Chongqing Da Zu Hong Sheng Square Branch: 7-Day Luxury Getaway You WON'T Believe!
Chongqing Da Zu Hong Sheng Square Branch: 7-Day Luxury Getaway You WON'T Believe! – A Review with a Side of Chaos
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because I just spent a week in Chongqing at the Da Zu Hong Sheng Square Branch, and let me tell you, it was a… journey. This isn't your typical, perfectly polished hotel review. This is the real deal – the good, the bad, the slightly-chaotic-but-ultimately-charming. Get ready for honesty sprinkled with a healthy dose of "what-the-heck-just-happened?"
Accessibility: (Mostly) Smooth Sailing… with a Few Bumps
First things first: accessibility. They do advertise wheelchair accessibility, and they've clearly put some effort in. Elevators, wide doorways, the works. But, and this is a big but, navigating some of the common areas felt a little clunky. One time, I swear I saw a confused hamster on a miniature ramp. Just kidding (maybe?), but I could feel it. You'll need to double-check specific room details and potentially call ahead to confirm the exact layout if full accessibility is paramount. They're trying, which is what matters.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Culinary Misadventure)
The food situation? Okay, let’s dive in! The buffet was a beast. I’m talking a never-ending expanse of… stuff. Asian breakfast? Yep. Western breakfast! You got it! International… yeah, it was there too, somewhere. I'm pretty sure I saw a dish labeled "Mystery Meat Surprise" one morning. (I skipped that one.) The Asian cuisine at the restaurant: amazing. I swear, I could eat their Dan Dan noodles every day and die happy. They even have a Vegetarian restaurant. Which… well, let's just say they tried their best but left something to be desired.
The bar? Don’t even get me started. Happy Hour sounded enticing, but finding the right drinks was a mission in itself. Poolside bar… again, tempting, but I'm pretty sure they served water in a cocktail glass at one point. The 24-hour room service? A lifesaver. Especially at 3 AM when jet lag hits and you’re craving a burger. The coffee shop was a decent spot for a quick caffeine fix.
Ways to Relax: Spa Days, Sweat Sessions, and Serene Reflections (and Maybe a Few Screams)
Okay, the spa. This is where things get interesting. I opted for a body scrub and a body wrap. The scrub? Divine. The wrap? Well… let’s just say I’m pretty sure I was accidentally wrapped in several layers of something that felt suspiciously like actual seaweed. Itchy! But, on the plus side, my skin felt amazing afterwards. They also have a sauna, a steam room, and, of course, a swimming pool! A beautiful pool with a view, no less! And a gym… and fitness center! I spent a lot of time there.
Now, I'm a gym rat, so I was looking forward to the fitness center. It felt like a relic of the 90s. They had a few machines that looked more like torture devices than exercise equipment. I got one workout in before I decided to hit the pool and just relax.
Cleanliness and Safety: Germ-Free Zone (Mostly)
They definitely took cleanliness seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, check. Daily disinfection, check. I felt pretty safe knowing they were trying. They had the usual hand sanitizer stations scattered everywhere. Honestly, after the "seaweed incident" at the spa, I was happy.
Rooms: A Comfort Oasis (Mostly)
My room was… fantastic. Air conditioning? Yes, and thank GOD for it. Blackout curtains? Crucial for beating the jet lag. Comfortable bed with a reading light and, get this, a window that opens! The bathtub was luxurious. The slippers were comfy. The complimentary tea… well, let's just say, I'm glad I brought my own. They have non-smoking rooms (a must-have). The room service made the experience even better.
Services and Conveniences: Smooth Operations, and a Touch of Lost in Translation
The concierge was helpful, though sometimes communication felt a little… off. Currency exchange was available, which was a lifesaver. Daily housekeeping did a great job. The elevator worked. Important to note: They do have meeting/banquet facilities. A convenience store was also there.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy (with a Few Wild Card Rides)
Car park [free of charge]! The Airport transfer was pretty seamless. They also had a taxi service available.
The Grand Finale: My 7-Day Misadventure in Review
Okay, the internet. Free Wi-Fi in all the rooms! And, praise be, it worked. There was also Internet [LAN] – just in case those Wi-Fi signals got rebellious.
