Unbelievable Elan Inn Deal: Chongqing Luxury Awaits!
Unbelievable Elan Inn Deal: Chongqing Luxury Awaits! - A Review That's Almost As Chaotic As My Packing List
Okay, deep breaths. I’m back from Chongqing, China, after experiencing… well, let's just say an adventure at the Unbelievable Elan Inn. (And trust me, "unbelievable" is the right word, but not always in the way you'd expect.) This isn't going to be your sanitized, bullet-pointed travel blog post. This is going to be REAL. Buckle up, buttercups.
First, the Hype (and the Hope): The ad promised luxury. Luxury! And honestly, the initial online photos? Stunning. Picture sleek glass towers overlooking… I'm not entirely sure what because I was too busy scrolling through the endless options on the Elan Inn's website. Chongqing is a city that’s all about the incline, remember that, and this hotel was definitely capitalizing on the heights. My expectations were sky-high, fuelled by too much pre-trip coffee and the promise of… well, you'll see.
Accessibility (and a bit of a stumble): Accessibility is listed as a key factor, and it’s mostly true, but like, with caveats. They do have elevators. Big ones! Which is a godsend in a city built on staircases. Thank the heavens above. However, navigating the public areas? Let's just say I spotted a few ramps but it was a little bit of a treasure hunt at times, also the hotel seemed to be a building with a few different levels, even with the elevator. I wouldn't say it was perfect, but they’re trying, which is more than you can say for some places.
On-site Grub & Guzzle – A Culinary Adventure (and a few near-misses): Okay, let's talk food. This is where things get… interesting.
- Restaurants: They have several and they are listed as including "Asian Cuisine," "Vegetarian Options." I dove into the "International Cuisine" one because, frankly, after 24 hours of travel, I was craving something familiar.
- The “International” Restaurant: The first night, I excitedly ordered a "classic burger." It arrived looking like a museum exhibit of what a burger might have looked like, circa 1980. The bun was a hockey puck, the patty was… let’s just say it had seen better days, and the “fries” were lukewarm, limp and frankly, sad. I gave up after two bites and ordered more water.
- The Asian Cuisine: The next day, I braved the Asian restaurant. BIG difference. The noodles were fantastic, the sauces were bursting with flavour. This was some good food.
- Coffee Shop: The coffee shop? Actually, pretty solid. Got my caffeine fix every morning before I went exploring, which as you know, is a must.
- Bar: The Bar was nice. The happy hour was really really good.
- Breakfast: Buffet. Asian and Western options. A truly impressive spread if you get there early. I was a bit more hungover on the last day and went to the cafe to pick up some coffee, which was also a good alternative to the breakfast buffet.
- Poolside bar: Poolside bar was cool.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Pure Bliss… Mostly): Now THIS is where the Elan Inn shines. It’s their raison d'être.
- The Spa: Oh, the spa. The spa. I booked a massage. I was a bit sore from the flight and all the walking I'd been doing. The therapist, bless her heart, was an absolute angel. Best. Massage. EVER. It was like my muscles were crying tears of joy.
- The Sauna & Steam Room: Yup, they had those too. I luxuriated in the sauna, sweated out all the toxins and self-loathing. Then, into the steam room! I emerged feeling cleaner, lighter, and ready to take on the world.
- The Pool with a View: The outdoor pool. Guys, it's INCREDIBLE. So scenic and beautiful and well-maintained. It felt like I was actually on vacation. And the view! Incredible. I did find one day it got a little bit crowded, however.
- The Gym: I am not a gym-goer, but I peeked in. Looked surprisingly well-equipped (for those who are into that sort of thing).
Cleanliness and Safety - (The Obsessive-Compulsive Traveler's Delight): Okay, this is where the Elan Inn really goes above and beyond. I felt safe. I felt clean. This is important for travel in the post-Covid world, you know?
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Yes!
- Daily disinfection, room sanitization, and professional-grade sanitizing services: Boom!
