seems to calm me.
Day 3: Farewell Huzhou (and Hopefully, a Cleaner Room!)
- 08:00 – Slept better, but the smell… Ugh. I’m going to complain about the smell!
- 09:00 – Breakfast. Not the same, but still alright.
- 10:00 – Final Souvenir Shopping. Found some nice calligraphy supplies and a ridiculously oversized panda-shaped tea infuser.
- 11:00 – Check out (and Finally, a Room Change!). The hotel staff were very understanding about the smell. They moved me to a room that smelled… well, it still smelled of something, but at least it wasn't actively trying to poison me. Victory!
- 12:00 – Lunch at a place that served the weirdest ice cream I've ever had. (It involved tofu and chili oil).
- 14:00 – Farewell Huzhou. High-Speed Rail back. And I’m already nostalgic for the chaos.
Post-Trip Thoughts (aka, the Rambling Part):
Huzhou was a trip. A messy, confusing, sometimes smelly, laugh-out-loud, tear-inducing, and ultimately wonderful trip. I learned I can survive on practically nothing but noodles deep-fried doughnuts, and the kindness of strangers. I learned that even the worst hotel smell fades in comparison to the pure joy of getting lost in a new culture. And I learned that I need to brush up on my Mandarin.
Would I go back? Absolutely. In a heartbeat. But next time, I'm bringing a gas mask and a phrasebook. And maybe, just maybe, I'll learn to eat intestines with a smile. Until then, Huzhou? You glorious, chaotic, smelly, and unforgettable city. You'll be in my memories – and maybe my dreams – forever.
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Jinjiang Inn, Huzhou: More Questions Than Answers (But That's the Charm!)
Is this "Historic Charm" thing just marketing BS? I'm skeptical.
Okay, so, yeah, the PR department probably *loves* the words "historic charm." And honestly? I went in expecting a slightly-stuck-in-the-70s hotel trying to capitalize on a vague sense of the past. But... it's actually… kind of true. The architecture has a certain… sturdiness. Like, it's been through a few typhoons, maybe? And the lobby? Forget modern minimalism. Think, well, think of your grandma’s living room, if your grandma had a penchant for slightly faded landscapes on the walls. There's history here. Whether it's glorious or just, you know, *exists* is up for debate. Let's just say, it's got more character than a soulless chain hotel. Which, in a world of soul-sucking chains, is saying a lot.
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they actually… livable?
Livability? Mmm, depends on your definition. I'm not going to lie, my first impression? "Oh god, the wallpaper...it's beige. And possibly original." But then, you realize a few things. The beds, surprisingly, are comfortable. The air conditioning works, which is crucial in Huzhou's humid summers. The bathroom? Okay, the fixtures might have seen better days, but it's clean. Clean is key. And... here's the secret: the lack of pretension is actually kind of relaxing. It's not trying to be anything it's not. It's just... there. I appreciated the lack of a touch screen light panel that I undoubtedly would have taken me half an hour to set.
The location...is it actually close to anything interesting?
Okay, this is where things get... interesting. "Depends" is still the answer. Huzhou is... wide. It's sprawling. The Jinjiang Inn might not be right in the *middle* of everything, right by Mogan Mountain, at least not from what I researched. It's on the edge of the city, meaning you'll likely need a taxi or, even better, a bicycle (if you're brave – traffic can be... enthusiastic). But, and here's the kicker, Huzhou is full of surprises. You might find a hidden noodle shop on the corner, a bustling local market just a short ride away, a temple that's absolutely stunning. The point is, being a little off the beaten path forces you to, you know, *explore*. And that's where the real magic of Huzhou happens. Oh! One time, I got completely lost, ended up in a part of town I *swear* hadn’t seen a tourist in decades. Ended up having the best dumplings of my life! Which I still think about almost weekly.
What about the Breakfast? Is it something you'd actually eat?
The breakfast... hmm. Okay. It's not a Michelin-star experience. Think buffet, but scaled for a hotel that's not a Marriott. There's usually congee (rice porridge), some stir-fried noodles, some mystery meats (that might be delicious, might just be... something else entirely), and those suspiciously round, slightly sweet rolls. Honestly? I embraced it. You know you can go out and find a western breakfast if you need. But I felt it was a proper Huzhou experience. It was, however, a great way to people watch: observing the locals, and tourists like myself, just grabbing their breakfast. It's not a culinary masterpiece, but it's fuel. And you'll be closer to the authentic local food.
Was there anything that really annoyed you? Be brutally honest!
Okay, here we go. First, the elevator. It's a *real* character, and often occupied by people going for one floor. Second, the occasional plumbing issue in the bathroom. Look, I'm not a luxury traveler; I'm pretty adaptable, but… water pressure. It's a known quantity. Third, and this is more of a general Huzhou thing than the hotel, the language barrier can be tricky. But honestly, the hotel staff does their best, and a smile goes a long way. And Google Translate is your friend! The most annoying? Maybe when the internet connection was dodgy and kicked me off a big zoom meeting. That was less than ideal.
Would you go back? Seriously?
Absolutely. Look, if you're looking for pristine perfection, skip it. If you're looking for a deeply-discounted stay with great local experience, skip it. But, if you're the kind of traveler who appreciates character, a little bit of history, and doesn't mind a few imperfections, then, yes, absolutely yes. There’s something about this Jinjiang Inn… It’s… authentic. It’s unapologetically itself. And in a world of increasingly homogenized travel experiences, that’s a pretty refreshing thing. Plus, those dumpling memories... they're worth the price of (slightly dodgy) admission alone. I'm already planning my next trip! This time, I won't try the mystery meat.
What's the *vibe* like? Is it stuffy or welcoming?
"Stuffy" doesn't even enter the equation. It's more… "lived-in." The staff are generally friendly, though communication can be interesting, as I've mentioned. There's a real sense of a lived-in establishment, a place where people go about their business. You're not made to feel like you're in a museum exhibit, which I appreciate. I had to ask the front desk for multiple things and was always met with a smile. The common areas have always people going in and out, and the whole thing is not some sterile environment.
Give me one specific moment you remember! Go!
Okay, okay. One moment? Definitely the time I got locked out of my room at 3 AM. It was late, I was tired, and my key card was… not cooperating. The reception staff, who I’m pretty sure must have been asleep until that moment, were just fantastic. They didn't speak a huge amount of English, and I speak even less Mandarin, but with a lot of pointing, smiling, and some hilarious miming involving me pretending to try to open a door, we managed to get it sorted out. It took maybe half an hour, but the feeling of accomplishment, and the shared laughter! It was great, and I think I still have the key! That moment really encapsulated what I love about traveling in less-touristy places. It was human, it was imperfect, and it was unforgettable. The next morning, they even left a complimentary fruit basket on myLow Price Hotel Blog
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