Beijing Normal University's BEST Kept Secret: Hi Inn Review!
Beijing Normal University's BEST Kept Secret: Hi Inn - My Uncensored Truth Bomb (and Why You Should Book It!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Hi Inn, the, ahem, "best kept secret" near Beijing Normal University. Let's be honest, secrets are overrated. But this… this place? It's a wild ride, a chaotic symphony of good and… well, let's just say "interesting" experiences. Forget those perfectly posed hotel reviews – you're getting real talk from someone who survived it, and, dare I say, kind of loved it.
First Impression: Accessibility… or the Lack Thereof (and My Staircase PTSD)
Right off the bat, let's address the elephant in the room: Accessibility. Okay, so this ain't the Ritz. I spent a good chunk of my stay feeling like I was training for the Beijing Olympics… in stair climbing. Elevator? Nope. Not in my building. This place isn't exactly built for everyone. So, if you've got mobility issues, proceed with extreme caution. Seriously. I'm talking heart palpitations and considering a new gym membership just from lugging my suitcase up those stairs. (But hey, the view from the…cough…terrace… was decent, so maybe it's worth it for the leg workout?)
The Digital Fortress: Internet, Internet Everywhere! (And a Little Bit of Frustration)
Okay, so the good news: Wi-Fi [free] in all rooms! And it mostly works. Seriously, that's a HUGE win. Think about it: research papers at 3 AM? No problem! Streaming your favorite shows? Absolutely. Need to video call your Mom? Doable! They've got Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN, and even tried to hook me up with Internet services. Bless their hearts. Now, I'm not a tech expert, but sometimes the connection felt like it was dial-up circa 1998. I swear, I aged a decade trying to upload a single Instagram story. But hey, at least it’s there. (And when it worked, it was glorious!)
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized… Mostly? (Don't Look Too Closely)
Let's talk about the pandemic era realities. They try to adhere to all the rules. They have Hand sanitizer everywhere, and you see Staff trained in safety protocol. They claim to have Daily disinfection in common areas and employ Anti-viral cleaning products and Rooms sanitized between stays, which is comforting. Maybe. I appreciated the Individually-wrapped food options at breakfast, and the Physical distancing of at least 1 meter they sort of tried to enforce. They even had a First aid kit… just in case.
However, as someone who likes to check under the bed just in case, I did find myself wondering if the "professional-grade sanitizing services" included a good scrub of everything. The Devil is in the details as they say.
Room Review: The Good, the Bad, and the… Questionable (My Roommate, the Mold Speck)
My room? Well, it was a mixed bag. The Blackout curtains were a lifesaver for sleep, and I appreciated the Air conditioning (crucial in Beijing summers). The Coffee/tea maker was my best friend. Free bottled water? Yes, please! However, there was a small thing on the wall… I'm just going to guess it was Mold, and I won't elaborate any further. But hey, the Seating area and the Desk were perfect for working. The Bed was comfy enough, and the Bathrobes were a nice touch. I'm not sure if that's what I expected when I booked a room with Interconnecting room(s) available.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure (My Breakfast Breakdown)
Okay, the Breakfast [buffet]? Let’s just say it's an experience. Asian breakfast offerings are a delight! The Coffee/tea in restaurant was serviceable (needed!). They had Bottle of water available, but for the breakfast Soup in restaurant, I was a little scared to try it. There's an A la carte in restaurant option, and sometimes I was able to get the Breakfast takeaway service. I am thankful for the Daily housekeeping.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax… or Survive? (Fitness Center, Spa… What Spa?)
Okay, the Fitness center is… well, let's call it "quaint." I think there were some weights, but I only went once (mostly because I was still recovering from the stair workout). Spa/sauna, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]? Forget about it. (Though I did spot a questionable, possibly-abandoned wading pool in the courtyard. Don't ask.) My advice? Pack a good book and some mental fortitude.
Services and Conveniences: The Helpful and the… Not So Much (The Mysterious Concierge)
Concierge? Sort of. They're there, but getting useful information sometimes felt like pulling teeth (especially regarding the aforementioned spa). Daily housekeeping: Thank goodness. Laundry service, Dry cleaning, and Ironing service? Yep, you can expect them. The Cash withdrawal and Currency exchange made life easier, and the Convenience store was a lifesaver for midnight snack cravings. They had Food delivery, and even a Gift/souvenir shop, presumably filled with mementos to remind you of your stay.
The Verdict? My Unvarnished Opinion.
Hi Inn isn't perfect. Far from it. It's a little rough around the edges. It's got its quirks. And sometimes, it feels like you're living in a slightly-chaotic college dorm. But you know what? That's part of the charm.
