Beijing's Hidden Gem: Changpingfu Xuelu Inn - Unbelievable!
Beijing's Changpingfu Xuelu Inn: Unbelievable! …Or Just A Whole Lot of "Stuff"? (A Rambling Review)
Okay, strap in, folks. Because this isn't your average, sterile hotel review. This is my brain, post-Changpingfu Xuelu Inn. And honestly? I’m still processing. "Unbelievable"… yeah, that’s one way to put it. Let's dive in, shall we? And forgive me if I ramble – that's kind of my specialty.
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- Meta Description: My honest and quirky review of Beijing's Changpingfu Xuelu Inn! From accessible rooms to amazing spa experiences, I cover it all – the good, the messy, and the downright unbelievable. Find out if this hidden gem lives up to the hype! (Spoilers: It's complicated…)
Getting Started: Accessibility & Getting There (The "Okay, So, Where Is This Place?!")
First off, accessibility. I have to give the Xuelu Inn serious props here. Wheelchair accessible? Check. Seriously, I saw ramps, elevators, the whole shebang. Facilities for disabled guests? Yep. I felt like they’d actually thought about it, which is a HUGE plus. This isn't a token gesture, folks. This is a genuinely accessible hotel. Now, how easy is it to get there? That depends, doesn't it? I took advantage of the Airport transfer, which was smooth as silk. Car park [free of charge] and [on-site] are handy, too. And the Taxi service is readily available if you prefer. They even have a Car power charging station! Fancy!
The Room: From Wi-Fi to… Wait, Is That a Mirror?! (The Little Luxuries – and a Few Quirks)
Right, the room. Okay, let's start positive. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms?! Praise be! And it actually worked (unlike some places I've stayed). Internet access – LAN if you're old-school, like me. (And, trust me, it's always advisable to have a backup.) Air conditioning? Essential in Beijing, and it blasted out ice-cold air, which was brilliant. Blackout curtains? YES! Sleep is precious, people. In-room safe box? Check. Refrigerator? Necessary for those late-night snacks (which, let's be honest, are the best kind).
Now, for the quirks…
- That Mirror: Okay, this is going to sound weird, but the amount of strategically placed mirrors in that room was… unsettling. Like, everywhere. Reflecting angles, and causing me to question my general appearance, it felt like I was living in a funhouse. I spent way too long wondering if the placement was intentional, and then just gave up and started wearing a blindfold.
- Additional Toilet? Yes, there's an additional toilet. Why, you ask? Absolutely no idea.
- The Bed: The Extra long bed was just that - extra long. That was a godsend.
- The View: I could open the Window that opens, which was nice, though my view wasn’t exactly the most inspiring.
Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free].
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: My Stomach's Saga (Buffets, Booze, and a Bit of Bitter)
The Restaurants? Plural. Let's start with the good: the Buffet in Restaurant. Massive, glorious buffet. I may have overdone it a little. The Asian breakfast gave me a good start into the day. Western cuisine in restaurant was delicious. I had salad in restaurant, which was refreshing. Desserts in restaurant were fantastic.
Now, for the bad. Okay, not bad, but…
Missing the Mark: The Happy hour was… underwhelming. The cocktails were weak. The bar ambience… well, it needed a bit of work. The Poolside bar, while a nice idea, felt a bit neglected.
Room Food: The Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver when I got the midnight munchies.
Ways to Relax: Spa Days and Pool Views (Heavenly, and Somewhat Hectic)
Okay, the spa. This is where the Xuelu Inn really shines. Seriously, the Spa is worth the price of admission alone.
The Pool of Dreams: The Swimming pool [outdoor]! And not just any pool. A Pool with view! I spent hours lounging by that pool, gazing at the… well, I’m not entirely sure what I was gazing at, but it was pretty. And the pool was clean. The sun was warm. Life was good. This was the experience.
The Spa Magic: Got to try out the Sauna, Steamroom, Spa/sauna, and Foot bath. All bliss. I got a Body scrub and Body wrap, and I emerged feeling like a new human being. Then I ruined it all at the buffet. (Again.)
The Health Zone: I hit the Gym/fitness, which was well-equipped.
Cleanliness & Safety: My Germ-Free Reality (Or, At Least, I Hope So!)
This is where the Xuelu Inn stepped up big time, especially post-COVID.
