Nanjing Confucius Temple Hotel: Unbeatable Luxury & Location!
Nanjing Confucius Temple Hotel: Unbeatable Luxury & Location? Okay, Let's Talk… (And I'm Still Recovering from the Massage)
Alright, buckle up travel nerds, because I'm about to unleash my Nanjing Confucius Temple Hotel experience upon you. "Unbeatable Luxury & Location!" the brochure screamed. And, well, it mostly delivered. But, like any good relationship, there were a few… hiccups. Let's dive in, shall we?
Metadata & SEO Stuff (Because Apparently, We Have To):
- Title: Nanjing Confucius Temple Hotel Review: Luxury, Location & (Mostly) Happy Memories
- Keywords: Nanjing Confucius Temple Hotel, Nanjing Hotel Review, Confucius Temple Area, Luxury Hotel Nanjing, Spa Hotel, Accessible Hotel, Free Wi-Fi, Restaurant, Pool, Fitness Center, Nanjing Travel, China Hotels.
- Meta Description: Honest review of the Nanjing Confucius Temple Hotel, focusing on luxury, location, accessibility, amenities (spa, pool, restaurants), and overall experience. Find out if it lives up to the hype!
First Impressions & The Great Accessibility Debate:
Getting to the hotel? Easy peasy. Close to the train station, a breeze with a taxi. Finding the entrance, though? A bit of a head-scratcher. Let's just say the signage could use a little… pizzazz.
Accessibility? Now, that's where things get interesting. The hotel claims to be accessible. They've got elevators, which is a huge plus. (Elevator - Check!) Wheelchair-accessible rooms are listed, BUT. I didn’t personally inspect one, which is a big caveat. (Wheelchair accessible rooms - Possibly. Investigate Further!) Public areas seemed navigable, mostly. **(Public Area Accessibility- Mostly Good, I would say) **The lobby was a bit… sprawling, and navigating a wheelchair through a packed tourist crowd during the Golden Week might be a challenge. But, it *was* doable. Again, a double-check with your specific needs is vital.
Dining & The Battle of the Buffet:
Okay, food. My. God. Where do I even begin? The hotel boasts a ridiculous number of dining options. (Restaurants - Yes! Many!)
Restaurants: Multiple, with Asian and Western cuisines, and some even offered a Vegetarian option! (Vegetarian Restaurant - Check!) They also had a Coffee/Tea shop (Coffee Shop - Check!) and a Snack bar (Snack Bar - Check!) I was particularly intrigued by the 'Happy Hour', but more on that later.
Breakfast: I’m a breakfast fiend! The buffet (Breakfast Buffet - Oh, HEAVEN!) was, let’s just say, vast. Everything from the standard Western fare (Western Breakfast, Restaurant - Check!) to an authentic Asian Breakfast (Asian Breakfast, Restaurant - Check!) There were those little soup bowls, the noodles, the dumplings… I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. And let’s be honest, I ate way too much. No regrets. Okay, maybe a few regrets regarding the fit of my jeans. They also offer room service (Room Service, 24 hours - YES!) for breakfast, but who wants to miss out on the buffet spectacle? The food was good, no, actually the food was great. Not 5 stars incredible, but at least a solid 4 stars for me.
The Great Coffee Catastrophe: Now, here’s a minor… incident. I went for a coffee. Like, needed a coffee, post-buffet coma coffee. I went into the little coffee shop, looked at the array of delightful pastries and ordered… a latte. Simple, right? Apparently not. After 20 minutes (yes, I timed it), I managed to flag down a barista. The latte was… well, it tasted like dishwater with a hint of coffee. **(Coffee/Tea in restaurant - mostly good) **The other food that I was able to try was alright, the restaurant and bar were great.
Relaxation Station: Spa, Pool & That Decadent Massage
This is where the hotel really shines. Seriously.