Here's why you SHOULD book it:
- The Price is Right: Let's be honest, you're not breaking the bank here. For the location and the amenities, it's a steal.
- Unpretentiousness: If you hate stuffy hotels, this is your jam. It's relaxed and laid-back (if you don't mind the stairs).
- Perfect for Exploration: You're right near Beijing Normal University, which means you're close to restaurants, shops, and all the excitement of the city.
- It’s memorable: You'll have stories to tell. I promise you that!
My Personal Anecdote: The "Lost in Translation" Breakfast
I tried to order "toast" one morning. The server, bless her heart, looked utterly bewildered. After some frantic pointing, miming, and a lot of laughter, I received… a plate of perfectly toasted, crispy, and utterly delicious "toast" with a side of… well, I'm still not entirely sure what it was. (Some sort of delicious fried dough, maybe?) It was one of the funniest, most genuinely human moments of my trip.
Final Recommendation: Don't Overthink It. Book It (If You're Brave/Budget-Conscious)!
Look, Hi Inn is not for everyone. If you crave luxury and pristine perfection, this isn't your place. But if you're seeking an affordable, centrally-located hotel with a healthy dose of "character," go for it. Just pack your walking shoes, your sense of humor, and maybe a hazmat suit if you're overly concerned. And if, like me, you get a room facing the courtyard… you might consider earplugs. But overall would be an unforgettable experience.
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Angel Mission Puebla: Uncover the Secrets of Puebla's Hidden Sanctuary
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dissect a supposed "travel itinerary" for Hi Inn Beijing Normal University. Consider it a loose suggestion, a drunken whisper of a plan, not some ironclad manifesto. This is my messy, possibly disastrous, hopefully hilarious take on Beijing. Don't expect perfect itineraries, because, let's be honest, life's too short for them.
Pre-Trip Ramblings & Panic (aka The Planning “Phase”)
- The Obsessive Research Spiral: Okay, so I tried to plan. Keyword: tried. I spent like, three hours staring at Google Maps, feeling simultaneously thrilled and terrified. Beijing is HUGE. The Great Wall? Forbidden City? Tiananmen Square? My brain did a little digital backflip just thinking about it. Then the reviews… oh, the reviews. Everyone seems to have a very strong opinion about Beijing. My personal favorite? "The air tastes like regret and delicious dumplings." Accurate? Maybe.
- Packing Debacle: My suitcase is a chaotic ballet of "maybe I'll need this!" and "oh god, what was I thinking?!" I've got everything from a silk scarf (for… glamour?) to a hazmat suit (just in case of… something). I’m pretty sure I packed more pairs of socks than actual sensible clothing. Don't judge.
- The "Do I Even Speak Mandarin?" Crisis: I downloaded a language learning app. Spent, like, 20 minutes on it. Learned how to say "thank you." I’m anticipating a lot of pointing. Pray for me.
Day 1: Arrival & Initial Confusion (aka The "Lost in Translation" Starter Kit)
- Morning: Arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). Immediately get overwhelmed by the sheer SCALE of the place. That airport is enormous. Finding my way through customs felt like surviving a video game boss battle. I swear, I saw a panda giving someone the stink eye. (Okay, maybe it was a stuffed panda. But the eye contact was intense.)
- The Quest for Hi Inn: Armed with the address scribbled on a napkin (of course), I bravely enter the Beijing subway. This is where "Lost in Translation" starts happening in real time. I accidentally got on a train going in the opposite direction. And almost got eaten by the rush hour crowd at the subway station.
- Afternoon: FINALLY find Hi Inn. It's… fine. It's a room. It has a bed. The air conditioning works (thank the heavens!). It's functional. The view? Let's just say it isn't postcard material. But, hey, I'm in Beijing. I survived the subway. Small victories, people, small victories.
- Evening: I decided to be adventurous and grab a snack at a local noodle stall. Oh. My. God. I pointed at a bowl that looked vaguely appealing. The vendor gave me a look that said, "You have no idea what you're in for." It was spicy. Very, very spicy. I think I sweated off a few pounds. But it was also… delicious. The best, most questionable street food ever. I'm going back tomorrow. I've got to.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: Initially, I felt elated! Like, "I'm ACTUALLY in Beijing!" Then, I felt the exhaustion from travel, which led to the anxiety that always creeps in when I'm in a new place, and the realization that I have no idea how to communicate with anyone. Then, ramen and a cold Tsingtao beer, and boom! I'm suddenly in love.
Day 2: The "Tourist Trap" Tango & Forbidden City Feels
- Morning: Attempt to eat breakfast. Success! (Sort of.) Found a little bakery near the hotel. The pastries were… interesting. The coffee tasted like something that had been brewed the week before. But again, SMALL VICTORIES. Then, off to Tiananmen Square. Holy. Cow. The size of it is mind-boggling, a sea of people, and the sheer scale of history, it was so overwhelming!
