Beijing's BEST Hotel Near Fangzhuang Metro? (Hi Inn Review!)
Beijing's BEST Hotel Near Fangzhuang Metro? (Hi Inn Review! Or, My Love-Hate Affair With Cheap Luxury)
Okay, buckle up, because I'm about to unleash a review of the Hi Inn near Fangzhuang Metro. This ain't your glossy travel blog review, this is the real deal. I've spent far too many nights in hotels that cost more than my rent, and now, for science, I've braved the budget-friendly battlefield. And let me tell you, it's a wild ride. Think rollercoaster, but instead of loops, it has questionable plumbing.
(Metadata Alert! - Because I’m here to help ya find this place!). Keyword Density is key, folks! This is a Hi Inn review, near Fangzhuang Metro in Beijing. #BeijingHotel #FangzhuangMetro #HiInn #BudgetTravel #ChinaHotel #HotelReview #BeijingTravel #AccessibleHotel #FreeWiFi #Cleanliness #CheapHotel #Beijing
Accessibility:
Right, so accessibility. This is HUGE for me. I've been on a mission recently to become a more inclusive traveler, and this hotel…well, let's just say it's trying. I've seen worse. The elevators worked, which is a huge plus. No rickety stairs to haul yourself up, thank goodness. And the facilities for disabled guests are listed. I didn't personally survey them, but the fact that they're even mentioned is a step in the right direction. CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property gave me a tiny bit of peace of mind, knowing someone was keeping an eye out. But, the ramps? The bathroom setups? I'd need a proper, thorough investigation from someone who actually needs those features. So, a tentative thumbs up.
Emotional reaction: Relief that there was an elevator! Panic slightly lessened. A good start, but I'd need a proper accessibility advocate's input.
On-site accessible restaurants/lounges:
Didn’t see any specifically labeled as such. This is a miss, especially for a hotel trying to be inclusive.
Emotional Reaction: Sigh. More work to do, world.
Wheelchair accessible:
See above. Probably some degree of accessibility, but further verification needed.
Emotional Reaction: Mixed feelings. Hope and practicality battling it out.
Internet Access - Oh, the Glory and the Glitches:
Okay, here's where the Hi Inn kinda shines…and then plunges into a digital abyss. The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! is a HUGE selling point. I mean, who doesn't love free internet? BUT… the connection could be unpredictable. One minute you're streaming HD movies, the next you're staring at a buffering hourglass while desperately trying to upload a photo. I'd say 80% reliability, 20% wanting to chuck my laptop out the window. Internet [LAN] was also listed, but honestly? I didn't even try it. Who uses LAN cables anymore?! Wi-Fi in public areas worked, though again, prone to moments of digital drama. Thank goodness for the Internet access itself! It's listed multiple times, clearly a huge priority!
Emotional Reaction: The free internet was amazing until it wasn't. Frustration mixed with gratitude. A constant battle.
Things to do/ways to relax (or not, depending on the internet):
- Fitness center: Ah, yes. The fitness center. Let's just say, my definition of "fitness" at this point is climbing the stairs to my room.
- Sauna/Spa/Spa/sauna/Steamroom: Nope. Not happening. (Unless you count the sweaty Beijing summer as a sauna – which, let's be honest, sometimes it feels like it.)
- Swimming pool/Swimming pool [outdoor]: Dreams shattered. No pool. Major bummer.
Emotional Reaction: Disappointment. Realization that relaxation might involve a lot of staring at the ceiling.
Cleanliness and Safety: Germaphobes, Read This!
This is where the Hi Inn mostly redeemed itself. They were clearly taking COVID precautions seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products were probably used, although I couldn't be certain. Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and Staff trained in safety protocol. The Rooms sanitized between stays, and they even offered a Room sanitization opt-out available (which I appreciated). Individually-wrapped food options for breakfast? Check! Safe dining setup? Check! Sterilizing equipment in use? Possibly. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. They actually seemed dedicated to keeping things relatively clean and safe.
*Emotional reaction: A cautious sense of security. I felt *safer* than I expected, and that's a huge win.*
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The In-Room Ramen Chronicles:
Okay, the food situation. Limited. Real limited. Asian breakfast was offered, but included in the breakfast I ordered? A bowl of bland congee with pre-packaged hard-boiled eggs. My taste buds wept silently. A la carte in restaurant (if you call it a restaurant). I didn't see a full-blown menu. Coffee/tea in restaurant? Yep. In the morning. Pre-made. Breakfast service? Yes, but as mentioned, very basic. Bottle of water in the room? Always a plus! I was grateful for the convenience store nearby because I basically had to eat in-room, thanks to the lack of exciting places to eat. I’m also grateful for the Room service [24-hour].
