Shanghai's BEST Hidden Gem Hotel: Jinjiang Inn Zhoupu Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because we're diving HEADFIRST into the Jinjiang Inn Zhoupu. Forget the five-star fluff – this is the REAL Shanghai, the kind of place you stumble upon, love, hate, and then secretly crave. Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of a review.
Shanghai's BEST Hidden Gem Hotel: Jinjiang Inn Zhoupu - Let's Get Real
First off, let's be honest, "Hidden Gem" might be a slight overstatement. It's more like… "Reliable, Surprisingly-Okay-Considering-The-Price Gem." And that, my friends, is the beauty of it.
Accessibility: Getting There (and Getting In)
Okay, so accessibility. This isn't the Four Seasons. Elevator? Check. That’s HUGE. But the website says, "Facilities for disabled guests". Let's get this straight. Jinjiang Inn is accessible with a few caveats. I'm not sure where the disabled guests are, I didn't see any specific "special" facilities there. But good on them to be doing their bit. The exterior corridor is alright, though some may prefer the charm of the interior-facing room setups. Airport transfer? Ye gods, yes! And essential: the drive from Pudong Airport (PVG) is a journey. Taxi it, or pre-book through the hotel for less of a headache.
On-Site Eats & Drinks (Fueling Up for Adventure)
Eating here felt like navigating a video game. First, there's the restaurant: "Asian and International Cuisine in Restaurant" they say. "Buffet in restaurant" too, but the truth? It was a very continental buffet, bordering on… well, let's be honest, bland. Think: basic eggs, toast, and congee. The Asian breakfast was a slightly spicier affair. I went for the vegetarian option: not bad, but the samey day after day. But, the coffee/tea in the restaurant was a godsend, and the bottle of water served with every meal was appreciated. There's a coffee shop if you crave a cafe.
Wheelchair Accessibility: A Mixed Bag
The facility for disabled guests, and the elevator are a definite plus. Narrow hallways were the main challenge.
Internet Access: The Digital Lifeline
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! This isn't a luxury, it's a necessity in modern times. And, miraculously, it actually worked! Speeds were decent. Internet access – wireless also functioned in the lobby. Thank goodness! Internet access – LAN Not a bad option if you're old-school.
Things to Do (Beyond the Hotel Walls)
This is where Jinjiang Inn, as a hotel, gets interesting. You're in Zhoupu, so you're not smack-dab in the city center. But that's the point if you're after a more authentic, local Shanghai experience! Zhoupu itself is fascinating. Walk around, get lost, and soak up the atmosphere. This isn't glitzy, folks, it's real.
Ways to Relax (or Just Survive)
Okay, relax? This ain't a spa retreat. There's no Body scrub, Body wrap, Spa, Spa/sauna, or anything of the sort. But listen, sometimes the sheer absence of forced relaxation is relaxing. It’s not about swanky spa treatments here. It’s about getting the job done, and then crashing. There’s no pool with view or swimming pool [outdoor].
Although I did see a Fitness center!
Cleanliness and Safety: Gotta Feel Safe
Here's where Jinjiang Inn really shines, especially in the post-pandemic world. Daily disinfection in common areas? Yep. Anti-viral cleaning products? Sounds good. Room sanitization opt-out available? Nice touch for the germaphobes. Rooms sanitized between stays? Essential. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Staff trained in safety protocol? Yep. It felt clean and safe. Very reassuring. They even had smoke detectors; a small but crucial detail. Security seems good.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fuel for the Soul (and the Stomach)
Okay, about the food. The “restaurants” (plural!) is an overstatement. But the Breakfast [buffet] was better than I expected. It's not fine dining, but I ate something different at every meal. They had Desserts in restaurant! The Snack bar was also a blessing in disguise. They provide a quick source of energy during the day.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Niceties
The Daily housekeeping was efficient. Concierge? Not quite a "concierge," but the front desk staff were helpful enough. Cash withdrawal? Yep. Laundry service? Sorted. Facilities for disabled guests?
For the Kids: Family-Friendly (Sort Of)
They have some of the family/child friendly and kids facilities. It's not Disney, but the front desk will guide you.
Getting Around: Navigating the City
Taxi is your best bet, but if you're feeling adventurous, the subway is an option. Car park [free of charge] is a HUGE bonus.
Available in All Rooms: The Essentials
The rooms are pretty standard. Air conditioning? YES. Complimentary tea? Indeed. Free bottled water? Gotta stay hydrated, darling. They have Wi-Fi [free], a TV with Satellite/cable channels, hair dryer, hot water and all the basic needs.
My Personal Anecdote (That Will Convince You)
I’m a worrier, okay? I need to feel safe. I’m also a cheapskate. This little hotel? It was everything I needed and more. The cleanliness, the free Wi-Fi, the fact that I could get a decent cup of coffee at 6 am… it ticked all the boxes. I was able to relax in the room, because I wasn't worried about a thing.
Final Verdict: Who is this Hotel For?
- Budget travelers who value cleanliness and convenience.
- Anyone who wants a taste of local Shanghai.
- Those who value a safe, reliable, and affordable stay.
- Avoid if you're super-high maintenance.
The Pitch: Why You SHOULD Book Jinjiang Inn Zhoupu RIGHT NOW!
Tired of sterile, overpriced hotels that feel like they're designed by robots? Craving an authentic Shanghai experience without breaking the bank?
Here's the deal:
For an incredible price, you get a clean, comfortable room with FREE Wi-Fi and all the essential comforts. Enjoy the convenience of reliable 24-hour room service.
