Shanghai Nanxiang's BEST Hotel? Jinjiang Inn Select Review!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glorious, sometimes goofy, and hopefully helpful world of the BEST-est Jinjiang Inn Select in Shanghai's Nanxiang district. This isn't your usual sugar-coated hotel review. I'm gonna give it to you real. Think less brochure, more late-night chat with a slightly jet-lagged travel blogger.
Accessibility: Navigating the Labyrinth (and Beyond!)
Okay, so right off the bat, accessibility. Jinjiang Inns, bless their little cotton socks, aren't always the pinnacle of accessibility. I’ll be brutally honest: I didn't personally need extensive wheelchair facilities, but I did a serious recon. The website claims facilities for disabled guests, which is great! But actually finding that in practice can be variable, you know? So, I'm recommending checking directly with the hotel for specifics. They should have elevators (essential!), and potentially ramp access, but confirm! This is crucial stuff. Don't assume. Call ahead. Seriously.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges, well, that’s where it gets a bit tricky. I didn't see anything specifically marketed as accessible in the dining areas. Again, call and ask for specifics about table heights, maneuvering space, etc. If you have particular needs, you MUST clarify.
Internet Access: Wi-Fi? We're Talking Wi-Fi! (and Maybe Some LAN)
Alright, internet. Crucial to modern survival, right? Good news! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Hallelujah! Thank the travel gods. And it actually worked! No screaming into the void, no desperate searches for decent signals. (I hate trying to work when the internet is playing hide-and-seek!) They also offer Internet [LAN], which is a bonus for those needing a more stable connection. Internet services in the form of… well, internet. You can google your face off.
Wi-Fi in public areas, well, that's a bit more hit-or-miss. The lobby was okay, but not blindingly fast. Think more "checking emails" than "streaming Netflix."
(Rambling Alert! My Brain is a Jumble!)
Okay, side note. I swear, the biggest travel lesson I’ve learned is: EXPECT IMPERFECTIONS. This isn’t the Four Seasons. This is a Jinjiang Inn. And that's okay! It's about practicalities. Cleanliness, safety, comfort (mostly). So, yes, occasionally you might find yourself staring at a peeling wallpaper, or a slightly wonky light fixture. Roll with it. Embrace the chaos. It’s part of the adventure!
Things to Do / Ways to Relax (Sort Of…)
Let's be realistic here. This isn't a resort. Think of this as a smart basecamp for your Shanghai adventures. There's not a Spa, no Pool with view, and sadly no Sauna either. (I'm a sauna fiend. I miss my Finnish friends.) No Body scrub, no Body wrap. Forget the Gym/fitness. You're here to explore Shanghai! That said, a decent walk around Nanxiang is basically your fitness routine.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Sanitization Shenanigans
Alright, post-pandemic, this is HUGE. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere (thank goodness!), Rooms sanitized between stays. They seem to take the hygiene thing seriously. I didn't get sick, which is always a win in my book. They even offer the option to Room sanitization opt-out available, which is cool for the eco-conscious. Staff trained in safety protocol, hopefully. Though, let's be honest, sometimes you can tell. The enthusiasm varies.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fu Manchu's Feast (Or Not)
Okay. This is where it gets interesting. Forget Michelin-star. Think… solid, reliable fuel for your adventures.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Yes! Available to you, a selection of Asian and Western options.
- Breakfast takeaway service: Good if you need to eat fast.
- Restaurants: Yep! You can get your food in a few spots.
- Room service [24-hour]: I didn't use it, but it's there for those late-night hunger pangs.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, essential!
- Coffee shop: Not sure.
- Snack bar: Likely.
- Bottle of water: Yes, thank the lord.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes, you have options.
- Asian breakfast and Asian cuisine in restaurant are available, along with Western breakfast!
- Happy hour: Don't think so.
- Bar: Not sure.
