Shanghai's Hidden Gem: Mudanjiang Road's Hi Inn Awaits!
Shanghai's Hidden Gem… or Maybe Just a Really Tired Traveler's Dream? Hi Inn Mudanjiang Road - A Chaotic, Yet Surprisingly Comfy Review.
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups. You're about to get the unvarnished truth about Hi Inn on Mudanjiang Road in Shanghai. Forget the perfectly curated travel blogs; this is the real deal, from a weary traveler who's just survived a week of dumplings and questionable karaoke. Honestly? This place is… something.
First Impressions: Elevator Blues and a Blast of Air Con (and Ambivalence)
The first thing that hits you at Hi Inn (after, you know, the Shanghai humidity) is the elevator. Now, I'm not a particularly impatient person, but I swear that thing takes longer to ascend than it takes to read War and Peace. Especially when you've just lugged your suitcase the size of a small car up here. The hotel does have an elevator (which is listed so it's a plus!), which is essential for anyone with mobility issues. Accessibility? Check.
But hey, once you're inside, the air conditioning is blissful. And the lobby? Clean enough. It's definitely not winning any design awards, but everything seems to be in working order. It kind of feels sterile, in a good way.
Rooms: A Haven (Maybe) of Sanity in Shanghai's Chaos
My room? Let's just say it was a sanctuary after navigating the city's hustle. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! (More on that later.) The Air conditioning worked like a champ, which is an absolute MUST in Shanghai's summer. The Blackout curtains were a godsend for battling jet lag. And the bed? Surprisingly comfortable. (Though the pillows, let's be honest, were a bit… lumpy.) I definitely needed the extra long bed, being that I am taller than the average person.
Now, for my "stream-of-consciousness" bit: I'm a very organized person, so I had to laugh when I couldn't find a place to put my luggage, until I noticed the secret compartment. It was a closet! It was perfect! Okay… It had some issues, but it was there.
The bathroom was… functional. Clean enough, with a shower that actually had decent water pressure. Bonus points for the bathrobes, and slippers - it elevated the room to a whole different level of comfort, it felt luxurious. The complimentary tea was a nice touch, too, especially after a long day of sightseeing. Although, my tiny refrigerator held exactly one bottle of water and that was it. They need to up their game on this!
Okay, Time to Talk About the Wi-Fi… Because, Oh God, the Wi-Fi.
I mentioned the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms, right? Well, here’s the catch: it's a gamble. Sometimes it's lightning fast. Sometimes, the connection is so spotty you feel like you're back in the dial-up era. You might even have to reboot your router. I’m not joking. Honestly, I spent more time trying to connect than I did actually using it. This is a HUGE bug bear of mine. I have to work sometimes!
The Internet access – LAN was also available, which I didn't attempt because I was afraid, but it was there. And it felt like it was, judging by the Wi-Fi, a relic of the past.
Dining, Drinking, and the Pursuit of Dumplings
The hotel offers a decent range of options. The breakfast (buffet) was… well, it was a buffet. Think eggs, some questionable sausage, and a whole lot of rice. There was Asian breakfast, which may have been better to explore. I went for the Western breakfast - It was okay, but I'm not sure what to expect. The coffee/tea in restaurant was readily available. Plus, there were restaurants both inside and outside the hotel.
I tried the coffee shop, mostly out of desperation. It was okay. The Snack bar was actually surprisingly good for a quick bite. They had things like desserts in restaurant, which felt extra.
Services and Conveniences: The Bits That Actually Make a Difference
Here’s where Hi Inn actually shines a bit. The Daily housekeeping was excellent. My room was spotless every day, and that's not a small feat in a city like Shanghai. The Front desk [24-hour] was helpful, even if their English wasn't always perfect.
They offer things like Currency exchange (handy!), Luggage storage (essential!), and a Concierge. There’s also laundry service which I desperately needed. I used the dry cleaning for a fancy shirt and they did a great job.
Things to Do (and Ways to Relax): Promises, Promises…
Okay, here's where things get a little… ambitious. The website lists a Fitness center, a Spa/sauna, and a Swimming pool [outdoor]. Now, I didn’t actually see these things. (Maybe they were hidden as well as the secret luggage compartment). I will say I was a tad disappointed. I could have used a Body wrap after all that walking. They had a lot of things listed, like a foot bath, massage, Body scrub, and a Steamroom. I wished I could have tried them all!
