Shenzhen's BEST Kept Secret? Atour S Hotel Nanshan Review!
Shenzhen's Best Kept Secret? Atour S Hotel Nanshan: A Review That's Messy, Honest, and Totally Worth It!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I’m about to spill the tea on Shenzhen’s supposed “best-kept secret,” the Atour S Hotel Nanshan. And let me tell you, after my recent stay, I’m not sure how secret it really is anymore. But hey, this review is going to dive deep, get messy, and tell you exactly what's what.
Accessibility: A Mostly Smooth Ride
Let's start with the serious stuff. When it comes to accessibility, Atour S does a pretty good job. Wheelchair accessible? Yes, mostly. Ramps are available, and the elevator is thankfully modern and spacious. I didn't personally need a wheelchair during my stay, but from my observations, navigating the public areas seemed doable. The rooms, too, looked designed with accessibility in mind. They're probably trying hard to be "Facilities for disabled guests", which is good.
Getting Around (and Getting There):
Airport transfer is a lifesaver, especially after a long flight. The taxi service is readily available, and they also have car park [free of charge] if you have your own wheels. I didn't see the car power charging station but I didn't use it, either.
Internet: Bless Up!
Okay, let's talk about the internet. This is a HUGE win for me, and likely for you. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! And it actually works. No more buffering nightmares! Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN, it's all there. Really good Internet services overall. Seriously, I spent a solid morning working poolside, and the connection held up perfectly. Wi-Fi in public areas, too. A godsend.
Rooms: My Cozy Cave
My room? Let’s just say I was immediately a big fan of arriving somewhere with Air conditioning. It was, honestly, a sanctuary. Non-smoking rooms, which is always a plus. The blackout curtains were a gift from the gods (hello, sleep!). Additional toilet, Private bathroom, Separate shower/bathtub, Bathtub… honestly, it was a luxury. I loved the Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, and Free bottled water because who wants to go looking for water the second they get to there hotel room? The desk for work, the laptop workspace, the mirror, the alarm clock - all the basics were there, but done well. I could have done without the bathroom phone but I didn't ask about it. The Window that opens was a surprising pleasure - some fresh air in such a busy city is priceless.
Cleanliness and Safety: They Take It Seriously
Okay, I am a bit of a germaphobe. So, the Cleanliness and safety aspects were a massive relief. The hotel clearly takes COVID seriously. Daily disinfection in common areas, Anti-viral cleaning products, Hand sanitizer everywhere you look. Room sanitization opt-out available if you do not want it is a plus. They had Staff trained in safety protocol, and there were things like Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, which is good to see. Individually-wrapped food options made breakfast feel safer and more hygienic. They really went above and beyond on the Hygiene certification. I felt genuinely safe, which is a huge deal in today's world. There are CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property, so you can be reasonably sure things are good.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Oh, the Food!
I’m a foodie, so this is where things get interesting. Restaurants? Yep, multiple. Breakfast [buffet] was the usual spread, with Asian breakfast and Western breakfast options. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was decent, nothing to write home about, but enough to get you going. The A la carte in restaurant was very good. I would say it's a good place to get a Salad in restaurant or a bowl of Soup in restaurant. The Poolside bar was brilliant. Happy hour! Which is always a good thing. Snack bar for quick bites. There was a Vegetarian restaurant, too, which is great for those with dietary restrictions. I didn’t try the Asian cuisine in restaurant or anything of the International cuisine in restaurant, I was too busy eating. Room service [24-hour] – a lifesaver after a long day. I also appreciated the Bottle of water that was in the room, ready to go.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: Spa Day, Anyone?
This hotel is for chilling. Pool with view? Absolutely. The Swimming pool [outdoor] is an Instagrammer's dream. I didn't try the Body scrub, Body wrap, or Foot bath. They've got a Spa, a Spa/sauna, a Steamroom, Sauna – everything you need to melt away stress. The Gym/fitness center is well-equipped, if you're into that sort of thing. Honestly, I spent most of my time sprawled out by the pool. So much peace and quiet.
Services and Conveniences: Little Things That Make a Difference
The Concierge was super helpful in arranging taxis and giving recommendations. The Daily housekeeping was impeccable. Laundry service – a lifesaver for travelers. Did I use the Cash withdrawal? You bet. Elevator? Yes, thank goodness. They have Facilities for disabled guests, which I mentioned earlier. The Convenience store was handy for snacks and essentials. I really liked that they had Invoice provided. The Non-smoking policy throughout was great.
