Escape to Paradise: Echarm Hotel Guiyang Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the Echarm Hotel Guiyang! Or, as I'm now calling it, "Escape to Paradise…if you pack the right shoes because GUANGZHOU IS 1000 FUCKING STEPS AWAY!" (Just kidding, Guiyang, a bit).
Right, let's get down to brass tacks (or, more like, brass teacups, 'cause ASIA). This review is going to be less corporate brochure and more slightly unhinged traveler's diary. Think of it as your pre-trip reality check.
First Impressions & Accessibility: The Great Staircase Saga (and other things)
Finding this place was… an adventure. Honestly, getting to Guiyang was an adventure. The drive to the door was one thing… but the actual accessibility? Okay, so, yes, wheelchair accessible is a thing they boast about. They have an elevator, bless their hearts. But getting around the city felt like a pre-historic mountain goat’s annual trek uphill. Be warned. Be VERY prepared.
But back to the hotel! Check-in was surprisingly smooth. Contactless check-in/out gets a HUGE thumbs up from this germaphobe. Also, front desk staff very lovely and helpful. They are definitely trained in safety protocol which made me feel safe.
Rooms & Digs: My Sanctuary (and the Tiny Slippers)
My room! Oh, my room. Okay, let's start with the good: Free Wi-Fi in all rooms (duh!), air conditioning that actually works, blackout curtains (essential for my vampire-esque sleeping schedule), and – bless them – a coffee/tea maker. They even toss in free bottled water which is a godsend when you're spending all day out. The bathroom – a tiny, wet-room of zen? Not quite. However what it lacks in size it makes up for, in cleanliness. Speaking of cleanliness, which is really important right now - Rooms sanitized between stays – big relief! And I took advantage of the room sanitization opt-out available.
Available in all rooms: Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, 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 – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
Now, the not-so-good: The slippers. Tiny. Lilliputian. Meant for an 8-year-old. Pack your own, trust me. And while they say soundproof rooms, I’m still convinced I heard the faint whispers of the resident ghost of room 403 specifically complaining about the traffic.
Cleanliness and Safety: Because Let's Be Real
Right, pandemic times. Echarm Hotel Guiyang gets it. They're on point with the anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and professional-grade sanitizing services. They even have hand sanitizer strategically placed. I felt safe and secure. They have CCTV in common areas and cameras outside the property. I was really impressed with the attention to detail. So many hotels miss this.
Dining, Drinking & Snacking: Food, Glorious Food (and a Few Quirks)
The food situation is, shall we say, complex. They shout about Asian cuisine and Western cuisine in their restaurants, but a buffet? (Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant) Good god, I'd rather eat my socks. The Asian breakfast was, well, Asian breakfast. Don't expect your bacon and eggs. The coffee/tea in restaurant was fine.
I tried the desserts in restaurant, but nothing to write home about. A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
Room service was available 24-hour and after a 16-hour flight, that was perfect.
Things To Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day Dreams & Gym Nightmares
Okay, here we go, the real reason you came to Guiyang, right?… For the spa! Okay, first the bad. The fitness center exists…but it's the size of my closet. You are not going to be able to do a marathon in it. Now, the good: The pool with view is actually pretty nice. Nice enough to forget the hike to get there. And they have a spa/sauna which I didn't use but maybe you'll find it relaxing.
Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
They’ve got the basics: Daily housekeeping, laundry service, luggage storage, and a concierge who actually speaks English (miracle!). They also have a gift/souvenir shop for any weird presents you need to haul back. Invoice provided is also a great thing for expenses! Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
For the Kids: Family Friendly?
They claim to be family/child friendly, and they do have babysitting service and kids facilities. But the true test? Would I bring my own spawn here? Maybe. The pool is the major selling point. The area isn't a huge amount of activities.
Getting Around: The Great Taxi Game
They offer airport transfer which is a huge plus. Just be aware, Guiyang is not designed for the faint of heart when it comes to traversing it. The taxis are… lively. The roads wind all over the place.
The Verdict: Should You Escape to Paradise?
Okay, so, is the Echarm Hotel Guiyang a perfect paradise? Absolutely not. Is it a decent hotel? Yes. Should you stay there? Yes, BUT…
…if you’re prepared for:
- The city’s navigation challenges.
- The sliver of a spa.
- The food… let's say it's diverse.
…But it’s a good choice if:
- You value cleanliness and safety.
- You want a generally stress-free check-in/out.
- You prioritize a decent sleep. *You want to check out the local area
My Rating:
4 out of 5 stars. It’s a solid choice. Just pack good walking shoes, a sense of humor, and maybe some snacks.
Escape to Paradise: Echarm Hotel Guiyang Awaits! BOOK NOW!
Here's a compelling offer:
Tired of the same old hotel routine? Craving an escape? Echarm Hotel Guiyang, with its dedication to cleanliness and customer satisfaction is a must for your next holiday.
What you get:
- Pristine Safety & Cleanliness: Rest easy knowing Echarm Hotel Guiyang prioritizes your health and safety with daily disinfection in common areas and rooms sanitized between guests.
- Free Wifi in All Rooms: Stay connected and share your adventures.
- Relaxation Options: Enjoy the outdoor pool, spa, and fitness center.
- Convenient Services: From on-site dining options to laundry service.
- Comfortable Rooms: Featuring air conditioning, comfortable beds, and all the amenities for a relaxing stay.
