Lanzhou's Hidden Gem: NIHAO Hotel Xiguan Zhengning Road Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Lanzhou's Hidden Gem: NIHAO Hotel Xiguan Zhengning Road – My Honest (And Slightly Obsessive) Review (You Won't Believe This!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to take you on a wild ride through my Lanzhou adventure, specifically, my stay at the NIHAO Hotel Xiguan Zhengning Road. Forget those glossy travel brochures; this is the real deal, complete with my unfiltered thoughts, questionable decisions, and a healthy dose of Lanzhou-induced food coma.
First Impressions (and My Near-Panic Attack): Accessibility & Safety
Coming off a long train ride, I was exhausted. Finding the hotel was easy enough (thanks, Google Maps, you're a lifesaver). The first thing that struck me? The clean, modern feel. And hey, elevator! Massive plus for anyone lugging suitcases like I was. I also was worried, as I had heard Lanzhou isn't always the most accessible place in China. Initially, I was thrilled to see facilities for disabled guests. A great thing if you're someone who needs that! The lobby felt secure, with 24-hour security and CCTV in common areas that put my mind at ease.
Accessibility Score: 4/5, mostly due to the elevator but I would have loved to see more specific information regarding accessibility accommodations. Still a great start for Lanzhou.
Safety Score: 5/5. Felt safe throughout my stay.
Room Revelation (and the Miracle of Blackout Curtains)
My room? Well, it was a room. Clean, thankfully. Air conditioning was a lifesaver – Lanzhou gets HOT. The blackout curtains… genius. I'm a light sleeper, so these were a game-changer. I also enjoyed the complimentary tea, it was a nice touch after a long train ride. The Internet access – wireless worked like a charm to my surprise! I also saw Internet access – LAN but I didn't touch it. The free Wi-Fi was in all rooms which I appreciated, although some of the speeds could be questionable at times.
Room Amenities Breakdown:
- Essentials: Air conditioning, bathroom phone, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Mini bar, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Shower, Smoke detector, Slippers, Telephone, Toiletries, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free].
- Nice-to-Haves: *Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Carpeting, Closet, Extra long bed, High floor, In-room safe box, Linens, Mirror, Reading light, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Smoke detector, Soundproofing, Towels, Umbrella, *
- Unused/Missed: Additional toilet, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, On-demand movies, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Visual alarm, Window that opens.
Room Score: 4/5. Solid, clean, and functional. The blackout curtains alone deserve a medal.
The Foodie Frenzy (and My Near-Unsuccessful Vegetarian Gambit)
Let's talk about food. Lanzhou is a foodie paradise. Restaurants galore. The Asian cuisine in the restaurant was the main draw for me, but I also saw they offered Western cuisine.
The Breakfast [buffet] was…interesting. Asian breakfast was the focus, and I struggled, as a vegetarian. They did offer Alternative meal arrangement however, and the staff was generally accommodating of my dietary restrictions. They had Vegetarian restaurant options at nearby locations, this was a lifesaver! I enjoyed the Coffee/tea in restaurant but I really wished they offered more Desserts in restaurant. Salad in restaurant and Soup in restaurant were the only options I really had.
The hotel offered Room service [24-hour], but I mainly stuck to exploring the local eateries. One time I had a burger and a beer.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking:
- What I Used: Breakfast [buffet], Coffee/tea in restaurant, Room service [24-hour], Restaurants, Snack bar, Vegetarian restaurant.
- Didn't Try: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
Food Score: 3.5/5. Great location for food exploration, but vegetarian options at the hotel were limited.
Spa Shenanigans (or, Why I Regret Not Getting a Massage)
I saw they offered Spa/sauna, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Pool with view, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]. I'm a complete idiot, and I didn't take advantage of a single one. Ugh. Lesson learned: always get the massage.
Wellness Score: 2/5 (due to my own incompetence!). I'm deducting points because I didn't experience it!
Services and Conveniences (and My Failed Quest for Dry Cleaning)
- Yes, Please! Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Concierge (helpful!), Daily housekeeping, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events.
- Could Have Used: Dry cleaning (wasn't available), Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop (never found it). Ironing service.
