Unbelievable Chongli Getaway: Holiday Inn Express Review (Zhangjiakou, China)
Unbelievable Chongli Getaway: Holiday Inn Express Review (Zhangjiakou, China) - Brace Yourself, Folks!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Chongli, China, and the Holiday Inn Express was my basecamp. And let me tell you, it was… an experience. Not always perfect, not always smooth, but definitely memorable. This isn't your sterile, corporate review; this is the FULL scoop, warts and all. So grab a coffee (or a strong beverage – you might need it) and let's dive in!
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Let's Start with the Basics (and Get the Annoying Stuff Out of the Way)
Accessibility: Okay, let's be upfront: Facilities for disabled guests are marked. The Holiday Inn Express in Chongli says it’s accessible, but… well, let’s just say the definition of “accessible” might be different here than in, say, North America. I didn't need those specific services, but I did notice some tight spaces and slightly wonky door mechanisms. Definitely double-check if you have specific accessibility needs.
Cleanliness & Safety (COVID-Conscious Edition): This is where the hotel really shines. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays, and Staff trained in safety protocol – check, check, and check. I wasn’t constantly terrified, which is a huge win. They Individual wrapped food options, Safe dining setup, and everyone was wearing masks, so I felt reasonably safe. They also provide Hand sanitizer everywhere.
Internet Access (aka The Lifeblood of Modern Existence): YES! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually worked! Hooray! Now, the Internet access – LAN option? I didn’t even try it. Too much effort. But the Wi-Fi was solid, even for video calls (important, trust me).
Rooms - The Heart of the Matter
My room? Clean, comfortable, and… well, what you'd expect from a Holiday Inn Express. They had Air Conditioning, which was essential. I loved the Blackout curtains – because who wants the sun shining in your face when you're battling altitude sickness, am I right? They had a Coffee/tea maker – crucial for early mornings. Free bottled water! A lifesaver after a day on the slopes. The bed? Comfy enough. And, bonus points, the Slipers were a nice touch.
The Mirror was… well, a mirror. And they had a Hairdryer which is always appreciated.
Okay, I'm going to be honest, I didn't inspect every inch of the room to look for imperfections – I was there to ski! But the Daily housekeeping kept everything tidy, which was a welcome relief.
Food Glorious Food (and the Occasional Hiccup)
Breakfast [buffet] – Ah, the buffet! The Holiday Inn Express has the standard Asian breakfast, with some Western breakfast options thrown in. Breakfast [buffet], Asian cuisine in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant. I usually went for the noodles or the congee. It wasn't gourmet, but it was convenient and filled me up before hitting the slopes.
Restaurants, Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Coffee shop, and the Restaurants are nice. During my stay, there wasn't anything too fancy offered. If you're looking for Michelin-star dining, you’re in the wrong place. I can't remember if there was a Bar, but there was probably a Bar. I was too tired after a long day of skiing to even bother! I'm also pretty sure there was Room service [24-hour]. (but I can verify) Maybe in the long run you can get a Bottle of water too.
Things to Do (Beyond the Slopes)
This is where things get a little… limited. Chongli is all about skiing. The Pool with view – wasn’t open when I went. The Fitness center – looked… tired. Swimming pool [outdoor] and the Gym/fitness were not in operation at the time. I'm not sure about the Spa/Sauna, and didn't seem to see any offerings of Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Steamroom.
Services and Conveniences: The Stuff That Makes Life Easier (Hopefully)
Concierge. I didn’t use it. Daily housekeeping – definitely used it and loved it. Elevator – thankfully. Facilities for disabled guests – see above. Laundry service – always appreciated. Luggage storage – helpful. The Front desk [24-hour] was appreciated. Car park [free of charge] was a godsend, especially since I was in a rental car. The Car park [on-site] and the Bicycle parking were available. They also provided Cash withdrawal and Currency exchange in a pinch. They did not provide Babysitting service, so if you want to have a free night, prepare your own plan A.
Now for the Good, the Bad, and the Hilariously Odd…
The Highlight: The Staff!
Okay, I have to give a massive shout-out to the staff. They were genuinely friendly, helpful, and patient – especially with my limited Mandarin. There was a genuine warmth and a willingness to try, even when communication got tricky. It really made the stay more pleasant.
The Quirks:
- The elevators were slow. REALLY slow.
- The air conditioning in the hallways was… ambitious. Sometimes it was arctic, sometimes it was tropical.
- The "gym" was a room with a couple of treadmills and some free weights. Enough to get the blood flowing, not enough to make you feel like a god.
The Imperfections (Because Life Isn't Perfect)
- While the room was clean, the bathroom could have used a little extra attention.
- The location is a little bit out of the main town. Not a deal-breaker, but you'll need a taxi or a car to get around.
The Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Absolutely! For the price, the cleanliness, the friendly staff, and the proximity to the slopes, the Holiday Inn Express in Chongli is a solid choice. It's not a luxury resort, but it's a comfortable, clean, and safe basecamp for your skiing adventure. Bring your own entertainment, embrace the quirks, and you'll have a fantastic time!
