Jilin Wanda Plaza's Hidden Gem: Unbeatable Hi Inn Deals!
Jilin Wanda Plaza's "Hidden Gem" or Just a Really Good Deal? A Brutally Honest Review of Hi Inn
Okay, deep breath. I've just emerged, blinking, from Jilin Wanda Plaza's Hi Inn. And honestly? It's… a lot. Everywhere. Just, you know, a lot. So buckle up, because this isn't your typical dry hotel review. This is real-life, messy, and probably heavily influenced by the questionable dumplings I ate at 3 AM (more on that later).
Accessibility – The "Meh" Factor:
Let's be real, accessibility isn't exactly the star of the show at Hi Inn. They do have an elevator (thank the heavens!), which is a MAJOR plus. But I didn't clock any ramps or any specific design elements geared toward wheelchair users. So, while not actively hostile, it's not exactly a beacon of inclusivity either. A solid 2/5 stars for accessibility. They could definitely do better.
(Metadata: Accessibility, Wheelchair accessible, Facilities for disabled guests, Elevator)
Internet – Bless the Free Wi-Fi (and Pray for the Lan):
Okay, the free Wi-Fi in all rooms is a godsend! My inner digital nomad breathed a sigh of relief. Connection was surprisingly solid – managed to stream a movie and even (gasp!) upload some photos. They also offered the Internet access – LAN, which I confess… I didn't even try. Who uses LAN cables anymore?! Apparently, a few people, judging by the dusty-looking port. They also have Wi-Fi in public areas which was pretty decent. Big points here.
(Metadata: Internet, Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet [LAN], Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Wi-Fi in public areas, Laptop workspace)
Cleanliness and Safety – The Germaphobe's Guide to Surviving:
Okay, let's talk COVID. I'm still a little paranoid, I admit it. Hi Inn claims to have Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. They also list Individually-wrapped food options – which is ALWAYS a good sign. I saw Hand sanitizer dispensers EVERYWHERE. They also have Staff trained in safety protocol. BUT… and there's always a but, isn't there? My room had a faint smell of… well, it wasn't roses. More like "previously occupied." And let's be honest, the Room sanitization opt-out, while appreciated, is probably a tactic to save time. So I'd give them a Hygiene certification 3.5/5. CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property are reassuring. Oh, and Fire extinguisher in the room and Smoke alarms? Check. Security [24-hour]? Yup. They're trying.
(Metadata: Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Staff trained in safety protocol, Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, Security [24-hour], CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – Dumpling Disaster and Breakfast Bliss:
This is where things get… interesting. The Hi Inn isn't all about luxury. The Breakfast [buffet] was a mixed bag. Some of it was actually pretty good – the pastries were surprisingly fresh. But, and this is where the stream-of-consciousness kicks in, I was STARVING. I mean, truly hangry. Cue the night vision of neon signs and sudden, crippling cravings.
There's a Coffee shop and Snack bar – nothing to write home about, but hey, fuel is fuel, right? They also offer an Asian breakfast and Asian cuisine in restaurant (didn't try). The International cuisine in restaurant looked way more appealing, BUT… that craving…
So, I, in a moment of questionable decision-making, ventured out to find the perfect late-night snack. Found… a dumpling place. The dumplings? Questionable. The Soup in restaurant? Not great. The Bottle of water they offer in the room? Bless.
(And Room service [24-hour] is available, but after the dumpling incident… I didn't dare.)
They have Restaurants on site. A Poolside bar? Maybe. I think I saw a Bar, too. Honestly, after the dumpling escapade, I was too afraid to look. The Vegetarian restaurant might have been a safer bet. But hindsight is 20/20, and my stomach still hasn't forgiven me. They also offer things like Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, and Coffee/tea in restaurant.
(Metadata: Dining, drinking, and snacking, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant)
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Sauna, Steamroom, or Just a Nap?
The website advertised a Fitness center, a Spa/sauna, and even a Swimming pool [outdoor]. In reality? I didn't see any of it. Maybe I missed it… or maybe it's a hidden gem that's really well hidden. I seriously wanted a Steamroom. After my night. My mental state was in dire need of a good steaming. Sadly no. There is Massage. And they offer a Foot bath– which, after walking around Jilin all day, sounds AMAZING.