They had Hand sanitizer. They also had Daily disinfection in common areas. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Rooms sanitized between stays? Seemed that way.
A lot of facilities had staff trained in safety protocol.
Services and Conveniences: The "Everything But the Kitchen Sink" Approach
The Xuelu Inn has everything. Seriously, everything.
- For Business: Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities.
- For Fun: Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events, Terrace.
- Services: Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Concierge. The Doorman was particularly helpful.
Things to Do, For the Kids, & Getting Around (A Mixed Bag of Options)
- The Kids: There's a Babysitting service and Kids facilities, which is great. Not being a kid, though, it had little to do with me.
- Getting Around: I appreciated the ease of the Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site].
The Verdict: Unbelievable, Indubitably (With a Healthy Dose of "Meh")
So, is the Changpingfu Xuelu Inn "unbelievable"? Well… yes and no. It’s a remarkable place, really. The spa is incredible, the accessibility is top-notch. But it’s not perfect. It’s a little chaotic at times. At times I felt like I was in a vortex of services. The buffet is a danger zone, but the pool, the spa, and the general level of effort put in, makes it worth it. 10/10 would recommend… with a disclaimer. Be prepared for a unique experience. And bring a blindfold, just in case.
Ioannina's Hidden Gem: Archontariki's Historic Charm Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is more like… a chaotic, delicious, slightly-burnt-on-the-edges travel diary of my time in Beijing. Specifically, Hi Inn Beijing Changpingfu Xuelu. Let's call it the "Great Beijing Blunder," shall we?
The Great Beijing Blunder: A Slightly Disastrous, Mostly Wonderful Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and All The Wrong Turns (Plus, Instant Regret about Beijing's Air Quality)
Morning (ish): Arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). My first thought? "Wow, this air is THICK." Seriously, I practically tasted the pollution. The airport was HUGE. Like, walk-across-a-continent-before-you-get-to-baggage-claim huge. My luggage (a delightfully optimistic carry-on) was nowhere to be found. Fantastic start.
Afternoon: Found my way, eventually, to the Airport Express Train. Smooth sailing! Until I missed my stop. Twice. Ended up wandering around some residential area looking for a taxi that didn't look like it was held together with duct tape. Finally, flagged one down that seemed trustworthy-ish.
Late Afternoon: Checked into Hi Inn Beijing Changpingfu Xuelu. The room was… well, it was a room. Clean enough, but the décor screamed "Budget Travel for the Soul-Weary." My excitement level dipped low. Then, the wifi was dodgy. I might have sworn aloud.
Evening: Attempted to find food. Wandered around the area, which looked like a construction site mixed with a bustling market. Found a tiny dumpling shop with a line around the block. Decided to be brave. Ordered something. No idea what it was. Spicy. Delicious. Burnt my tongue. Ate them all anyway. Stumbled back to the hotel, exhausted, overwhelmed, and vaguely terrified of what tomorrow held.
- Impression: Beijing is… intense. Already missing the clean air of, well, pretty much anywhere else.
Day 2: The Forbidden City and the Great Wall (Almost)
Morning: Woke up to the sounds of construction. Still no luggage. Decided to embrace the chaos. Hopped on the subway, which was a glorious, sweaty press of humanity. Smelled a lot of delicious food. Finally, arrived at the Forbidden City. And… holy moly. Size matters. Immense. Overwhelmingly beautiful. Got utterly lost within five minutes. Took a wrong turn that led to a secret garden. Found a quiet spot. Sat and just, you know, breathed.
- Anecdote: I saw a little boy trying to feed the pigeons. He looked so pleased with himself until a flock descended and practically devoured him. He burst into tears. It was adorable and a perfect microcosm of my own Beijing experience: overwhelming, a bit messy, but ultimately pretty charming.
Afternoon (the Great Wall Debacle): Decided to tackle the Great Wall. Found a bus, thought I understood the route. Wrong. Ended up at a random bus station an hour away. Cue frantic Googling for the right bus and hoping my limited Mandarin skills wouldn't fail. Found the bus! Finally. Arrived at the Mutianyu section of the wall. It was breathtaking. The sun was setting. Breathtaking… which is probably why I forgot to take photos. Climbed my way up, feeling like I was going to have a heart attack. The view from the top was incredible. Felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Then realized I hadn't brought any water. Walked back down, dehydrated and slightly delirious, swearing I'd learn Mandarin so next time I could bargain with a taxi driver.
