Shenyang's BEST Hotel? Echarm Hotel Near Zhongjie & Metro!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into a review of [Hotel Name Here – let's pretend it's "The Gilded Goose"] and it's gonna be less "corporate brochure" and more "honest-to-goodness, slightly-unhinged travel blogger" (that's me!). We'll cover EVERYTHING, from the Wi-Fi (because let's be real, that's crucial) to whether they have a decent bathtub (also crucial, for my sanity).
First Impressions…and the Wi-Fi Saga (because it's always a saga):
So, The Gilded Goose. Sounds fancy, right? Well, the lobby did have a chandelier that could probably fund a small country's annual glitter budget. First thing I checked? The Wi-Fi. Because, you know, gotta document the glitter situation. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms?! YES! And in the public areas? YES!!! Listen, I need to Instagram my artisanal toast IMMEDIATELY, alright? And it worked. Gloriously. With this in mind, how did the Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, and Wi-Fi for special events work? Well, let's just say I didn't even try the LAN (who uses that anymore?!), but the Wi-Fi in public areas was almost as good as in my room, so thumbs up.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (and a Prayer for Better Signage):
Okay, let's get real. The Gilded Goose isn't perfect for accessibility. Wheelchair accessible? Listed, but I didn't get a chance to test it fully. They do have an elevator (thank the heavens!) and facilities for disabled guests, which is promising. My personal experience with the exterior corridor (more on that later) wasn't ideal with suitcase, but if you book carefully, you should be fine. I didn't spot any specific signage beyond the basics, which is a huge miss in any hotel. More on the signage, please!
Food, Glorious Food (and the Potential for a Food Coma):
Alright, this is where The Gilded Goose almost won me over completely. Almost. The restaurants are plentiful. We're talkin' a la carte, buffet, Asian cuisine, Western cuisine, and a vegetarian restaurant. You can get breakfast in room, a breakfast takeaway service, a coffee shop, AND a poolside bar. My stomach is rumbling just typing this.
The breakfast [buffet] was a glorious, carby wonderland. Seriously, those croissants… I may have committed a minor croissant heist. Breakfast service was efficient. I appreciated the coffee/tea in restaurant – crucial for someone like me who needs to caffeinate before facing the world. I did try the Asian breakfast, and while it wasn't my favorite, it's cool they offer it. I still stand by my decision to order four croissants, though. They had the desserts in restaurant and I loved them, but the soup in restaurant was a bit bland; but at least there WAS soup!
Dining, drinking, and snacking was fantastic, with the Bar and Snack bar always being a must! I ate so much food here.
Unfortunately, no matter how delicious the food, the Safe dining setup was a bit lacking, although it was there. The Sanitized kitchen and tableware items was a great thing.
Spa-tacular or Spa-tastrophe? (My Personal Journey):
Okay, the spa. This is where the Gilded Goose really tries to flex its muscles. They have a Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, and Swimming pool [outdoor] with Pool with view. I spent an entire afternoon glued to that view. The pool IS amazing. The view is amazing. It's worth the price of admission alone!
The Body scrub and Body wrap were nice. I went for the full shebang - a Massage and a Foot bath were included, and I tell you, my stress melted away like a popsicle on a summer day. Pure bliss. I swear, I almost fell asleep on the massage table, which, I suppose, is a good sign.
Cleanliness and Safety (Let's Talk About the Pandemic, Again): Okay, let's get to the serious stuff; the Cleanliness and safety. We're still in a pandemic (shocking, I know) so this is critical. The Gilded Goose seemed to take it seriously.
They had Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Hand sanitizer everywhere which felt reassuring. They had a Room sanitization opt-out available, which shows respect for guests' preferences. Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Sterilizing equipment were all there. They obviously had Hygiene certification! They offered Individually-wrapped food options, and Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. Thankfully, Staff trained in safety protocol were present. The Safe dining setup was a critical thing.
The Rooms: My Cozy Fortress (with a Few Tiny Quirks):
My room? Oh, the room. It was…nice. Non-smoking rooms, thankfully. Air conditioning, a godsend. A King-sized bed. Blackout curtains (essential for my vampire-like sleep schedule). The Bed was comfy. I loved the extra long bed! They thought of everything: Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Coffee/tea maker, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and Window that opens.