Special Offer:
Book your stay at Echarm Hotel Guiyang within the month and receive a complimentary drink voucher for the bar! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience a comfortable and safe getaway.
Tokyo Skytree Views! 5-Min Walk to Station, Private Access, Stunning Penthouse!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travel itinerary. This is Guiyang, China, at the Echarm Hotel on Huanghe Road, ready to get real. Let's do this.
Destination: Echarm Hotel, Guiyang - Huanghe Road (because, hey, gotta start somewhere!)
Day 1: Arrival and Jet Lagged Shenanigans
- Morning (or what passes for morning after a 14-hour flight): Landed at Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport. Okay, first impression: it’s… surprisingly modern? Felt I was falling apart, so I fumbled my way through immigration, mentally high-fiving myself for remembering the phrase “Wo bu hui shuo Zhongwen” (I don't speak Chinese). Found a taxi, survived the chaotic ride (honking is the national anthem here, I swear), and finally collapsed into my room at the Echarm. Honestly? The bed felt like a cloud after that flight from hell.
- Afternoon: Decided to venture out. Big mistake. Jet lag hit me like a ton of bricks. Wandered around, saw some shops selling… well, I have NO idea. Seriously, a lot of things I can't even begin to guess. Did buy some pastries, mostly because they looked pretty. Ate one. Delicious. Ate another. Was that… chicken flavor? Regret.
- Evening: Managed to make it to the hotel restaurant. Ordered something that sounded vaguely safe on the menu. Turns out, it was spicy. REALLY spicy. Tears streaming down my face, I flagged down a waitress and, through a mix of pointing, hand gestures, and sheer desperation, managed to convey that I needed… water. Lots of water. The moment I realized I can't eat spicy food and I'm in China? Classic.
Day 2: Huangguoshu Waterfall and That Tiny, Terrifying Bus
- Morning: Swallowed my pride and signed up for a day trip to the Huangguoshu Waterfall. The brochure promised breathtaking views… and the reality? Well, I'm happy to report that the views were, in fact, breathtaking. Took the most INCREDIBLY bumpy, cramped, and frankly, terrifying bus ride of my life. At one point, I swear I thought we were going to drive into a cliff. The driver was also listening to the most manic, upbeat Chinese pop music. It was an experience.
- Afternoon: Huangguoshu was EPIC. The sheer power of the waterfall is unbelievable. The air is thick with spray, the roar is deafening. I got absolutely soaked (worth it). Took approximately one million photos, all of which probably look the same: me, slightly bewildered, in front of a massive waterfall. The highlight? Walking behind the waterfall. Talk about perspective!
- Evening: That bus ride back was… less terrifying. Maybe because I was too exhausted to feel fear. Collapsed back at the hotel. Ordered room service (chicken and rice, a monument to predictability). Watched a Chinese soap opera on TV, completely unable to understand a word. Still found myself strangely engrossed.
Day 3: The Food Market and My Spicy Food Nemesis Strikes Again
- Morning: Decided it was time to dive headfirst into the local food scene. Found a bustling local market. The sights, the smells, the… everything… were overwhelming. Rows of fruits and vegetables I've never seen before. Things that looked suspiciously like… organs. People happily slurping noodles and chatting at tables. I felt like I was in a sensory overload. I saw a vendor selling some street food and thought "You know what? I'm ready to try something new!"
- Afternoon: I see this little stand selling dumplings and I'm like, "Okay! Dumplings. Safe bet." Ordered some and took my first bite. Oh. My. God. SPICY. Again. Tears. Streaming. Face. Again. I stood there, gasping, while the vendor, who seemed to be chuckling, gestured for me to try the cold milk tea, which came very sweet and, thankfully, it somehow erased most of the tears and pain.
- Evening: Decided to find a real restaurant tonight. The restaurant was quiet and peaceful and I ordered a simple chicken and vegetable stir-fry and requested it without any spice. Then, my order came and oh my god the spice.
- Night: Ordered some chamomile tea, watched netflix and thought about going home.
Day 4: A Day of Rest and a Desperate Search for Coffee
- Morning: Slept in. Bless. The. Bed. Seriously, this Echarm Hotel bed is my best friend right now.
- Afternoon: The main purpose of today was to find a decent cup of coffee. Guiyang is GREAT, but finding a good cafe is difficult. I found it. It was okay.
- Evening: Ate. More. Plain. Food. Ordered room service from the hotel (it was good, but kinda bland). Read. Journaled. Just… relaxed. Realized how much I needed a day like this.
Day 5: Back to Reality… Almost
- Morning: One last walk around the area, trying to soak it all in. Purchased gifts. Ate some noodles.
- Afternoon: Bus to the airport. Goodbye, Guiyang! I'll miss the chaos, the waterfalls, and avoiding spicy food.
- Night: Arrived home. Exhausted, but full of stories, and a deep abiding respect for water.
- The most important part, the "Post-Trip Dump":
- Remember, this is my trip. Your experience might be different.
- Embrace the mess. Don't be afraid to get lost, try new things (even if they're spicy), and laugh at your own blunders.
- China is amazing, and overwhelming, and wonderful. If you're lucky, it'll break you a little, and then build you back up. Hopefully, with a slightly stronger spice tolerance.
And there you have it. A brutally honest, imperfect, and absolutely human travel itinerary for Guiyang. Enjoy! Or, you know, don't. But at least you’ll be prepared for the chaos.
Escape to Paradise: Pamunugama's Beach Boutique Hotel Awaits!
