Shanghai Xujing's BEST Kept Secret: Jinjiang Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!)
Shanghai Xujing's BEST Kept Secret: Jinjiang Inn Review (You WON'T Believe This!) - Seriously, This Place is… Something.
Okay, buckle up. You want the truth about the Jinjiang Inn in Xujing, Shanghai? Forget those glossy hotel brochures. I'm giving you the real deal, the messy, the wonderful (and sometimes, let's be honest, the slightly confusing) truth. This isn't just a review, it's a… well, it’s a confession, really. My love-hate relationship with this place.
First Impressions (and a Whole Lot of Wandering):
Finding this Jinjiang Inn? Let's just say, pack your patience. The accessibility options are there, and that's great! But the first thing I noticed? The signage. Or rather, the lack of clear signage. I wandered around the Xujing area for what felt like an eternity, squinting at Google Maps, muttering about my poor sense of direction. Eventually, after a solid twenty minutes of existential wandering, I stumbled upon it. Accessibility, you're there, but maybe invest in some brighter signs? The exterior? Standard Jinjiang Inn fare – nothing particularly inspiring, but clean enough.
The Room: Spartan Chic or Functional Frustration?
Stepping into my room was… an experience. Let's be frank – “cozy” is the key word here. It's a space designed for efficient living, not lavish lounging. The air conditioning? Thank heavens for that! Shanghai humidity is no joke. The bed? Surprisingly comfortable, especially after my epic navigation adventure. The free Wi-Fi? Praise be! (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, folks. Repeat.) But here are my stream of consciousness thoughts:
- "Oh, look, a kettle. Perfect. Wait… where's the coffee? Ah, the essential condiments are here though, thankfully."
- "Mirror. Check. Hair dryer. Check. Yes, my friend in the room!"
- "The window that opens! A beautiful thing in the world of stale hotel air."
- "Slippers! They're always a sign of a hotel that cares a little bit!"
So, you know, it's not the Four Seasons, but it's got the essentials. And the blackout curtains are a godsend if you're fighting jet lag. Room cleanliness? Fine. Nothing sparkling, but everything seemed freshly cleaned. Important in these times, you know? The safety features – smoke detectors, safety deposit box, a fire extinguisher… all present and accounted for. Peace of mind, yeah!
Eating and Drinking: A Culinary Adventure (…or Something Else?)
Okay, the dining situation? This is where things get interesting. The Jinjiang Inn website boasts a restaurant. Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in the restaurant… (Hopefully, that's what they're trying in the building). You'll find the coffee shop. I went down for breakfast [buffet] one morning (or at least attempted to). The selection was… limited. Let's just say it wasn't a gastronomic marvel. Think a buffet with the bare bones. If you're after a full-on Western breakfast? Forget it. You can find some snacks in the nearby convenience store, I would suggest you get those if you are visiting this place and need a satisfying breakfast. The snack bar, well, I didn't find it. 24-hour room service? Maybe. I didn't test it. I wasn’t that brave, truth be told. The bottle of water in the room? Appreciated. Always. And the essential condiments in the room were a nice touch, especially when fighting a caffeine withdrawal.
Relaxing, or Attempting To:
Okay, here’s the big one: The Spa! Just kidding. There is no spa. No pool with a view. No sauna. No Steamroom. The body scrubs and wraps? Yeah, not happening. This isn't a relaxation retreat. Fitness center? I didn't see one. I'm assuming this isn't the place to come if you want to treat yourself to a body scrub or head to the sauna. But hey, it does have a foot bath. (I'm not kidding. I think.)
Getting Around & Accessibility: Mixed Bag
The car park is on-site, which is a huge plus. Airport transfer? Apparently available. I didn't use it, but it's nice to know it’s there. Again, navigating around the hotel itself was a bit tricky, but hey, if you go at it with an open mind, that's what counts. As I said before, the signage could be better, but the rooms seemed accessible.
Services and Conveniences: The Ups and Downs
Here's a rapid-fire round of what I saw and experienced:
- Daily housekeeping: Yes. Appreciated.
- Laundry and dry cleaning: Available.
- Cash withdrawal: Yep.
- Concierge: Available, for some reason.
- Elevator: Yes.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Yep, thankfully.
- Luggage storage: There.
- Business facilities: Present, but I didn't use them.
- Contactless check-in/out: Offered, I believe.
- Currency exchange: No idea. (I doubt it).
- Gift/souvenir shop? Nope.
- Meeting/banquet facilities?: Who knows?