My Personal Dining Experience (The Honest Truth)
Okay, here’s my brutally honest take on the food: It was… fine. The breakfast buffet was standard fare. Plenty of Asian options (noodles! steamed buns!), plus your standard toast, eggs, and questionable sausages. The coffee was… well, it woke me up. And that, my friends, is sometimes all that matters. The most memorable aspect of the dining? The sheer volume of food some people consumed at breakfast. It was a sight to behold. Made me laugh. Made me want to go explore after. Because, really, who wants to spend half a day with a full tummy? No one.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Okay, let’s run through the non-glamorous but oh-so-important stuff.
- Air conditioning in public area: Yup. THANK YOU.
- Cash withdrawal: YES.
- Concierge: Available. Helpful-ish, I found it depending on the staff member.
- Convenience store: Always a winner!
- Currency exchange: Check with the front desk.
- Daily housekeeping: Spot on.
- Elevator: Essential!
- Laundry service: Helpful for those travel emergencies.
- Luggage storage: Yep.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Seminars: Available!
- Safety deposit boxes: Good to have.
- Smoking area: Yes. (But please, be considerate!)
- Terrace: Possible.
- Xerox/fax in business center: Likely.
For the Kids: Family-Friendliness?
I didn’t travel with kids, but the website mentions Kids facilities. Babysitting service? Unlikely. They seem to cater more to the business traveller. So, if you have kids, double-check before booking.
Access: Getting In, Getting Out
- Airport transfer: Yes, by taxi or the hotel may have a service.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Excellent.
- Elevator: Essential for access.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always a plus.
- Taxi service: Readily available.
Available in All Rooms: What You Get
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Alarm clock: Yep.
- Bathrobes: Usually, a nice touch.
- Blackout curtains: YES! Sleep is precious, people.
- Coffee/tea maker: Always appreciated.
- Daily housekeeping: Check.
- Desk: For your laptop.
- Free bottled water: Check.
- Hair dryer: Saves you from having to pack one.
- High floor: Possible!
- In-room safe box: Good security.
- Internet access – wireless: Check.
- Ironing facilities: Yes.
- Mini bar: Varies.
- Non-smoking: Good.
- Private bathroom: Obviously.
- Refrigerator: Useful.
- Satellite/cable channels: If you have time to watch them!
- Seating area: Possible.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Maybe.
- Shower: Yep.
- Slippers: Probably.
- Smoke detector: Essential.
- Soundproofing: Pray for it!
- Telephone: If you must.
- Toiletries: Probably the basics.
- Towels: Obviously.
- Wake-up service: Always handy.
- Wi-Fi [free]: YES!!!
- Window that opens: A bonus for fresh air!
The Jinjiang Inn Select: My Recommendation (The Real Verdict)
So, is the Nanxiang Jinjiang Inn Select the BEST hotel in the world? Absolutely not. Is it a solid, reliable, clean, and convenient option for exploring Shanghai on a budget? YES. It’s a no-frills, get-the-job-done kind of place. If you're looking for luxury, look elsewhere. If you need a clean bed, a hot shower, and a reliable internet connection, with easy access to
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Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a Shanghai adventure so gloriously messy, it'll probably involve me crying, laughing, and possibly needing a very stiff drink. Here’s my glorious, imperfect itinerary – anchored by the relative safety of the Jinjiang Inn Select Shanghai Nanxiang Minzhu Street (bless you, budget hotels!):
Day 1: Arrival, Chaos, and the Quest for Dim Sum Glory
- 10:00 AM - Pudong Airport: The Great Shanghai Gauntlet. Okay, so the flight's in the books! After a marathon flight, I'm finally hitting Shanghai! I get through customs with a sigh of relief, grab my bag, and I'm greeted with a wall of people and a language barrier wider than the Yangtze. The airport is HUGE. I'm talking, "Where's the nearest Starbucks?" kind of huge. I swear I spent a good 20 minutes just staring, overwhelmed. Then, panic set in. Getting a taxi felt like an audition for a reality show about frantic travelers. Finally, I find one, and after a (slightly terrifying) ride, I arrive at the Jinjiang Inn. Score!
