Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Starway Hotel, Urumqi's Hidden Gem!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on the Starway Hotel in Urumqi, and let me tell you, it's been a journey. Forget your perfectly curated Instagram feeds; this is the unfiltered, slightly rambly, and hopefully hilarious account of Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Starway Hotel, Urumqi's Hidden Gem!
First Impressions (or, "Did I even make it to the right place?")
Let's be honest, Urumqi. It's not exactly known for its… well, let’s just say it’s not Paris. My flight was delayed, the luggage felt heavier than my existential dread, and I was seriously questioning my life choices. Then, I saw the Starway. From the outside, it's… decent. Nothing that’ll make your jaw drop, but hey, clean lines are always a good start, right? (Although, the CCTV outside the property did give me a slight Big Brother vibe… more on that later).
Accessibility – The Good, The Okay, and The Maybe-Needs-A-Tweak
Okay, so Accessibility is a mixed bag. The lobby is reasonably wheelchair accessible, and the elevator is a godsend after the flight and the luggage. That's fantastic. I also noticed Facilities for disabled guests, which is always a huge plus. However, I didn’t get to see the rooms specifically for accessibility, so I can’t give a full report. Overall, a decent start, but there's room for improvement depending on the specific needs of the traveler.
Getting Connected – Wi-Fi, Internet, and the Digital Abyss
Thank GOD for the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! My first reaction upon walking into my room was, "ALRIGHT! Let's get this connected!" The Internet [LAN] was also available but let's be honest who uses a LAN wire in 2024? Internet access – wireless! - check! The Wi-Fi in public areas was also pretty reliable (though on a couple of occasions, it got a little shaky, like a relationship built on trust… and bad communication).
Cleanliness and Safety – My Inner Germaphobe Could Breathe Again!
Alright, this is where the Starway really shines. Post-pandemic, cleaning is a big deal for me (I'm basically an amateur germaphobe). The Hand sanitizer was strategically placed everywhere, the Daily disinfection in common areas was noticeable and made me feel safe. The Rooms sanitized between stays, and the fact they offered Room sanitization opt-out available was a huge plus. I was also very reassured to know that they use Anti-viral cleaning products. They definitely take Hygiene certification seriously.
Speaking of safety, there were Smoke alarms, a Fire extinguisher, and Security [24-hour]. That's comforting. And, yup, a First aid kit – because, let’s face it, I'm prone to tripping over my own feet. And CCTV in common areas again! I didn't feel unsafe really, but I'm not sure I needed that much security.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Fueling the Adventures (and the Carb Cravings)
Okay, food is important. I need fuel. The Restaurants are… well, they’re there. I'm a sucker for a Breakfast [buffet]. It was… okay. The Asian breakfast was a solid contender, with some delicious noodle dishes and steamed buns. They also had Western breakfast, for those suffering from a serious case of ham-and-eggs withdrawal. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was decent, and the Desserts in restaurant provided a much-needed sugar rush after a long day. A la carte in restaurant: Didn't try it, but it looked promising. There's a Poolside bar which I didn't get to use, but looked really nice. They also have a Coffee shop, and a Snack bar, which is perfect for a quick bite.
Here's a confession: one night, I ordered Room service [24-hour] because I was exhausted and the idea of leaving my comfy bed was appalling. The food wasn't Michelin Star quality, but it did the job. It was simple, satisfying, and I didn't have to put on pants.
Things to Do and Ways to Relax - Spa Day, Anyone?
So, this is where the "Unbelievable Luxury" part comes in, and honestly, they didn't disappoint. I'm not going to lie, I practically lived in the Sauna and the Steamroom. Absolute bliss. One day I decided to go to the Spa. The Body scrub was amazing, and the masseuse was a magician with pressure points. Next stop - Massage. I booked a massage. I'm still feeling the effects. The Spa/sauna combo is perfect for a day of relaxation. I didn't try the Foot bath; next time. The Gym/fitness had all the basics if you want to work off some calories, but I opted for more spa! The Swimming pool was beautiful, and, though I didn't get the chance to use it, there's a Pool with view. Total relaxation.
The Room – My Temporary Haven
The Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes! and I certainly appreciated it. Additional toilet: yes! This is always a plus. The Air conditioning was a lifesaver, especially after a day exploring the city. The Alarm clock was a helpful reminder. The best part was the Bathrobes. So comfy. They have a Bathtub and separate Shower. There's a Coffee/tea maker, and that's essential, of course. You get Daily housekeeping: They kept the place spotless.