- Hand Sanitizer EVERYWHERE: Seriously, strategic hand sanitizer placement. And the staff? They're all masked and seem to take things very seriously.
- Safe dining setup: The tables in the restaurants were spaced apart, like they really thought about it.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Check
Rooms: The Good, the Slightly Odd, and The "Wait, Is That A Feature?": The rooms themselves were a mixed bag.
- Comfort: Seriously comfortable, very luxurious.
- The View…: I got a room on a high floor. The view? Spectacular.
- The Details: They got the little things right. Good linens, big fluffy towels, all the toiletries you could possibly need.
- The "Extra Toilet": Yep. I'm not sure why, but my room had two toilets. One in the main bathroom, and a tiny little one tucked away in a closet. Was this a mistake? A luxury? I'll never know. I used it to hang my coat.
- Soundproofing: Great. You could barely hear the chaos of Chongqing outside.
- Blackout Curtains: Essential.
- Internet: Fast!
- Workspace: Really nice, which was good, because I actually did a lot of work in my room.
- Mini Bar: stocked, but not everything in the mini bar was the greatest. Still, good to have.
Services & Conveniences - (The Helpful Stuff): The Elan Inn offered a whole host of services. Here are some highlights:
- Air conditioning: It was a lifesaver.
- Concierge: Super helpful. They helped me arrange a taxi to some places, recommend places to go, etc.
- Laundry service: Yes, and it was actually quite reasonable.
- Dry cleaning: Too many suits to fit in my luggage, the dry cleaning was a must after a while.
- 24-hour front desk: Always a relief.
- Luggage storage: Perfect.
For the Kids (Probably Great, But I Don't Have Any): While I don't have kids, the Elan Inn seemed very family-friendly.
- Babysitting service:
- Kids facilities:
- Kids meals:
Getting Around (The Urban Jungle):
- Airport Transfer: Easy and efficient.
- Taxi service: Readily available.
The Verdict:
Would I recommend Unbelievable Elan Inn? Yes, absolutely.* But with some caveats*. It’s not perfect. The food can be hit or miss, and accessibility, while present, could be improved. But the incredible spa, the stunning pool, the cleanliness, and the overall feeling of luxury – they outweigh the negatives. It's a great jumping-off point for exploring Chongqing. Be ready for a trip with unexpected turns. Have fun, and have fun, and bring your camera (and maybe some snacks).
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-formatted travel itinerary. This is real life, Chongqing style, and we're starting (or maybe, already started, who knows?) at the Elan Inn Chongqing Changshou Xiexin Plaza. Let's go!
Chongqing Chaos: A Rambling Itinerary (aka, My Brain Dump)
Day 1: Arrival and Mild Panic (Plus Spicy Noodles, of Course)
1:00 PM (ish): Touchdown Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport. Honestly, the airport was… fine. Efficient enough, felt less chaotic than, say, JFK. But the air! Thick, humid. Instantly felt like I'd been draped in a warm, damp blanket. Charming, in a way. Kinda.
1:45 PM (ish): Taxi to Elan Inn. The driver? A character. Didn't speak a lick of English (my Mandarin is… well, let's just say I know how to say "thank you" and "more beer"). Negotiated the fare with much flailing of arms. He kept pointing at a mountain range, I have no idea why. Probably wanted to go there. I was hangry.
2:30 PM (ish): Check-in. The front desk lady was sweet. Gave me the keycard with a smile that could melt glaciers. Room? Small, but clean. View of a… well, building. Brick. Lots of bricks. Hey, it’s a start.
3:00 PM: The Mission: Noodle Nirvana. Sichuan noodles. The legendary stuff. Found a little hole-in-the-wall place a few blocks from the hotel. Instructions: Pointed at a picture. Said "La" (spicy). Prayed.