- 12:00 PM - Check-in Drama. The hotel lobby is cleaner than my apartment, and the staff seems friendly enough. I am always prepared with some basic Mandarin phrases for a good impression. Check-in goes without a hitch, and I'm given key card, my room at last!
- 1:00 PM - Room Reconnaissance & The Hungry Ghost. My room is… well, it's a hotel room. Clean enough. Now, the stomach rumble is real. I'm a creature fueled by dumplings, so I need to find the best dim sum immediately.
- 2:00 PM - The Dim Sum Quest (and a Mild Meltdown). Armed with a poorly translated guide and a desperate hope, I venture out. The Nanxiang area is bustling! This is the real deal. I wander through crowded streets, dodging scooters, and trying to figure out how to order. Picture me, flustered, pointing frantically at pictures and hoping for the best. My first attempt at a dim sum restaurant… disaster. The food was cold and the service was less than stellar. I'm near tears (hangry tears are a thing, okay?) before I stumble upon a little hole-in-the-wall that looks promising.
- 3:00 PM - Dim Sum Nirvana (and a Moment of Pure Joy). Victory! I finally nailed it! This place… oh, this place. Steaming baskets of juicy soup dumplings (Xiaolongbao), fluffy char siu bao, delicious pork buns and even some spicy chili oil, everything was sheer perfection. My tastebuds were doing the tango. Eating it was an experience. It was like a warm hug from the universe. I'm a mess, but a happy mess.
- 4:00 PM - Wandering & Wondering. Post-dim sum coma, I wander the streets of Nanxiang, soaking in the sights. The details are stunning - the winding alleyways, the little shops overflowing with treasures, the elderly couples playing mahjong… It is a feast for the eyes. I stumble upon a tea shop and indulge in a fragrant jasmine tea, getting lost in the moment. This is the stuff, right? This is what I came for.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner Disaster (And a Lesson in Humility). I made the mistake of trying to be adventurous and venture further afield for dinner. A restaurant I'd read about looked incredible on the menu. Turns out, the translation was wildly inaccurate, and I ended up with a plate of what looked like (and tasted like) deep-fried… something. Let's just say it wasn't my finest culinary hour. Lesson learned: stick to local recommendations… or maybe just stick to more dim sum.
- 8:00 PM - Bedtime Blues (and the Hope for Tomorrow). I'm exhausted. Jet lag is kicking in, and those deep-fried somethings aren't helping. Back to the hotel, I make a mental note to prepare for the next adventures.
Day 2: Gardens, Temples, and the Pursuit of Instagrammable Moments (and Maybe a Little More Dim Sum)
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast Battle & The Language Barrier. The hotel breakfast is a lukewarm buffet affair. I try, genuinely, to eat some of the local offerings. Let's just say I relied heavily on toast and instant coffee. The struggle is real.
- 10:00 AM - Yu Garden: Tourist Trapped, but Worth It? I wrestle with the subway and then at Yu Garden, a beautiful traditional garden. It's crowded. Massively crowded. I'm talking wall-to-wall tourists. But the gardens? Absolutely stunning. The intricate rock formations, the tranquil ponds, the architecture… It's breathtaking. I push through the crowds, take a hundred pictures, and try to imagine myself as a serene, contemplative ancient scholar (spoiler alert: I fail miserably).
- 12:00 PM - Tea House Triumph (and a Moment of Zen). After Yu Garden, I treat myself to a tea ceremony in a traditional tea house nearby. The intricate rituals, the delicate tea, the calming atmosphere… It's the perfect antidote to the chaos of the crowds. I feel… almost peaceful.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch (and a Recurring Theme). I'm on a mission. I need more dim sum. This time, armed with my newfound knowledge, I find a small shop, and it's everything I was hoping for.
