Shenyang's BEST Hotel? Holiday Inn Express Tawan Review!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Holiday Inn Express Tawan in Shenyang. Forget your pristine travel blogs; this is gonna be real – the good, the messy, and probably a few "WTF?" moments thrown in for good measure. SEO be damned, this is about feeling the hotel, not just reading about it. So, here we go…
Holy Shenyang! Is this Shenyang's BEST?! Holiday Inn Express Tawan Review – Raw & Unfiltered!
Okay, so first things first: Accessibility. This is a big one for me. I'm not, uh, mobility-challenged myself, but it’s always a HUGE plus when a place actually thinks about people with different needs. I'll give the Holiday Inn Express Tawan a solid thumbs up. The elevator (Elevator) is easy to find and use. Facilities for disabled guests are definitely advertised and available. Didn't see anyone using them, but the signs and layout suggest they've got this covered. Now the good stuff:
Getting In & Out & Around (Literally):
- Accessibility: Check. Clear signage, easy access – good start.
- Getting Around: Okay, the Elevator is key. This is China, you know? Navigating the streets can be an adventure. The hotel uses an efficient Airport transfer service, which is a godsend after a long flight. Car park [free of charge] and car park [on-site] is another great thing!
The Room: My Personal Fortress (Maybe Not Fortress-Like…)
Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty: my ROOM. Let's be honest, it’s where you live while you're in a hotel.
Available in all rooms: Deep breath Air conditioning? Check. Alarm clock? (I never use it, but good to know it's there!) Bathrobes? (Yes!) Bathroom phone? (Never used, but intriguing!) Bathtub? (YES! Always a win!) Blackout curtains? (SAVIOR! Especially with jet lag.) Carpeting? (Meh, not my fave, but hey, it's clean.) Closet? (Yep.) Coffee/tea maker? (Essential - and complimentary tea!) Complimentary tea? (Again, yes!) Daily housekeeping? (Absolutely – and they're fast.) Desk? (Perfect for my laptop – more on that later…) Extra long bed? (Yes! Always appreciate a king-sized bed.) Free bottled water? (Yay!) Hair dryer? (Essential for my unruly locks.) High floor? (I think I was on a low floor, but the view was still okay.) In-room safe box? (Didn't use, but good to know it's there). Internet access – LAN? (Didn't use, I always use Wi-Fi) Internet access – wireless? (YES! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – a huge relief, especially considering I didn't want to mess with a China SIM card.) Ironing facilities? (Needed!) Laptop workspace? (Yes!) Linens? (Clean. White. Fresh.) Mini bar? (Empty; I don't drink.) Mirror? (Check.) Non-smoking? (Praise the lord!) On-demand movies? (Didn't try, too busy exploring.) Private bathroom? (Yes!) Reading light? (Perfect.) Refrigerator? (Empty, but functional.) Safety/security feature? (See below.) Satellite/cable channels? (Yes, but mostly Chinese channels.) Scale? (Ugh, don’t look.) Seating area? (Didn't use, but good to have the option.) Separate shower/bathtub? (YES! Separate shower for me!) Shower? (Good pressure.) Slippers? (Yes!) Smoke detector? (Hopefully!) Socket near the bed? (THANK GOODNESS.) Sofa? (Didn't have one in my room, or I missed it.) Soundproofing? (Pretty good, actually.) Telephone? (Yes.) Toiletries? (Basic, but adequate.) Towels? (Plenty, and changed daily.) Umbrella? (Didn’t use.) Visual alarm? (Unsure) Wake-up service? (Didn't use, relying on my internal clock and a phone alarm.) Wi-Fi [free]? (YES!) Window that opens? (YES! Needed for the fresh air!)
Room – Cleanliness & Safety: The room was spotless. I mean, seriously, clean. And with all the "Covid" craziness, I was relieved. The hotel seemed to take cleanliness and safety VERY seriously. Hand sanitizer was everywhere, and I saw staff constantly cleaning. Rooms sanitized between stays, which feels good about the Anti-viral cleaning products too.
The Rest of the Hotel: The Nitty-Gritty
Internet: Yeah, this is a big deal in this day and age!
Internet [LAN]: Unused
Internet services: Wi-Fi!
Wi-Fi in public areas: Present and working, but I mostly stuck to my room.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Breakfast was served everyday!
- Breakfast [buffet]:
- Asian breakfast: Good, a delicious mix of noodle dishes, pickled vegetables, and dim sum.