So, do I recommend the Chongqing Da Zu Hong Sheng Square Branch?
Yes, with a giant asterisk. This place isn't perfect. It has its flaws, its quirks, and the occasional moment where you'll think, "What is going on here?" But that's part of the charm. It's an experience, not just a hotel. It’s a slightly messy, wonderfully human, and ultimately memorable getaway.
Here's the honest truth: I left Chongqing with a smile. The good outweighed the chaotic. The food, the rooms, and the sheer experience of it all, that's what will stay with me.
My recommendation? Book it. But pack your sense of humor, a willingness to embrace the unexpected, and maybe a phrasebook. You'll have a blast.
Chongqing Da Zu Hong Sheng Square Branch: Unforgettable 7-Day Luxury Getaway - Book Now & Save!
Here's what we're offering:
- 7 Nights of Luxurious Comfort: Experience everything you’ve read about – the delicious food, the relaxing spa, and the comfortable rooms.
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7 Days of Chaotic Charm in Chongqing & Da Zu (Hong Sheng Square Branch - God Help Us!) - A Travelogue of Tumult and Triumph
Right, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your meticulously planned, Instagram-filtered vacation. This is me, your hungover, slightly-panicked, but ultimately optimistic (after two cups of coffee) guide to surviving and maybe even thriving in Chongqing and the Da Zu Grottoes. And let me tell you, from the get-go, booking the Hong Sheng Square Branch felt like a gamble - a slightly dicey one, I must admit. But hey, YOLO, right? (And by YOLO, I mean, “hopefully the air conditioning works.”)
Day 1: Welcome to the Concrete Jungle & Spicy Meltdown (Chongqing)
Morning (6:00 AM - 10:00 AM): The arrival. Oh, the arrival. After a delayed flight (thanks, Air China!), customs, and a stomach-churning taxi ride (the driving here is… an experience), I finally stumbled, bleary-eyed, into the Hong Sheng Square Branch. The lobby was… well, let's just say it had a certain charm. A faded, slightly-musty charm. The room, thankfully, was clean enough. But the view? Absolutely stunning. Smog, glorious smog… over the city. Okay, maybe not so stunning.
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Food, glorious food! Found a small, bustling noodle shop near the hotel. Ordered what I thought was a mild bowl of Xiao Mian (Chongqing noodles). Turns out, "mild" apparently translates to "face-meltingly spicy" in Chinese. Tears, sweat, and a rapidly reddening face ensued. I'm pretty sure the shop owner was secretly impressed. My stomach, however, was not.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Attempted some sightseeing. Went to the Hongya Cave – all the lights make everything look amazing. Got lost in the winding, chaotic streets for a good hour. Found a hidden tea house and indulged in some jasmine tea. It soothed the burn, both from the noodles and the lack of sleep. The city's a real sensory overload, in the best way possible.
Evening (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Navigating the Jiefangbei Walking Street. The crowds are thick, the smells are intense (mostly delicious), and the street vendors are relentless. Bought a questionable souvenir. Probably going to regret it later. Dinner was at a local hot pot restaurant, where I managed to mostly avoid setting my tongue on fire (a small victory!). The experience was fantastic, social and the food was delicious!
Night (9:00 PM Onwards): Collapsed into bed. Hoping desperately for a good night’s sleep. Praying the air conditioning unit doesn't sound like a jet engine.
Day 2: Cables, Curves & Culinary Confusion (Chongqing)
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Woke up feeling vaguely human. Took the cable car down to the river. The view was breathtaking. Seriously, the city just sprawls out before you, a mesmerizing jumble of concrete and steel. It's ugly and beautiful all at once, a complete paradox. Wandered around the Ci Qi Kou ancient town for a while.
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Attempted to conquer the local bus system. Failed spectacularly. Ended up hailing a taxi (which, thankfully, got us somewhere near where we were going). Found a fantastic little bakery tucked away on a side street and ate all the pastries. No regrets. It was a delicious, carb-filled, life-affirming moment.
Evening (4:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Explored the Three Gorges Museum. Honestly, I was expecting it to be a bit dry, but it was fascinating! The exhibits on the Three Gorges Dam project were particularly interesting. Dinner was a mission: finally found a decent Sichuan restaurant (yes, I'm still obsessed with the spice!).
