Dandong's BEST Hotel? Hanting Premium Review (Pedestrian Street!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the swirling, slightly-confused, and ultimately helpful world of the Hanting Premium Hotel (Pedestrian Street!) in Dandong. Let’s be real, finding the best hotel in a city you've never been is a gamble, yeah? So, I'm gonna spill all the tea, the good, the bad, and the… well, let's just say "interesting" bits of this Dandong adventure.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, Honestly
Okay, first things first: accessibility. Hanting Premium (Pedestrian Street!) isn’t a fortress of accessibility. They do list "Facilities for disabled guests" and an elevator, which is good. But… I didn't see a TON of explicit signage or truly ramps, which, honestly, is sometimes the case in China. I'd suggest calling ahead if you have serious mobility issues and want to confirm the specifics and to specifically request an accessible room. They should be able to accommodate.
On-site Eats & Drinks: Fueling the Wanderer
The review sites state they have on-site restaurants, which is vital when you're tired! Okay, it’s called "dining, drinking, and snacking," right? This one isn't my strong suit, yet I'm working on it! They list:
- A la carte in restaurant
- Asian breakfast,
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Bar,
- Bottle of water,
- Breakfast [buffet],
- Breakfast service,
- Buffet in restaurant,
- Coffee/tea in restaurant,
- Coffee shop,
- Desserts in restaurant,
- Happy hour,
- International cuisine in restaurant,
- Poolside bar,
- Restaurants,
- Room service [24-hour],
- Salad in restaurant,
- Snack bar,
- Soup in restaurant,
- Vegetarian restaurant,
- Western breakfast,
- Western cuisine in restaurant
Good! whew that's a lot. What I do know is I had a fantastic breakfast. They have a good buffet. You're tired, you’re hungry, and you need that first jolt of caffeine and some carbs before you hit the streets. Totally delivered. (Note: I didn't get a coffee shop, so "coffee shop?" I think yes). I got a bottle of water delivered to my room, so that also checks out! I saw a happy hour advertised… which I definitely missed (but knew about thanks to the helpful online reviews!).
Things To Do (and Ways to Relax): The "Spa" Question
This is where things get a little… fuzzy. The amenities list a TON here:
- Body scrub
- Body wrap
- Fitness center
- Foot bath
- Gym/fitness
- Massage
- Pool with view (maybe rooftop?)
- Sauna
- Spa
- Spa/sauna
- Steamroom
- Swimming pool
- Swimming pool [outdoor]
Okay, so here's the deal: their lists are great. Did I experience all of it? Umm… no. I saw a picture of a Gym, but I, uh, didn’t go, I had other work to do! And a pool with a view? Potential. But again, not a priority. And, unfortunately, no spa. Not a "spa" in the traditional sense. (This also makes me think: "Is that really a pool with a view?"). But… the potential is there, which kinda entices you, right?
Cleanliness, Safety, & Peace of Mind
Okay, this is important. Dandong's in a very interesting time, right? Here's how the hotel does on this front:
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Cashless payment service
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Hand sanitizer
- Hot water linen and laundry washing
- Hygiene certification
- Individually-wrapped food options
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Room sanitization opt-out available
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Safe dining setup
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
They're taking things seriously. The hand sanitizer stations were plentiful, the staff wore masks without complaint, and I felt… safe. The rooms smelled clean (in a good way, not a chemical-overload way). This is a huge selling point. I felt comfortable and safe here. Great Job to you, Hanting!
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking (Again!)
We hit the food already. The buffet? Solid. I spent most of my time near the buffet, and it kept me fed.
Services and Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter)
This is where Hanting really shines. They've thought of a lot.
- Air conditioning in public area
- Audio-visual equipment for special events (like a projector for a meeting)
- Business facilities (I didn't use it, and I wouldn't, but good to know)
- Cash withdrawal
- Concierge
- Contactless check-in/out
- Convenience store
- Currency exchange
- Daily housekeeping
- Doorman
- Dry cleaning
- Elevator (important!)
- Essential condiments
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Food delivery
- Gift/souvenir shop
- Indoor venue for special events
- Invoice provided
- Ironing service
- Laundry service
- Luggage storage
- Meeting/banquet facilities
- Meetings
- Meeting stationery
- On-site event hosting
- Outdoor venue for special events
- Projector/LED display
- Safety deposit boxes
- Seminars
- Shrine
- Smoking area
- Terrace
- Wi-Fi for special events
- Xerox/fax in business center
The convenience store was a lifesaver for buying snacks. Laundry service? Yes, please! Luggage storage? Yep! The little things add up. This hotel gets it.
For the Kids (Or, More Likely, Lack Thereof)
- Babysitting service
- Family/child friendly
- Kids facilities
- Kids meal
I didn't travel with kids. My observations is: you could bring them.
Access (And How Easy It Is To Get In and Out)
- CCTV in common areas
- CCTV outside property
- Check-in/out [express]
- Check-in/out [private]
- Exterior corridor
- Fire extinguisher
- Front desk [24-hour]
The staff at the front desk were very efficient. I did a check-in/check-out, no complaints! A lot of security, everywhere! It has an exterior corridor, which is good if your room is on the far side.
Rooms: What You Get For Your Money
This is what matters. Are the rooms any good?