- 3:15 PM: First bite. OH. MY. GOD. Seriously. The noodles were perfect, the broth was fire (literally, my mouth was on FIRE), the peanuts, the chili oil, the… everything. I almost cried. I was so happy. Sat there, sweating and slurping, in pure, unadulterated noodle bliss. Then promptly ordered a second bowl. Regret? Zero.
4:30 PM: Mild Regret (Noodle Hangover Looming). Walked around nearby. Watched some old men play mahjong (I think? Looked serious). Tried to decipher some street signs, failed spectacularly,. The humidity started to get to me. Napping might be a good idea.
6:00 PM: Attempted nap. Failed. Too much adrenaline from noodles. Wandered down to the hotel lobby to browse. This place would benefit from an English version of a travel map, but I'm sure this is the way.
7:00 PM: Dinner. Another noodle place. Because, well, noodles. This time, a different kind. Dan Dan noodles. Slightly less spicy. Slightly. Still amazing. Starting to feel like a noodle expert. (Spoiler alert: I am not).
8:00 PM: Attempted to watch some local tv. Couldn't understand anything, but the commercials were mesmerizing. Dragons? Flying cars? No idea. Fell asleep on the couch. The air conditioner felt like a blessing.
Day 2: Chongqing's Charm (and My Stomach's Resilience)
9:00 AM (ish): Woke up after sleeping on the ground. Oops! First order of business: Coffee. Coffee is a necessity for navigating new cultures, particularly when sleep has failed. Hotel coffee was… questionable. Wandered out in search of something stronger. Found a little cafe. Success!
10:00 AM: The Yangtze River Cruise. Booked a half-day cruise. The Yangtze, apparently runs through Chongqing. Gorgeous. Seriously stunning. Towering cliffs, lush greenery, boats of all shapes and sizes gliding along. It felt… monumental. The sheer scale of it was breathtaking. I sat on the deck, basking in the sunshine and trying to commit this moment to memory. The pictures will never do it justice.
- Anecdote: On the boat, met a group of giggling Chinese girls who were incredibly interested in my camera. Spent a good hour trying to explain how it worked, lots of pointing and laughter. They offered me some snacks, which were… interesting. One was a dried something-or-other that tasted vaguely of sea and regret. I ate it anyway. Gotta embrace the experience, right?
1:00 PM: Lunch! A restaurant suggested by the friendly front desk lady. Hot pot. The real deal. A boiling cauldron of deliciousness at the center of the table. We cooked our food ourselves (the "we" being me and three very patient Chinese friends who wanted to help). My first experience with hot pot was something else entirely. So many ingredients to choose from. So many sauces. So much potential for disaster. I somehow managed to avoid poisoning myself, and actually enjoyed the meal a lot.
3:00 PM: Wandered into a local market. Sensory overload. Smells, sounds, colors, everything. Everything was a bit chaotic. Tried to order some fruit but communication failed on all levels. Eventually, a kind old woman with a gap-toothed smile just handed me a couple of what tasted like delicious, juicy plums. She also made me feel like I should learn to speak Mandarin quickly.
5:00 PM: Tried street food dumplings. Amazing. Another "La" (spicy). This time, more regrets. Stomach starting to rumble.
7:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Exhausted. Wondered about going out for dinner, but the idea of exploring the streets by myself was a bit daunting.
8:00 PM: Watched more Chinese TV with English subtitles. Still trying to figure out what's going on. The shows are fast-paced and hard to follow.
9:00 PM: Early night. Sleep. Pray for no spicy nightmares.
Day 3: Exploring Chongqing (and My Own Sanity)
9:00 AM: Delayed start. Blame the delicious but ultimately disastrous dumplings or that second bowl of spicy noodles.
10:00 AM: Went to the Ciqikou Ancient Town. Okay, this place was pretty. Cobblestone streets, traditional architecture, shops selling everything from teapots to spicy snacks. Touristy, yes. But still charming. Took a ton of pictures. Felt a little bit like a proper tourist, finally.