Spa & Wellness: The spa! Oh, sweet, sweet spa. (Spa - Check!) I splashed for the full works: Body scrub, wrap. The whole shebang. (Body Scrub - Check!) (Body Wrap - Check!) I might have even dozed off. The massage was heavenly. Seriously, I think I might still be decompressing. They also had a sauna, steam room, and a foot bath. (Sauna - Check!) (Steam Room - Check!)
Pool: The outdoor pool (Swimming pool, Outdoor - Check!) was gorgeous, and the views from it were breathtaking. If you could tear yourself away from the masseuse, the pool was definitely worth a visit. The Poolside bar was pretty good too! (Poolside Bar - Check!)
Fitness Center: They also had a gym (Gym/fitness - Check!). Which, admittedly, I didn't use. The spa and the buffet were pretty much my workout for the entire trip.
Cleanliness, Safety & The COVID Considerations:
Let's talk about the elephant in the room, (or, well, the virus hanging around everywhere).
- Cleanliness: Impeccable. Absolutely spotless. (Cleanliness - Top Marks!)
- Safety: Things were taken seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere. (Hand Sanitizer - Check!) The staff wore masks (also me). (Staff trained in safety protocol - Check!) They had a lot of anti-viral cleaning stuff. (Anti-viral cleaning products - Check!) Daily Disinfection of common areas. (Daily disinfection in common areas - Check!)
- Room Sanitization: Room sanitization was standard, they allowed you to opt out. (Room sanitization opt-out available - Check!)
The Room: My Little Palace (Minus the Internet Meltdown)
The rooms? Beautiful. Spacious. Absolutely luxurious. (Available in all rooms, air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes, bathtub, blackout curtains, carpeting, closet, coffee/tea maker, complimentary tea, daily housekeeping, desk, extra long bed, free bottled water, hair dryer, high floor, in-room safe box, interconnecting room(s) available, internet access, ironing facilities, laptop workspace, linens, mini bar, mirror, non-smoking, on-demand movies, private bathroom, reading light, refrigerator, satellite/cable channels, scale, 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], window that opens - Check!) The air conditioning was a godsend. The bed felt like sleeping on a cloud. I had a view that… well, it almost made me forget about the coffee. Almost. The complimentary tea was a nice touch. But… the internet!
- The Wi-Fi Saga: Free Wi-Fi? Yes! (Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! - Check!) But it was… patchy. Sometimes it worked beautifully. Other times… I could have sworn I was back in the dial-up era. This was especially annoying when I wanted to upload those envy-inducing spa photos. (Internet access - Mostly good, not a deal breaker, but worth noting!)
Services & Conveniences (The 'Stuff' They Don't Advertise Enough)
This is where the hotel really showed its true colors.
- Concierge: Super helpful! They sorted out everything from restaurant reservations to suggesting the perfect route for a temple visit. (Concierge - Check!)
- Laundry: Efficient! I had some fresh clothes in no time. (Laundry service - Check!)
- Other Things: Dry cleaning, luggage storage, and even cash withdrawal. The convenience was amazing. (Dry cleaning, luggage storage, cash withdrawal - Check!)
For the Kids & The Honeymooners (Or, Things I Didn't Personally Experience)
- Families: They say it's family-friendly with a babysitting service (Babysitting service - Check!) and kids’ meals. (Kids meal - Check!).
- Couples: They have couple’s rooms and a proposal spot. (Couple's room, Proposal spot - Check!)
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
- Airport Transfer: Absolutely. They'll pick you up and drop you off. (Airport transfer - Check!)
- Other options: Taxi service is available. (Taxi service - Check!), and I believe they had car parking too. (Car park – Check!)
The Not-So-Perfect Bits (Because Let's Be Real)
**The Coffee Conundrum: **I already discussed this, but worth repeating.
The Location is GREAT, but…: It's right in the heart of the action, which means it can get loud. Especially at night when the crowds are partying.
The Price Tag: Let's just say, you're paying for the luxury. It's not a budget hotel.