The Extra long bed was just heavenly, and there's plenty of closet space. The Internet access – wireless was reliable and fast. My Laptop workspace was a great addition too. The Refrigerator kept my drinks cold. And the Seating area was the perfect place to relax after a long day. They offer Wake-up service, and Wi-Fi [free] – a must in the modern world.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange: Convenient. The Concierge was helpful. Daily housekeeping: Spotless! Doorman: Always smiling. Dry cleaning, Ironing service, and Laundry service: Super handy, I’m not gonna lie. The Elevator was a lifesaver. Luggage storage: No problems. There's a Convenience store that was very welcome. First aid kit: I didn't need it, but good to know it's there. Invoice provided: very professional.
For the Kids I saw a Babysitting service. I didn't need it, but I love that it's there. They also offer Family/child friendly options.
Getting Around
The Airport transfer was smooth. The Car park [free of charge]: Big bonus. Taxi service readily available.
Final Verdict
Look, the Starway Hotel in Urumqi isn't flawless. It's got some quirks, some areas for improvement, and maybe a little too much security for my liking. BUT… it's clean, comfortable, the spa is amazing, and the staff are genuinely friendly and helpful. It's a great base for exploring Urumqi, and a perfect place to unwind after a long day of, well, being in Urumqi.
Recommendation:
Considering safety a major concern from any traveller? The Starway Hotel is a great choice! The Starway Hotel is a great stay for families. They have a lot of options for children as well.
The Quirky Anecdote:
One evening, after a particularly intense session in the steam room, I wandered into the lobby in my bathrobe. I was immediately greeted by a very formal gentleman who offered me a cup of tea. He then, with a perfectly straight face, asked if I needed help checking my email. It was such a bizarre, hilarious moment, it really summed up the Starway experience – a mix of luxury, a little bit of awkwardness, and a whole lot of heart.
The Unbelievable Offer (You Can't Refuse!)
Escape to Urumqi and Indulge in Unforgettable Luxury!
Ready for a trip that's as refreshing and as your favorite soda? Look no further, because the Starway Hotel has a special offer just for you!
Book Your Stay Now and Receive:
- 20% Discount! (Use code STARWAY20) on all room bookings for stays longer than 3 nights.
- Free Spa Treatment! Enjoy a complimentary massage or body wrap per person, per stay.
- Complimentary Airport Transfer! Arrive and depart in comfort and style.
- Free Breakfast Upgrade! (From standard buffet to premium breakfast)
Don't miss out on this opportunity to discover a hidden gem and experience the Un
Antonia's Apartment: Your Majorca Dream Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because we're diving headfirst into a trip to the Starway Hotel Urumqi Exhibition Center in Urumqi, China. Forget pristine itineraries. This is going to be a glorious mess, a stream-of-consciousness rollercoaster of jet lag, spicy food, and questionable life choices. Let's go!
Urumqi Chaos: A Mostly Unorganized Adventure – Starway Hotel Edition
Day 1: Arrival of the Unprepared
- Morning (Probably around 2 AM, thanks to the time difference): Landed in Urumqi. The airport? Massive. Seriously, like, where are we going? Trying to navigate the customs process, which felt like a high-stakes game of charades with stern-faced officials. Lost my pen. Already. This is not a good sign. Finally, the joy of seeing my luggage emerge on the carousel. Phew. All made it - and got through customs. Feeling like a survivor.
- Afternoon (or what passes for afternoon, again, thanks to jet lag): Taxi ride to the Starway. Driver spoke approximately zero English. I deployed my rudimentary Mandarin, which, let's be honest, sounds more like a dying cat than actual Chinese. Somehow, we arrived. Check-in was a blur. The lobby was… well, functional. Not exactly the Ritz, but hey, a bed is a bed.
- Evening (Still Daylight? Who knows?): The hotel room. A symphony of beige. Okay, not complaining because the bed looked like a soft and inviting cloud. First impulse? Collapse. That's exactly what I did. Woke up two hours later, disoriented and desperately craving a snack. The vending machine had… interesting options. Mystery meat chips. Passed. Settled for a questionable-looking water bottle. Am I going to regret this? Definitely.
Day 2: The Silk Road Shuffle and Spicy Surprises
- Morning (Attempted Awakening): Breakfast at the hotel. Think lukewarm instant noodles and a vaguely sweet, mystery meat dumpling. The coffee? Let’s just say it was an experience. Briefly considered running to a nearby cafe. Decided to give the breakfast another try.
- Mid-day (The Grand Bazaar – or, Panic!): Okay, the Grand Bazaar. Massive! Overwhelming! Sensory overload in the best possible way. The colours! The smells! The sheer energy of the place. Got completely lost within the first hour. Wandered through stalls overflowing with carpets, spices, and enough dried fruit to feed a small army. Nearly bought a fake fur coat – impulse control, people! Found some delicious (and ridiculously spicy) lamb skewers. My mouth is still on fire. Totally worth it.