Cleanliness and Safety: The Pandemic Edition
Honestly, the hotel seemed to take its COVID protocols pretty seriously. There were notices everywhere, Hand sanitizer dispensers, and staff wearing masks. They say they use Anti-viral cleaning products and practice things like Daily disinfection in common areas and Rooms sanitized between stays. I did see Staff trained in safety protocol, which was comforting. They offered Room sanitization opt-out available, if you weren't comfortable.
For the Kids: Family Friendly? Yes. But…
The hotel is listed as Family/child friendly, and they do offer a Babysitting service if you need it. There are also Kids facilities. Although, I did not notice anything specifically designed for children.
Getting Around: Navigating Shanghai (and Beyond)
The hotel is located near some public transport. It's not exactly in the heart of the action, but you can get around. There's a Taxi service and airport transfer. However, I loved having a Car park [free of charge] available! I can get my own car without going broke! I did not notice a Car power charging station, but I am not the electric vehicle kind of guy.
Accessibility: Making it Work
Okay, this is important. I know a lot of our readers care about this. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, and the Elevator is essential. The rooms seemed to have enough space. I did not see a lot of other things, but the essentials were there.
The Verdict: Worth it? Depends.
Look, Hi Inn on Mudanjiang Road isn't perfect. It's a bit rough around the edges, the Wi-Fi is a gamble, and the spa might just be a figment of someone's imagination. It is an honest Hotel chain, and it is a hotel which is not a major thing. However, it's affordable, clean, and the staff are generally friendly. It's in a decent location, with good transport links. and, that air conditioning, during the Shanghai summer? Priceless.
If you're looking for unadulterated luxury, maybe look elsewhere. But if you're a budget traveler seeking a comfortable landing pad in a vibrant city, and are willing to accept a bit of chaos, then Hi Inn might just surprise you.
Final Score: 3.5 out of 5 weary traveler stars.
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your average travel itinerary. We're diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic, and occasionally questionable adventure that was my stay at the Hi Inn Shanghai Mudanjiang Road. Prepare for a wild ride, because my brain's already gone a little feral thinking about it.
Shanghai Shenanigans: A Hi Inn Horror-Comedy (But Mostly Comedy, I Swear)
Day 1: Arrival and the "Welcome" (Don't Even Ask About the Toilet Paper)
- 14:00 - Arrival at PVG (Pudong International Airport): Jet lag, the enemy of all things enjoyable. First impressions? HUGE. Seriously, Shanghai's airport is like a city unto itself. Navigating the subway felt like dodging a caffeinated horde of commuters, all of them speaking a language that, let's be honest, I only kind of understood.
- 16:00 - Subway to Hi Inn Mudanjiang Road: This journey was an ordeal. I swear, I almost got trampled by a woman carrying a live chicken in a plastic bag. This is the China I've heard about, right? The subway was a sweaty, noisy, wonderfully overwhelming immersion in local life. Feeling like a confused tourist trying to buy a metro card, I managed to get on the right train (I think).
- 17:30 - Check-in at Hi Inn: Ah, the grand reveal. The Hi Inn. Let's just say the lobby was… functional. Cleanish. The staff spoke just enough English for me to stumble through the check-in process, which was a win in itself. The room? Well, let's address the elephant in the room: the toilet paper situation. Let's say there was not enough toilet paper.
- 18:30 - Immediate Food Search: Starving. Wandered aimlessly around the neighborhood, feeling like a beached whale. Found a small noodle shop. The menu was entirely in Chinese characters. I pointed randomly, hoping for the best. Ended up with a bowl of noodles that tasted like happiness and a minor stomach ache (it was spicy, though).
- 20:00 - Attempted Sleep: Jet lag and excitement battled it out. I lost. Wandered around in the cramped room, fiddling with the AC remote for an hour (it wasn't working well, by the way).
Day 2: The Bund Bonanza and a Street Food Fiasco
- 08:00 - Alarm (Finally!): Morning arrived, and so did the existential dread of being a tourist.
- 09:00 - Breakfast (at the hotel? Nope, don't even try it!): Found a tiny bakery two blocks away. The smells were intoxicating, and the pastry was questionable.