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn’t going to be your perfectly polished Tripadvisor review. This is the actual diary of my slightly-unhinged Nanjing adventure, fueled by questionable street food and the relentless optimism of a seasoned traveler (read: I haven’t learned my lesson yet). My basecamp? The GreenTree Inn Jiangsu Nanjing Confucius Temple South Taiping Road Express Hotel – which, let’s be honest, is a mouthful. But hey, it was cheap, and the reviews said "clean." (Fingers crossed).
Nanjing Debrief: Or, How I Accidentally Became a Tea Connoisseur (and Lost a Sock)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Dim Sum Disaster (and Triumph!)
- 8:00 AM (ish): Touchdown at Nanjing Lukou International Airport. Jet lag? Nah, just the existential dread of being in a country where I speak approximately three words of Mandarin. (They're “hello,” “thank you,” and “more beer,” respectively. Extremely useful.) The airport is HUGE. Seriously, I think it had a whole dang city built inside. Found the airport shuttle, which, bless its metal heart, actually spoke English on the intercom. Small victories.
- 10:00 AM: Checked into the GreenTree. It’s… well, it’s exactly what the reviews promised. Clean. Functional. The air conditioning sounds like a small jet engine taking off, but hey, it’s clean! I unpacked, which mostly involved wrestling my monstrous suitcase to open. The room itself, despite its basic nature, had a surprising feature: a window with what looked like a miniature zen garden of rooftop equipment outside. Beauty in unexpected places, right?
- 11:00 AM: The quest for food began. I'd heard SUCH amazing things about Nanjing's dim sum. My GPS (aka, Google Maps, which, let's be honest, sometimes just tries to troll you) guided me to a "highly-rated" dim sum place. Got there, the line was OUT the door. Then, I discovered that all the menus were in Chinese. I made a valiant attempt at pointing and smiling, and probably ended up ordering something that looked suspiciously like a deep-fried… thing. It was either a culinary masterpiece or a total disaster. The texture? Questionable. The taste? Let's just say I needed about three cups of tea to wash it down.
- 1:00 PM (ish): Defeated, I stumble back out. Just as I pass, I see a small, unassuming shop. It's packed with locals, furiously slurping down dim sum from what looked like metal bowls. I peeked inside, and a miracle: The menu, not in English, yes, but with some pictures! I bravely got a picture or two of a table and pointed. Then this happened: they looked at me, chuckled, and started pulling out the most delicious-looking dumplings I've ever seen. It was a scene akin to the climax of a rom-com: me, a sweaty, defeated tourist, and a plate of heaven. I felt like I'd won the lottery. It was the best dim sum I've ever had – tender, flavorful, and bursting with joy! Triumph tastes good.
- 2:30 PM: Attempt to navigate the Confucius Temple area. It's… crowded. Like, shoulder-to-shoulder, weaving-through-people crowded. The architecture is spectacular though. These ancient buildings stand in such contrast with the modern city. I spend an hour wandering, completely lost in the beauty and the organized chaos. I even bought a calligraphy scroll, thinking I could learn the art. Spoiler alert: I can't.
- 5:00 PM: I saw a tiny alleyway and, drawn by the tempting smell of dumplings that made my stomach growl, went in! There were so many food stalls, and I was immediately overwhelmed. I settled on some kind of steamed buns with a spicy pork filling. They were phenomenal.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner: I think I'll stick with tea tonight, to offset the dim sum.
- 7:00 PM: Walk back to the hotel. My feet are killing me. I am absolutely buzzing with something, a feeling of excitement and wonder. Despite some hiccups, Nanjing has already captivated me.
- 8:00 PM: Collapse. I had a shower (the water pressure was surprisingly good). Then, I realized that one of my socks was missing. Vanished. Poof. Accept fate.
Day 2: The Mausoleum Mishap and the Tea Ceremony Redemption
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast: the hotel's "complimentary" breakfast. Let's just say, I'm not entirely convinced it's something humans should eat. It's an assortment of mystery meats, congee that tastes like wallpaper paste, and instant coffee that tastes like sadness. I manage to find some (questionably) safe-looking fruit.
