Shenyang's BEST Hotel Near Olympic Center? (Jinjiang Inn Review!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the whirlwind that is the Jinjiang Inn, Shenyang, your BEST bet near the Olympic Center… or at least, that's what the brochures say. Let's be real, navigating a hotel review is like trying to assemble IKEA furniture after a double espresso. But hey, I'm here, armed with a keyboard and a questionable sense of decorum, to tell you the TRUTH.
First Impressions (and a bit of a Grumble): I arrived after a brutal flight delay, already smelling faintly of airplane peanuts and despair. The Jinjiang Inn. Okay. It’s… functional. No breathtaking lobby art here, folks, more like a slightly sterile waiting room. BUT! The front desk staff? Surprisingly friendly. They didn't roll their eyes at my jet lag-induced babbling, and even pointed me towards the free water bottles, my dehydrated salvation. Score one point, Jinjiang Inn.
Accessibility & Safety: Let's Get Practical (and a little whiny)
- Wheelchair Accessible? Okay. Let's address this head-on. The website claims accessibility. While it's mostly okay, you should be sure to call ahead and verify with the hotel, as sometimes, translation can be tricky. Look, if accessibility is REALLY important, get a professional review.
- Cleanliness & Safety: This is where the Jinjiang Inn shines. I noticed daily disinfection in common areas. They're REALLY on top of the sanitizing game. I saw staff with those little spray machines in the hallways. And I’m a germaphobe, so… applause. The anti-viral cleaning products made me feel… (relatively) safe. They also had hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. They also had CCTV in common areas and outside the property. Peace of mind, people. Peace of mind.
- Room Sanitization Opt-Out? Didn't see this option.
- Staff Trained in Safety Protocol? Definitely. They seemed to be following procedures meticulously.
- Hygiene Certification? Didn't notice a specific certification but cleanliness throughout the hotel was definitely a priority.
- Rooms Sanitized Between Stays? Yep. Standard practice, which is reassuring.
- Safety deposit boxes: Available! Always a bonus.
- Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, etc.: All present and accounted for. Glad to see them!
My Takeaway: The Jinjiang Inn genuinely seemed to prioritize safety and hygiene. This is a HUGE plus, especially in today’s world.
The Room: My Personal Bubble (and a Few Quirks)
- "Available in all rooms"
- Air conditioning: Essential and reliable.
- Alarm clock: Old-school, but works.
- Bathrobes: Nope.
- Bathroom phone: Nope. (Good! Less to sanitize.)
- Bathtub: Depends on the room type
- Blackout curtains: Bless them. Jet lag's a beast.
- Carpeting: Yes. Uh oh.
- Closet: Standard.
- Coffee/tea maker: Yes! Essential.
- Complimentary tea: Nice touch.
- Daily housekeeping: Immaculate. Seriously, they're cleaning all the time.
- Desk: Functional.
- Extra long bed: Comfortable!
- Free bottled water: Hallelujah!
- Hair dryer: Functional.
- High floor: Check! (Great views…ish.)
- In-room safe box: Present and correct.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Didn’t ask, but good to know.
- Internet access – LAN: Yes. (Old-school, I know.)
- Internet access – wireless: Super fast and easy.
- Ironing facilities: Yep.
- Laptop workspace: Desk does the trick.
- Linens: Clean and fresh.
- Mini bar: Nope.
- Mirror: Enough to check for airplane-induced bedhead.
- Non-smoking: YES!
- On-demand movies: Surprisingly extensive selection (but mostly in Chinese).
- Private bathroom: Standard.
- Reading light: Present and working.
- Refrigerator: Yes. (Good for late-night snacks.)
- Safety/security feature: Yup. Key card access.
- Satellite/cable channels: Meh.
- Scale: Nope. (Thank goodness!)
- Seating area: The bed doubles as a seating area.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Depends on the room.
- Shower: Functional.
- Slippers: Nope.
- Smoke detector: Praise be.
- Socket near the bed: Essential! Phone charging station.
- Sofa: Nope.
- Soundproofing: Okay. You can hear the occasional hallway chatter.