- What I Didn't Use (but Noted): Audio-visual equipment for special events, Babysitting service, Bicycle parking, Business facilities, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Doorman, Essential condiments, Food delivery, Invoice provided, Laundry service, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Seminars, Shrine, Taxi service, Valet parking, Xerox/fax in business center, Wi-Fi for special events.
Services Score: 4/5. Efficient and convenient overall.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, Well, It Matters)
This is SUPER important. Rooms sanitized between stays. Anti-viral cleaning products. Daily disinfection in common areas. I saw Hot water linen and laundry washing. Hygiene certification. Individually-wrapped food options. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. Professional-grade sanitizing services. Staff trained in safety protocol. Sterilizing equipment. Safe dining setup and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items I felt (generally) very safe. They even had Hand sanitizer everywhere.
Cleanliness and Safety Score: 5/5. Top marks for attention to detail.
Things to Do (Besides Stuffing My Face)
- I saw they offered a Fitness center, Gym/fitness. Unfortunately, I didn't use it.
Things to Do Score: 2/5 (mostly on me for not exploring!)
For the Kids (Because, You Know, Someone Might Have Them)
- Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, and Kids meal, which is great if you're traveling with little ones.
For the Kids Score: Unrated (as I don't have kids!)
Overall Honest Verdict: Is the NIHAO Hotel Xiguan Zhengning Road Worth It?
Look, Lanzhou isn't the easiest city to navigate, and this hotel isn't faultless. But for the price, the location, the friendly staff, and those blackout curtains… YES. Absolutely. It's a solid, reliable option that perfectly suits the rugged traveler. It feels like a local spot.
Would I stay again? Absolutely. In a heartbeat.
FINAL SCORE: 4/5. Lanzhou's hidden gem? Maybe not hidden, but definitely a gem.
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Alright, buckle up, buttercup, because this isn't your meticulously planned travel guide. This is… well, my chaotic, probably-slightly-hungover, potentially-delirious-from-jet-lag, Lanzhou adventure. Base of operations? NIHAO Hotel Lanzhou Xiguan Zhengning Road. Let's see if I even made it out of the lobby without tripping over my own feet…
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Noodle Hunt
- Morning (aka, Whenever I Dragged Myself Out of Bed): Landed in Lanzhou. Or, more accurately, survived landing in Lanzhou. The flight was a blur of screaming kids, recycled air, and questionable airplane coffee. Seriously, they should write a travel advisory for airline coffee. It’s a health hazard, I swear. Dragging my suitcase that felt heavier than a refrigerator, and the feeling of my stomach falling to my feet. The hotel lobby, bless its heart, was all bright lights and aggressively friendly staff. They even had a little fish tank. Fish therapy, anyone? Needed it.
- Afternoon: The Noodle Mission Begins! The primary directive? Lanzhou Lamian. The holy grail of hand-pulled noodles. I asked the front desk for the "best" spot nearby. They pointed me towards a bustling restaurant, "Ma Ye Ma Ye Lamian." The aroma hit me first – a symphony of savory broth, chili oil, and… wait, is that… cumin? Oh yes, this is going to be good. I fumbled, ordered the beef noodles, and watched in awe as a noodle master spun, slapped, and pulled dough into perfect, wobbly strands. The first bite? A revelation. Chewy, the broth was a dance of spices and the beef… melt-in-your-mouth. I might have drooled a little. Don't judge me.
- Evening: Lost (and Loving It!) After the noodles, I wandered. Or, more accurately, got lost. The smells, sights – the vibrant chaos of Lanzhou streets. I bumped into a street vendor selling candied hawthorns. They were aggressively red and looked like tiny, sugary jewels. I bought one, and the taste was… tart and addictive. I got utterly lost in translation trying to buy a bottle of water. Gestures, pointing, frantic Google Translating… finally, success! The water was cold, and that was all that mattered. I managed to find my way back to the hotel, feeling a strangely content sense of accomplishment. Maybe I’ll learn the language. Maybe not.
- Night: Room Service (and Regret?) Ordered room service. Noodles again? A local beer? Sounded like a great idea at the time. The beer was good. The noodles, after the initial joy, were a bit… too heavy. Lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Jet lag? Anxiety? Probably both.
