Escape to Guiyang: Unbeatable Deals at Holiday Inn Express Qingyan!

Escape to Guiyang: Unbeatable Deals at Holiday Inn Express Qingyan!
Escape to Guiyang: Holiday Inn Express Qingyan – My Raw & Uncut Review, Deals & ALL the Feels!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! I'm just back from a whirlwind trip to Guiyang and, honestly, I'm still unpacking the experience. And yes, that includes the emotional detritus of a slightly too enthusiastic spa session. But let's start with the real star of the show: the Holiday Inn Express Qingyan. This ain't your stuffy, corporate, perfectly-manicured hotel review. This is real life, people. And it's got deals! (More on that later. Promise.)
Accessibility: Going Places with Ease (Mostly)
Okay, so, accessibility. I'm not a wheelchair user, but I did take a good, long look around. The good news? Elevators are a godsend (yay! for not having to schlep luggage up stairs). The elevator got me from lobby to my room with a sigh of relief. I saw folks using the elevators so the hotel gets a thumbs up. Plus, seeing as this area is the same as the old town, having Car park [free of charge] really saves the day.
Rooms, Glorious Rooms! (And That Bed… Oh, That Bed!)
Let's talk rooms! My place had Air conditioning (essential!), a seriously comfy bed, and, crucially, blackout curtains. Seriously, those curtains are a lifesaver when you're trying to recover from a spicy dumpling coma. Also, the free Wi-Fi, which, let’s be honest, is non-negotiable these days. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! It's the little things, folks. Speaking of little things, there's complimentary tea and free bottled water! My room also had Slippers, which is a small touch that is amazing. I will never understand a hotel that doesn't have slippers. The beds are amazing. If I knew the secret, I would have bought the bed.
Clean, Clean, Clean! (With Added Anti-Viral Goodness)
Look, I'm a bit of a germaphobe, especially post-pandemic. So, I was thrilled by the cleanliness. The hotel is meticulously clean. I also appreciated the Anti-viral cleaning products used and rooms sanitized between stays. That gave me serious peace of mind. The Staff trained in safety protocol, wearing masks, and wiping stuff down like their lives depended on it. I also saw Daily disinfection in common areas.
Food, Glorious Food! (With Buffet Mayhem!)
Okay, the food. Here's where things get interesting. Breakfast [buffet] is available in the morning. I went to the restaurant which has Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, and International cuisine in restaurant. I'm not a buffet person, but hey, options! The fruit selection was decent, the coffee was…well, it was coffee. But let's be honest; you're not coming to Guiyang for the bland hotel coffee. Do sample the local dishes. The breakfast takeaway service is something I used one morning when I wanted to go for an early walk.
Spa Time! (Prepare for Feelings)
Now, here's where things get real. I decided to treat myself to the spa. And…oh. My. God. Okay, so, there's a Spa, and a Sauna, and a Steamroom, and a Pool with view! I did the Body scrub. It was intense. It was also amazing. I emerged feeling like a new person…or perhaps a person with less dead skin. Then I went to the Foot bath, which was a total bliss.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (Besides the Spa)
If you're feeling energetic, there is a Gym/fitness center. But let's be real, I spent most of my time wandering around the stunning Qingyan Ancient Town. It's a quick taxi ride away. Don't miss it! There is Car park [on-site] available if you are driving.
Other Services & Conveniences (And a Few Quirks)
The hotel has a Concierge to assist. I was happy to have the Laundry service available. There is a Cash withdrawal machine. The convenience store is a life-saver if you forget something. I saw people using the Meeting/banquet facilities, so you can probably arrange a professional business if you need.
For the Kids
I'm not traveling with kids, but saw some families using the Kids facilities.
The Deals! (Because You Know You Want Them!)
Okay, okay, the most important part (besides the spa). I'm telling you, the Holiday Inn Express Qingyan offers Unbeatable Deals. I’m talking crazy good value. Keep an eye out for seasonal promotions, package deals that bundle in meals or activities, and always, always compare prices online. You'll thank me later. The Check-in/out [express] makes it great when you want to go straight to your room.
Things That Could Be Better (Because Honesty!)
The pool, though with a view, could be a little bigger, the coffee could be better. And a few more English-speaking staff wouldn't go amiss.
Final Verdict: Book It! (But Bring Your Swimsuit!)
Honestly, the Holiday Inn Express Qingyan is a winner. It's clean, it's comfortable, the staff is friendly, and the location is great for exploring Qingyan. And those deals? Seriously, they're a steal. Go! (Just maybe…skip the second body scrub.) And that bed?…Book it. Book it now.
Paradise Found: Somphong's Grande Caribbean Escape in Pattaya
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that is my (hypothetical) trip to the Holiday Inn Express Guiyang Qingyan, China. This isn't your pristine, perfectly-timed itinerary - oh no. This is the real deal. Prepare for some rambling, some gushing, some outright complaining, and a whole lotta me.
Pre-Trip Panic & Preparations (aka "Why Did I Think This Was a Good Idea?")