Cleanliness and Safety:
This is where the Jinjiang Inn scores some serious points. Hand sanitizer was everywhere, and staff seemed to be following hygiene protocols. Rooms are sanitized between stays, as they say. Daily disinfection in common areas… and all the standard safety measures for health. Good on them honestly!
So, Is It a Secret Worth Keeping?
Okay, here's the bottom line: The Jinjiang Inn in Xujing isn’t going to blow your mind. Its imperfect. It might not be luxurious, it might not be the grandest hotel in town. However, it's clean, it's got the essentials, and it's affordable.
My rating? A solid 3 out of 5 stars. For the price, you can't complain. This is a good place to crash overnight or stay for a few days during a business trip.
A Booking Offer You CAN'T Refuse (Maybe):
Tired of overpriced hotels that promise the world and deliver… well, not much? Looking for a clean, comfortable, and affordable base for your Shanghai adventures?
Then, you want the Jinjiang Inn in Xujing.
Here's what you get:
- Free Wi-Fi! (Seriously, in every room!) Stay connected without emptying your wallet.
- Clean, Comfortable Rooms: A cozy haven after a day of exploring.
- Convenient Location: (Once you find it! Use Google Maps.) Close to Xujing's action (and far enough away for peace and quiet!).
- Affordable Prices: Your wallet will thank you.
Book NOW and receive a FREE bottle of water! (Because hydration is important, people!).
Click here to book your stay at the Jinjiang Inn Xujing and discover Shanghai's best-kept secret… or at least, a very practical option!
Escape to Paradise: Your Dream Home Awaits in Tagaytay!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because you're about to get REAL with my chaotic Shanghai adventure, centered around the hallowed halls of the Jinjiang Inn Shanghai Xujing Branch. Forget those perfectly polished itineraries – we're going for the beautiful, messy truth. This is less a schedule and more… a survival guide with a sprinkle of existential dread.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Wall of Concrete (and Exhaustion)
- 1:00 PM: Arrive at Pudong International Airport (PVG). Jetlag? Oh honey, you have no idea. Landed like a confused pigeon, clutching my phone for dear life, already sweating. Finding a taxi felt like navigating the Bermuda Triangle. Remember that phrase: "lost in translation"? Yeah, it's about to become your new mantra.
- 2:30 PM: Taxi to Jinjiang Inn Xujing. (Let's be real, the scenery on the way isn't exactly postcard-worthy. Think… sprawling cement, heavy traffic, a haze that might be pollution, might be my own personal cloud of anxiety.) The driver, bless his soul, seemed to find my attempts at Mandarin hilarious. I'm pretty sure I was saying something like "Please murder my luggage." instead of "Please take me to the hotel."
- 3:30 PM: Check-in at the hotel. Room? Erm, it's… functional. Tiny. Like, you could probably touch all four walls simultaneously if you did a jumping jack. But hey, clean sheets, a working air conditioner - small victories! The bed? Rock hard. Consider it your personal acupuncture experience.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Explore! I'm a big girl, I can easily get lost and wander around. I mean, I love getting lost. This is my time to get a feel for the place. Xujing, the suburb, is fine but nothing remarkable. This place is about as exciting as a beige cardigan. Walked, took a few pictures of the buildings.
- 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Starving. Found a restaurant nearby. Ordered something. The menu was… in Chinese. Pointed at a picture of something with a glistening, mysterious sauce. It's probably chicken feet. Decided to get more. I'm very aware that I am living in China but not acting like I'm living in China.
- 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Back at the hotel and trying to process. Feel that the jet lag is still lingering. Watch the lights and sounds of the city. It's amazing the difference in the noise and lights. It's so much different from where I live.
Day 2: The Bund and the Battle for Breakfast
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel (yeah, not the most exciting, mostly the same options every day. It's a challenge in itself… try to survive the buffet: rice porridge - bland, steamed buns - always a gamble, and these weird salty pickled vegetables). But, honestly, I needed the caffeine hit. It's a matter of survival, I tell you!
- 9:00 AM: Taxi to The Bund. Finally seeing THAT Shanghai skyline. Okay, now we're talking! Those art deco buildings, the sleek skyscrapers – it's a visual feast! Snap, snap, snap. Tourist mode: ON.
- 11:00 AM: Wandered along the Bund. The crowds are insane. I got bumped, shoved, and almost lost my phone (again!). But honestly? I loved it! Yes, it's overwhelming, but it's also vibrant and alive. People watching is a sport, and the sheer variety of humanity is mind-blowing.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch near The Bund. Found a dim sum place that looked promising. Ordered a bunch of stuff with absolutely no idea what I was getting. (Turns out, some of it was delicious. Some of it… was not.) But hey, an adventure!
- 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Lost in translation again. It's a battle against my own incompetence.