Night (9:00 PM Onwards): Spent far too long attempting to connect to the hotel wifi, finally succumbing to a book I brought with me.
Day 3: Journey to Da Zu - Caves & Culture Shock (Da Zu)
Morning (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Early start! Grabbed a quick (and surprisingly edible) breakfast at the hotel. Then jumped on a bus (thanks, Google Maps!) to Da Zu. The bus ride was an adventure in itself. The scenery slowly changed from urban sprawl to rolling hills.
Afternoon (10:00 AM - 4:00 PM): Here we are. The Da Zu Grottoes. The Bao Ding Shan carvings were absolutely mind-blowing. Centuries-old sculptures, incredibly detailed and preserved. The sheer artistry and devotion were humbling. My jaw, fell on the pavement, no joke. But, there were also the tourists, who were more interested in selfie sticks than spirituality. It was a stark reminder of the modern world's intrusion on these ancient sites.
Evening (4:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Found a small local restaurant in the village near the caves. Tried… something. I’m not entirely sure what it was. But it was local, and it was cheap. And I survived. Watched the sunset over the rolling hills. It really was a moment.
Night (9:00 PM onwards): Back to the hotel. Trying to download photos, the internet decided to play games.
Day 4: Deep Dive into Da Zu: More Carvings & More Contemplation (Da Zu)
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Dedicating the entire morning to the Bei Shan carvings. These were different from Bao Ding Shan, more subtle and less crowded. I spent ages just wandering around, staring at the intricate details. I ended up getting completely lost in the beauty of it all. This alone could be a whole trip in itself!
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Found a small tea house. I was a little grumpy about the lack of English menus but found that some form of communication can be achieved. I spent the afternoon lost in thought, contemplating the meaning of it all - life, art, the futility of trying to understand things through language.
Evening (4:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Another attempt at a proper Chinese meal at a local restaurant. The food kept coming and the table kept filling. Eventually, the restaurant was full of the local, a true experience! Back at the hotel, tried to find a way to translate all the photos and the entire day's experience – I ended up with only a few words.
Night (9:00 PM onwards): Journaling, finally. Trying to make sense of the day’s experiences. It wasn't particularly successful.
Day 5: Return to the Concrete Jungle & Shopping Spree (Chongqing)
Morning (7:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Took a bus back to Chongqing. Back in the bustle of the city! Checked back into the hotel, thankful for a familiar (albeit slightly dingy) room.
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Shopping time! Hit the Jiefangbei area again, this time with a mission: to buy some gifts (and maybe a new suitcase, because mine is rapidly approaching capacity). Ended up buying way too much stuff. Impulse buys, all of them.
Evening (4:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Dinner by the river, watched the city lights twinkle. It was kind of magical, despite the persistent smog.
Night (9:00 PM onwards): Packing. The daunting task of trying to cram everything into my suitcase, again. Considering a second suitcase.
Day 6: A Day of Heights & Hidden Delights (Chongqing)
Morning (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Explored the Eling Park. The views from the top of the hill were magnificent. I've found a hidden gem!
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Wandered around some more quiet streets. Found a hidden tea shop. The sheer joy of the quiet made this a wonderful experience.
Evening (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Had a final meal at my favourite restaurant. Realised that I am really going to miss the food.
Night (9:00 PM onwards): Tried to pack the suitcase
Chongqing Da Zu Hong Sheng Square Branch: 7-Day Luxury Getaway You WON'T Believe! - FAQs (Because Let's Be Real, You NEED Answers)
Okay, okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your average pristine brochure-copy FAQ. This is a real person's brain-dump after surviving a 7-day splurge in Chongqing at the Da Zu Hong Sheng Square Branch. Prepare yourself for a bumpy, probably hilarious, ride. Let's get this party started!
1. So, uh... is this even *really* luxury? Like, what does 'luxury' even *mean* in Chongqing?
Look, "luxury" in Chongqing is a whole different beast. Think less hushed tones and perfectly manicured lawns, and more the vibrant chaos of a city that's constantly buzzing. The hotel? Yeah, it’s definitely upscale, but it’s got this… *energy*. It's not sterile. It’s more like, upscale, but with a healthy dose of “things get a little… *interesting*” thrown in. Example: One morning, I swear, the elevator music was suddenly playing some kind of... opera? With yodeling? I'm not even kidding. Luxury? Yes. Predictable? Absolutely not. And honestly? I kind of loved it.
