Shanghai Luxury? Nope! IHG's Hidden Gem: Holiday Inn Express Jinsha!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're ditching the velvet ropes and sky-high prices of Shanghai Luxury. Today, we're diving headfirst into the surprisingly awesome world of Holiday Inn Express Jinsha! Forget the glitz, the glamour, the pretense. This place? This is real travel.
And listen, I’m not going to lie, I was expecting… well, nothing. Holiday Inn Express? In China? My expectations were firmly planted in the "beige and functional" zone. But… oh boy, the surprise was delightful.
Accessibility: A Real Score – And Not Always Perfectly Executed
Let's get the slightly clunky bits out of the way first. "Facilities for disabled guests" are listed, which is great! And there are elevators, a HUGE plus. But, and this is a big but, I didn't specifically check all the nitty-gritty details of wheelchair accessibility in every nook and cranny. However, the 24-hour front desk is always a plus, and the staff, bless their hearts, always seemed ready to help in any way they could. So, good start, room for improvement, but ultimately, a thumbs up for effort. The exterior corridor is the thing for those who might be a bit shy, and the CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property make for a nice security blanket, which is something that matters when traveling.
Rooms: Clean, Cozy, and Connected! (Plus, My Wi-Fi Obsession…)
Okay, let's talk about the essentials, am I right? And the best part? Wi-Fi [free]! This thing is an essential for me. I'm talking streaming Netflix, uploading all my "artistic" travel photos (you know, the ones nobody asked for), and generally staying connected to the world. Thank goodness for Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! because, honestly, I'd probably lose my mind without it. And, for the tech-inclined, "Internet access – LAN" is also listed!
The rooms are non-smoking, which is ALWAYS a win in my book. I am no fan of smelling stale smoke in a hotel room. The rooms sanitized between stays, AND, they have a room sanitization opt-out available. Double whammy for safety during these times.
I loved my room. The Air conditioning kept things deliciously cool. I appreciated the Blackout curtains because, hello, jet lag! Waking up with the sun blasting through the blinds is not my idea of a good time. The Desk and Laptop workspace were perfect. The In-room safe box gave me a peace of mind. I didn't get much use out of the Sofa, but I'm glad it was there. I did get a good use out of the reading light and socket near the bed.
I will admit, I didn't spend a lot of time in the room. Why would I?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: More Than Just Free Breakfast!
This is where Holiday Inn Express REALLY surprised me. Forget the "continental breakfast" nightmares. I'm talking Asian breakfast, and Western breakfast, depending on your mood. Breakfast [buffet] made me happy. It was actually surprisingly decent, with a solid range of options. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was a life-saver in the mornings. The coffee shop saved me on the way out the door. There is a Snack bar, but I'd say it wasn't the best part of the hotel. The Happy hour and the Poolside bar were not the kind of thing I was looking for. The A la carte in restaurant and the Buffet in restaurant were not something I used, but there are, so, there.
Cleanliness and Safety: They Actually Care!
Right, let's get to the nitty-gritty. I'm a bit of a hygiene freak, so I was thrilled to see the hotel is taking things seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Check. Hand sanitizer everywhere? Check! The staff trained in safety protocol was noticeable. Rooms sanitized between stays? Big check! Individually-wrapped food options? Absolutely. This is the kind of attention to hygiene I can trust. Safe dining setup, sterilizing equipment, and other features? Yes, yes, and yes.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: More Than Just a Bed!
Okay, here’s where the Holiday Inn Express Jinsha really, truly, won my heart. The Fitness center? Decent. You get your sweat on. The Swimming pool [outdoor] I didn't use, but it looked clean and inviting. Massage? YES. After a 14-hour flight, a massage felt like a hug from God. It was the best I had in the entire trip, and the price? Unbeatable. I did not have the time for the Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Body wrap, Foot bath, or Body scrub, but they had them.
Services and Conveniences: The Unexpected Extras
Honestly, at the price, I wasn't expecting much in the way of services. Boy, was I wrong. Cash withdrawal? Check. Currency exchange? Check. Concierge? Check. Daily housekeeping? Check and, oh, bless them, they were efficient and friendly. Luggage storage? You betcha. Laundry service? Absolutely. Just the sheer convenience of it all made the whole experience a breeze.
For the Kids: Family-Friendly Fun!
While I didn't have any children with me, the family/child friendly environment I felt gave it a great sense of warmth and a nice feeling. There is a Babysitting service and Kids facilities for the little ones. So it is a great place for family travel as well.
Getting Around: Simple and Stress-Free
Getting to and from the hotel was easy. No, it wasn’t some swanky limo service, BUT the Airport transfer was efficient and affordable. There is Car park [free of charge]. There are Taxi service which is what I used. The Bicycle parking is there, but I did not use.
The Quirky Anecdote - My Massage Epiphany
Okay, so here's the deal. I booked a massage. Standard, right? Except, this place was amazing. I've had massages in ritzy spas, the whole nine yards, and let me tell you, this humble spa in a Holiday Inn Express blew them all out of the water! The woman who did my massage was like a magician with her fingers. She worked out knots I didn't even know I had and made me feel like a new person. It was so good, I went back the next day. And then the day after that. Okay, maybe I spent most of my trip in that little massage room… but honestly, worth it! That spa alone is reason enough to stay here.
The Imperfections (Because Let's Be Real)
Look, it's not the Four Seasons. The decor? Functional, not fabulous. The location? A bit outside the main tourist areas. No ocean views, no private beach. It's a Holiday Inn Express, folks! But honestly, the trade-off for the price, the cleanliness, and, yes, the incredible massage? It's a win.
