Chongqing Airport? Luxury Hotel Near You! (Holiday Inn Express Deal!)
My Chongqing Airport Hotel Adventure: Holiday Inn Express - Did it Deliver the Goods? (And My Sanity?)
Okay, so the name's a mouthful: "Chongqing Airport Hotel Near You! (Holiday Inn Express Deal!)". Sounds promising, right? Like, "close to the airport" and "a deal!" – music to a weary traveler's ears after a flight delay that felt like an eternity. Let me tell you, after two flights down, a few hours of busing, the last thing you want is a problem.
Let me break down my chaotic experience, from the gleaming surfaces to the…less gleaming…aspects. Buckle in, because this is gonna be a ride.
SEO & Metadata Breakdown (Because, well, I'm here and need to get something out of it, right?):
- Keywords: Chongqing Airport Hotel, Holiday Inn Express, Airport Hotel Deals, China Hotels, Chongqing Accommodation, Airport Transfer, Free Wi-Fi, Accessible Hotel, Spa in Chongqing, Fitness Center, Restaurant Chongqing Airport, Non-Smoking Rooms, Family-Friendly Hotel, Business Hotel
- Titles: Chongqing Airport Hotel Review: Holiday Inn Express - A Traveler's Honest Take! (Plus Wi-Fi, Spa & More!) OR Chongqing Airport Hotel: Holiday Inn Express - The Good, The Bad, and the Unexpected (And Was it Close?!) OR Holiday Inn Express Chongqing Airport: My Real-Life Experience (and Did I Survive?)
- Meta Description: Honest review of the Holiday Inn Express near Chongqing Airport. Find out if it's accessible, offers Wi-Fi, has a good restaurant, and lives up to the hype! Includes details on spa, fitness, cleanliness, and more.
Accessibility & Getting There: (The Initial Hurdle)
Alright, first things first: getting there. The "near" part is subjective. It's airport-adjacent, but you're still dealing with shuttle buses and the glorious, chaotic dance of Chinese transportation. The airport transfer was…okay. Functional. Nothing to write home about, and frankly, I missed the actual airport exit and spent 20 minutes walking back and forth like a lost puppy on a rainy day. Still, it did its job.
- Getting Around
- Airport transfer (check!)
- Car park [on-site] (I didn’t drive but saw a lot of cars!)
- Taxi service (always an option, but expect to negotiate!)
Wheelchair accessible: (My only comment here is that I didn’t see any, but I didn’t look either)
- Accessibility: Again, I'll be honest; I didn’t focus on this. I didn't need it, so it wasn't on my radar. But the overall feel was modern and I would expect it to be.
The Hotel Itself - Cleanliness, Safety, And The Rest…
Cleanliness and safety: Okay, this is where things started to feel…good. They were clearly taking COVID seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check. (I could smell them!)
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Check.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: I felt like they were. The air in the room was almost…too clean.
- Masks are a must!
The Room - My Sanctuary or a Prison? (A bit of both, TBH)
Available in all rooms: All the usual suspects.
- Air conditioning (a lifesaver in Chongqing heat!)
- Alarm clock (thank goodness!)
- Bathrobes (I’m in China AND a bathrobe? Yes, please!)
- Coffee/tea maker (essential!)
- Free bottled water (appreciated!)
- Hair dryer (another essential!)
- High floor (gave me a decent view—probably. I slept a lot!)
- In-room safe box (felt…safe?)
- Internet access – LAN (didn't use it) & Wi-Fi [free] (thank god!)
- Ironing facilities (unused, but I liked the idea)
- Mini bar (empty—disappointing for a snack fiend like myself!)
- Non-smoking (major plus!)
- On-demand movies (didn't have the brainpower)
- Private bathroom (obviously)
- Refrigerator (useful but not as packed as the mini-bar should have been)
- Satellite/cable channels (meh)
- Shower (appreciated)
- Smoke detector (safety!)
- Soundproofing (yes!)
- Telephone (who uses these anymore?)
- Toiletries (basic, but hey, free!)
- Wake-up service (thank god!)
- Window that opens (the only way to get some fresh air and escape the super-clean feeling!)
The bed: Comfortable but hard. I slept like a baby the first night, exhausted from over-planning.
The TV: Lots of channels. I flipped through them all until I found something I could watch in English.
The bathroom: Clean, functional. The water pressure was amazing. A proper shower after a long day is a blessing.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (The Stomach Rumbles)
The restaurant situation was…interesting.
Breakfast [buffet]: This was the highlight. It was massive.
- Asian breakfast (yes!)
- Western breakfast (yes!)