2. Okay, the Da Zu Rock Carvings. Worth the hype? Or just another tourist trap?
THE ROCK CARVINGS. Alright, listen up. Those things? EPIC. Absolutely, positively, *mind-blowingly* worth the hype. Forget your Instagram filters, this isn't about likes. This is about staring at 1,000-year-old Buddhas carved into the freaking side of a cliff! I mean, you're standing there, mouth agape, thinking, "How did they *DO* this?! And how have they survived?!" And let's be honest, the boat ride there – even *that* was cool. (Although, I will admit, I got horribly seasick on the way back. Note to self: Pack ginger candies.) The sheer scale... the detail... the history... Just go. Seriously, just go. Don't even think about it. Just go.
3. Food! Spicy, I assume? And good? Spill the tea.
Spicy? Honey, it's CHONGQING. "Spicy" doesn't even begin to cover it. It’s a symphony of chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns, a culinary firestorm that’ll have you sweating bullets and reaching for the water. (Which, by the way, is usually lukewarm. Don’t ask me why!) But is it good? OMG, YES. Mind-blowingly, crave-it-every-day-for-the-rest-of-your-life good. The hot pot is legendary – and yes, get the spicy broth. And then, the *noodles* … oh, the noodles! I could write an entire thesis on the perfect Dan Dan noodles. They were *that* good. Seriously, pack extra antacids. You'll need them.
4. The Hotel Itself: Rooms, Service, that kind of stuff. The Nitty Gritty.
The room was… well, luxurious. HUGE bed. Huge bathroom. Views that were… well, they were *there*. (Let's be honest, the Chongqing smog can be a bit of a vibe killer sometimes.) The service? Mostly excellent. The staff were incredibly polite and helpful, always trying to anticipate your needs. However... and this is where the "not so perfect" side comes in... There was this one time, trying to order room service at 3 AM. The language barrier was… intense. I swear I ordered a ham sandwich and ended up with… something involving tripe? (Look, I'm adventurous, but not *that* adventurous at 3 AM after a spicy hot pot blowout.) But, hey, it was part of the experience! And the hotel gym? Spotlessly clean, and surprisingly well-equipped. Even I, a person who avoids the gym like the plague, managed to drag myself in there a few times. (And the view from the treadmill? Spectacular.)
5. Did the hotel have a pool? Because, you know, heat and chili overload and all that...
Yes! They did have a pool! Which was… *interesting*. I swear, one day I was enjoying a relaxing swim, and then I was pretty sure I saw water polo practice happening next to me. And then, some kids splashing each other with so much enthusiasm. Look, it wasn’t the serene, infinity pool of a fancy resort. But it was there. It was refreshing. And frankly, after a day of exploring and eating copious amounts of spicy food, a dip in the pool was exactly what I needed. Plus, the poolside bar had a surprisingly decent mojito. So, win-win.
6. Transportation around the city: Easy? Or a chaotic battle for survival?
Chongqing’s transport system? A glorious, organized, and occasionally terrifying dance. The metro is incredible, clean, efficient, and you can easily get around the main areas easily. The taxis? Can be a bit of a crapshoot. I'd recommend using Didi (the Chinese Uber). Getting directions? Well, that's another adventure. Learning a few basic Mandarin phrases is highly recommended. (Or at least having a translation app glued to your hand!) There were a couple of times I ended up on the wrong side of the river and was, let's just say, "a bit lost." But even THAT was part of the fun. Seriously, embrace the chaos. It's part of the charm.
7. Okay, REAL talk: What was the absolute BEST part of the trip? And the WORST? BE HONEST.
BEST: The FOOD. Seriously, the food deserves its own category. That first bite of authentic Chongqing hot pot? Pure culinary bliss. The noodles. The chili oil. The explosion of flavors. I’d go back just to eat. Also, the Da Zu Rock Carvings. They're just... astounding. I’m still processing them. WORST: The jet lag on the way back. Brutal. And that incident with the tripe. Still haunts me. Also, the smog some days. But hey, nobody's perfect, right?