(Metadata: Things to do, ways to relax, Fitness center, Massage, Sauna, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool [outdoor], Foot bath)
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter (Sometimes):
They have a Concierge, which I didn't use but appreciated the theoretical presence of. Daily housekeeping made the room look less like a post-apocalyptic wasteland. They have Laundry service (thank god). Currency exchange is provided. They also have Cash withdrawal from the hotel. Car park [free of charge]? Yep, AND Car park [on-site]. They even have a Gift/souvenir shop.
(Metadata: Services and conveniences, Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Laundry service, Currency exchange, Cash withdrawal, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Gift/souvenir shop)
For the Kids – Family-Friendly or Family-Avoidant?
The description lists Family/child friendly and even Babysitting service and Kids facilities. Which, you know, sounds great if you have kids. I don't, so I can't really comment. Take that one with a grain of salt.
(Metadata: For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities)
Available in All Rooms – The Essentials (and the Extras):
Okay. The Air conditioning worked a treat, which was necessary. They have Hair dryer, Free bottled water, and a Coffee/tea maker (saved my life, tbh). The Desk was basic. I didn't use the Ironing facilities or the In-room safe box. And, thankfully, the Blackout curtains were effective, because after my dumpling adventure, I needed ALL the sleep. A Bathtub would've been perfect. They also have Additional toilet. And Bathrobes.
(Metadata: Available in all rooms, Air conditioning, Coffee/tea maker, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, Desk, Ironing facilities, In-room safe box, Blackout curtains, Bathtub, Additional toilet, Bathrobes)
The Verdict: A Budget-Friendly Adventure with a Side of Questionable Dumplings.
Look, the Hi Inn is not the Ritz. It’s not perfect. But for the price, it's CLEAN, in a GREAT location, and the complimentary Wi-Fi is a blessing. It's a solid choice if you’re on a budget. The "hidden gem" part? Maybe a bit of a stretch. But the "unbeatable deals?" Yeah, they got that right. Just… maybe, maybe avoid the late-night dumpling place. You've been warned.
**(Metadata: *Hotel chain*, *Non-smoking rooms*, *Check-in/out [express]*, *Check-in/out [private]*, *Exterior corridor*, *Front desk [24-hour]*, *Pets allowed unavailable* Soundproof rooms, Room decorations,
Sapporo's Hidden Gem: Hotel Abest Sapporo - Unbelievable Luxury Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to descend into the glorious, chaotic, sometimes-slightly-stinky world of my trip to Hi Inn Jilin Wanda Plaza, Jilin City, China. This isn't your slick, sanitized travel brochure. This is real life. And boy, did it get real.
Day 1: Arrival and the Quest for Decent Coffee (and Oxygen)
- Morning (or what felt like morning after a 14-hour flight): Landed in Jilin. The air? Let's just say it wasn't exactly the crisp mountain breeze I'd dreamt of. More like… well, I'm still trying to define it. Smog-adjacent, perhaps? Anyway, survived the airport, which was thankfully less intense than I'd feared. Got a taxi (the driver’s English? Non-existent. My Mandarin? Equally abysmal. Hand gestures and sheer willpower got us there. Victory!)
- Afternoon: Hi Inn Check-in, and the Great Breakfast Debacle: My hotel, Hi Inn, seemed clean enough. But the lobby? A symphony of fluorescent lighting and… well, a slightly unsettling aroma. (I’m starting to think that aroma might be ubiquitous in Jilin). The room was tiny, but hey, I've slept in worse. And let's be honest, after that flight, anything with a bed was a win. Breakfast. Oh, the breakfast. It was… an experience. It's hard to put it in words, let's keep it there. I was craving for a decent coffee, I did not find any. I was so so sad.
- Evening: Wanda Plaza Mania (Sort of). Wanda Plaza! It was HUGE. Like, could-get-lost-for-days HUGE. Lots of shops I couldn't comprehend (what is a "bubble tea specialist"?), restaurants that promised adventure (but my stomach was still a bit wary of the breakfast situation), and an indoor ice-skating rink. I seriously considered taking a spin, because, why not? But then I saw a kid faceplant spectacularly and decided my dignity was worth preserving. So I opted for dinner and a (watery) beer instead. Still, I was on the lookout for a decent coffee, not a single decent coffee.