The soundproofing was great; I didn't hear a peep from my neighbors (mostly because I was too busy stuffing my face with croissants, let's be honest). The complimentary tea was a lovely touch. The daily housekeeping was efficient.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Okay, and the "Wait, What?":
Okay, let's blast through this list. Air conditioning in public area, check. Audio-visual equipment for special events, check. Business facilities, check. Cash withdrawal (always useful), check. Concierge, check. Contactless check-in/out, check. Convenience store, check. Currency exchange, check. Daily housekeeping, check. Doorman, check. Dry cleaning, check. Elevator, check. Essential condiments, check. Facilities for disabled guests, check. Food delivery, check. Gift/souvenir shop, check. Invoice provided, check. Ironing service, check. Laundry service, check. Luggage storage, check. Meeting/banquet facilities, check. Meetings, check. Meeting stationery, check. Outdoor venue for special events, check. Projector/LED display, check. Safety deposit boxes, check. Seminars, check. Smoking area, check. Terrace, check. Xerox/fax in business center, check…
… but the doorman was MIA sometimes, which was weird. And they have a shrine! I have no idea why there's a shrine, but it's there!
For the Kids (Because I Did See Some Little Humans):
While I don't have kids of my own, I did see some small humans running around. The Gilded Goose seems family-friendly, as the family/child friendly label suggests, but kids facilities were kind of vague. They do offer Babysitting service!
Getting Around (Because You Gotta Get Out and Explore…or at Least Get to the Airport):
Airport transfer, YES! Car park [free of charge], also YES! Car park [on-site], CHECK! Car power charging station, yes! Taxi service, available. Valet parking, yes, which is a nice touch!
The Minor Annoyances (Because No Place is Perfect):
- The bathroom lighting was a bit harsh. My morning face REALLY wasn't happy.
- The exterior corridor I mentioned earlier felt a little exposed.
- A few of the staff members could have been a bit friendlier. A smile goes a long way!
The Verdict: Should You Book This Hotel?
Okay, here's the deal. The Gilded Goose isn't flawless. There are minor imperfections.
Unbelievable Absecon/AC Superlodge Deals: Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. We're talking about Shenyang, China, the Echarm Hotel near the Zhongjie North Station Metro, and a whole lotta chaos. This is going to be less "Travel Planner" and more "Therapy Session with a Frazzled Tourist." Let's GO!
Day 1: Arrival & That Whole "Jet Lag" Thing (aka, My Body is a Liar)
- Morning (Like, 3 AM): Landed in Shenyang. Or, more accurately, crawled off the plane. Jet lag is a cruel mistress. My internal clock is currently set to "perpetual twilight zone." The airport, thankfully, was relatively painless. Though, the sheer amount of luggage people were hauling… I swear, I saw a guy with a stack of cardboard boxes taller than me. What was in those boxes? Mysteries of the Orient, I suppose.
- Morning (Actually, Noon-ish): Finding the Echarm Hotel. The taxi driver (bless his soul) seemed to think I was speaking a different language, even though I was just pointing at the hotel's name (in both English and Mandarin) on my phone. Eventually, after a series of hand gestures that would make a mime blush, we arrived. The hotel itself? Clean, efficient, and the AC was a life-saver. Seriously, I think I sweated out half my body weight on the walk from the taxi.
- Afternoon (Post-Nap - The Only Way to Operate): Okay, so I "slept," but I was more in a state of half-consciousness, dreaming about dumplings and regretting my life choices. The good news: my stomach, despite my body's best efforts to revolt, seems to be functioning. The bad news: I'm pretty sure I hallucinated a cat wearing a tiny hat.
- Evening (Attempted Dinner): Food exploration! I bravely ventured out, armed with a translation app and an iron will. Found a place near the hotel that looked promising. Ordered something that appeared to be a type of pancake-y bread, filled with vegetables (or what I thought were vegetables). Got the order wrong, and ended up with a huge bowl of pickled vegetables with the pancake taste. Oh well. I was way too afraid of what I was eating. Ate it anyway because, food is food. The local restaurant owners just enjoyed the show. Quirky Observation: The sheer volume of people on the streets. It's a constant hum of activity. I'm easily overwhelmed, but it's also, strangely, exhilarating. You can feel the energy, the life, the buzz of the city.