- Telephone: Not a rotary dial, thank goodness.
- Toiletries: Basic. Bring your own conditioner!
- Towels: Soft and fluffy.
- Umbrella: Didn't see one.
- Visual alarm: Didn't see one.
Quirky Observations: The room was… clean. Really clean. And functional. Think… IKEA showroom after a minimalist makeover. It's not opulent, but it's comfortable enough to plop down after a long day. The blackout curtains were a godsend, masking the city's relentless neon glow. I did notice a slight smell… not bad, just… "hotel-y." You know, a mix of cleaning products and… something else. But, hey, I can’t complain! I also REALLY liked how the bed was situated since I could plug my phone in easily!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Beast (or My Stomach)
- Restaurants: Yes! A restaurant located in the hotel.
- Asian breakfast: Available, and pretty great.
- Breakfast [buffet]: YES! The buffet! A glorious spread of, well, mostly Asian breakfast fare. I mean, there's the usual congee, some questionable… things in sauce, noodles, some pastries, and a surprising array of fruit. The coffee, however, was about as strong as dishwater.
- Other:
- Coffee shop: Didn't see one.
- Room service: 24-hour (but a limited menu). Perfect for those midnight snack cravings.
- Snack bar: Didn't see one.
- Bottle of water: Provided.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes!
My Takeaway: The breakfast buffet is a mixed bag, but the convenience and (mostly) delicious food make up for the coffee.
Services and Conveniences: The Nitty-Gritty
- Facilities for disabled guests: Mentioned the need to verify.
- Business facilities: Standard, like meeting rooms.
- Concierge: Present at the front desk, helpful.
- Currency exchange: Yes.
- Daily housekeeping: Impeccable.
- Elevator: Yay!
- Laundry service & Dry cleaning: Yes.
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Parking: Free! Always a win.
- Convenience store: Yes.
- Internet: Fast and reliable Wi-Fi in all rooms!
- Taxi service Yes.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (or, Attempt to Relax)
- Fitness center: Present
- Spa and Spa/sauna: Nope
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Nope
My Takeaway: No spa. No pool. The Jinjiang Inn is not about luxurious pampering. It's about efficient, clean, comfortable lodging.
Getting Around:
- Airport transfer: available (check with the hotel).
- Car park Yes.
- Taxi service: Yes.
For the Kids:
- Family/child friendly: Yes.
- Babysitting service: Not sure. Verify with the hotel.
Final Verdict (with a bit of rambling):
Okay, so the Jinjiang Inn isn't the Ritz. It’s not going to give you Instagrammable moments of pure luxury. BUT, what it does offer is a clean, safe, and comfortable base of operations, especially if you're planning on spending most of your time exploring the Olympic Center and the surrounding area. The staff is friendly, and the location is convenient.
It's not perfect. Nothing is! The Jinjiang Inn is a solid choice. If you're looking for a no-frills, value-for-money hotel that prioritizes cleanliness and convenience, especially near the
Escape to Paradise: La Pace Boutique Resort, Had Nes, Israel
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into my chaotic adventure at the Jinjiang Inn Shengyang South Tower Olympic Sports Center in Shenyang, China. This isn't your polished, Instagram-ready travel guide. This is the raw, unfiltered, and probably slightly sleep-deprived reality.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Wall of Noodles (and Regret)
- 14:00 - Arrive at Taoxian International Airport (SHE). Okay, the airport itself? Fine. Clean, efficient, all that jazz. But the real adventure started with the taxi. My Mandarin is… well, let's just say "lost in translation" is an understatement. I ended up pointing frantically at a map and muttering "Jinjiang Inn! Olympic Sports Center!" like a crazed parrot until, miraculously, we arrived. The driver, a stoic fellow with a permanent frown, probably thought I was insane. I wouldn't blame him.
- 15:00 - Check into Jinjiang Inn. Ah, the Inn. It's… functional. Clean enough, the staff is friendly enough (though my Mandarin skills still caused some awkwardness), but the décor is… a sea of beige. Seriously, the beige-ness is overwhelming. It's like being swallowed by a giant, beige marshmallow. But hey, the bed seems comfy, which is all that matters after a long flight.