Final Thoughts: The Unexpected Gem
Honestly, I went in with zero expectations, and the Holiday Inn Express Jinsha blew me away. It's clean, it's convenient, it has a fantastic massage, and I think, it's a hidden gem. For a traveler who values comfort, cleanliness, and affordability, this is your place.
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Luxury Georgetown Condo: 2BR, 2BA, Modern Style - Unbeatable Location!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because this itinerary isn't going to be some perfectly-ironed map of Shanghai. This is going to be… well, me in Shanghai. And trust me, it’ll be a bumpy ride. We're talking Holiday Inn Express Jinsha, Shanghai. Let's see what kind of chaos we can conjure.
Day 1: Arrival and the Art of Surviving Jet Lag (and the Internet)
- 07:00 - 09:00: Arrive at Pudong International Airport (PVG). Oh, the smell of new adventures and airplane recycled air. I swear I saw a guy wearing Crocs with socks. Shanghai is already off to a promising start. Finding the hotel transfer… ugh, my brain is already porridge.
- 09:00 - 10:00: Taxi to Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Jinsha By IHG. Check-in. Pray for a quiet room. My sleep schedule is currently residing in the Bermuda Triangle.
- 10:00 - 12:00: Room recon. The hotel room is… well, it's a Holiday Inn Express. Functional. Cleanish. Wi-Fi, PLEASE BE GOOD. This is crucial. This is existence. I need to document this. (And maybe message my mom).
- 12:00 - 13:00: Lunch: The restaurant around it is the most appealing – it smelled like something good. This may or may not involve noodles. Probably noodles.
- 13:00 - 17:00: The afternoon is a gamble. The Jet Lag Monster is lurking. This could be nap time, wandering around the nearby street, or staring blankly at the ceiling. The unpredictability excites me a little, I think.
- 17:00 - 19:00: Dinner: Find some real food. Something I can identify as "food." Hopefully not too spicy. Or too un-spicy. Shanghai is a food paradise, I know this, but I am currently operating on a level of alertness usually reserved for sloths.
- 19:00 - 21:00: Attempt to stay awake. This is KEY. Don't succumb to the siren song of the bed. Maybe a walk (if I can stay upright). Or just… you know, watch TV in a language I likely won't understand. Brilliant.
- 21:00 - Bedtime: Crash. Pray for eight hours of uninterrupted sleep and, for the love of all that is holy, that the Wi-Fi will still be working in the morning.
Day 2: A Whirlwind of Waffles and the Bund
- 07:00 - 08:00: Wake up. I was expecting a battle, expecting an all-out brawl with my body clock. I was wrong, I think I slept better than expected. The hotel breakfast. Hotel waffles. This is not a drill. I'll probably eat way too many.
- 08:00 - 09:00: Public transport. I hope I don't get lost getting on the train. I hope I buy the right tickets. This is a test of my survival skills.
- 09:00 - 12:00: Visit The Bund. Okay, this is the reason I am here. The iconic skyline. The historic buildings. The crowds… Okay, I’ll breathe. Photography time.
- 12:00 - 13:00: Lunch in the area. I've heard there's a dumpling place nearby, and I may or may not have already started salivating.
- 13:00 - 16:00: Shanghai Museum: My brain is overloaded. But in a good way. The art is incredible, the history is fascinating, and the air conditioning is a godsend.
- 16:00 - 17:00: Time for a break. Coffee. Sit and ponder the universe. Possibly also update my social media.
- 17:00 - 19:00: Back to the Bund for sunset. This is the plan. Let's see if it actually happens. Or a massive thunderstorm… or a cloud.
- 19:00 - 21:00: Dinner, somewhere with lights, somewhere to feel the city's vibe. Maybe try to meet local people.
- 21:00 - Bedtime: Back to the hotel. Pass out. Dream of waffles.
Day 3: Jing'an Temple and Fake Goods, Oh My!
- 08:00 - 09:00: Breakfast. More waffles? Don't judge me.
- 09:00 - 11:00: Explore Jing'an Temple: The quiet. The beauty. The overwhelming feeling of being utterly insignificant in the face of history… I feel like I can handle this.
- 11:00 - 13:00: Nanjing Road: The shopping street. The crowds. The… fake goods?! The potential for souvenir hunting. Prepare for a sensory overload.
- 13:00 - 14:00: Lunch somewhere amidst the shopping madness. Something quick. Something edible. Something I won't regret.
- 14:00 - 17:00: Market Shopping: I'm determined to find a bargain. I'm also probably going to get ripped off. This is a necessary evil.
- 17:00 - 18:00: Coffee to recover from the market. Maybe a small cry.
- 18:00 - 21:00: Dinner time. Find some local people and eat the dishes that look appealing.
- 21:00 - Bedtime: Pack. Sigh. Consider extending my stay. Shanghai is starting to burrow its way into my heart.
Day 4: Departure (and Endless Questioning)
- 08:00 - 09:00: Breakfast. Last waffles. I’m going to miss those waffles.
- 09:00 - 10:00: Check out of the hotel. Say goodbye to my temporary home.
- 10:00 - 12:00: Final Souvenir run. One last scramble for gifts.
- 12:00 - 13:00: Last Chinese meals.
- 13:00 - 15:00: Taxi to PVG. Reflect on the trip. Did I do everything on my list? Probably not. Did I see everything Shanghai had to offer? Absolutely not. Do I have a newfound love of waffles? Absolutely.
- 15:00 - Flight Time: Flight. Wondering when I can come back. Already starting to plan my next visit.
And that's it. Shanghai, you magnificent, chaotic, utterly captivating city. You’ve been a whirlwind. I'm exhausted. I'm exhilarated. I’m already dreaming of the next adventure. And the next plate of waffles.
Waltham Cross Luxury Flat: FREE Parking! (Cheshunt, UK)
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