Day 2: The Forbidden City & Dumpling Dreams (Also, My Phone Betrayed Me)
- Morning (Pre-Dumpling Anxiety): Finally felt somewhat human! Headed to the Forbidden City. The scale of it is just… astounding. So many buildings, so many courtyards. It was breathtaking, and it seemed like it went on forever. I got lost. A LOT. Anecdote Alert: Getting lost in the Forbidden City was amazing. I saw things I never would have seen if I'd stuck to the "official" path. A hidden garden, a tiny teahouse, a group of older men playing some sort of board game that looked like a cross between chess and… something else entirely. I don't understand.
- Afternoon (Dumpling Quest!) This was the day I discovered the joy of dumplings. Actually, I am still thinking about my dumpling quest. It was pretty wild, and I definitely got a bit lost trying to find the highly-rated dumpling restaurant. I think I spent more time wandering around, asking for directions, and feeling deeply, profoundly confused than I did actually eating dumplings. I am still dreaming about those dumplings. Emotional Reaction: Oh my god, the dumplings. I've never tasted anything so good! The pillowy dough, the savory filling, the little puddle of dipping sauce… I'm still drooling just thinking about it. I could have eaten a hundred. The only problem? My phone battery. I am so bad at charging stuff. I found a cafe to relax in, but realized I left my charger at the hotel. So I just took a nap.
- Evening (Metro Madness - My Only Regret) Headed back to the hotel via the metro (which, by the way, is fantastic…). The system is clean, efficient, and the announcements are in both Mandarin and English! But for some reason, I can't understand anything about the system. I was a bit confused. The problem was it took me an hour to find my way back to the hotel. Opinionated Language: The whole experience was a lesson in humility, and I'm sure every local thought I was absolutely clueless. But hey, at least I got to experience the city, right?
Day 3: A Bit of Retail Therapy and the Search for Authentic Tea (Or, How I Gave Up on Negotiating)
- Morning (Attempted Shopping Spree): Decided to try my hand at some shopping. Found a market near the hotel. The sheer variety of stuff was mind-boggling - you could buy anything from silk scarves to knock-off designer bags (which, let's be honest, looked pretty tempting…). I attempted to haggle with a merchant over a cute little trinket. She just burst out laughing. I paid the exorbitant price. Messier Structure/Rambles: Oh, the whole "negotiating" thing. I clearly have no talent for it. I watched some locals. Total pros. It looked like some kind of elegant dance. I just stood there, feeling like a complete idiot. I was too embarrassed to try again. I think I'll stick to retail therapy in places that are not crowded.
- Afternoon (Tea Time!): The search for authentic, delicious tea! I'm a tea fanatic, and China, of course, is legendary for its tea. Found a tea shop that looked charming, and the aroma… oh, the aroma! I sat, sipped, and attempted to communicate my appreciation to the owner. It's so worth it!
- Evening (Hotel Hangout): Back at the hotel. Legs are killing me. Probably going to order room service and curl up with a book (once I remember what book I bought).
Day 4: Departure & The Lasting Memories (aka, I'm Already Planning My Return)
- Morning: Woke up. Packed. Ate breakfast in the hotel (which, to be fair, was a pretty solid buffet).
- Afternoon: Taxi back to the airport. Goodbye, Shenyang! Stronger Emotional Reactions: I'm sad to leave, but also exhausted. Jet lag is still a constant companion. I feel like I've seen so much, yet barely scratched the surface.
- Evening: On the plane. Reflecting. Shenyang was a whirlwind. Not everything went perfectly (understatement!). Yet, it was amazing. I learned a lot. I ate some incredible dumplings. I got lost (a lot!). And I realized that sometimes, the imperfections are what make a trip truly unforgettable. Quirky Observation: The enduring memory of the people. They were kind, helpful, and even when I was obviously lost and confused, they were patient. China is lovely. Rambling Conclusion: Would I go back? In a heartbeat. I want more dumplings. I want to explore more. I want to see more of China. Shenyang, you've stolen a piece of my heart. And the next time, I'm bringing a portable charger.
So, what *is* this thing you're selling? Is it some sort of digital whizbangery? Spill the beans!
Ugh, "selling." That makes it sound so…corporate. Let's just say I'm creating something. And yeah, it's digital. Think of it like this: remember that time you tried to learn how to bake sourdough bread? The recipe looked easy-peasy, but then… the starter died, the kitchen smelled like a wet dog, and the loaf resembled a petrified hockey puck? This is… well, it’s *meant* to prevent that. Kinda. It's about… (sigh) …helping you do *[Insert your product/service here]*. The nitty-gritty? That's going to vary depending on what you're trying to *[Insert primary function/benefit]* and honestly, it’s best if you don't ask me to give you the whole thing right now because I feel like I'm talking to a wall.