- 10:00 AM: Visit the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum. Okay, the mausoleum itself is absolutely stunning. The scale of it is mind-boggling. But getting there? That's another story. I spent about an hour meandering around the grounds, repeatedly getting accidentally separated from the group and feeling a deep sense of inadequacy. The place is full of enormous, looming marble monuments, and it's genuinely quite awe-inspiring.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Found a little noodle shop near the mausoleum. The noodles were glorious, the broth was rich, and the whole experience was a welcome balm after getting lost.
- 2:00 PM: Got lost again, trying to go back to the hotel. The roads are so complicated in Nanjing. The street signs… don't seem to follow any pattern.
- 3:00 PM: Decided to double down on the tea experience. Found a tea ceremony class and signed up, a bit nervous about my complete lack of tea knowledge. (Remember, I just learned the difference between "tea" and "tea with sugar" yesterday.)
- 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Tea Ceremony. Oh my lord, this was an experience. The tea master. He was a tiny, wiry man. He had an air of quiet authority, and a calm demeanor. He showed us the art to tea. It was slow, deliberate, and beautiful. We start with a mild green tea. The master patiently explains the different types of tea, the proper way to steep them, and just how to taste them for their subtle flavors. I learned the importance of water temperature, tea varietals, and the significance of the ceremony itself, which is about mindfulness and appreciation, a meditative pause in the midst of the city. I realize I've been drinking tea wrong my whole life. It turns out, there's a whole world of flavor out there beyond the Lipton you're used to. As the day goes on, the different teas we try get more complex. The aromas, the taste, the feeling of warmth spreading through me? It was pure bliss! My initial skepticism completely dissolved. He told us about the history and the cultural significance of tea, making it even more moving and impressive. By the end, I felt completely transformed. I ended up buying a small set, so I can attempt to recreate it. It's very different from standing in a crowded street, lost and frustrated. It was peaceful.
- 7:00 PM: I had the best dumplings for dinner this time.
- 8:00 PM: Back to the hotel. My legs are screaming. I am content, though.
Day 3: The Nanjing Massacre Memorial and Departure… and the Secret of the Lost Sock
9:00 AM: Heartbreaking and profoundly moving experience at Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall. (I will not go into detail, and will leave that for you to explore.) I was humbled and changed after this experience. A difficult but incredibly important site to visit.
12:00 PM: Lunch. Trying to find some real food. I decide to go back and find the place.
1:00 PM: Packing and checkout. The air conditioning is still going strong.
2:00 PM: The great sock mystery of Nanjing remains unsolved. The hotel staff were unhelpful (did they even look?).
3:00 PM: On the way to the airport I finally figured out the sock mystery! It turned out to have been wedged beneath the bed, behind the nightstand. There it was hiding in the darkness.
4:00 PM: Airport. Time to go.
5:00 PM: Flight. Looking back at my trip, I can't help but smile. It was not perfect, not by a long shot. I lost a sock, navigated a city with hardly any Mandarin, and nearly starved myself. But I saw amazing things, ate mind-blowing food, and had an experience that transformed me. That, my friends, is the true essence of travel.
So, that's my Nanjing adventure in a nutshell. It’s a mess. It’s real. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, if you excuse me, I'm off to find a laundry service. And maybe a translator… and definitely more dumplings.
Escape to Paradise: Port Huron's DoubleTree Awaits!
Nanjing Confucius Temple Hotel: The Unfiltered Truth - FAQs You ACTUALLY Need
Okay, is the location REALLY as amazing as everyone says? I mean, Confucius Temple sounds... touristy.
Listen, alright? The location? It's *insane*. Yes, Confucius Temple IS tourist-ville. Think of it as Disneyland, but with more incense and fewer Mickey Mouse ears (although, I wouldn't completely rule out a rogue Confucius-themed mouse ear somewhere in the gift shops, honestly). When you step out of the hotel, BAM! Right there. The Qinhuai River? Gorgeous, shimmering, and filled with lantern-lit boats floating past at night. Romantic? Oh, yeah. Overwhelming? Also, yeah. You'll be bombarded with the smells of street food, the cacophony of hawkers, and the pure, unadulterated joy (and sometimes sheer chaos) of a bustling Chinese night market. Think you'll have a peaceful, quiet snooze? Dream on. It's an experience – a GOOD experience, mostly – but it’s not for the faint of heart (or the light sleeper). I remember one night, I REALLY needed a nap, and this guy, a street food vendor was just screaming about his tofu pudding. After a hour of that, I just had to join the mob of tourists and get my pudding. Worth it though.