- Afternoon: The Forbidden City. Okay, now we're talking. This place is stunning. The architecture, the colors, the history… it's enough to make you forget about the questionable coffee. I definitely took a thousand pictures and stood slack-jawed at some point, thinking, "How did they build this?!" I wandered around, soaking it all in, pretending to be a glamorous imperial concubine (don't judge me!).
- The Flattering (and Hilarious) Bargaining at the Pearl Market: Oh, Pearl Market. It's a sensory overload, but I went in to get some souvenirs for my friends (and maybe a little something for myself). I'm so bad at bargaining that I felt slightly humiliated while haggling for the price of a fake Rolex. I probably paid too much. But the vendor was so theatrical I ended up laughing way too much. The whole experience felt like a bizarre, hilarious dance.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Post-Forbidden City (and Pearl Market) collapse. Needed a nap.
- Evening: Okay, another street food adventure. Found a place serving Peking Duck. It was… glorious. Crispy skin, tender meat, and the tiny pancakes and sauces and so many flavors… My tastebuds (and camera) were in heaven. I think. I was almost too tired to take photos. I ended up eating the entire thing and then felt vaguely ill afterwards. No regrets.
Day 3: The (Attempted) Great Wall & Rambling Reflections
- Morning: Woke up feeling like I’d been run over by a rickshaw. Seriously. The food coma, the walking, the jet lag… it all caught up with me. But, Great Wall, here I come! Or so I thought. I booked a tour… or tried to book a tour. Some last-minute issues with the tour. Had to improvise.
- Afternoon: After several train and a taxi ride, I finally reached the Wall at Mutianyu. (Bad decision for this kind of traveler.) And it hit me. Hard. The climb was a true test of endurance. I was panting, sweating, questioning every life choice that led me to that exact moment. But the view… the view from the top. Breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking. I stood there, feeling small, insignificant, and utterly, utterly amazed. It was a moment of pure, unadulterated awe. I almost cried.
- The Descent of Doom (and Gratitude): That moment of awe was quickly followed by the realization that I had to go down. The steps were steep, uneven, and my legs were screaming in protest. I considered crawling. The descent was a test of will, but I somehow made it. And as I sat there, nursing my aching muscles, drinking a cold water, I reflected: I came, I saw, I conquered (mostly). I was alive. And the Wall? The Wall had humbled me, inspired me, and utterly exhausted me. Worth it.
- Late Evening: After a long (and delayed) ride back to the hotel, I decided to have an early night. One final, slightly spicy bowl of noodles. Another beer. Collapse in bed. The only thing on my mind was getting some sleep.
Day 4: Culture Clash & Departure (aka The "I'm Leaving, But I'll Be Back" Speech)
- Morning: A visit to the Temple of Heaven. Beautiful, peaceful, calming, which was exactly what I needed after the physical challenge of the Great Wall, and the emotional rollercoaster of all the other things. I took some time to just wander around and breathe.
- Afternoon: One last attempt to navigate the subway. Almost succeeded. Felt like an experienced local!
- Emotional Rollercoaster, Part 2: As the trip came to an end, I started to feel this pull between wanting to stay forever and needing to go home for some good sleep and home comforts. The city has grown so much in my heart, that I was genuinely sad about leaving.
- Late Afternoon: That last meal. I had to have one final feast of dumplings.
- Evening: Taxi to the airport. Goodbye, Beijing. You were chaotic. You were challenging. You were beautiful. You were… well, you were something else.
Post-Trip Afterthoughts:
- The Food: I ate things I couldn't pronounce. I ate things that made my eyes water. I loved every single bite.
- The People: Despite that language barrier, everyone was incredibly patient and helpful. (Even the vendors who ripped me off.)
- The Takeaway: Beijing, you were a glorious, messy, and utterly unforgettable adventure. I'll be back. Maybe with a better command of Mandarin, and a slightly less packed suitcase. Maybe.
Disclaimer: This is a highly subjective, heavily caffeinated, and probably inaccurate account of events. Your experience may vary… wildly. Don’t be afraid to get lost, make mistakes, eat something weird, and embrace the chaos. Seriously. That's the best part!
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Beijing Normal University's Hi Inn: The Secret...ish, Honestly Messy FAQ
Okay, so what *is* the Hi Inn at BNU? Like, is it even a secret anymore?