The Emotional Rollercoaster: My Honest Feelings
Leaving the hotel was a bittersweet moment. The Soundproof rooms provided peace, but the Wake-up service, was the reality of work life. The Terrace was beautiful but I didn't use it.
Final Score: 7.5 out of 10 (Solid B+), with bonus points for the friendly staff and the excellent Wi-Fi.
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Escape to Indy's Hottest Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott Fishers!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. We're hitting the slopes of Chongli, in Zhangjiakou, China, and staying at the Holiday Inn Express. Prepare for a rollercoaster, because this isn’t just a trip, it's an… EXPERIENCE. And I'm probably going to need a stiff drink by the end of it.
Day 1: Arrival – Chaos and Cold Feet (Literally)
- Morning (ish): The flight. Ugh. Let's just say, budget airlines are an education. Cramped, slightly questionable airplane food… and the existential dread that comes with trusting a metal tube to fling you through the air. Made it through, though! Triumph!
- Afternoon: Arrival at Zhangjiakou Ningyuan Airport (ZJK). Immigration. The lovely art of charade-ing your way through customs when your Mandarin consists of "ni hao" and "xie xie". Found my luggage (miracle!). Then, the joy of finding the shuttle to the hotel. Apparently, the shuttle driver doesn't believe in personal space. We're talking VERY cozy.
- Late Afternoon: HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS CHONGLI – Checked in. The room? Clean. Perfectly, aggressively, Holiday Inn Express clean. Seriously, you know you're in a chain hotel when they've managed to sterilize the air itself. Unpacked, shuddered at the thought of the ski gear I have to wear tomorrow. My feet are already cold just THINKING about it.
- Evening: Wandering Chongli. Found a little dumpling place that looked… authentic. Ordered, pointed randomly at things on the menu, and prayed. Ate. It was… an experience. Spicy. Delicious. And probably the source of tomorrow's digestive issues. Then, a stroll through the snow-dusted streets. It's pretty. Really pretty. And freezing.
Day 2: The Mountain of Shame (and Triumph?)
- Morning: Ski school. Oh, the ski school. Picture me, a seasoned expert on the art of falling spectacularly, attempting to navigate the slopes. My instructor, bless his patient soul, seemed to alternate between amusement and pity. Fell. A lot. At least I looked stylish in my rental gear. (Said no one ever.)
- Late Morning: Lunch. A desperate attempt to refuel. Thankfully, the cafeteria had a decent noodle bar, which I demolished with gusto. Carb loading! The essential part of not dying on a mountain.
- Afternoon: More skiing. Managed to stay upright for a whole… ten seconds? Before faceplanting again. But hey, I did make it to the bottom of a green slope without needing to be rescued. Small victories. One small victory equals 1000 pounds of glorious triumph!
- Evening: Back to the hotel, nursing bruises and a bruised ego. Ordered room service… because I deserved it. The noodles were fantastic. The bed was heavenly. And the realization that I might actually enjoy skiing finally sunk in. Maybe. Definitely need more practice. And a hot bath.
Day 3: Après-Ski & Cultural Misadventures
- Morning: One last valiant attempt to conquer the mountain! (See: mostly falling down). This time I tried to wear my camera! Big mistake. Huge.
- Late Morning: Apres-ski! (Okay, maybe not real après-ski. More like, "attempt to drink a beer" after a mountain of shame.) Spotted a cafe that had coffee and a beer so I took a seat and had some time alone to process the last few days!
- Afternoon: Decided to get out of the resort and into the town! A local market! The sights, the smells, the sheer chaos of it all… wonderful. Completely got lost. Eventually, found my way back. (Google Maps became my dearest friend.)
- Evening: Dinner. Found a restaurant serving Peking Duck. A perfect ending to the day!
Day 4: Departure – Mixed Emotions and Lingering Memories
- Morning: One last look at the snowy mountains. A pang of sadness – and relief. This trip was HARD WORK. But honestly? I loved it. Packing everything up, knowing I'll be back next year!
- Afternoon: Shuttle back to the airport. More cozy encounters with the shuttle driver. (Sigh.)
- Evening: Goodbye Zhangjiakou! The flight home. Exhausted, sunburnt (apparently, snow is deceptive), covered in a fine layer of dust, and filled with a strange mix of exhaustion and… happiness. I survived. And made memories. Imperfect, messy, wonderful memories. And I'm already dreaming of the next adventure!
- Post-Trip: Need a hot bath, a proper meal, and maybe… just maybe… a second trip to consider!
This itinerary is a rough guide, of course. Things will go wrong. You’ll get lost, probably at least once. You’ll say the wrong thing. You might even cry (maybe just me?). But that's the point. That’s the experience. Don't be afraid to wander off the "schedule," embrace the chaos, and laugh at yourself. Because honestly, that's half the fun. Now go, and make some (slightly disastrous) memories!
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Unbelievable Chongli Getaway: Holiday Inn Express Review - Seriously, Zhangjiakou (China)
Okay, spill the tea. Was the Holiday Inn Express in Chongli actually… good?