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Shopping in a local market. Got totally ripped off buying souvenirs. I tried haggling but failed miserably. Still got a scarf though.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner - Noodles! A tiny local joint; another incredible meal. People are so friendly.
Day 3: Xujing and the Quiet Before the Storm… or the Laundry
- 9:00 AM: Laundry! Found a laundromat. The signs were all in Chinese, so I had to guess. And I had to ask for help. That's the thing about being here. I have to ask. It's a constant process of asking for help.
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Back to hotel - relax. So glad I did that laundry.
- 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Tried one more market. Food. The sheer variety of food is astonishing. I can be pretty picky but I always try one bite.
- 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Getting ready to hit the airport. This trip has been such a great experience. I can't wait to come back.
The End (for now).
So yeah, that’s my Shanghai experience in a nutshell. It’s a whirlwind of jet lag, delicious food, baffling menus, and a constant struggle to not embarrass myself (though I definitely failed at that part). Shanghai isn’t perfect, but it's real, it’s unpredictable, and it's utterly captivating. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Next time, maybe I'll even learn a few Mandarin phrases besides "Where is the bathroom?"
And yes, I’m well aware this itinerary is a mess. But that’s life, isn’t it? And let's be honest, the messy bits are usually the most memorable.
Escape to Paradise: Italy's Hidden Gem, Villaggio Innamorata
Xujing Jinjiang Inn: You *Seriously* Won't Believe This! (A Messy, Honest Review)
Alright, buckle up buttercups. I'm about to unleash a truth bomb about the Jinjiang Inn in Xujing, Shanghai. Prepare yourself. It's... complicated.
Is the Jinjiang Inn in Xujing really a hidden gem?
Hidden gem? Okay, let's be real. "Hidden" it *definitely* is. Gem...? That's where it gets dicey. It's Xujing. You're not exactly tripping over five-star luxury here. But for the price? Alright, maybe a teensy, slightly tarnished cubic zirconia. Don't expect the Taj Mahal. Seriously. My expectations were *low*. Which is probably why I wasn't utterly heartbroken.
What's the room like? Is it clean?
Clean enough. Look, let's be honest, you're not booking the Four Seasons, alright? You're going for "functional". The sheets? Mostly white. The bathroom? Well, the drain *usually* works, or at least, it *mostly* drains. I’ve seen worse. I *did* find a rogue, errant, definitely-not-mine hair on the pillow one time. Panic set in. Then I just…kept going. I mean, what else could I do? Bring your own disinfectant wipes. Trust me on this.
What about the location? Is it convenient?
Convenient? Okay, let's be clear about this. Convenient *only* if you're heading to the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC). If you're going to an expo there, *perfect*. Otherwise... you're in Xujing, my friend. It's a bit of a hike to, well, anywhere remotely interesting in Shanghai. Taxi rides? Prepare for some serious meter-watching anxiety. The metro? Slightly terrifying, but hey, it gets you there eventually. Don't get your hopes up about spontaneously popping into the Bund for a quick dumpling fix. You'll be doing some serious commuting. Just saying.
What about the noise? Can you actually sleep?
Oh, the noise. This is where things get REALLY interesting. See, this is where things get *raw*. The walls? They’re more like suggestions, really. You might overhear your neighbors' entire life stories - the good, the bad, and definitely the karaoke. Oh god... the karaoke. One time, I swear, I heard someone butchering "Bohemian Rhapsody" at 3 AM. It was… an experience. Bring earplugs. Seriously. And maybe a white noise machine. And a healthy dose of patience. And possibly your noise-canceling headphones. You have been warned.
Is the breakfast any good?
Breakfast. Well, it's *included*, which is a point in its favor. Free food! Score! But don't get *too* excited. You’re looking at a buffet of noodles – potentially slightly overcooked. Questionable eggs. I'm talking the kinda stuff you'd get at a budget, all-you-can-eat. Lukewarm soy milk, which, let's be honest, isn't ideal, is it? It's... fuel. It'll keep you going. It's not a culinary experience. Approach with the mindset of someone trying to survive a long day at a trade show, not someone expecting a Michelin-starred brunch. Lower those expectations, people. Lower them.
Are there any good restaurants nearby?
Alright, restaurants. Yes. There are *restaurants*. And they’re… local. Now, “good” is a highly subjective term here. You'll find places serving dishes you’ve never seen before, and some you might not want to see again. Embrace the chaos. Download a translation app, it may save you big time. My advice, if you don't feel particularly adventurous? Stick to the familiar. Or… be brave. Very brave. And maybe have some Pepto-Bismol on hand, just in case.