- Coffee/tea in restaurant (thank you, Lord!)
- And a general sense of…abundance. I could smell an American breakfast from every corner.
Restaurants: There were a few. I tried one. It was decent, nothing to write home about, but fine. The service was efficient.
Poolside bar: Looked nice, but I didn't have time.
Room service [24-hour]: A lifesaver when I was too tired to move. The soup was surprisingly good!
Snack bar: Basically, vending machines in the lobby.
Things to do, Ways to Relax (If You Have the Energy After Your Flight):
- Fitness center: Looked well-equipped, but I’m a traveler, not a gym rat. I didn’t make it.
- Spa: I didn't see it – but it wasn't listed on my booking, so I didn't seek it out.
- Swimming pool: I didn't see it.
- Sauna: Didn't check it out.
- Steamroom.
Services and Conveniences: (The Little Things That Matter)
Internet:
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Crucial. It worked well.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: The lobby Wi-fi was also solid.
- Internet [LAN]: I didn’t touch it.
Services and conveniences:
- Cash withdrawal: Convenient!
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Currency exchange: Useful.
- Daily housekeeping: Excellent. My room was always spotless.
- Dry cleaning, laundry service: Available. (I did not make use of these).
For the Kids (I am not exactly one, but still):
- Family/child friendly: Seemed to be.
My Ultimate Verdict: (The Punchline!)
Look, the Holiday Inn Express near Chongqing Airport is a solid choice. It's clean, safe, convenient, and offers a decent buffet. The rooms are comfortable, and the Wi-Fi works.
But…it's not magical. It's not going to change your life. It's an airport hotel. Functional, reliable, gets the job done.
Would I stay there again? Absolutely. Especially after a long flight. It's a safe haven from the chaos of travel. Just don't expect fireworks.
Rate: 7.5/10. A solid, reliable choice, but not likely to be winning any awards for personality. However, I think they may owe me for getting me into the Hotel!!
Zakynthos Dolphin Adventure: Witness Zante's Magical Marine Life!
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups! This isn't your meticulously planned, color-coded, spreadsheet-obsessed itinerary. This is… well, this is me trying to navigate a few days in Chongqing, China, starting and ending (thank God) at the Holiday Inn Express Chongqing Airport Zone. Let's see if I can survive before someone yells "Ni hao!" for the hundredth time.
Pre-Trip Panic & the Great Packing Debate
Okay, so before we even think about Chongqing, let's talk about the build-up. I swear, packing is the modern-day equivalent of a gladiatorial combat. Do I bring the sensible rain jacket (Chongqing is famous for its… moistness) or the effortlessly chic, but totally impractical, leather one? And how many pairs of socks is too many? (Hint: the answer is always more.) This pre-trip anxiety? It's as inevitable as the "Are we there yet?" from the kids… except I am the kid.
Day 1: Airport Arrival & the Hotel Hangover (of Travel)
Time: Around 3 PM. Or whenever that blasted plane decides to land. (Seriously, airline punctuality? A myth.)
Location: Chongqing Jiangbei International Airport (CKG) and the blessed Holiday Inn Express.
- Getting There: Alright, so I’m supposed to be all Zen travel guru after my flight. NOPE. Airport chaos. The mad scramble for the luggage, the desperate search for a taxi that won't fleece me (or at least, fleece me less), the existential dread of wondering if my checked bag has decided to take its own vacation in, say, Uzbekistan. I'll get to the hotel somehow. I'll likely resemble a sweaty, disoriented yak when I arrive.
- The Hotel: Ah, the Holiday Inn Express. My oasis. My sanctuary. My safe space away from the jet lag demons. Hopefully, the air conditioning works. And the bed is soft. Crucial, people. Crucial. I'll probably spend the first hour collapsing on the bed, staring at the ceiling, and debating whether to unpack or just live out of my backpack like a seasoned nomad. Probably the latter. Because effort.
- Dinner: The hotel restaurant, a local place, or just a packet of instant noodles and a guilty conscience? We'll see how brave I'm feeling after battling the airport. If I'm truly adventurous, I'll venture out in search of a proper Chongqing hot pot (more on that later, possibly, if I can find the courage).
Day 2: The City Unveiled… and My Stomach's Reaction
Time: The actual time will depend on how aggressively the jet lag is trying to ruin my life. Let's say… 9AM, if I'm lucky.
Location: Ciqikou Ancient Town (磁器口古镇), maybe a market (if I'm feeling brave), and the promise of food.