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this is a story. Look, "good" is a relative term, right? I'd classify it as 'functionally acceptable' with a hefty sprinkle of "China-weird." Expect pristine white sheets and a lobby that smells faintly of… well, I *think* it was air freshener, maybe pine. I’m still not sure. Did it ruin my trip? Absolutely not. Did it *enhance* it? Let's just say it provided some… unforgettable moments. More on those later.
What about the rooms? Were they clean-ish? Because let's be real, that's a huge deal.
Okay, the rooms. Here's the thing. They *looked* clean. Let me rephrase that. *Visually* clean. Sheets were white, towels were folded, and the bathroom… well, the bathroom was compact-friendly. It was small. Like, you could shower and brush your teeth simultaneously if you were feeling adventurous. The floor… I never, I mean *never*, took my socks off. Just a hunch, okay? And the cleaning staff? Bless their hearts. They clearly worked hard, but sometimes the "cleaned" just felt like a rearrangement of dust bunnies. Let's say I survived. I *thrived*. I'm still here writing this, right?
The breakfast. The all-important breakfast. Was it… edible? And what kind of bizarre culinary adventures awaited?
Oh, the breakfast. This is where things get… interesting. Picture this: a large, brightly lit room, filled with the aroma of… something. *Definitely* something. There was the usual suspects - toast, cereal, the questionable-looking scrambled eggs that had the texture of rubber cement. Then the *real* fun began. Think… pickled vegetables I couldn’t identify even with Google Translate (and let's be honest, Google Translate's Mandarin skills are better than mine), congee (rice porridge) that tasted suspiciously of yesterday's leftovers, and a selection of… well, let's call them "mystery meats". I’m pretty sure I saw a plate of chicken feet. Okay, I *know* I saw a plate of chicken feet. I took one tentative bite. It was... an experience. But hey, free breakfast! You can’t complain *too* much, right? (I may or may not have supplemented my diet with instant ramen from the local shop.) The coffee? Instant. Bitter. But caffeinated, which, after a day on the slopes, was absolutely necessary.
Okay, let’s talk location. How close was it to the ski slopes - the *real* reason we're here?
Location, location, location! It was a decent walk, or a short, probably affordable, taxi ride away. This is a *huge* plus. Seriously, trudging through the snowy streets of Chongli after a day of skiing is *not* fun. The hotel offered a shuttle bus, which was a godsend. Except, you know, the schedule was a bit… flexible. Let’s just say that sometimes, the shuttle resembled a game of musical chairs, except the music was replaced with the sound of frustrated skiers. But hey, eventually, you'd get there. Eventually.
Speaking of skiing...Did you actually *ski*? Tell me about the *real* reason you went. And the people!
Oh YES. The skiing! Absolutely incredible. This isn't a hotel thing, this is about CHONGLI. Just incredible snow, amazing slopes. And the people! The lift operators were mostly hilarious. All the language gap provided some amazing experiences. You could not understand each other and somehow you understood everything! And the other skiers? A mix of locals, expats, and the occasional bewildered tourist (like me). I watched a guy, in full gear, trying to navigate a pair of skis for the first time in his life. What a scene! What a joy. I am not a good skier, and I had the time of my life, this is the *real* reason to stay there. Amazing people, and amazing skiing.
What about the staff? Were they helpful, or did you spend the whole stay feeling like you were lost in translation?
Mixed bag, honestly. Some of the staff were genuinely lovely and tried their best to help, despite the language barrier. I'd give them all an "A" for effort. Others, well… let's just say my attempts at Mandarin weren’t exactly met with enthusiasm. Ordering a taxi felt like performing a mime act, but hey, we got there in the end. Expect lots of pointing, gesturing, and using Google Translate on your phone. Practice your "xie xie" (thank you) and "bu hao yi si" (excuse me) – they'll get you far. And be patient. Patience is key in China, especially in a less-touristy area like Chongli.
Did anything go horribly, hilariously wrong? Spill the tea, the *good* tea.
Oh, yes. This is the good stuff. One night, the fire alarm went off at 3 AM. I'm talking, blaring siren, flashing lights, the whole shebang. I stumbled out of my room, half-asleep, wrapped in a towel, and joined a gaggle of bewildered guests in the hallway. No one spoke English. No one knew what was happening. We stood there, shivering, waiting for someone to tell us whether we were about to die. Turns out… it was a false alarm. Caused by someone smoking in their room. I swear, it was a comedy of errors! We all just went back to bed, vaguely traumatized, but hey… it's a story for life, right?
So, the bottom line. Would you stay there again? Be honest, even if it's brutally so.
You know what? Yes. Look, it's not the Ritz-Carlton. Far from it. But for the price, the convenience to the slopes, and the sheer *experience*… I’d totally do it again. It’s a solid basecamp for some fantastic skiing. And honestly, the quirks are part of the charm. It's not perfect. It's not glamorous. But it's… memorable. If you're looking for a luxurious, pampered experience, maybe look elsewhere. If you are looking for a fun, adventurous trip, you will find yourself remembering, forever, the oddities of it all. Just pack some snacks (and maybe your own coffee). Embrace the chaos. You’ll have some epic stories to tell.
Any tips for surviving and thriving at the Holiday Inn Express in Chongli? Lay it on me.