Evening: Found a tiny hot pot restaurant with a smiling grandma running the show. The food was amazing. The conversation, a series of hand gestures and awkward smiles. Triumph! Slept like a (slightly sweaty) baby.
- Quirky Observation: Everyone in Beijing seems to carry a thermos. Seriously, it’s a national accessory. I need a thermos.
Day 3: The Temple of Heaven and the Hutongs (and Crushing Disappointment)
- Morning: Temple of Heaven. Stunning. Serene. Took about a million photos. Watched locals doing Tai Chi. Tried to copy them. Failed miserably. More evidence of the sheer lack of my coordination. Actually, I almost fell over.
- Good Emotion: The air, felt cleaner, somehow. A true moment of peace.
- Afternoon: Explored the Hutongs. Charming! Narrow streets. Rickshaws. Street food galore. Found a tiny cafe that made excellent coffee. Stumbled upon a calligraphy workshop. The teacher tried to teach me to write my name in Chinese. I made a mess. But he was patient.
- Late Afternoon/Evening: The MASSIVE FAILE: Peking Duck, and the worst restaurant experience of my life. Ok, this deserves its own, separate section. I had been dreaming of Peking Duck. Had read all the hype. Found a restaurant in a supposedly “authentic” Hutong. It was beautiful, traditional, everything I wanted… until the duck arrived. It was… dry. The pancakes were cold. The service was… nonexistent. I think they forgot about me. After waiting an hour, I flagged down someone (in increasingly bad Mandarin) to ask if my meal was coming. I was ignored. More waiting. Finally, I had to stop a waiter and have them explain to me that the duck was finished. I’d missed my opportunity. They offered to replace the duck, but I’d already been waiting for an hour and a half and had lost my entire will to live. By then, I was starving and angry. I’d become a giant, hangry, miserable ball of despair. Left without even finishing the meal because it was that bad. I then proceeded to wander, hungry, and heartbroken at the loss of my perfect Peking Duck, through the Hutong, feeling sorry for myself. I should've stayed at the hot pot place.
- Emotional Reaction: Rage. Disappointment. Utter despondency. The duck let me down. I'm still not over it.
Day 4: The Summer Palace, Market Madness and Departure (and a Tiny Triumph)
- Morning: The Summer Palace. Beautiful. Lakes. Gardens. More beautiful architecture. More tourists, but nothing too bad. Started to feel like I was actually seeing things.
- Afternoon: Visiting the silk market. It was pure chaos. Bargaining is key. I haggled. I succeeded. I bought way too much stuff, including a scarf I probably don't need and a jade pendant that may or may not be real jade.
- Late Afternoon: Went looking for a local bakery. Ordered something. It tasted amazing. Finally, a win!
- Evening: Goodbye Beijing. Found my bag! Finally! Realized that despite the chaos, the wrong turns, and the disastrous duck, I loved it. In a weird, slightly masochistic way. The city grabs you and doesn't let go, for better or worse.
- Messy Rambling: Maybe I'll come back. Maybe not. But I'll always remember the smell of the street food, the feeling of being utterly lost, and the moment atop the Great Wall when I thought I might actually die from the altitude.
Final Thoughts:
This trip was far from perfect. It was messy. It was often frustrating. But it was real. And that’s what matters. Beijing is a city that challenges you, overwhelms you, and sometimes, just makes you want to curl up and cry. But it's also a city that offers beauty, history, and a whole lot of delicious dumplings. I'd do it again… maybe just with a better map, a phrasebook, and a lot more patience for the Peking Duck situation. Godspeed.
Qingdao's BEST Kept Secret: Hanting Hotel Near Jimo Clothing City!
Changpingfu Xuelu Inn: The Unbelievable! (Prepare Yourselves...)
Okay, *unbelievable* is a strong word. Is Xuelu Inn actually *that* good? Spill the tea!
What's the deal with the food? I hear whispers of culinary legends...
Are the rooms actually *nice*? The photos always look too good to be true.
What is there *to do* besides eat pancakes and admire views? Seems a bit… quiet.
Tell me the *biggest* let-down or the absolute best thing that happened to you there. Get specific!
Would you go back? (Be honest now!)