Alright, alright, the "secret" is mostly out the window these days. It's officially the BNU-adjacent hotel, nestled near the South Gate. It used to be the place where visiting professors, official guests, and (ahem) very resourceful exchange students stayed. But the real secret? It’s a bizarre mix of convenience, questionable decor choices, and a lingering feeling of institutional comfort that I've come to... well, I've got mixed feelings, okay?
Is it actually *convenient*? Compared to what, like, trekking across the entire campus?
Convenient is a strong word. It's closer to the South Gate than, say, the library (thank god), which means you're a quick walk from the main academic buildings, the international student dorm (for some), and the student canteen. BUT. There's this weird, almost magnetic pull to just staying *in* the Hi Inn sometimes. Like, the cafe serves coffee (which is practically a miracle in China), the beds are... okay, and the whole vibe is… well, it's *there*. Honestly, sometimes I just wanted to wallow in its blandness and pretend the outside world ceased to exist. (Don’t judge me.)
The Decor – Talk to me about the Decor. Is it, like, a time capsule?
Oh, the decor. Bless its heart. Let's just say it's...functional. Think: institutional beige. And I MEAN beige. Wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, beige. You'll likely find some kind of questionable art (seriously, I once saw a framed "painting" that was just a blurry photo of, I think, the Great Wall? Or maybe a particularly crumbly brick wall.) The furniture could have come from a senior center in 1978. The lighting is fluorescent and soul-crushing. But, and this is important, it's *clean*. Generally speaking! And in China, that sometimes trumps all. It’s like entering a strange, beige purgatory, guaranteed to lull you into a nap. Trust me on this.
Are the Rooms Comfortable? Or More Like a Prison Cell with a Bed?
Okay, so comfort level is… complicated. The beds are, like, the best part of the Hi Inn. Seriously. Usually quite firm. You’ve got your standard hotel amenities, but don't expect luxury. A small TV (usually with a few English channels, if you're lucky, and even if not, get some Chinese TV, it's hilarious!), a desk, a (mostly) clean bathroom. I've gotten a good night's sleep there, and that's what matters, right? But I’ve also had rooms that felt a bit like damp sheds. Again, it’s a crapshoot, so manage your expectations.
The Cafeteria – is there a cafe? Or is it just a sad vending machine?
There *is* a cafe! Bless their hearts again. And it sells coffee. Real coffee. Not that instant stuff. Sometimes they even have croissants. The selection is what you'd expect in a hotel cafe – simple. Not the most thrilling, but it's a lifesaver on those days when you're running on fumes and need a caffeine injection before class. The food is... adequate. You can usually get some noodles or dumplings. It's not gourmet, but it's... available. And sometimes, that's all you need. I remember one particular morning, bleary-eyed and hungover after a night out, the cafe was my salvation. I ordered a coffee and a baozi, and for a blissful 15 minutes, the world didn't seem so bad.
What about the Price? Is it affordable for a student?
Pricing is, well, it varies. Depends on the season, demand, if it's a national holiday, etc. Generally, it's more expensive than the student dorms, obviously. But it's often cheaper than some of the trendier hotels in the area. So, I'd say it's *relatively* affordable. Especially if you're splitting a room. Check online for the latest rates. But if you're on a super-tight budget, the student canteen is probably still your best friend, sadly.
What are the Perks of Staying There, Besides Proximity to the South Gate? Spillll.
Okay, the perks. Um. Hmm. Ok, well, the staff are generally friendly. They *try*. (Compared to a grumpy guard at the South Gate, anyway). They speak a little English. The laundry service is decent. It's quiet-ish, certainly quieter than the dorms. (Except when they're renovating across the street, which, let's be honest, is pretty much *always* happening in China). But the biggest perk actually, is the weird, isolating comfort of it all. You're removed from the chaos. You can hole up, get some work done, and pretend you're not a student struggling with your Chinese. It’s a little bubble of... nothingness. And sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.
Any Disasters? Were you ever trapped there? Did you witness anything CRAZY?
Disasters? Yes! One time, the elevator broke down. For, like, three days. I was on the, uh, *fifth* floor. And the stairs were… not great. The air conditioning also occasionally goes kaput. And you get the occasional roach sighting. (Welcome to China, baby!) Once, and this is true, I witnessed a full-blown, late-night karaoke session emanating from a nearby room. And I mean FULL-BLOWN. Complete with questionable vocal performances and what sounded like a small army of empty beer bottles. The walls aren’t exactly soundproof. So, yeah, there were a few nights... that weren't exactly filled with peaceful slumber.
Would You Recommend the Hi Inn? Be Honest.
Okay, truth? It depends. If you're looking for luxury, go elsewhere. If you need a budget-friendly, convenient base camp, then yeah, maybe. If you're really, *really* tired of dorm life and just need a little peace and quiet, then absolutely! Just manageComfort Zone Inn
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