12:00 PM: More food. This time, some grilled skewers. So good. The vendor was friendly and clearly used to foreigners. Ordered a few different types of meat, including a few I couldn't identify. Ate with gusto anyway. Still alive!
2:00 PM: Spent too much time at a tea shop. Smelled a lot of tea. Had a tea tasting that left me wired. The tea was delicious, but my head was spinning.
4:00 PM: A moment to wander and reflect. Watched some local children playing. Saw some street artists drawing traditional scenes. The atmosphere was vibrant, energetic. It was also extremely hot, and I was starting to wilt.
5:00 PM: Needed to get back to the hotel for another nap.
6:00 PM: Ate the last of my snacks. I feel homesick but excited for the next adventure.
7:00 PM: Wondered about going out for dinner.
8:00 PM: Another early night. Sleep. Pray for no more spicy nightmares.
Final Thoughts:
Chongqing? It's a whirlwind. It's a feast. It's confusing. It's exhausting. But, damn, it's also incredibly, wonderfully alive. This city has gotten under my skin. Did I plan this trip perfectly? Absolutely not. Did I eat a lot of spicy food? Absolutely. Would I come back? In a heartbeat. Just… maybe bring some extra stomach medicine. And maybe a phrasebook.
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Unbelievable Elan Inn Deal: Chongqing Luxury Awaits! - Seriously, Is it *That* Good? (Let's Talk...)
Okay, so this Elan Inn deal... Is it a scam? My Spidey senses are tingling! (Or, you know, my credit card is trembling.)
What *exactly* is included in this "luxury" experience? Do I get a butler singing me lullabies? (Asking for a friend... who is me.)
Chongqing? Where even *is* that? And is it safe? Because I'm picturing a post-apocalyptic wasteland… (Don't judge me, travel anxiety is real.)
The Food! Oh God, the Food! Is it… edible? And what if I only like plain chicken and potatoes? (Please tell me there's plain chicken.)
**Here's the truth:** There *might* be plain chicken. There might be…sort of. Be prepared to describe what you want very, very *clearly*. Learn the Mandarin for “no spice!” (It'll become your mantra.) And be adventurous! Even if you're a plain-food kind of person, try *something* different. You might surprise yourself. Or, you know, end up with a burning mouth. But hey, that's part of the fun, right? (Just bring the antacids. Seriously.)
Tell me about the Elan Inn itself! Is it actually luxurious? And is the Wi-Fi good enough to stalk my ex? (Asking for a friend, again.)
I'd highlight the bed: super comfy! I'd also highlight my experience, where I attempted to order a room service coffee at 4am, and instead I got a call from the front desk 1 hour later. It was an awkward experience, but I eventually got my coffee!
But here’s the thing: the "luxury" is relative. It's not the Four Seasons. It's not going to blow your mind. But it *is* a good deal for the price, and you can certainly be comfortable. Just don't go expecting a Michelin-star meal every night. Go with reasonable expectations, and you won't be disappointed. And yes, absolutely stalk your ex. I mean… catch up with your friends. Definitely catch up with friends. Online. That's what I meant.
What are the best things to see and do in Chongqing? Beyond eating fiery noodles, obviously. (Though… those noodles…)
* **Hongya Cave:** Picture a massive, multi-level complex built into the side of a cliff, with shops, restaurants, and bars. It's gorgeous at night, all lit up. It kind of reminded me of something out of a Studio Ghibli film! * **The Three Gorges Museum:** Learn about the history and culture of the region. It's surprisingly interesting! * **Ci Qi Kou Ancient Town:** Wander through the historic streets, browse the shops, sample local snacks. * **The Yangtze River Cruise:** If you have the time, a cruise on the Yangtze River is a fantastic experience.
And of course, eat ALL the noodles. Seriously. Find the street food stalls. Be brave. You'll probably regret it (in the best way possible!).
Okay, you've convinced me to go. But what's the ONE thing I absolutely *must* pack? (Besides antacids, already noted.)