- Western breakfast: Yeah, the usual eggs, bacon, toast, etc. Perfectly fine.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Excellent.
- Restaurants:
- Didn’t eat here much, but the food was always delicious.
- Happy hour: Nice to unwind after a long day.
- Breakfast [buffet]:
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (or, "When Can I Get a Massage?")
- Fitness center: Basic, but functional for a quick workout.
- Spa/sauna: I actually found a spa nearby. That deserves its own story!
- Swimming pool: I don't swim in hotels, but I saw people use this.
- Things to do: Not a ton of "on-site" activities. The real fun is getting out and exploring Shenyang!
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area: Absolutely.
- Cash withdrawal: Easy-peasy.
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Contactless check-in/out: Yes, the future is here, and it's fast!
- Daily housekeeping: Consistent and efficient.
- Elevator: Essential!
- Facilities for disabled guests: Good, according to observation.
- Ironing service: Yes, and I used it!
- Laundry service: Yup.
- Luggage storage: Convenient.
- Safety deposit boxes: Secure and useful.
Safety & Security: Feeling Safe in a Strange Land
- CCTV in common areas: Very present – makes you feel secure.
- CCTV outside property: Same.
- Fire extinguisher: Yes.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always someone there, which is reassuring.
- Security [24-hour]: Yes.
- Smoke alarms: Hopefully!
The Imperfections
Look, no hotel is perfect. Here's the reality, a few small issues:
- The room decorations were a bit…basic. Functional, but not exactly "Instagrammable."
- The language barrier can be a challenge. English is spoken, but you might need your translation app at times, especially at the front desk.
- The noise from the hallways can be a bit loud.
Quirks and Quirky Observations
- The staff seemed genuinely friendly and helpful, constantly smiling.
- The elevators. I swear, I spent a LOT of time waiting for elevators.
- The smell of the breakfast was a little overpowering. But hey, it's food!
- The location, it was walking distance to places.
Final Verdict: Is Shenyang's BEST Hotel? The Holiday Inn Express Tawan, Shenyang
Okay, so is the Holiday Inn Express Tawan Shenyang the best hotel in the city? Maybe not the absolute best if you're after five-star luxury. BUT…
- Location, location, location is great!
- Clean, safe, and comfortable.
- The free Wi-Fi is a game-changer.
- Good value for money.
I'd absolutely recommend it. I’d stay there again in a heartbeat. It's not perfect, but it's honest, reliable, and gets the job done.
**Book Now! Special Offer! Shenyang Shenanigans
Escape to Austrian Paradise: Hotel Kendler Awaits
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is… me, loose in Shenyang, China, armed with a credit card, questionable Mandarin, and a fierce love for questionable hotel breakfasts. And the Holiday Inn Express Tawan? Well, that's the starting point. Buckle up, it's gonna be a bumpy ride.
Shenyang Shenanigans: A (Mostly) Honest Account
Day 1: Arrival and the Illusion of Organisation (Plus, My Battle with the Vending Machine)
Morning (Before 1 PM, ish): Fly into Shenyang Taoxian International Airport. The flight… well, let's just say I now fully understand why they call it "cattle class." Cramped, recycled air, and the guy next to me was convinced I wanted to hear his life story. Anyway, survival!
Transportation: Taxi from the airport to the Holiday Inn Express Tawan. The driver, bless his soul, definitely didn't speak English. After copious pointing, miming, and the universal language of "hotel?" we arrived. This is where I learned the first lesson of travel: Google Translate is your best friend (and the only person you have to rely on).
Check-In: The Buffer Zone: The hotel itself? Clean-ish, perfectly passable, and boasting that glorious, generic Holiday Inn Express aesthetic. The staff were… trying. My Mandarin, naturally, is somewhere between "hello" and "I need… dumplings." Still, eventually, the whole check-in thing took care of itself after several tries and the help of a very patient junior front desk employee; my room key was in my hand. Score!
Afternoon (2 PM - 5 PM): The Great Vending Machine Fiasco. Honestly, this deserves its own chapter. After a very long and tiring flight, I am ready to snack and rest. The vending machine was staring at me, gleaming with promises of unknown deliciousness. The machines were evil. I put in a ¥10 bill. Nothing. I put another ¥10 bill. Still nothing. I spent a solid 20 minutes wrestling with this metal beast, jiggling the handles, pressing buttons, and even giving it a few good, frustrated shoves. Finally, a kind woman, who’d witnessed the spectacle, came over, sighed dramatically, and pressed a secret button. A bottle of suspiciously colored "energy drink" emerged. I felt like I'd won a small, but significant, victory.