Okay, okay, I get it... kinda. But how much is this going to cost me? Because let's be honest, I'm broke.
Alright, the dreaded money question. Look, the price is… *variable*. My therapist would tell me to stop hiding behind vague words. It's a tiered system. Think of it like a subscription to a dating app. First, you get to look and swipe right. Then, you get the ability to actually TALK to the other person. Then? Well, it depends on how *deep* you want to go, baby. I’m not going to lay out the exact price tiers here yet because I'm still tweaking them (and also because the business side of things gives me hives), but let's just say I'm trying to make it accessible without, you know, selling my soul to the devil (or, you know, being totally broke myself). Stay tuned for pricing details. You won't regret waiting! (Probably).
What makes *your* [Insert your product/service] different from all the others out there? Because the internet is, like, overflowing with stuff.
Oh, god. The competition. The endless, soul-crushing competition. Okay, so here's the deal: everyone's got something. Fancy graphics, slick websites, promises of world domination. But let me tell you a story, it's a story of me, on my first business. I was trying to offer some creative class. I remember spending *days* agonizing over my website. I swear, the font choices alone nearly sent me into a mental breakdown. I was thinking of it and stressing while I should be doing something else. And the whole time, I was offering the exact same class as a bunch of other people. What's the difference? They're all doing the same thing. So how do you stand out? You have to be different. You can't be someone else.
What if I'm a complete newbie? Like, I don't know the first thing about [relevant concept]? Will I be completely lost?
Okay, deep breaths. First of all, it's okay to be a newbie. Seriously. We’ve all been there. Back in high school, I tried to build a… well, let's just say it was a "creative project." It went horribly, disastrously wrong. The glue was everywhere, the art looked like a toddler did it, and I was so incredibly ashamed. But the thing about failing is that it makes you better. With that in mind, the product is made, let's say, suitable for beginners - but not in a patronizing kind of way. It's like having a patient friend who doesn't laugh when you stumble. I try to make it as accessible as possible, but also… you're gonna have to put in some effort, people. Learning anything worth knowing takes time and, god forbid, a little work.
What's the catch? There's *always* a catch, right?
Ugh, the catch. Okay, fine. The catch is… YOU. You have to actually *use* the thing. I can build you a Ferrari, but if you leave it in the garage, it's not going to magically drive itself. It’s the same with *[Your product/service]*. You'll need to invest time, attention, and maybe a little bit of your sanity (I can't be held responsible for that). But hey, if you're looking for a magic bullet, you're in the wrong place. And honestly, if you're *not* willing to put in the work, the product will probably not work for you, and you should probably buy it from a different person. Also, expect me to make a mistake or two. I’m only human.
Will this actually work for *me*? Because I'm a special snowflake and probably different from everyone else.
Okay, the special snowflake syndrome. Look, I get it. We all secretly think we're unique unicorns. And you probably are! But the principles behind *[Your Product/Service]* are relevant for a wide variety of people. I've tried to make it as broadly applicable as possible, but also flexible enough that you can *adapt* it to your specific situation. Think of it like a really good pair of jeans. They’re not custom-made, but they can still make you look amazing if you make them your own. That's my goal. So, yeah, it *should* work for you. But… I can't guarantee that you won’t accidentally set your hair on fire while using it. That would be your problem.
What happens if I get stuck? Is there support? Because, let’s face it, I’m going to get stuck.
Oh, yes, the inevitable getting stuck. You know, I've been stuck so many times I should probably create a support group just for myself. Short answer: Yes. There's support, in the form of… (a deep breath) …[list your support options; e.g., an online community, email response, etc.]. I'm also a real person. This isn't some faceless corporation. So, yeah, you can probably find a way to reach me… I hope you don’t hound me too much though. I'm also a human with a life and a severe coffee addiction. But I'll do my best. Just don't expect me to hold your hand *every* step of the way. I mean, I'm busy trying to figure out how to keep this whole thing from falling apart, okay?
What platforms does this support or work with?
Okay, the technical stuff. This will be another vague answer. I'm trying to make it compatible with a range of platforms. It's *not* locked into some proprietary, evil systemDelightful Hotels