Day 2: Ice Sculpture Park: Cold Wonders and Questionable Snow Gear
- Morning: The Coffee Crisis Deepens: Okay, this morning's agenda was coffee. The search. It did not go well. I finally found a place, convinced I'd struck gold, and ordered a "latte." What arrived? Something resembling lukewarm paint with a vague coffee aftertaste. I think I actually yelped. Desperation levels rising.
- Afternoon: Ice Sculpture Park Extravaganza: The crown jewel! The Jilin Ice Sculpture Park. And wow. Just wow. Like, Elsa-from-Frozen-levels-of-wow. The skill was astounding. Sculptures of everything imaginable – dragons, palaces, ridiculously cute pandas – all carved from blocks of shimmering ice. It was freezing, obviously. I'd dressed in what I thought was adequate winter gear. I was wrong. So, so wrong. It was so so freezing. This is a must-see.
- Emotional Rollercoaster at the Ice Sculpture Park: I was mesmerized. Truly. I spent ages taking photos, marveling at the detail. Then, my toes started to feel like they were going to fall off. My nose was frozen solid. And I remembered I had a long night ahead of me. But! The beauty, the sheer wonder of it all, was worth every numb finger and chattering tooth. I actually shed a tear (mostly from the cold, but also, it was kind of beautiful, ok?!). I wanted to live there.
Day 3: The Sun Island and the Search for Coffee (Still)
- Morning: Scenic Wonders, or Sun Island: Today was supposed to be a relaxed day touring Sun Island. The weather was supposed to be better. The sun was supposed to shine! It didn't. The light was grey, and all the snow had melted, meaning there was mud. The view was… a view. I did get some okay photos, but honestly, it felt a little… meh. The search for coffee was still going, and I was starting to accept that I wasn't going to find any decent coffee in Jilin, which was depressing because I'm the person who runs on coffee.
- Afternoon: Food and the Meltdown: Lunch was… interesting. I tried something. Something that looked vaguely like dumplings. They may have been dumplings, which I ate. I’m not sure. Let's move on. I have been trying to embrace the culture and be open to anything. I felt myself getting grumpy, I’m not proud of it. I needed a break. And a coffee.
Day 4: Goodbye Jilin, (and my Coffee Dreams)
- Morning: Last Ditch Coffee Effort and Packing: Packing. Hated packing. Trying to decide what souvenirs I wanted to take home (which was more of a "Did not buy souvenirs" situation. A good reason. I was so tired for looking after all the things.) I made one last pathetic attempt at finding decent coffee. Failed.
- Afternoon: Departure, Leaving a Part of My Soul Behind (and the Still-Unfulfilled Coffee Quest): Leaving Jilin. I had a few small regrets, and a whole lot of memories. The ice sculptures, that was something. Definitely something. The coffee situation? Well, that's a story for another time. Jilin, it was… an adventure. And I'll bet I think about it for a long, long time.
Final Thoughts/Ramblings:
- The Food: Hit-or-miss. I tasted some truly wonderful things, and some things that, let's say, challenged my digestive system. Lesson learned: always carry Pepto-Bismol.
- The Language Barrier: Massive. Embrace it. Laugh about it. Use hand gestures. You'll survive.
- The People: Generally, incredibly friendly and helpful. Even if you can't understand each other, there's a genuine warmth.
- The Coffee: I think I still need therapy for that.
- Would I go back? Maybe. Eventually. But first, I need a really good cup of coffee.
Jilin Wanda Plaza's Unbeatable Hi Inn Deals: Ask Me Anything (Seriously!)
Okay, spill it! What *actually* makes these Hi Inn deals at Jilin Wanda Plaza so "unbeatable"? I'm skeptical, and honestly, a little jaded by travel promises.
Alright, alright! Look, I GET it. "Unbeatable" sounds like marketing fluff, right? Believe me, I thought the same thing… until I stumbled in there. The key, my friend, is **location, location, LOCATION!** You're *literally* steps away from the Wanda Mall. Think about that: Movies, food, shopping, the best bubble tea EVER (more on that later – obsession is real!), all within staggering distance. And the price? Seriously, I’ve stayed in hostels *further* from things that cost more! I am telling you, last year I was there, and I got a room for like, 80 yuan a night. I mean, I had to ask them if they were kidding me or something. It was a real steal, truly.