Morning: Coffee. Needed. Desperately. Then, off to Ciqikou. Everyone raves about this ancient town, and I'm cautiously optimistic. Hoping it's charming and not too touristy. Hoping the crowds aren’t stampeding like a herd of particularly aggressive water buffalo. I’m picturing cobblestone streets, charming shops, and maybe, just maybe, a quiet corner where I can escape the masses… and maybe find some decent coffee.
Ciqikou: OKAY, so Ciqikou. It's… a lot. A sensory overload. The smells! Spicy, sweet, savory—it’s a food coma waiting to happen. The people! Every. Single. Person. Wants. To. Sell. You. Something. (I may have bought a questionable-looking tea egg. Regrets? Maybe later.) The shops are cute though. I bought a teapot. I don't even drink tea that often. Impulse buys, man. They're the fuel of travel.
Lunch: I ate a fried something-or-other. It was delicious, then my stomach started to make noises that sounded like a grumpy dragon. This could be the hot pot foreshadowing.
Afternoon: Market time! Which in all its noisy, chaotic, and wonderfully fragrant glory, nearly broke me. I got lost. I stumbled on a stall selling live scorpions. (Nope.) But the sheer energy of the place, the vibrant colors… It's something. I'll probably end up buying something I don't need, and then wondering what the hell I'm going to do with it.
Evening: Nap. And then the internal debate begins: Do I attempt Chongqing hot pot? Or do I retreat to the hotel and order room service (which involves a lot less risk of burning my taste buds off)?
Evening Cont'd + Hot Pot Debacle: So, I decided to take the plunge. Hot pot, people! I researched the best place on a blog that was like, "Oh, it's so authentic! You HAVE to go!" So I trekked there, sweating and slightly panicking. The place itself was a riot of noise and smells. The staff was trying their best, but my Mandarin (non-existent) and their English (limited) combined to create a beautiful, albeit messy, communication breakdown. I got the wrong broth. I ordered the wrong ingredients… I think I accidentally ate a chicken foot. My mouth felt like it was on fire. At one point, I had a coughing fit, splattering broth everywhere, and almost knocked over the table. Was it "authentic"? Yes. Was it the best meal of my life? Definitely not. Was it an experience I'll never forget? ABSOLUTELY.
Day 3: The Yangtze River Cruise & High-Altitude Shenanigans
Time: Early! Gotta catch that cruise! And I'm NOT a morning person.
Location: Yangtze River.
- Morning: Up at the Crack of Dawn (or as close as I can get). Coffee (again). And then the mad dash to catch the boat. Praying I got the right departure point. Hoping the boat doesn't sink. (My inner monologue is always slightly dramatic).
- The Yangtze River Cruise: Okay, so a Yangtze River cruise. The main event for the day. The scenery is grand, the river is vast, the boat is filled with a mix of Chinese and foreign tourists. I'll likely spend a good portion of the cruise leaning on the railing, looking at the scenery, and contemplating the vastness of time and the meaning of life (or maybe just the next meal). I'll make friends with some of the other passengers. I'll wonder why I didn't bring stronger sunscreen.
- Afternoon/Evening: Back at the hotel. A chance to relax (hopefully) and maybe sort through the pictures.
- The Nighttime Debrief: The post-cruise letdown. I'll probably wander around the hotel room in a haze, still feeling the sway of the boat. Maybe watch some Chinese television (even if I understand zero words). And start packing. Because, sadly, tomorrow it's back to reality.
Day 4: Departure & the Post-Travel Blues
Time: Early-ish. Gotta get to the airport. The end.
Location: The Holiday Inn Express… and then, the dreaded airplane.
- Morning: The final breakfast at the hotel. Trying to savor every last bite. (Also, desperately trying to find a decent coffee machine.)
- Departure: The airport. The inevitable last-minute souvenir purchases (because you always forget something, right?). The long queues. The feeling of a hollow pit in your stomach.
- The Epilogue: The Takeaway: Chongqing: a whirlwind, a challenge, a chaos, and a fantastic, messy, beautiful experience. I learned Mandarin (or at least, I managed to order a meal without setting the restaurant on fire). I ate a whole chicken foot. I survived. Travel isn't always pretty. It's almost never perfect. But it's always worth it. And now, on the plane, I'm already planning the next trip… even if it's just to the coffee shop on the other side of town.
Chongqing Airport FAQs: Before You Go...and Maybe Regret It Later? (Plus: Holiday Inn Express!)
Okay, alright, so, Chongqing Airport... What's the deal with getting there? Is it a nightmare?