Emotional Reaction: The need to eat was fulfilled. No culinary delights, but survival achieved.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (Or Don’t):
- Air conditioning in public area: Thank GOD. Beijing summers are brutal.
- Concierge: Non-existent.
- Daily housekeeping: Yes, THANK YOU! Made the whole experience much more bearable.
- Elevator: A lifesaver.
- Laundry service: Available, which was super helpful!
- Luggage storage: Yep, they had it.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always a good thing.
Emotional Reaction: Grateful for the housekeeping. Surprised by the existence of the laundry service. Indifferent to the concierge (because…there wasn't one).
For the Kids (Or, a Very Basic Babysitting Service):
They listed Babysitting service and Family/child friendly. However, based on my experience, this should be considered with a very, very healthy dose of skepticism. I didn’t observe anything specifically geared towards children beyond the basic facilities, and I certainly wouldn’t have left a child here without a full investigation. This needs a more detailed inquiry from a parent.
Emotional Reaction: Proceed with caution, parents.
Access (To everything…or not):
Generally, the access was decent, which is a relief. Check-in/out [express] and Check-in/out [private] were available. Security seemed good. Front desk [24-hour] was a necessity. Exterior corridor didn’t bother me. Alarm clock worked! Fire extinguisher, Safety/security feature, Smoke alarms, all the basics were there. The CCTV in common areas, and CCTV outside property felt reassuring.
Emotional Reaction: Basic conveniences were present but nothing really "wowed" me.
Getting Around: Metro Mania! The True Bright Spot!
Airport transfer was listed (which I didn't use). They also have Car park [free of charge], which is a HUGE plus in Beijing. Taxi service was readily available.
But the real winner? Accessibility to the Fangzhuang Metro! This, folks, is the reason you stay here. The metro is incredibly easy to use, fast, and affordable. It's the lifeline to exploring Beijing. Being so close to the metro? Absolutely fantastic.
Emotional Reaction: The proximity to the metro singlehandedly saved the experience. Transportation, perfect. Location, key.
Available in all rooms (and the nuances of in-room life):
- Additional toilet: Hallelujah!
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Alarm clock: Yes.
- Bathrobes: Nope.
- Bathroom phone: Nope.
- Bathtub: Nope.
- Blackout curtains: Yes! Thank goodness for good sleep.
- Carpeting: Yes. Pretty basic.
- Closet: Present.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yep, basic.
- Complimentary tea: Yes. (Cheap, but free.)
- Daily housekeeping: Thank goodness.
- Desk: Present and functional.
- Extra long bed: Surprisingly comfortable.
- Free bottled water: Yep. Always appreciated.
- Hair dryer: Worked!
- High floor:
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. This is the Hi Inn Beijing Fangzhuang Metro Station itinerary… with a whole lotta me. Yeah, get ready for the rollercoaster.
Day 1: Arrival, Jet lag & the Quest for Dumplings (and Sanity)
Morning (ish): Landed in Beijing. Ugh, those metal birds are exhausting. First thought? Coffee. Glorious, life-giving coffee. Followed by… well, panic. Finding the right train line, navigating the Beijing airport's sheer size… it's a test of willpower, people. Eventually, I clawed my way onto the Airport Express (thank god for the signs in Pinyin, even though I still read them wrong half the time). Then, the transfer to Line 5 towards Fangzhuang. The subway? It's like a slightly chaotic, sometimes smelly, tightly packed human sardine can. But hey, it gets you where you need to go, eventually.
Afternoon: Arrived at Hi Inn Fangzhuang. Check-in was… efficient, the kind that makes you think they've seen it all. My room? Tiny, but clean. Surprisingly, it had a decent bed. Jet lag started hitting like a freight train. I was ready to just fall into a coma. But… dumplings. The promise of fluffy, juicy dumplings got me moving. Found a little place near the hotel, a chaotic haven of sizzling woks and rapid-fire Mandarin. I pointed, I prayed, and I got… a mountain of pork and chive dumplings. Heaven. Absolutely heaven. Ate them all. Regretted nothing.
Evening: Stumbled back to the hotel, feeling like a dumpling myself. Tried to watch some TV, but the Chinese channels were a mystery. Ended up staring at the ceiling, contemplating the meaning of life. Or maybe I just fell asleep. Who knows? This jet lag is a beast. Definitely remembered to set my alarm; don't want to become late.