Plus, the Wi-Fi actually works. Unlike, say, that "luxury" hotel I stayed in last year where the Wi-Fi was slower than a snail in molasses. (Rage still burns, just FYI.) The Wi-Fi is a minor convenience sure, but if you are a remote working then you are lucky.
Is it *actually* clean? I've seen some… things… in budget hotels. Be real with me.
Okay, okay, the elephant in the room. Yes, the cleanliness. Look, it's not a five-star hotel. Don't expect everything to be surgically sterile. But *generally*? Yes. Pretty clean. I've stayed there, like, five or six times (don't judge my obsession!), and I've never encountered anything that made me want to run screaming into the street. The sheets were always fresh (MAJOR win!), the bathroom, generally, was clean... you know, for a budget place. Sometimes, the corners of the bathroom had a little, let's call it *character*, but nothing that made me lose sleep! They absolutely cleaned it up, from the moment I checked out from a stay to the moment I checked in to the next!
And honestly, for the price, you can't complain. If you want spotless, go for something else, pay triple or quadruple the money!
What are the rooms actually like? Are we talking shoeboxes or something a little more… spacious?
Shoeboxes? Well, kinda… (laughs). Okay, they're not mansions, let's be honest. The rooms are, like, perfectly functional. Expect the usual: a bed (usually pretty comfy), a small desk, a TV (mostly Chinese channels, but hey, you can watch some local stuff which is fun!), and a private bathroom. The room *size* depends on the room you booked, the single rooms are small but comfortable, the twin rooms are a bit more comfortable. But look, you're not in Jilin to hang out in your room, are you? You are there to shop, to adventure, to eat, to experience the city.
I remember one time, my friend booked a room and we both were cramped so we asked the reception to change rooms which they did. So, the rooms are spacious as you make it by selecting the right type!
Tell me about the staff. Are they friendly? Or are they the kind of people who grunt at you and point you to your room?
Honestly, the staff is generally lovely. They're definitely more on the friendly side than the grunting side. They're not going to be overly chatty, but they're polite, helpful, and they'll try their best to understand you (especially if you don't speak Mandarin, like me!). I once lost my phone (classic me!), and the staff was SUPER helpful in helping me find it. They went above and beyond! I was so sure I would never see it again. It was a stressful situation and they helped me deal with it.
They can go above and beyond, but don't expect them to speak fluent English, have Google Translate ready to go.
Okay, so you mentioned bubble tea… tell me about the food situation around the hotel. Is it all chain restaurants?
Bubble tea is life. And YES, there are amazing bubble tea options within spitting distance. I'm pretty sure I gained five pounds just from the bubble tea alone. And it's not *all* chain restaurants, thankfully! Wanda Plaza has a huge food court with everything you can imagine, from local noodles to Korean BBQ to Western fast food (if you're desperate). Then there are the local restaurants and street food stalls just steps away, serving some seriously delicious (and cheap!) eats. I have a particular fondness for those street-side skewers… mmm. Just… be adventurous!
I recommend that you try and visit a local restaurant, and order some dishes. You might not understand the menu but it is worth the try.
What's the catch? There *has* to be a catch. What are the downsides?
Okay, fair question. There's *always* a catch, right? Here's the deal:
- It's budget. Don't expect luxury. Things might be a little worn, a little basic.
- Noise. Being so close to the mall means it can get a little… lively, especially on weekends. You might hear some music or chatter, so bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
- Limited English. As I said, the staff's English is limited. Download a translation app!
- Lack of Amenities: No pool, gym, fancy restaurant or breakfast, be prepared to get your own meals.
Honestly, none of those are dealbreakers for me. For the price and the location? I'm willing to overlook a few minor flaws.
Okay, you've sold me. How do I book this magical Hi Inn deal?
Woohoo! Glad to hear it! The easiest way is usually through a booking website or app, like Ctrip or Agoda. (Sometimes, you even get a better deal through them than directly with the hotel!). Make sure to double-check the address to make sure you're booking the one *actually* in Wanda Plaza. The name is pretty generic. Read the reviews (but take them with a grain of salt – everyone has different standards!).
Pro-tip: Book in advance, especially if you're traveling during a busyFind That Hotel