- 16:00 - Mission: Snack Acquisition. I needed food. Immediately. Wandered the streets surrounding the hotel, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of options. I finally settled on a small noodle shop. The noodles looked amazing, the broth smelled divine… until I took a bite. Oh, the spice. My mouth was on fire! I was sweating, gasping for air, and trying to maintain a semblance of dignity while simultaneously trying to figure out how to ask for a bottle of water. Eventually, after much flailing and pointing, I got a bottle. The noodles were, admittedly, delicious (once my taste buds recovered). Lesson learned: always ask about the spice level. Always.
- 19:00 - Dinner and a Stroll (with a side of confusion). I tried to navigate the streets again for actual dinner. Ended up near a brightly lit food court. Found a dumpling place. Excellent choice. I over-ordered, of course, but who can resist a steaming basket of juicy dumplings? Strolled around the area a little more, blinking at all the neon lights and figuring out the public transportation system. It's like a puzzle, but with more people staring at you.
Day 2: The Olympic Spirit (and a Serious Case of Foot Fatigue)
- 09:00 - Attempt at Breakfast. The hotel, bless its beige little heart, has a "breakfast" option. I use the term "breakfast" loosely. It was a buffet of slightly suspect-looking dumplings, lukewarm congee, and something that resembled a sausage. I ate a piece of toast and gave up.
- 10:00 - Olympic Sports Center Exploration: Okay, the sports center itself? Impressive. Seriously huge. I spent a good hour wandering around, feeling utterly dwarfed by the scale of the place. I'm not a huge sports person, but the architecture was striking. There’s a particular monument that I think I’ll never forget. It's so beautiful. The sheer size left a lasting impression. It made me feel… insignificant, in a good way.
- 13:00 - Lunch with a View (of more Beige). Back to a local spot for lunch. They didn’t speak English, but the food was good, hearty, and cheap. I even managed to order something that wasn’t fiery hot.
- 15:00 - The Great Park Walk (and the Great Blister Hunt). There's a park nearby. Lovely, supposedly. I walked probably twenty or more miles. My feet started to scream. I ended up giving in and buying a local remedy from a street vendor. I think I was being sold something, but it really helped.
- 19:00 - Dinner and the Karaoke Predicament. I spotted a karaoke place while walking around and was immediately intrigued. However, my Mandarin is limited. I ended up just gesturing and hoping for the best. I think the staff was both amused and a little concerned. I ended up making a new friend!
Day 3: Departure (and the Quest for a Decent Coffee)
- 08:00 - The Coffee Conundrum. Finding decent coffee in this city is proving to be a challenge. I am starting to get withdrawal symptoms. I found a small Western-style café. The coffee was the best I’ve had in days, and honestly, it made all of the chaos of the trip worth it.
- 09:00 - Packing and Last-Minute Regret. The usual. Packing is a skill I haven’t mastered. There's always too much, and I always forget the essentials.
- 10:00 - Taxi to the Airport. Back to the stoic taxi driver, back to the airport, back to reality.
Final Thoughts:
Shenyang? Wild. Wonderful. A little overwhelming at times. The Jinjiang Inn? Perfectly adequate, but its beige-ness will forever be seared into my memory. Would I go back? Absolutely. Those dumplings alone were worth the trip. And the coffee. Please, someone send me good coffee. I miss it already.
And that, my friends, is how I spent a few days in Shenyang. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't glamorous, but it was real. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
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Okay, Spill the Tea: Is Jinjiang Inn REALLY the "BEST" Hotel Near the Olympic Center? (And What Does "Best" Even MEAN?!)
The Room: Spartan Chic or Hostel Horror? Give Me the Truth!
Breakfast: A Feast Fit for a King, or a Culinary Crime? (Be Honest!)
The Staff: Angels or Aliens? What's the Service REALLY Like?
Location, Location, Location: Seriously, Is It REALLY Close to the Olympic Center?
Any Hidden Gems or "Gotchas" I Need to Know About?
Overall, Should I Book the Jinjiang Inn? (Give it to Me Straight!)