- Weeks Before: Crap. I booked this. Guiyang? Qingyan? Never heard of 'em. Okay, deep breaths. Research time! (Cue frantic Googling of "What to Wear in Guiyang? What to Eat? Will I Accidentally Offend Someone?")
- Days Before: Packing. The eternal struggle. I shove everything into a suitcase like I’m prepping for the apocalypse. "Just in case" turns into a mountain of clothes. And the adapters! Don't forget the F-ing adapters.
- Morning of Departure: Airport chaos. I'm convinced I'm going to miss my flight. I'm running late. I spill coffee all over myself. This is the life.
Day 1: Arrival and the "Oh God, I'm Really Here" Moment (AKA "The Hotel’s Alright, I Guess")
- Morning: The looooongest flight imaginable. I feel like a crumpled piece of paper at the end. Landing in Guiyang, the jet lag is already hitting me like a freight train. Customs? Smooth-ish. Surprisingly friendly officials. Score!
- Afternoon: Taxi to Holiday Inn Express Qingyan. The city whizzes by, a blur of buildings and bustling streets. My first thought? "Whoa, this is REALLY China." And then, "I hope I don’t mess this up."
- Check-in: The lobby is shiny and…well, it's a Holiday Inn Express. Functional. Clean. A little…bland. But the staff is friendly, and they actually speak some English (phew!). The room is, again, functional. The bed looks comfy, though, and after that flight, that's all that matters.
- Late Afternoon: A quick wander around the hotel vicinity. I'm starving. The street food vendors are calling my name. The smells! Oh, the smells! But I chicken out. Food poisoning is not on my itinerary, thank you very much. Regret immediately sets in. Damn.
- Evening: Dinner at a nearby restaurant I think I can trust. I point at things on the menu I think are dumplings. I’m mostly right. They’re delicious, even if I have no idea what’s in them. A moment of sheer joy. I'm in China! I have dumplings! Ah, bliss. Back to the hotel, exhausted but buzzing with that "I'm on an adventure!" feeling. This is, I think, going to be amazing.
Day 2: Qingyan Ancient Town - Overwhelming Beauty and My Existential Crisis (aka "I'm Not Sure I'm Culturally Sensitive Enough")
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. The buffet is…different. I experiment. I try things. Some things are good. Some things are…an experience. (I’m looking at you, mystery meat).
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon: Qingyan Ancient Town! Holy. Crap. This place is stunning. Cobblestone streets, ancient architecture, temples… it's like stepping back in time, but with more tourists taking selfies. I'm overwhelmed in a good way. Then, in a less good way. All the people! But the details! The carvings, the colors, the sheer age of everything…it's breathtaking.
- Lunch: I bravely try some street food, a spicy noodle soup. My mouth is on fire, but I don’t care! It’s delicious! I start noticing the nuances – the way the locals are, how they navigate, how they carry themselves. It’s fascinating.
- Afternoon: A slow, meandering walk around Qingyan Town. I visit a temple and can only imagine how much history has passed within those walls. Contemplate the meaning of life (as one does while staring at ancient architecture). Take a million pictures. My camera is going to explode. I get lost in the maze-like streets. Wander into a tiny shop selling handmade crafts. Buy something I don't need but absolutely love. Pure, unadulterated joy.
- Evening: Back to Guiyang, feeling exhausted but filled with emotion. Dinner at the same kind of place as before, because, well, I know they have dumplings.
Day 3: Trying to Be a Local + Unexpected Delights (aka “I’m Terrible at Bargaining”)
- Morning: Determined to be a "local," I try to order coffee in Chinese. A complete disaster. I end up with something…brown and vaguely caffeinated. It's okay, I guess. (Maybe. I can’t tell). But hey, I tried! This is what traveling is all about, right?
- Afternoon: I venture out to a local market. This is where things get real. The sights, the smells, the sounds…it’s sensory overload. I attempt to bargain. I'm terrible. I pay way too much for a pair of knockoff sunglasses. I don’t care. They’re stylish! (Maybe)
- Evening: Another dinner, this time I venture a little further out. I find a local eatery that smells wonderful. I don't know what I order. I point. I gesture. The food arrives. It's…unidentifiable. And amazing! This is what experiencing a culture is all about, right? It is. It is.
Day 4: Farewell and Reflections (aka "I Wish I Could Stay Longer")
- Morning: A final breakfast at the hotel, trying desperately to decide if I liked the "mystery meat." Pack. Again. (Ugh.) Check out.
- Afternoon: Head back to the airport. Reflect on the trip. Wondering if I’ll ever return.
- Evening: Flight back home. Tired, a little sunburned, and carrying a suitcase full of memories (and questionable souvenirs). I already miss it. I think I'm really going to miss Qingyan Town. And dumplings. I need dumplings.
Post-Trip Rambling and Emotional Fallout:
This trip…it was messy. It was confusing. I got lost more times than I care to admit. My Mandarin is nonexistent. I ate things I couldn’t name. But it was wonderful. It was challenging. It was beautiful. It was…human. I felt alive. I learned so much, about the culture, and about myself. I still can’t believe I actually went. I’m already planning my return. I need more dumplings. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll learn to bargain next time. Probably not.