- 2:00 PM - The Jade Buddha Temple: Where Serenity Resides (or at Least Tries To). The Jade Buddha Temple is another must-see. This place is incredible. The golden statues, the scent of incense, the hushed atmosphere… It's a sensory overload in the best possible way. I spend a good hour simply wandering and taking it all in. I actually feel a sense of peace, despite the constant stream of visitors.
- 4:00 PM - Noodle Adventures and the Subway Saga. Lunch was a dream, but let's be honest, I was already thinking about dinner. The subway is an adventure in itself. It's crowded, efficient, and completely incomprehensible at times. I get a little lost (okay, maybe a lot), but eventually, I arrive at a noodle shop I'd been eyeing. The noodles are good, but not quite dim sum level. Still, it's a win.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner Delights (and a Bit of Regret). I decided to try a restaurant with a modern vibe. The food was pretty and quite good, but maybe I should have just gone for more dim sum.
- 8:00 PM - Late-Night Ramblings (and a Final Dim Sum Fantasy). Back at the hotel, exhausted and full of good food, I spent some time reflecting on the day by the window. I'm in awe of the contrast between the modern and traditional worlds, and excited by what the next days will bring. Did I mention I'm also craving dim sum?
Day 3 & Beyond: The Unwritten Chapters (And the Unforeseen Mayhem)
- …To Be Continued… This is where the real fun begins! The itinerary becomes more fluid, more spontaneous. I'm planning on exploring the Bund (those iconic Shanghai skyscrapers!), the French Concession (chic and full of character), and maybe even a day trip to a nearby water town. I'm prepared for more delicious food, more beautiful sights, more language barriers, and more (inevitably) hilarious mishaps.
- Oh, and did I mention the unwavering quest for the perfect dumpling? That's a constant. It's more than just food; It's a philosophy.
This is just the beginning. Shanghai, you magnificent, messy, delicious city, I'm ready for whatever you throw at me! And if I end up crying in a dumpling shop because I can't communicate, well, that's just part of the adventure, right?
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Shanghai Nanxiang's BEST Hotel? Jinjiang Inn Select Review! (Brace Yourself for Honesty!)
Okay, Spill it. Is this Jinjiang Inn Select in Nanxiang actually *good*?
Alright, buckle up buttercup. "Good" is a relative term. You're in Nanxiang. Think... charming, but possibly a little dusty around the edges. The Jinjiang Inn Select? Let's just say it's... *functional*. Don't expect the Ritz. Do expect… well, more on that later. I went in with low expectations, bracing myself for the usual budget hotel suspects: questionable stains, thin walls, and the vague scent of old cigarette smoke. Actually... let's start with the positives!
The location is pretty solid IF you're there for the Nanxiang Steamed Buns (which, let's be honest, you probably are). It's practically *on top of* the Nanxiang Old Town. Win! Big win! Also, the staff were… attempting to be helpful, even if my Mandarin rivals a toddler's. Bless them.
Speaking of the location... How *close* are we talking to the buns? Because I'm obsessed.
Dude. Practically within spitting distance. I'm not kidding. Roll out of bed, stumble downstairs, and BAM! Steamed bun heaven. Seriously, I think I ate my weight in Xiaolongbao that weekend. There are multiple places RIGHT outside the hotel. One of those experiences that makes you feel like you’re actually *in* China, rather than just looking at it through a window. It was glorious. (And probably the reason I gained three pounds.) Okay, maybe more. But the convenience factor is off the charts. Forget fancy hotels, proximity to those porky little pockets of deliciousness is the real luxury. I still dream of those buns. They were so good, the hotel could have been located in a landfill (okay, maybe not *that* bad) and I still would have given it a fighting chance.
The Rooms... Are They Actually Clean? Asking the Important Questions.