For The Kids (and the Kids at Heart):
I personally didn’t have kids with me, but they have Babysitting service, Kids facilities, and Kids meal.
The "Best Kept Secret" Stuff:
Alright, let's be honest, what makes this hotel stand out? Well, it's not just the fancy amenities. It's the vibe. It's the way the staff makes you feel. It's the little touches. The Room decorations made it feel like a relaxing escape.
The Imperfections (Because No Place is Perfect):
Okay, now for the real talk. Nothing's perfect, right? The "professional-grade sanitizing services" did make you wonder if the places were pristine and clean or just sanitized.
My Emotional Verdict:
Would I go back? Absolutely. The Atour S Hotel Nanshan is a winner. It’s not just a place to sleep; it’s a place to recharge. It’s a haven in the hustle and bustle of Shenzhen. It’s, dare I say, almost worth keeping a secret.
But, since I'm spilling the beans, here’s my…
Unmissable Offer for Shenzen's BEST Kept Secret! Atour S Hotel Nanshan:
Book your stay now through [website/booking platform] and receive:
- A complimentary upgrade to a room with a stunning pool view (subject to availability!).
- Free breakfast for two.
- A voucher for happy hour at the poolside bar.
- And, because I like you, a curated list of my favorite hidden gems in Nanshan, only accessible once booked!
Don't miss out on Shenzhen's Best Kept Secret! Book your escape today!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Starway Hotel Zhangjiakou - Your Dream Getaway!
Alright, buckle up buttercups! This isn't your pristine, colour-coordinated travel itinerary – this is my Shenzhen survival guide, forged in the fires of jet lag and fueled by questionable street food. We’re talking Atour S Hotel Shenzhen Nanshan – and trust me, we will experience things. This is gonna be messy, I can already feel it.
Day 1: Arrival, Confusion, and the Quest for Decent Coffee (and Possibly a Nap)
- 1:00 PM (Shenzhen Time, or whatever the heck time it is here): Landed! Whoa. That flight felt like twenty years condensed into a metal tube. Successfully navigated passport control (miracle!), but now… the airport. It's HUGE. I swore I’d learn some Mandarin before arriving. Big mistake. I’m pretty currently fluent in "point and hope." Found the hotel shuttle… eventually. The driver seemed mildly amused by my flailing arm gestures.
- 2:30 PM: Check into Atour S Hotel Nanshan. Okay, room's nice. Minimalist chic. Suspect the pillow may be filled with concrete, but we'll cross that bridge when my neck wakes up. First impressions? Clean, efficient, but… sterile? Needs a little… personality! Am I the personality it needs? Possibly.
- 3:00 PM: The great coffee hunt begins. Jet lag is a beast. The hotel cafe only serves instant coffee. INSTANT COFFEE. My soul cries. Venture outside, armed with a blurry hotel map and Google Translate. This is where the real fun begins, or, more likely, the real disaster.
- 3:30 PM (give or take): Success! Found a little hole-in-the-wall coffee shop. The barista looked at me with a sort of weary sympathy. Ordered a latte. It was AMAZING. Actually, it was possibly the best latte I've ever had. Seriously, it’s a life-altering level of good. This coffee shop is now my shrine. I am already planning to move in.
- 4:30 PM: Post-caffeine bliss. The world feels… less blurry. Wander around the neighbourhood a bit, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells. I saw a tiny dog wearing a tiny sweater. My heart melted. This city's got character already.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant. Menu? A wall of indecipherable characters. The friendly waitress (who, bless her, spoke about as much English as I speak Mandarin) pointed at something… and BOOM. Spicy noodles appeared. They were… potent. My mouth is currently on fire, but I’m strangely enjoying it. This is life, baby!
- 7:30 PM: Back to the hotel, feeling the effects of the noodles and jet lag. Attempt to watch some TV. The selection is baffling. Found a show with dubbing that I didn't understand, but was weirdly compelling.
- 8:30 PM: Collapse. Maybe that concrete pillow ain't so bad after all…
Day 2: Parks, Panic, and the Pursuit of Authentic Dumplings
- 9:00 AM (ish): Woke up! Feeling better, and, thank goodness, the hotel breakfast is decent. Surprisingly good yogurt.