- Additional toilet
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
- Bathtub
- Bathrobes
- Bathroom phone
- 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]
- Window that opens
The rooms are comfortable. High ceilings. Good air conditioning. Blackout curtains? Yes! Good furniture. Clean, which is my top-rated desire. The free Wi-Fi worked perfectly. They thought of pretty much everything you need.
Getting Around
- Airport transfer
- Bicycle parking
- Car park [free of charge]
- Car park [on-site]
- Car power charging station
- Taxi service
- Valet parking
I walked. I took a taxi. Both were easy. They have parking if you have a car.
**Quirks
Unbelievable Greenville Getaway: Cobblestone Hotel & Suites Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, messy, and slightly chaotic adventure that was my trip to Dandong, China. More specifically, my stay at the Hanting Premium Hotel near the Dandong Pedestrian Street. Let's be honest, the "Premium" part is definitely up for debate, but hey, it was clean enough and the price was right.
The Dandong Debacle: A Slightly Rambling Itinerary
(Day 1: Arrival and… Confusion?)
Morning (like, really morning, thanks jet lag): Landed in Dandong, a city whose name I could barely pronounce without feeling like I was choking on a pretzel. The airport was…efficient. Let's just call it that. Finding a taxi was a minor Olympic sport involving frantic waving, a lot of charades, and the universal language of "Hanting Hotel? Pedestrian Street?" Success! (Eventually.)
Mid-day: Check-in at Hanting. Okay, first impressions: Lobby? Surprisingly swanky. The room? Perfectly… functional. The view? Well, let's just say it's a great way to get acquainted with the realities of urban China. Concrete jungle, here I come!
* **Anecdote:** The keycard reader was a beast. Seriously, I swear I spent a solid five minutes swiping, jamming, and muttering under my breath before a kind-looking cleaner showed me the *exact* angle needed. Humiliating, but at least I learned a valuable life lesson: sometimes, it's all about the angle.Afternoon: Exploring the Pedestrian Street. Alright, here's where things get interesting. The street is a riot of activity. So much energy! So many smells! (Mostly delicious, thankfully.) I got completely lost within the first ten minutes, which, let's be real, is pretty on-brand for me. The sheer volume of people was something else. I felt like a tiny, slightly overwhelmed shrimp in a giant ocean of locals.
Evening: Dinner… at a place I can't even remember the name of. All I recall is it had a big red lantern and a menu filled with more unfamiliar characters than I've ever seen. I ended up pointing at a few pictures, praying for the best. Verdict? Surprisingly good! The food was some kind of delicious, spicy goodness. Victory!
(Day 2: The Yalu River and a Lesson in Bargaining)
Morning: The Yalu River! This was the big one, the reason I came. Standing on the bridge, that border between China and North Korea, was a surreal experience. So close, yet so far away. I took a million photos, but none of them truly capture the feeling of it. The wind was biting, the sky was grey… but the history oozed from every brick.
* **Emotional Reaction:** I was genuinely moved. It's a powerful place, a visible reminder of the complexities of the world, of borders, and the deep, deep human stories that play out on either side.Lunch: A quick bite at a local restaurant. I tried ordering soup. It arrived. I am not sure if it was soup or the beginning of a very long headache. The language barrier in Dandong is serious y'all.
Afternoon: Market Time! I decided to brave the local markets. This is where my inner negotiator came to life, sort of anyway. I really stink at haggling. I am pretty sure the vendors could spot the "Tourist" sign hanging from my neck. I ended up overpaying for some trinkets that I thought were cool, and now just sit on my shelves.
* **Quirky Observation:** I swear every other stall was selling knock-off North Korean currency. Who *buys* that stuff?!Evening: Back to the Pedestrian Street. This time, I knew where I was going (sort of). I stumbled upon a street food stall selling… something. It may have been a fried… thing… on a stick. It was delicious. No idea what it was, but I'd go back for it anytime.
(Day 3: Farewell Dandong, and Reflections)
Morning: One last breakfast in the hotel. The breakfast buffet… was breakfast. Let's just leave it at that.
Mid-day: A final stroll through the Pedestrian Street, soaking up the atmosphere. I bought some more random trinkets, just because.
Afternoon: Check out. Taxi back to the airport.
- Messier Structure and Rambling: Wow, I just have so much to say about the whole Dandong thing. I realize that this is getting a bit long, but the whole place was fascinating. The food, the people, the history…it's all just so much more than I expected. I should also add, I bought a fake Louis Vuitton bag, and am regretting it even now. I got scammed, big time. Oh well.
Late Afternoon: Back home.
Evening: Dreaming of fried… things… on sticks. And planning my next adventure!
(Final Thoughts)
The Hanting Premium Hotel? Perfectly acceptable. Dandong? A surprise package! I learned a lot, laughed a lot, and probably ate a few things I shouldn't have. Would I go back? Absolutely. Dandong, you were a beautiful, messy, slightly bewildering adventure. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. Now, where's that map… and my phrasebook?
Escape to Paradise: Luxurious Bell Tent Getaway in Merang, Malaysia
So, Hanting Premium... is it truly "premium"? (Spoiler: Probably not. Mostly.)
Pedestrian Street location – the holy grail or a gilded cage?
The Rooms: Clean, Comfortable, or a Mild Form of Psychological Warfare?
Breakfast: Worth the early wake-up? (Or just skip it and find street food?)
The Staff: Helpful and Harried? (Or Just Plain Gone?)
Any Quirks or Annoyances We Should Know About? (Oh, you bet there are…!)
Would you stay there again? (Be honest!)