The luxury…is it actually luxurious, or just a fancy name with a room full of hard beds?
This is where it gets interesting. The hotel is trying VERY hard. Marble floors, opulent chandeliers, the works. But let's be honest, sometimes the 'luxury' feels a little... forced. The service is generally top-notch, BUT, and it's a big BUT, there's a slight language barrier. Picture yourself desperately trying to explain that your air conditioning is stuck on "arctic blast" at 3 AM. I swear, I think I spent half the night shivering under a feather comforter and the other half trying to mime a polar bear. Eventually, they fixed it, praise be. But overall, the rooms are spacious, well-appointed. The bed? Soft enough, but perhaps not the heaven-on-earth mattress some hotels promise. The bathroom, though…now that’s what I'm talking about! Big and beautiful, and I love it, it's absolutely clean.
What about the food? Is the hotel restaurant worth eating at, or should I stick to the street food? Because, street food!
Okay, the street food is DIVINE. Seriously. Go forth, explore, and embrace the glorious chaos. But the hotel restaurant? Mixed bag. They serve a buffet breakfast, which is excellent! HUGE selection of Chinese and Western food with a lot of variety. Just be prepared for the buffet buffet experience and the "competitive breakfast" scene. But the a la carte options? Hit or miss. I remember ordering something that sounded amazing on the menu, a dish with duck, some vegetables, and this special Nanjing sweet sauce, it was a disaster! The duck was overcooked, the sauce tasting more like sugary mud, it was a horrible experience. So, yes, eat the street food, but if you're tired, the hotel restaurant will work. Just be smart about your choices, maybe ask a waiter.
Is there a spa? And is the spa any good? Because I need a massage after all that dumpling consumption.
Yes, there IS a spa. And yes, it is pretty good. The ambiance is excellent, serene, and a welcome escape from city life. I've had two massages there. The first was a bit stiff; I think the lady might have been new. But the second was AMAZING! The masseuse (different person) was incredible, truly skilled. So, it's worth a shot. Maybe a little more investigation into the therapist on duty is a good idea. All in all, very nice.
Transportation – how easy is it to get around from the hotel?
Fantastic! The hotel is right in the heart of everything. Taxis are readily available, the metro is easily accessible (and super efficient, honestly). You're also within walking distance of a decent amount of attractions. Just be prepared for the crowds, especially during peak season. Oh, and learn a few basic Mandarin phrases, it will save you a lot of headaches. I almost missed my train because of a taxi misunderstanding!
What’s the most memorable thing about staying at the Nanjing Confucius Temple Hotel? The thing that sticks with you?
Oh man, it's not one thing, it's several. First off, the feeling of being completely immersed in the energy of the city! The lights, the smells, the sights. The sheer intensity of it is an experience in itself. Then there was the time I tried to order a taxi and ended up accidentally having a 20-minute conversation with a local about the merits of different types of tea. He didn't speak a lick of English. I have no idea what he said, but it was charming. Pure charm. I remember walking out of the hotel and seeing a street performer balancing a giant fishbowl on his head. He was so good, and no one was paying him any mind. It made me laugh, a loud, uninhibited laugh. I will never forget these moments. They are Nanjing, they are Confucius Temple Hotel, and that is what I would always remember.
Should I stay here? Seriously, is it worth it?
Listen. Yes, stay here! It's not perfect, but where is? It's a true experience of Nanjing, right at your doorstep. The location is UNBEATABLE. If you want luxury, with a side of real-life, not just a perfectly curated instagram experience, then do it. Just go knowing it's going to be a little messy, maybe a little loud, and probably a little amazing.