- 10:00 AM: Ventured to Nanshan Park. It’s gorgeous. Lush, green, and… surprisingly populated. I think I saw a group of people doing tai chi. Wish I could join them.
- 11:30 AM: Panic (minor). Lost my phone momentarily. Spent 15 minutes in a cold sweat, frantically retracing my steps. Found it. Lesson learned: hold on to your phone tighter than my sanity.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch. The quest for authentic dumplings continues. Found a place that looked promising. Ordered ALL the dumplings. So many dumplings. I swear these things are addictive.
- 2:00 PM: Explored a local market. The smells! The sounds! The sheer variety of… things! I bought a weird little fruit that the vendor assured me was delicious. Tasted like a mix of mango and… disappointment.
- 3:30 PM: Spent a good hour wandering around, completely disoriented, but in a good way. Shenzhen is a sensory overload, but a good one.
- 5:00 PM: Back at the hotel, recovering from the sensory overload. Realized I'm starting to feel like a local. Or, at least, like a mildly confused tourist who's starting to figure things out.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner! Found a new restaurant with more dumplings (obviously). This time, I think they served me too much of something, because there was a lot of "stuff" and the waitress didn't seem to care. At one point, the chef comes to my table and talks about my family like we're friends. I'm still not sure how to feel.
- 8:30 PM: Went for a walk to process the food and the experience. The city at night is beautiful.
- 10:00 PM: Crash. Tomorrow, I'm going to find a bookstore. And maybe… find a karaoke bar.
Day 3: Karaoke, Karaoke, and Possibly MORE Karaoke
- 9:30 AM: Coffee. See Day 1.
- 10:30 AM: Found a bookstore! It was HUGE, filled with books that somehow managed to speak to me in a language I could not understand. Bought a book with pretty pictures. It felt right.
- 12:00 PM: More dumplings. (Are you sensing a theme?)
- 1:30 PM: The Karaoke hunt begins. Google Maps is my friend. Found a place that looked… interesting. The description read: “The Best Karaoke in Nanshan!” Okay, I’m in.
- 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM (Approximately): Karaoke. Oh, the karaoke. The BEST karaoke. This place was magnificent. There was a group of people. I have no idea what the songs were, but that didn't stop me! One of the ladies kept trying to get me to sing a song. The people were kind and welcoming. The drinks kept flowing. It was pure, unadulterated joy. This is exactly what I needed. This is what makes traveling so fun. This is life's purpose. I've found it!
- 6:30 PM: Seriously contemplating moving into the karaoke bar. Or at least, hiring a private karaoke booth in the hotel.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner, with the karaoke crew. I think I've made friends!
- 9:00 PM: Back at the karaoke bar.
- 10:00 PM: Crash. Exhausted. Happy. Shenzhen, you weird, wonderful place, you've won me over.
Day 4: Farewell (and Promises to Return)
- 9:00 AM: Coffee. Yes, still.
- 10:00 AM: A final wander around the neighbourhood. Saying goodbye to the little dog in the sweater. Sadness.
- 11:00 AM: One last dumpling feast. Tears.
- 12:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Check out. The staff is friendly.
- 1:00 PM: Off to the airport. The shuttle arrives. It's a little bitter sweet.
- 3:00 PM: Looking back on the trip. Shenzhen: you're chaotic, overwhelming, and utterly addictive. I'm already planning my return. Until next time…
Okay, spill the tea! Is Atour S Nanshan *really* a secret? Because I've seen that 'gram feed...
Secret? Hmph. Let's just say the *real* secret is why more people aren't screaming about this place from the rooftops. I mean, yeah, it's on Instagram, but trust me, the *vibe* is different. It’s like… you’re in on something. Like knowing the best karaoke spot that doesn't involve yelling at a screen with dubious lyrics. It feels… intimate. Like, the kind of place you could actually relax and recharge, instead of feeling like you’re just another cog in the tourist machine.
Let's talk location. Is Nanshan a drag to get to? And is it actually...interesting?