- Afternoon (Culture Shock and Comfort Food): Trying to find my way out of the bazaar felt like being trapped in a maze. Eventually, I stumbled out, blinking in the sunlight, and grabbed a taxi back to the hotel. The taxi driver took 10 minutes trying to explain the price of the travel and that I had not paid him enough money to buy the travel. I looked at the hotel room and sighed. The beige wasn't looking so bad this time. I tried to watch some of the local tv but was still recovering from the bazaar.
- Evening (Dinner Disaster, or Delight?): Dinner at a local restaurant. Ordered something that looked harmless on the menu. What arrived? A mountain of fiery, chilli-laden noodles that had my eyes watering and my nose running in a way that was not pretty. Loved it. Absolutely adored it. Nearly choked on a chilli, but it was worth it. Afterwards, I decided to cool down with a bowl of yogurt. I couldn't understand what the waiter said when I gestured to the yogurt. He seemed concerned. I ate it anyway. Turns out it was a local flavour and surprisingly delicious.
Day 3: The Heavenly Lake and Meltdown
- Morning (Trying to be a Tourist): Finally managed to arrange a tour to Tianchi Lake (Heavenly Lake). Beautiful pictures online, right?
- Mid-day (Heavenly Lake, or, The Crowd's the Real Monster?): The place, even with its beauty, was swarming—literally, a mob. Getting on the shuttle bus, I was pushed, shoved, and nearly trampled by a herd of selfie-stick-wielding enthusiasts. The lake itself? Stunning, yes. But the experience was almost ruined by the sheer volume of people.
- Afternoon (Emotional Collapse): The tour, and the people, felt like it broke something within. I needed to escape. Found a quiet spot, sat on a random rock, and had a full-blown, ugly-cry mini-meltdown. Jet lag, the spicy food, that mountain of people - it all just kind of… got to me. I was okay, eventually. Found a very weirdly good ice cream.
- Evening (Hotel Hiatus): Back at the Starway. Decided to eat at the hotel because I could not bear to leave, I ordered what I thought was plain noodles. It came with a huge bowl of spiced oil. I learned, I love spice. I watched some Chinese TV.
Day 4: The Hunt for Normalcy
- Morning (Attempted Breakfast): The usual. Instant noodles, mystery meat. The coffee is still a challenge. I did manage to find a place selling delicious pastries close to the hotel. I had three.
- Mid-day (Shopping for souvenirs): Found a market stall selling some interesting teas. Trying my best to bargain - which mostly involved me waving my hands around and saying "too much!" a lot.
- Afternoon (Packing, or, the Art of Cramming): The dreaded task. My suitcase looks like it exploded. The hotel room looks like a bomb went off. Can I get everything in? Doubtful. Will I just buy a second suitcase at the airport? Possibly.
- Evening (Farewell Feast (and Flight Anxiety)): Finding a restaurant for a last supper. The last supper was delicious. So good. So spicy. Heading for the airport. Getting nervous. Goodbye, Urumqi.
Final Thoughts:
Urumqi was a wild ride. A messy, chaotic, occasionally overwhelming ride. I loved it! I hated it! I loved the chaos, the food, the people (even the selfie-stick mob). The Starway Hotel? Perfectly adequate. Exactly what I needed. It's not the Ritz, but it served as a base camp for the adventure. Will I always remember what happened? Probably not! But I can't wait to look back at what happened. Maybe I will even visit again one day.
This itinerary is not an exhaustive travel guide, it is a snapshot of my honest experience in Urumqi. My hope is you can visit and have experiences of your own to see. Don't be afraid to get lost, eat something weird, and have a good cry. That's what makes it a good adventure.
Luxury Escape: Lovelady Shield Hotel, Alston, UK - Your Dream Getaway Awaits!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Starway Hotel, Urumqi's Hidden Gem! (But Seriously, Is It?) - Your Absolutely Unfiltered Guide
Okay, spill the tea – is the Starway Hotel *actually* luxurious? Like, did you feel like you were royalty? Or just…slightly less impoverished?
Alright, alright, settle down! The word "luxury" gets thrown around like confetti these days, doesn't it? Look, yes, the Starway *aims* for luxury. Marble floors? Check. Giant, fluffy beds that swallow you whole? Check. A staff that (mostly) speaks English and tries *really* hard to cater to your every whim? Check. But... did I suddenly transform into a Kardashian overnight? No. Did I feel like I was being catered to by a small army? Also, no.
The truth is, it's luxury *for Urumqi*. Which is a very different thing. My first impression? "Wow, this is fancy…" My *second*? "Wait, is that dust on the chandelier? And is that… a slightly suspicious stain on the carpet?" Details, details, people! Let's just say it's a fascinating blend of opulence and slightly-less-than-pristine reality. And honestly? I kind of dig it. It's got character. And the beds? Oh, those beds… I could have willingly spent a week hibernating in one. They're like marshmallow clouds.