- Lesson Learned: Always ask for help. Vending machines are apparently sentient beings that feed on the dreams of tired tourists.
Evening (6 PM - Late-ish): Dinner – or, rather, the quest for dinner. Armed with my phone and Google Maps, I ventured out. The surrounding area felt strangely quiet and desolate. After walking and walking, I found a little "restaurant." The menu was exclusively in Chinese. "This is my moment," I thought. I picked a random dish (based on a picture… a common theme). Then… the food arrived. It was… spicy. Really, really spicy. My eyes teared up, sweat beaded on my forehead, but I ate the whole thing. The server was a lovely, and she looked so happy. I'm pretty sure she could tell I was dying inside.
- Observation: "Restaurant" food in a foreign country is like a box of chocolates… you never know what you're going to get.
Day 2: The Mausoleum, the Market, and the Emotional Rollercoaster of Solo Travel
Morning (9 AM - Noon): Breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express. Ah, the breakfast buffet. The staples – scrambled eggs that were… well, eggs. Cold toast. Coffee that vaguely resembled coffee. But there were some exciting Asian options I have never seen before. This is a victory over a McDonald's breakfast at the hotel downstairs. With my stomach full, I ventured forward. It's off to the Zhaoling Mausoleum. The scale of this place is insane. The intricate carvings, the sense of history… it was truly impressive. My brain started to do the thing where it cycles through every human emotion possible.
Afternoon (1 PM - 5 PM): Taiyuan Street Shopping! This is where the trip shifts, quickly. The street is a blur of shops, vendors, and people. I’ve never seen anything like it. I got lost in a maze of clothing stalls, trying to remember how much a 200 yuan belt is in USD (Google, again!). I, of course, overpaid for something (maybe a hat… or two. I just really like hats!). The whole thing was overwhelming, exciting, and a little terrifying. I sat on a bench after that and just watched the chaos.
- Emotional Reaction: Overwhelmed. Exhilarated. A little lost. Amazed by the energy of this place.
Evening (6 PM - 10 PM): Dinner (with a side of existential dread). I found a restaurant and ordered something new. The food was, once again, an adventure. The conversation with myself was a treat.
- Messy Observation: Eating alone sometimes feels incredibly lonely. It made me miss my friends. Then, I realized I was in China, eating delicious (and potentially-spicy) food and having an adventure, and I started smiling again.
Day 3: A Detour (and a Slight Panic Attack)
Morning (9 AM - Noon): A slight change of plans. I decided, somewhat impulsively, to head to a nearby park. Now, the park was lovely, but the language barrier became painfully obvious. The map was mostly in Chinese. I got… a little lost. Cue the beginning of a full-blown panic attack.
- Quirky Observation: When you don't understand the local language, even a park can feel like a maze.
Afternoon (1 PM - 5 PM): I found my way back to the hotel. I had a long shower to wash away the stress and had a nap.
Evening (6 PM - Departure): Checking out and heading to the airport.
Final Thoughts (and a Disclaimer)
This is not a travel guide. This is just a collection of moments, a small sliver of my experience in Shenyang. Did I love everything? Nope. Did I screw stuff up? Absolutely. But would I do it again? In a heartbeat. Life is messy. Travel is messier. And that's often what makes it beautiful.
- Disclaimer I may have gotten some details wrong. Memory, after all, is a funny thing. The spicy food was really spicy, though. Believe me.
Holiday Inn Express Tawan, Shenyang – The Real Deal FAQs (Because Let's Be Honest, Reviews Can Be So… Predictable)
Alright, alright, so you're thinking about the Holiday Inn Express Tawan in Shenyang? Smart move. Or maybe… Maybe not. Depends on the day, the weather, and whether the elevator is working. I've been there, done that, and I'm here to cut through the PR fluff. This isn't your typical, sanitized hotel review. Consider this your survival guide.
1. Is this place REALLY in Tawan? Because Shenyang is HUGE. And lonely.
Yes. It's *in* Tawan. And yes, Shenyang *is* enormous. Think of Tawan as... well, a slightly less glamorous (and more industrial) suburb of Shenyang. It's not exactly in the bustling city center, so if you're a party animal craving late-night dumplings, you might want to reconsider. Unless you *really* love taxi rides. Pro-tip: Download and learn how to use Didi (China's Uber) before you go. Trust me.