Okay, the location *is* slightly off the beaten path, but that's part of the charm, right? Nanshan is a pretty slick area of Shenzhen, with a mix of tech giants, buzzing restaurants, and more shopping than you can shake a stick at (or, y'know, pay for). Getting there is easy enough, the metro is your friend, but let me tell you about the *adventure* I had the first time I tried to find the entrance... I’m talking classic rookie move: ending up in a construction zone, covered in drywall dust, and nearly losing my luggage in a muddy puddle. (The hotel staff *laughed* about it later. I deserved it.)
The ROOMS! What's the deal? Are they stylish? (I need my aesthetic fix!)
Alright, the rooms. *Chef's kiss*. Seriously. Think minimalist chic meets cozy sanctuary. Clean lines, natural light (bless), and a seriously comfy bed. Seriously, I almost didn't leave. One day I just... I think I saw the sun go down and I was like, "Oh. Right. I should probably eat." I may or may not have drooled on the pillow a few times. The aesthetic is definitely there – Instagrammable, yes, but also genuinely relaxing. I love it. The bathroom? Beautiful. Clean. Good water pressure. *Important*. This is coming from someone who has endured enough dodgy hotel bathrooms to write a small novel.
Breakfast! The most important meal! Did they deliver? Because hotel breakfast is *usually* a crime against breakfast.
Oooooh, the breakfast. Okay, so here’s a confession: I’m a buffet snob. I *judge*. But their breakfast buffet... it was actually good! The hot dishes were hot, the fruit was *actually ripe*, and the coffee… not that instant powdered stuff! There were things I’d never seen before. I think one of them tasted faintly of happiness. One morning, I ate three… okay, *four* plates of the little dumplings. I’m not proud, but I regret *nothing*. The staff kept the whole area tidy and were super friendly despite my constant plate-stacking habits (that was slightly embarrassing, I will admit).
Anything annoy you? Because NOTHING is perfect. (Spill the tea – the good *and* the bad!)
Okay, alright, let's get real. Nothing's perfect. Okay, small peeves: The elevators could be a *tad* faster when you're hangry. Minor quibble, really. Also, on my first visit, the Wi-Fi was a little… spotty in my room. But honestly? That might've been a blessing in disguise. Forced me to disconnect, actually look out the window at that glorious cityscape, and, you know, *relax*. The real issue? Leaving. That was the hardest part. Even booking the next trip felt a little too soon.
What kind of traveler is Atour S Nanshan GOOD for? Like, who's gonna *love* this place?
Okay, this is the sweet spot. Couples looking for a romantic getaway? Check. Solo travelers needing a sanctuary from the chaos? Double check. Business travelers? Probably, I saw a few. Anyone who wants a stylish, comfortable stay with great service? You've hit the jackpot. Honestly, if you value design, a sense of calm, and genuinely friendly staff, you won't be disappointed. Just don't tell *everyone*. Let's keep this little slice of heaven a little bit of a secret, yeah?
The staff! Were they… helpful? Annoying? Invisible? Tell us the truth!
Oh MAN, the staff. Okay, I have a story. I was hopelessly lost (again, Nanshan area) and I flagged down a taxi that apparently knew nothing about the hotel. I was getting seriously stressed. I called the front desk at Atour S, fully expecting some canned response… but instead? Absolute *saviors*. They spoke PERFECT English (which, as a non-Mandarin speaker, was a LIFESAVER), they stayed on the phone with me while the taxi driver babbled in rapid Cantonese (I think he was asking for directions from someone over the phone), and then they *met* me as I stumbled out of the cab looking flustered and bewildered. They were smiling! They were helpful! They carried my luggage! I wanted to hug them all. I didn't, because that would have been weird, but the urge was STRONG. They were genuinely nice, helpful, and efficient. They make the experience.
What was the single *best* thing about this hotel? (If you HAD to pick!)
Okay, this is tough. The *best* thing? Hmmm… Probably the feeling of escape. Like, you walk through the door and a giant sigh escapes you. You *know* you can actually relax. That, and the dumplings. Definitely the dumplings. But more than that, it felt like a place that actually cared about its guests. It's not just a place to sleep, it's somewhere to *be*. And that’s rare in a city the size of Shenzhen. Seriously, go. Just... don't tell *everyone*. Shhh. It's our secret.
Post a Comment for "Shenzhen's BEST Kept Secret? Atour S Hotel Nanshan Review!"