Huayue Hotel

SWMBO and I stayed in this hotel a few years ago, so when we had to venture to ChangSha for a couple of nights earlier this month we decided to stay again. Last time it was OK, now it has really improved. Our taxi from ChangSha South Station (one hour and 50 Yan) was able to drop us right outside the main entrance. The reception area is huge and very impressive. There’s plenty of sofas and chairs to meet people, and a very nice coffee lounge. The receptionist was efficient and once SWMBO had deposited 1000 Yuan for our two nights, 380 Yuan a night (that includes breakfast) but hotels require more to cover damage and breakages. The balance is returned when you leave. No cash, all done using either Alipay or WeChat on the mobile. Of course, there’s free WiFi. A copy of my passport was taken (a legal requirement) and SWMBO’s ID card registered, then we were each given a key card to room 1609. In other word room 9 on floor 16. One of the three lifts whizzed us to the 16th floor. We padded along the carpeted corridor and into room 09. This room is on the corner of the building, so is quiet. It’s not a big room, however it’s very nicely decorated with a thick carpet. There are separate toilet and shower, built in wardrobes with hangers and cupboards, complimentary tea, coffee and bottled water to go with the kettle, cups, saucers and spoons. There’s a hair drier, and even electronic bathroom scale. Everything spotlessly clean. There’s the usual wall mounted huge flat-screen TV with a remote. The a/c worked well and was very good and could chill the room, so much so that SWMBO complained it was too cold. I never known that before. After a good night’s sleep, we took the lift down to the 2nd floor dining room for breakfast. SWMBO indulged in the full Chinese of freshly cooked noodles, eggs and vegetables. There were lots of other dishes but I’m just a coffee and croissant man, but other guests were helping themselves with obvious relish. Same again the next morning. There’s a big carpark, I think it’s free for guests but 10 Yuan for a couple of hours for a visitor seemed reasonable. There’s isn’t a metro station nearby, but 10 years ago there wasn’t a metro! I suppose 5 minutes in a cab would get you to the nearest metro station (KaiFu Temple), the metro runs to both the airport and rail stations. There’s a maglev railway between the airport and ChangSha South station (12 minutes, 20 Yuan). All in all, a very nice stay and I reckon we’ll be back soon to complete some unfinished business in downtown ChangSha.