- 10:00 - The Bund! Okay, the Bund. This is where the city really comes alive. The iconic skyline, the historic buildings – it's breathtaking. I spent ages just staring, soaking it all in. Pure magic, honestly. Got some amazing photos.
- 12:00 - Lunch: Street food adventure! Shanghai street food… where do I even begin? I ate things I couldn't pronounce, things I probably shouldn't have eaten, and things that tasted like pure, delicious culinary sins. Skewers, dumplings, some sort of fried pancake thing that was pure heaven. One particularly spicy noodle stall almost defeated me, but I soldiered on. My stomach was already staging a rebellion.
- 14:00 - People watching at the Bund: Watched locals, couples, and tourists. This is where the real Shanghai lived, this is my favourite part.
- 16:00 - The Yu Garden: More people! This garden was beautiful. It was also jam-packed. Dodged selfie sticks and navigated the crowds, and I found peace and quiet.
- 18:00 - Dinner (Round 2 of food): Another noodle shop. This time I spoke some Mandarin to order the food I wanted. The noodles were slurp-worthy, the dumplings were glorious to have and the soup was just what I have dreamed about.
- 20:00 - Sleep? Maybe? Jet lag and food coma combo were real. The AC still sucked.
Day 3: The Pearl Tower and Karaoke Catastrophe
- 09:00 - Breakfast (the bakery again, I'm addicted, it's fine): I had the same pastry, and this time… it's even better!
- 10:00 - The Oriental Pearl Tower: Okay, this is one of those things you have to do. The elevator ride was a speed-of-light experience. The view from the top? Ridiculously amazing. Shanghai sprawled out below, a concrete jungle. Stared in awe (and took some pictures of course).
- 12:00 - Lunch (I think I'm addicted to noodles…): Another attempt at a local cafe. Success! Found a spot with the most amazing dumplings, and they were amazing.
- 14:00 - Wandering around the French Concession: That area is beautiful, walking through the old buildings, and a great way to experience the city. It's got an old-city feel, very picturesque.
- 17:00 - Karaoke… the worst idea: I went to karaoke with a few of the new friends I'd made in the city. I have no singing talent and I was a mess of nerves. The experience was awful and I left halfway through the session.
- 19:00 - Dinner (comfort food): Pizza. After the karaoke disaster, I needed something familiar.
- 21:00 - Attempts at sleep…: The AC was failing again. The jet lag was real.
Day 4: Departure and Reflections (and a Slight Regret for the Karaoke)
- 08:00 - Last bakery visit: Farewell pastry. You will be missed.
- 09:00 - Packing and Check-out: The room felt so small. The toilet paper situation remained a mystery.
- 10:00 - Subway back to PVG: This time, I maneuvered the subway with a certain amount of confidence. Less terror, more… mild anxiety.
- 12:00 - Flight home: Goodbye Shanghai. You were chaotic, delicious, and utterly unforgettable. I will be back.
Final Thoughts:
The Hi Inn itself wasn’t luxurious, but it was fine. It was a place to sleep, and a basecamp for exploring a city that completely stole my heart. The food, the architecture, the people… Shanghai is an assault on your senses in the best possible way. And even though I almost died in karaoke and the AC was a joke, I’d go back in a heartbeat. Just maybe with a few rolls of toilet paper this time. And less karaoke. Maybe.
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Mudanjiang Road's Hi Inn: So, Is It REALLY a Hidden Gem? (and is it Worth the Drama?) - A Totally Unfiltered FAQ
Okay, spill the tea: Where even *is* this Hi Inn on Mudanjiang Road? My map skills… they’re, well, let's just say they need work.
Alright, picture this: You're kinda near the bustling streets of Shanghai, but not *in* the insane chaos. You're on Mudanjiang Road, right? Look for... hold on, let me find the map (because, yes, I *too* once stared, utterly bewildered, at Google Maps). Okay, it's near the... shoot, I should have paid more attention to landmarks. Um, okay, it's close to... ugh. Look, just search "Hi Inn Mudanjiang Road Shanghai" in your map app. It’s near a couple of metro lines, which is the *real* beauty. Seriously, the metro is my lifeline in that city. I think it's near the... well, I'll just tell you to follow the GPS, okay? My sense of direction isn't exactly a national treasure. Pro tip: download offline maps, trust me, my data plan suffered enough in China.