Day 2: Temple of Heaven & Accidental Street Food Adventures
Morning: The alarm blared. Ugh. Forced myself out of bed, coffee being the only motivator. The Temple of Heaven – the place of all those historical prayer sessions – was on the list, and I had to do it. Metro to Tiantan East gate – easy peasy this time. The Temple? Magnificent. Huge. Peaceful (ish) despite the crowds. Wandered the grounds, took a million pictures (because, tourist). The sheer scale of the place is mind-boggling. The acoustics in the Echo Wall? Mind-blowing! I yelled something profound, like, "I need more dumplings!" Someone shot me a look.
Afternoon: Found myself wandering the surrounding streets, slightly lost and completely famished. This is where the real adventure began. Found this tiny street food stall. Didn't know what anything was, but the smells were… irresistible. I saw this old lady furiously making some sort of pancake-y thing. I pointed, paid a few yuan, and bam – a crispy, savory, delicious street pancake thing (I'm sure there's a proper name, but I don't speak Mandarin). Ate it while dodging scooters and giggling. The best part? I think I saw some locals trying to hide their smiles. They were probably thinking, "Another clueless tourist." But I loved it.
Evening: Decided to be brave (and hungry) and try the night market near the hotel. Bad idea. I was completely overwhelmed. Smelled fried scorpions, which was my hard NO!. Ended up getting noodles from a tiny stall, which was better than the bugs. Still a bit shell-shocked from the experience. But, you know, I got the chance to try! Decided to chill, charge my phone, and watch some (very badly dubbed) Chinese TV.
Day 3: Forbidden City & the Great Wall (Sorta). Overwhelm, and My "Epic Failure"
Morning: The Forbidden City. Yes. Saw all the ancient palaces, all the courtyards, all the history. It's impressive. Absolutely. But… it's crowded. So. Darn. Crowded. People everywhere, bumping, pushing, taking selfies. You get the point. I’m not usually one for crowds, and I was starting to feel like cattle. My mood was a little bit soured by sheer volume of people. Still beautiful, though. The sheer scale is incredible. I wandered through the different halls, trying to imagine the lives of emperors and concubines. But honestly? I was thinking about lunch.
Afternoon: This is where it gets bad. The Great Wall. I thought I'd gotten a taxi to a more accessible section. Nope. Total disaster. After getting confused by some local public transport, I ended up taking a taxi with no English to "Badaling", the most touristy part. Massive queues, more people, and an entire section of the wall overrun with… well, more tourists. The place was crowded. The hike was… ok. Hot, sweaty, and crowded. I got about halfway up before I thought, Nope. I turned around. Epic fail. The experience made me sad. I think the overall disappointment from the day ended up being bad.
Evening: Back at the hotel, exhausted, and a little bit defeated. The Great Wall had always been a dream, but this was a nightmare. I ate instant noodles in my room and watched garbage TV, feeling sorry for myself. I knew I'd have to try again another day… but definitely not tomorrow. Today I needed comfort.
Day 4: Markets, Markets, and More Markets. Finding My Groove
Morning: Decided to skip the "must-see" list and just wander. Found a local market near my hotel. Clothes, cheap souvenirs, and… food. Glorious, delicious food. The smells, the sounds, the chaos… I was in my element. Bargained for a few trinkets (badly, but I tried!). Ate more street food – this time, some delicious steamed buns, which were perfection.
Afternoon: Went to a larger market, maybe the Silk Market. Found some bargains on more souvenirs, and a new pair of (fake) sunglasses. Bargaining is an art form and I should probably buy more before I get to the airport. Also, got my hair cut… for about $5. It's not perfect, but hey, it's an experience. Laughed way too much when I saw myself in the mirror.
Evening: One last dumpling feast! This time, a different place, trying a new variety. Feeling more confident, more comfortable navigating the city. Sure, I'm still a clueless tourist, but I'm starting to embrace it. Enjoyed a book and now it's time to relax and get ready for the flight.
Day 5: Departure & Final Thoughts (and a Plea for Sleep)
- Morning: Last coffee. Last frantic packing. Last metro ride to the airport. Beijing, you were… intense. Beautiful. Overwhelming. And full of dumplings. I'm tired. Jet lag will hit again when I return home. But I loved it.
- Afternoon: Goodbye, Beijing!
Final Thoughts: Beijing is a city that will knock you off your feet. It's a whirlwind of history, culture, crowds, and delicious, delicious food. It's messy, it's chaotic, and it's absolutely unforgettable. And I wouldn't have had it any other way. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to sleep for a week. Wish me luck!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Hanting Hotel, Suizhou's Wanda Plaza Gem!
Beijing's Best Hotel Near Fangzhuang Metro? (Hi Inn Review!) - Let's Get Real
Okay, spill the tea! Is Hi Inn near Fangzhuang Metro *really* as good as everyone says?