Day 2: Bizarre Breakfasts and a River's Edge Meltdown
- Morning: The hotel breakfast. Buffet life. It was an experience. The noodles, of course, were in attendance. But I also spotted something that looked like tofu skin folded into tiny packets. The textures were… challenging. I also tried something that was definitely egg-related, but tasted suspiciously sweet. And I think a tiny bit of fried dough. I am not sure I’ll get used to some of the food.
- Mid-Morning: The Yellow River Delirium Dragged myself to the Yellow River. The Mother River. It's… impressive. And a little… muddy. The churning water and the sheer scale of the thing are overwhelming. I opted to take photos. The wind was a bit biting. I got a bit lost in thought.
- Afternoon: The First Real Meltdown: I got lost again. It was around the Yellow River. I was too cold. The food was too heavy. The crowds seemed… intense. Panic started to bubble. The language barrier felt crushing. I had a full-blown tourist meltdown on a park bench, and just cried. Seriously. Sobbing. Right there. Under the gaze of some bemused pigeons. After about 20 minutes, the world started to feel less bleak. I ate a snack bar from my bag, and I eventually started to laugh at myself. What a drama queen. Okay, moving on.
- Evening: The Noodle Redemption Back to Ma Ye Ma Ye! Seriously, I needed those noodles. Comfort food is a beautiful thing. This time, I took my time, savouring every slurp. The broth somehow tasted even better than the first day. There was a family at the next table. I watched them. Laughter, sharing food, connection. It was really nice to see.
Day 3: The White Pagoda Mountain (and the Return of the Meltdown, Maybe)
- Morning: Coffee! Finally found a decent coffee shop. The caffeine was a lifeline. Went to White Pagoda Mountain. The views are incredible. The walk up? A leg-killer. But totally worth it. The views from the top were beautiful and incredible. I sat on a rock and just breathed.
- Afternoon: Decided to try the touristy stuff shops. Bought a cheap jade pendant (probably fake), and a scarf with a ridiculously cheesy landscape printed on it. Regretted the scarf purchase almost immediately.
- Evening: Dinner (and Therapy) with a Stranger Found a small, local joint. The menu was entirely in Chinese. I picked something at random. *It turned out to be a spicy, delicious stew with vegetables and chunks of meat that I *think* were pork.* Sat next to a Chinese man, maybe in his late 50s. We started chatting. Google Translate helped a lot. He told me about his family, his life. Offered me some of his food! It was a simple exchange, but it felt… human. He said I should try going to Xiguan Mosque.
- Night: Back in the hotel. Writing this. Still processing the day. The melting down. The food. The people. The overwhelming beauty and the crushing loneliness. It's all a mess. But it's my mess. And despite the chaos, I wouldn't trade it.
Day 4: The Mosque, the Markets, and the Farewell Noodles (I Hope!)
- Morning: Xiguan Mosque. Absolutely breathtaking. The architecture, the quiet, the sense of history… I felt a flicker of calm. Not a religious person, but it was still powerful
- Afternoon: The Xiguan Market. A sensory overload! Smells of spices, throngs of people haggling, colors everywhere! I got completely lost and loved it. Bought a bag of dried dates. They were so sweet and they had a beautiful feel.
- Evening: One last noodle run. Just to be sure. This time, I ordered extra chili oil. It was perfect.
- Night: Packing. The trip felt like a blur. Lanzhou - you're a confusing, delicious, beautiful, and occasionally overwhelming place. Back to my room. Not to my own bed. Goodbye, sweet Lanzhou life. I'm ready to leave. The next place, I hope, is the promised land.
And that’s it. A taste of my time in Lanzhou. It was messy. Imperfect. But it was mine. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap (and probably another noodle bowl).
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NIHAO Hotel Xiguan Zhengning Road Review (You Won't Believe This!) - A Messy FAQ
Okay, spill the tea! Is this "hidden gem" actually worth the hype?
What's the location like? Is it actually "hidden"?
The rooms… are they… clean? What about the facilities?
What about the staff? Were they helpful? Speaking of which, how's the English?
So, the food... tell me *everything* about the food! Is breakfast included?
Okay, the *one* thing you'll never forget about your stay? Spill the beans.
Would you recommend this hotel? Be honest!