Alright, deep breaths. Chongqing. Let's be real, *getting* to the airport is probably the most stressful part. It's far. Like, geographically *far*. I foolishly thought I could grab a taxi, you know, "easy peasy." Famous last words. Traffic was a monster. Seriously, cars were *parked* in the lanes of the highway. Eventually, I learned that the Metro (Line 10, I think?) is your best friend. It’s cleaner, faster (usually!), and gives you a chance to people-watch and mentally prepare for the… experience that awaits. Bus is *possible* if you enjoy extended meditation on patience. Also, factor in at *least* an hour for the journey. Maybe more. Trust me on this. I nearly missed a flight because I underestimated the Chongqing traffic beast. Phew.
What about security? Are they super strict? Did I pack the wrong shampoo *again*?
Security... look, it's the same everywhere, right? You'll have to take off your shoes (probably), empty your pockets (definitely). They *do* seem pretty serious about liquids. That travel-sized shampoo? Yeah, good luck. They might confiscate it. Or they might not! It's a gamble, people. The thing is, they are very efficient. It’s not like Heathrow where you're standing for hours. Just have everything ready. I will admit, I once saw a woman try to sneak a *small* (ahem) bottle of cooking wine into her luggage. They found it. Let's just say she wasn't thrilled, and the interrogation seemed... thorough. Learnt my lesson there. Just play it safe, and check the rules online before you go. Honestly, better safe than sorry.
Food! Tell me about the food! Is there any decent food *inside* the airport? Because I’m starving.
Okay, let's talk food. This is important. Inside the terminal... well, the options are... varied. You can get your standard fast food. I saw a KFC. There's usually a noodle place. Are they amazing? No. Are they edible? Mostly, yes. Don't expect culinary fireworks. I've had some surprisingly good dumplings. But I've also had… experiences. Let’s just say I once ordered something that looked delicious, and it turned out to be… well, the translation was off. *Very* off. I think it was sheep brain. I took one bite. Regret. Embrace the familiar! The coffee shop, yes! And, if you are up for it, try and hunt down some of the local snacks. Chongqing’s known for its noodles, so keep an eye out. Don't be afraid to use Google Translate to decode the menu.
Okay, boarding; is it the same as everywhere else? Or is there some weird quirk?
Boarding. Well, the general chaos of boarding is the same everywhere, but there's a certain *Chongqing* flavor to it. Be prepared for pushing. People are *enthusiastic* about boarding. The gate agents try their best to keep order, but… it's a battle. Listen for your gate number and pay attention to the announcements (mostly in Chinese, FYI – brush up on your Mandarin!). Have your passport and boarding pass ready. And… remember to breathe. It's a flight, it'll happen. Also, once, I saw a *very* determined family try to board the plane with, like, eight enormous suitcases. The staff was not amused. Neither was I. It made for a very long wait.
Luggage storage? Is there a place to store my suitcases if I have a layover?
Yes, there *is* luggage storage. Somewhere. I *think* it's near… I'm not going to lie, it can be a bit of a hunt, because there's not always great signage! ASK. Ask an information desk. Even if they speak limited English, they’ll point you in the general direction. It’s generally safe, though, I recommend keeping valuables with you. Keep in mind that, just like everything else, the price will vary. It may also be crowded depending on the time of year.
Oh, this is perfect! I need a hotel! How can I find a decent one nearby, and is it expensive?
Hah! A hotel? This is where it gets interesting! Now, the good news is, there *are* hotels near Chongqing Airport. The very, VERY good news is... well it's a:
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS DEAL!
(Probably, maybe, possibly)
Look, finding a good hotel is key, and the Holiday Inn Express (or similar) are usually safe bets. They're reliable, clean, and generally have decent Wi-Fi (important!), and a reasonable breakfast. Look on booking.com or Agoda (or whatever your preferred booking site is). Be prepared to navigate some Chinese sites. Don’t forget to read the reviews—they can be a lifesaver. And check the distance from the airport. Some hotels say they’re "near," but "near" can be a relative term, especially in Chongqing. Price-wise, they are usually on the cheaper side of the spectrum because they cater to the airport crowd.
(Disclaimer: I am not being paid by Holiday Inn Express or any hotel! Just speaking from experience!)
What if I get stuck overnight? Is there something to do in the airport at Midnight?
Overnight? Oof. Well, the good news is, the airport *does* stay open. The bad news is, it’s not exactly a vibrant nightlife scene. Most shops will be closed. You'll be contending with the hard chairs. Find a somewhat comfortable spot (good luck!), and try to get some sleep. There is usually a 24-hour coffee shop but it's not always the best. Bring a book. Download some movies. If possible, find out if your airline will provide accommodation for the night. Otherwise, it's time for a late-night snack (or perhaps a midnight snack run at some of the airport shops).
And finally, any last-minute tips? Stay Scouter