Is it… clean? Because you know, Shanghai can be… *interesting* when it comes to hygiene.
Alright, let's be real. I'm a bit of a germaphobe. And yeah, *some* places in Shanghai have… a certain… *je ne sais quoi* when it comes to cleanliness. But the Hi Inn? Honestly? It was surprisingly okay. No, it's not like, surgically sterile, you know? It leans more towards "clean enough to breathe comfortably without constant anxiety." The sheets were fresh (crucial!), the bathroom was functional (another win!), and I didn't find any… surprises. Look, it's a budget hotel. Don't expect a five-star spa. But for the price? I was pleasantly surprised. I’ve stayed in places WAY worse. Like, I once slept in a hut in Guatemala... Let's just say, the cleanliness level was a concept.
The *rooms*… what are they even like? Small? Cramped? Do I need to pack light? (Asking for a friend… who is me.)
Okay, brace yourself. The rooms are… cozy. Let's just call them 'efficiently designed.' Think: maximizing every square inch. Yes, they're small. But remember, you're probably just going to be sleeping there, right? I mean, you *are* in Shanghai! Who spends their time in their hotel room?! You're supposed to be out eating dumplings and getting lost (in a good way). Pack light. Seriously. I made the mistake of hauling a giant suitcase. Major regret. You'll be grateful for that extra space. Imagine trying to navigate a tiny room with luggage from a month-long trip…. I *still* get flashbacks. Just a small backpack and a carry-on are your best friends.
Is the staff friendly? I've heard varying things about customer service in China…
Okay, this is where things get… interesting. The staff were… a mixed bag, honestly. Some were super helpful, trying their best to understand my broken Mandarin and pointing me in the right direction. Others? Let's just say there were some communication barriers. I remember one time, trying to explain a problem with the shower… Pure. Chaos. I think I ended up just gesturing wildly and using a lot of hand signals. But hey, that's part of the adventure, right? Don't expect fluent English from everyone, and be patient. Download a translation app. It will save your sanity. And your ability to shower. Mostly your sanity.
Food, glorious food! Is there stuff near the hotel to eat? And is it… you know… edible?
Oh, this is where the Hi Inn REALLY shines! Yes! YES! There's food everywhere! And it's *amazing*. Seriously, I gained, like, five pounds just from walking around the neighborhood. They have these little noodle shops with the BEST soup, street food vendors grilling up amazing skewers, and little dumpling places that will change your life. Just… explore! Be adventurous. Don't be afraid to point at things you can't pronounce. (Pro tip: Pointing and smiling usually works.) I had the best xiaolongbao (soup dumplings, people, get on it!) just a few blocks away. Seriously. The food alone is worth the price of the hotel. Just be careful with the spice levels. My tongue still hasn't fully recovered from that one chili-laden dish.
Okay, the BIG question: Is it worth the hype? Considering it's supposed to be a *hidden gem* and all…
Alright, here’s the cold, hard truth. "Hidden gem"? Maybe. But let's face it, the hype is partly because it's CHEAP. And in Shanghai, cheap is a *very* attractive word. It's a good place to base yourself for exploring. It's conveniently located. It's clean enough. The food is phenomenal. But romantic? Luxurious? Absolutely not. Don't expect the Ritz. Expect a practical, budget-friendly, and, dare I say, *charming in its own way* place to crash after a day of navigating the glorious chaos of Shanghai. Would I stay there again? Absolutely. Would I recommend it? Definitely. Just… manage your expectations. And bring an open mind. And a good translator app. You'll be golden.
Anything I should REALLY know BEFORE booking? Any *major* downsides?
Okay, here's the stuff they DON'T tell you in the brochures. The walls are… thin. Like, *really* thin. You will hear everything. Everything. People snoring. People talking. People… well, you get the idea. Bring earplugs. Noise-canceling headphones are a good shout too. Also, the elevators can be... a bit of a gamble. Sometimes they work perfectly. Sometimes they're out of order. Sometimes you find yourself trapped with a group of giggling teenagers. (That actually happened to me. It was a learning experience.) And be prepared for the occasional power outage. It's China, after all. Embrace the adventureDelightful Hotels