What’s the deal with the location? Convenient for…what, exactly? And how much yak butter did you encounter getting there? (Because, you know, Urumqi.)
Okay, location… Let's be brutally honest. Urumqi is not exactly known for its charming, walkable neighborhoods. The Starway is… well, it’s *there*. It’s not right in the heart of the bustling city center, which is either a blessing or a curse, depending on your tolerance for honking horns and crowds.
The hotel is a good starting point for exploring the local attractions. The Grand Bazaar is reachable by taxi, or if you're feeling adventurous, the local bus. As for the yak butter situation…look, if you're expecting to encounter yak butter *everywhere* in Urumqi, you might be disappointed. But it’s quite the local thing as well. You'll probably find it in the local tea shops, which is a great place for people-watching (and trying to figure out what everyone’s *talking* about – the language barrier in Xinjiang is…a challenge, but a lovely one!).
Talk to me about the food! The reviews rave about the restaurant. Did you have any culinary epiphanies? Did you find yourself weeping with joy over a particularly well-cooked lamb kebab?
The food… ah, the food! Alright, buckle up, because this is a story. The Starway's restaurant *does* get a lot of praise. And honestly? It’s pretty darn good. The breakfast buffet is a marathon, not a sprint. Mountains of local bread, fresh fruit (when in season, watch out for the melons!), and a wide variety of… well, interesting options. I may or may not have sampled everything on offer in my first 24 hours.
The lamb kebabs! Oh, sweet merciful gods, the lamb kebabs. I'm not exaggerating when I say I considered eloping with one. Perfectly seasoned, juicy, charred to perfection… it was a religious experience. I wouldn’t say I was *weeping* – though my eyes may have gotten a little misty. Okay, maybe I shed a single, glorious tear. Don’t judge me. It involved a lot of delicious grease running down my fingers, and I wouldn't have it any other way. The other meals were also great, with local options and international. The staff was very kind in helping choose for me. It was just marvelous, I should say. Just… marvelous.
Did you use the spa? Was it as luxurious as the marketing materials promised? Or did you end up covered in questionable massage oil and regretting your life choices?
The spa… right. I approached it with a healthy dose of skepticism. Marketing is rarely reality, am I right? The brochure promised a tranquil oasis, a haven of relaxation, a place where all my worries would melt away like ice cream on a summer day.
The *actual* spa experience? It was… an experience. It wasn't *bad*, per se. The massage was decent, but the atmosphere was slightly… clinical. The lighting was a bit bright. The music wasn't quite as calming as promised. And yes, there *may* have been a moment where I questioned the provenance of the massage oil. Let's just say it smelled vaguely of… something I couldn't quite identify. But hey, I survived! And my muscles felt a little looser. I'd give it a solid… B-? Don't base your entire Starway experience on the spa, but it's there if you need a rubdown.
What about the staff? Were they genuinely helpful and friendly? Or did you feel like you were constantly battling a language barrier and a general lack of enthusiasm?
The staff… a mixed bag, just like everywhere! The front desk staff were usually efficient and helpful, though I sometimes felt like I was playing charades. There's a language barrier, of course, but they try *hard*. They are genuinely trying to make your stay as comfortable as possible. And in my experience? That goes a long way. The people were absolutely wonderful.
Some of the other staff members were absolute gems. The woman who always greeted me at breakfast with a huge smile, the guy who helped me navigate the hotel's labyrinthine corridors when I inevitably got lost (several times)… little things like that made a big difference. And occasionally there's the little things, the dust on the counter or the elevator is slow, but that is just a part of the experience.
Did I have a few communication hiccups? Absolutely. Did I end up eating something I didn't order once? Maybe. Did I have a delightful experience with the people? Yes. It wasn't perfect. But it was *real*. And that's what I liked. The staff just made it absolutely amazing.
Give me the TL;DR: Would you recommend the Starway Hotel to a friend? Should I book it RIGHT NOW, or is there a catch?
Alright, fine. THE TL;DR. The Starway Hotel? It's worth it. It's not the Ritz. But it's a damn good option in Urumqi. The rooms are comfortable. The food is mostly fantastic. The staff is trying their level best. The beds are heavenly.
The catch? It's Urumqi. Embrace the imperfections. Embrace the slightly grimy glitz. Embrace the fact that you’re probably going to get lost at least once. And most importantly, embrace those lamb kebabs. Book it? Yeah, probably. Especially if you're looking for a Western-style experience and a bit more comfort than a budget hostel. Just keep your expectations somewhat grounded. And maybe bring your own bottle of hand sanitizer. Seriously, youMountain Stay