Look, "good" is a subjective beast. I've stayed at Hi Inn near Fangzhuang. The *location*? Spot-on. Seriously, practically *vomit* onto the platform, you're so close! That's a huge plus. Beijing can be a monster to navigate. The hotel gets points for that. But...
The "as good as everyone says" part? Hang on a sec. It's...a Hi Inn. Let's just say it's not the Ritz. Don't expect gold-plated toilet seats. Think… functional, clean-ish, and budget-friendly. The reviews online are basically a mix of "OMG so convenient!" and "Well, it suited my needs." I fall somewhere in the middle, or maybe a little bit more to the ‘suited my needs’ side. I needed cheap, and I NEEDED to be able to get to the Forbidden City without a three-hour ordeal. Tick and tick.
**My Verdict:** Convenient, but don't expect luxury. Manage your expectations, and you'll be fine. (Especially when you're jet-lagged and just need a crash pad!)
Tell me about the rooms! Are they tiny? Is there a window? What's the bathroom situation?
Tiny? Honey, they're *cozy*. Think "shoebox with a bed." Seriously, you might accidentally kick the desk while reaching for the light switch. Window situation varies. I lucked out with one that looked out...onto another building. Not exactly a breathtaking view, but hey, at least I knew the sun was up! (Though, at one point, I thought I'd seen the other side of the building a few times, and might’ve been tripping… jet lag, man.)
Bathroom: The real adventure starts here. The bathrooms are… functional. The shower is a little tiny, basically a damp zone, and honestly, good luck avoiding splashing water everywhere. The ventilation? Let's just say the fog of war becomes a literal fog, and it's your battle trying to keep the moisture from migrating out, and… well, just everything getting damp. Oh, and the water pressure? Not much, really. Could be better, could be worse. It’s China. I’ve seen worse.
My Anecdote! Okay, so here's my embarrassing tale: My first night, I tripped over something (probably my own feet), and the next thing I remember is waking up on the floor with a throbbing toe, and my suitcase had totally blocked the door. I was locked in. Seriously. And half-dressed. It wasn’t pretty. After some struggling and embarrassing, I managed to escape, but it's like, if you are claustrophobic, consider this. Maybe. And seriously, watch your step. The lack of space will get you.
What about the noise? Is it a party hotel?
Party hotel? Nah. More like a "whisper-quiet-or-you're-waking-everyone-up" hotel. The walls are probably thin. I swear, I could hear the person in the next room… *breathing*. Okay, maybe that was my imagination kicking in after too much instant coffee. But you get the idea. Bring earplugs. You'll thank me later. Actually, bring *extra* earplugs. You’ll probably lose one.
The noise factor is definitely something to consider if you're a light sleeper. Between that and the potential for unexpected water pressure, the noise adds to the 'charm'. I’m kidding! I’m just tired. But yeah, earplugs are your friends. And maybe a white noise app on your phone will help you drown out the sounds of the world. You get the peace you can, when you can.
Is the staff friendly? Can they speak English?
The staff is… well, they're there. They’re not the chattiest people out there, but they are polite. English ability varies. Some people speak pretty good English, and some just can't do more than yes and no. So, brush up on your Mandarin, or be prepared to pantomime. Google Translate is your BFF. It can come in handy, especially in the middle of the night when your stomach is rumbling, and you are hungry as hell.
They seemed to be okay with my broken Mandarin. I once tried to ask for extra towels. Let’s just say it was a struggle. I ended up with about five sets. It was confusing, but hey, I had towels. You figure it out.
What about the breakfast? Is it worth it?
I didn't try the breakfast. I'm a breakfast snob, and I'm also cheap. I'm guessing it’s a buffet of… things. Probably noodles and questionable pastries. I went to the street food vendors. Trust me. You’ll be fine. It’s cheaper, and you’ll get a more authentic experience. And who needs a fancy hotel breakfast when you're about to go exploring? Get out there, man!
Okay, so after all that, would you stay there again?
If I'm on a budget and I *absolutely* need to be near Fangzhuang Metro? Probably. It's not perfect, it's far from luxury. Sometimes it felt like living in a box. The constant fear of the water pressure failing. But hey, for the money, the location is *amazing*. You get what you pay for, and sometimes, that's enough. Plus, the slight imperfections make it memorable. Would I stay there with my partner? Not on a romantic getaway. Would I recommend it? Yes, but with a massive "caveat emptor" warning. And earplugs. Seriously. Don't forget the earplugs.
You know, you do save a lot of money. I'm a sucker for convenience, and it's just *so* close to the metro. Plus, I'm also a sucker for saving money, and it's a great place to store my stuff, if you know what I mean. I might, might, just consider it again!