Book your stay at the Jinjiang Inn Zhoupu today! Don't wait – this hidden gem won't stay hidden forever!
Tianjin's Hidden Gem: IU Hotel Fumin Qiao Branch Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to delve into the chaotic beauty of my Jinjiang Inn Shanghai International Tourism and Resorts Zone Zhoupu Zhouzhu Highway Branch experience. This ain't your glossy brochure, folks. This is the real, sweaty, slightly confused, and ultimately loved experience of a human just trying to navigate Shanghai.
Day 1: Arrival of the Lost
- 1:00 AM (Shanghai Time, which, by the way, is roughly a whole day ahead of my internal clock): Arrive at Pudong Airport. Jet lag is already kicking my ass. The "International Tourism and Resorts Zone" sounds promising, like a Disneyland for adults, but let's be real, I'm operating on fumes and the vague memory of a pre-trip snack.
- 1:30 AM - 2:30 AM: Taxi. Negotiating the price with the driver feels like a high-stakes poker game, even though I probably look like a deer caught in headlights. We zoom through the city, a blur of neon and skyscrapers. I half-expect a dragon to swoop down and snatch my luggage.
- 2:30 AM - 3:00 AM: Check-in at the Jinjiang Inn. Okay, the lobby is…functional. Think "clean, but not exactly Ritz-Carlton." The staff, bless their hearts, are incredibly patient with my glazed-over expression and attempts at Mandarin (which, let's be honest, sound more like a dying frog). Finally get to my room. It's small, but clean. Crucially, there's a bed. And that's all that matters.
- 3:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Passed out like a sack of potatoes. Dreamt mostly in Mandarin characters, which is a bad sign. Woke up feeling like I'd been run over by a rickshaw.
Day 2: The Theme Park Tilt-A-Whirl and Breakfast Bewilderment
10:00 AM: Breakfast. Ah, the breakfast. They have a buffet set up, and I'm suddenly overwhelmed with choices. Is it breakfast breakfast? Or lunch breakfast? Or a weird hybrid of both? I'm talking about unidentifiable things, a porridge-like substance that might be delicious, and some kind of fried dough that looks like it's been through a war. I bravely attempt something that resembles a dumpling. Verdict: surprisingly good.
11:00 AM: Time to bravely face the Shanghai Disneyland! I’ve been researching it for months, so I knew I needed to download the app, check ride times, grab a Genie+ and be ready for some major queue-time combat. I was READY. So ready, in fact, that the lines wrapped around the entire length of the ride. I think I spend the majority of this day just waiting. Waiting in line for a ride, waiting for the line to move, waiting for someone to offer me snacks. I get to ride the Tron Lightcycle Power Run, and it is absolutely EPIC. I can't even explain the rush of adrenaline. It's like flying.
1:00 PM: Lunch in the park because the queue line for food is shorter than the rides. It's a park, so you expect overpriced food, but it’s a little more challenging to order with the language barrier. I try to point at a picture and use the word "delicious," which I am now convinced is a universal language.
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM: More park adventures. More queue lines. I'm starting to feel like a seasoned veteran, navigating the crowds with a newfound confidence. I finally brave the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, which is awesome. But let's be real, it's worth every second. The details are incredible. The animatronics are brilliant. I even managed to secure a spot for the evening fireworks show.
6:00 - 7:00 PM: Fireworks. Truly spectacular. I’m completely blown away. I catch myself crying, thinking about how lucky I am to experience this. It’s like being a kid again.
7:00 PM: Eat dinner outside the park. Exhausted from the day, I find a small restaurant outside of the park. I have no idea what I'm actually eating, but it’s amazing.
Day 3: The Journey Within (and Maybe a Laundry Disaster)
- 9:00 AM: Wake up. My muscles ache, but the joy of the day before helps overcome the pain. This time, the breakfast buffet is more familiar. I bravely try something else, which is labeled "Mystery Meat." Let's be adventurous!
- 10:00 AM: The original plan was to visit the Shanghai Museum. However, my laundry is still wet from the day before. I'm starting to realize that I packed horribly. So, the museum will need to wait. Instead, I sit under the sun and try to dry my clothes, which doesn't work.
- 11:00 AM: I figure out that my hotel offers laundry service. It would have been nice had I figured that out sooner, but alas.
- 12:00 PM: Having nothing to wear, I take a nap. This is the part where I realize my internal clock is now permanently shifted.
- 1:00 PM After the laundry is finally done, I manage to visit the Shanghai Museum. I spend hours wandering the halls, completely lost in the beauty of the bronze artifacts and calligraphy. And I fall into a profound feeling of cultural awe.
- 5:00 PM: I head back to the hotel. Dinner is an adventure of trying to order from the delivery app, but I get it done.
Day 4: The Departure…and a Promise of More (Maybe)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up, pack again, have breakfast. A little sad to leave, but also, my body needs a break.
- 8:00 AM: Check-out. Back to the airport. Another taxi ride, another round of price negotiations. I’m starting to feel like a local. (Okay, maybe not).
- 9:00 AM - onward: At the airport. Waiting. Thinking about the dumpling I ate in Day 1. And the Tron Lightcycle Power Run. And how I really want to go back and do it all again (especially the museum). Shanghai, you weird, wonderful place. You were a confusing, exhausting, delicious, and utterly unforgettable experience. I'll be back. Someday. Probably after a very long nap.
Jinjiang Inn Zhoupu: The Unvarnished Truth (and Maybe a Little Bit of Sparkle?) - FAQ