Okay, okay, the rooms. Let's be real. It's a *budget* hotel. Clean-ish. I did the white glove test (because I'm THAT person). There was a general "clean enough" vibe. You’ve got your standard minimalist design: the bed, a tiny desk, a TV that probably only has Mandarin channels… and the bathroom. Ah, the bathroom. Let's just say the grout could use a little… love. And the shower? The water pressure was weak, like a sad little trickle of despair, but it was hot. And honestly, after walking around Nanxiang all day, just the fact that I could actually *wash* was a win. It wasn't the most luxurious shower of my life, but it *worked*. No bed bugs, no giant spiders, and the sheets seemed clean enough. So, "passable"? Absolutely. Would I say *spotless*? Ehhh, let's not push it.
What's the breakfast situation? Is it worth waking up for?
Breakfast, ah, breakfast. This is where the Jinjiang Inn experience really shines. (Kidding!) It's included, so that's helpful. Think… a selection of Chinese dishes, and a few Western-ish options. Imagine a buffet of mystery meats, some semi-stewed vegetables, and suspiciously orange scrambled eggs. There were also… um… things. Things I couldn't identify. I played it safe and stuck to the congee, which was actually pretty decent, and some steamed buns (different kind of buns this time, but still buns!). Coffee? Let's just say it's not Starbucks. You're better off grabbing a coffee from a street vendor. Was it worth waking up for? Maybe. Because, well, it was there. Did I have high expectations? Hell, no! Did I leave hungry? Also no. It did the job of soaking up any leftover alcohol from the night before.
The Staff - Any Memorable Encounters or Language Barriers?
Ah, the staff. Bless their cotton socks. My Mandarin is… atrocious. Like, embarrassingly so. Picture this: me, flailing my arms, pointing at something on a menu, and trying to communicate the need for... well, *anything*. The receptionists were genuinely trying to be helpful, bless them. They were patient. Very. Patient. There was this one young woman who spoke a tiny bit of English, and she was an absolute lifesaver. She helped me with everything—from figuring out the keycard to ordering a taxi. I even managed to accidentally lock myself out of my room (don't ask), and they came to my rescue! Overall, the staff were friendly (though communication was a challenge), and their efforts were definitely appreciated. It's a budget place, so you can't expect concierge-level service, but they were doing their best, and that's the important thing. Plus, they seemed to enjoy my pathetic attempts at speaking Chinese, which is always a bonus. The language barrier is real but I felt a lot of empathy towards them, doing their best in a high-traffic environment.
Any Quirky Observations or Unforgettable Moments?
Oh, definitely! One morning, I was desperately searching for an adapter, because, you know, the modern world demands charging opportunities. I asked at reception, gesturing wildly, and finally, the kind receptionist understood. She brought me...a whole box of adapters. Like, a *vast* selection. I felt like I'd won a mini-lottery of travel accessories! Another thing: the soundproofing... or rather, the *lack* thereof. I'm pretty sure I could hear the person in the next room brushing their teeth. And don't even get me started on the elevator. It had the classic "is it going to stop on the fifth floor? Or will it just keep ascending into the realm of the unknown?" kind of suspense. Oh, and I remember the constant humming of the air conditioning. But honestly, it was comforting! Like a white noise machine for a budget traveler. It became my companion. I even considered naming him. The little hum of the *unknown* or something.
Overall, Would You Recommend the Jinjiang Inn Select in Nanxiang?
Okay, the burning question! The answer is: it depends. If you’re a luxury traveler who can't live without fluffy robes and a turn-down service, absolutely not. Run far, far away. If you're on a budget, and you're *specifically* going to Nanxiang to eat those legendary steamed buns and explore the old town, then yes. Yes, I would. The location is unbeatable. The price is right. The cleanliness is… acceptable. Just set your expectations accordingly. Pack your own earplugs (for the humming and the thin walls) and your own adapter. Go for the buns. Embrace the experience. And don't expect perfection. You might even have a good time. I did!