2. The Rooms. Are they... clean? And do they have that weird hotel smell?
Okay, the rooms. Generally clean. Not pristine, mind you. You might find the occasional… stray hair. Or a questionable stain on the carpet. But hey, you survived your last questionable street food experience, right? The hotel smell… It's there. Every hotel has a smell. This one is… clean-ish air freshener meets a whisper of… something else. Let’s just say it’s not the Ritz. (But then again, you’re at a Holiday Inn Express, not the Ritz...duh.) My room, which I booked via a discount online was super great I guess, and well it was a pretty good deal actually.
3. Breakfast. The most important meal of the day, or a cultural enigma?
Breakfast is… an experience. It’s included, which is a plus. You’ll find a mix of Western and Chinese options. Think instant coffee (strong), some scrambled eggs (questionable texture), and what I *think* was toast. Then there's the "Chinese Corner." This could include congee (rice porridge – good for the hangover), various mystery meats (sometimes delicious, sometimes… not), and the occasional deep-fried dough stick of joy. My advice: Pace yourself. And don't be afraid to try something weird. You might actually like it! I once ate a dumpling filled with something… that tasted like dirt and happiness. True story.
4. The Staff. Are they friendly? Do they speak English? (Pray for me…)
The staff… they're trying. They are genuinely trying! Some speak English. Some… don’t. Prepare for a lot of pointing, smiling, and maybe a translation app. Be patient. Be polite. And learn a few basic Mandarin phrases. "Ni hao" (hello) goes a long way. "Xie xie" (thank you) is gold. I had one staff member who spoke almost no English but went above and beyond to help me find a decent coffee shop (which, by the way, is a quest in itself). Another time, I needed a sewing kit. She didn’t have one, but she *found* one. Resulting in a slightly lopsided button on my shirt (her stitching wasn't quite up to par) but hey... she tried!
5. The Wifi. Because, let's face it, we're addicted. Does it suck?
The Wifi... It's there. It connects. Sometimes. It can be spotty. It can be frustrating. It can also be blindingly fast, which is a nice surprise. Bring a backup plan (like a local SIM card with data). And be prepared to do a lot of staring at loading screens. Honestly? Use the Wifi to download all the Netflix/Hulu you'll want, and then... ignore it completely. Don't be that person glued to their phone the whole time. Look around. You're in China, for Pete's sake!
6. What about the location? Anything interesting nearby? Or am I doomed to a life of hotel-room purgatory?
Okay, let's be honest: The immediate surroundings aren't exactly a hotbed of excitement. There are a few restaurants (mostly local, which is great if you're adventurous), a convenience store or two (get ready to decipher some labels!), and… well, Tawan itself. It's not a tourist destination. But! It's a short taxi ride to some of the bigger Shenyang attractions. And, more importantly, it's a look at *real* China. Just wandering the streets, watching people live their lives… there’s something kind of… beautiful about it. Don't expect a vibrant nightlife on your doorstep, though. Head downtown for that.
7. The Elevator. Because I'm not looking forward to stairs.
Ah, the elevator… a source of both hope and despair. Sometimes it works flawlessly. Other times… it’s a gamble. Prepare yourself for the possibility of a leisurely walk up the stairs. Or a very *long* wait. Or both. I once (true story!) got stuck in the elevator for about 15 minutes. No big deal, right? Except… it was a Friday night. And I was craving a beer. And the emergency button didn't seem to do much. Lesson learned: bring snacks and a book (or a good meditation app) for your elevator adventures. You're going to need them!
8. Value for Money? Is this place worth the price?
Honestly? It's pretty good for the price. Holiday Inn Expresses are generally known for their value and it's no exception here. You get a clean(ish) room, a decent breakfast (once you become accustomed to it), and a somewhat reliable Wi-Fi (sometimes). It's not luxury, but it's comfortable enough, especially for those who are in a rush to go to the city's attractions. If you're looking for a budget-friendly base to explore Shenyang, it's a solid choice. Just temper your expectations. And remember: sometimes the best travel memories are the ones you *didn’t* expect! I'm pretty sure that's what I told someone, when I got stuck in the elevator!
9. TheDelightful Hotels