Escape to Paradise: Lake Princess Bhopal Awaits!
Okay, so Holiday Inn Express Qingyan... Is it actually worth it, or is it just another "hotel"?
Alright, let's be real. Hotels can be a crapshoot. You've got expectations (clean sheets! hot shower! decent coffee!), and then... well, you know. But here's the thing: this Qingyan Holiday Inn Express? It's... surprisingly decent. I mean, for the price they're advertising, it's bordering on a STEAL.
Picture this: I booked it on a whim, a last-minute escape from my ever-growing pile of laundry (don't judge). And honestly? I was expecting the usual beige-on-beige experience. You know, the kind where every room looks the same, and the breakfast buffet is a parade of questionable sausage.
But! The room was… clean! Seriously, a HUGE win. The shower? Hot! And the coffee? Actually drinkable! (This is huge for me, coffee is my LIFEBLOOD.) It's not the Ritz, mind you. Don't expect butler service. But for a quick getaway? Absolutely worth it. Think "cozy", not "luxury".
Unbeatable Deals? What's the catch?! Spill the tea!
Okay, the "unbeatable deals" part? Yeah, that's what snagged me too. Honestly, I was suspicious. There’s ALWAYS a catch, right? Hidden fees, tiny rooms, or the dreaded "free breakfast" tasting suspiciously like cardboard.
Here's what I found: It's not necessarily *one* huge, flashing catch. The deal is in the overall value. You get a comfortable room, decent breakfast (more on that later…), and generally a good location, all for a price that's significantly lower than you'd expect. Think of it like… finding a really good vintage jacket at a thrift store. It's a win!
Maybe they skimp a *little* on the fluff. Like, the toiletries aren't the fancy spa kind. But honestly, I’ve got my own stuff. And I’m not a princess anyway. So for me, the deal was genuine. And I’m a HARD critic, particularly when it comes to hotels.
What's the deal with the breakfast? I'm a breakfast person. A HUGE one.
Okay, breakfast. This is a critical area. If the breakfast sucks, the whole experience is tainted, right? I feel your pain. I'm like a sleep-deprived bear when it comes to morning meals.
So, the Holiday Inn Express breakfast isn't Michelin-star worthy, but it's surprisingly solid. They have the usual suspects: eggs (sometimes scrambled, sometimes… questionable), toast, cereal, a few local options (noodle soup usually – yum!), and a fruit selection. The coffee is… improving. It's no artisanal brew, but it's GOOD ENOUGH.
Here's the anecdote: One morning, I was REALLY hangry. Like, "almost-snapping-at-the-waitress" hangry. And the scrambled eggs? They were *perfectly* fluffy. I swear, I could've cried. Okay, maybe I was just really tired. But still – a win! It's hearty and functional, which is exactly what you need before a day of exploring Qingyan ancient town. My only complaint? I wish the pastries were a little less… industrial. But hey, you can't win 'em all.
Location, location, location! Is it actually close to Qingyan Ancient Town?
Right, location is paramount. You don't want to spend half your vacation stuck in a taxi, right?
Good news! Yes, it's pretty damn close. Like, a short taxi ride or even a brisk walk (maybe a bit too much if you're me and get tired easily) away from Qingyan Ancient Town. This is a HUGE selling point. That's the whole reason you're going, isn't it? To wander around those cobbled streets, and stuff your face with local snacks.
Now, "short" is relative. Depends on traffic, your walking speed, the weather... My experience? It was convenient enough. I would happily do the walk again. I think I even took a wrong turn once. But that's kind of my fault. I get lost looking at clouds. The point is, it's EASY to get to and from the hotel. HUGE win!
Anything to watch out for? Any major downsides?
Okay, nothing's perfect. Even the best hotel has a quirk or two. Here's the real talk:
First, it's a Holiday Inn Express. Expect a certain level of… uniformity. It’s not exactly “boutique”. But honestly, you're probably not looking for "boutique" at these prices.
Second, the gym. Let’s just say, it’s… minimal. Think a treadmill, a bike…and maybe a lonely weight machine. I think it's there for show. I can’t judge because I never use gyms. But if you’re a serious fitness buff? Maybe pack your own portable gym. Or just wander the streets – that’s exercise, right?
Third – and this is a small thing – the Wi-Fi was a little spotty in my room sometimes. Annoying if you need to work (like, me, all the time). But hey, I could always go down to the lobby. That's the minor stuff. The *really* important stuff, the sleep-in-a-clean-bed, eat-a-decent-breakfast stuff? It’s all there.
So, would you stay there again? Seriously?
Honestly? Yes. Absolutely. For the price, the location, and the general lack of drama? I'd go back in a heartbeat. I travel a LOT. And I've stayed in everything from crumbling hostels to ridiculously overpriced "luxury" hotels.
This place? It's solid. It’s reliable. It's the kind of hotel where you can relax, recharge, and actually enjoy your trip. If you’re looking for a comfortable base camp from which to explore Qingyan? You can do far worse. I might even treat myself to another stay just for those surprisingly fluffy scrambled eggs. Don't tell anyone!


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