Suzhou 'Famous' Stays: Dodge These Tourist Traps!
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Oh my gosh, fellow ladies and gentlemen, I'm about to vent about a terrible experience at a home-stay called "Encounter Chang Renjia" in Suzhou. It was quite the pitfall during our travels!
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Brief Background: A home-stay is somewhat similar to a B&B or guesthouse in other countries, which are essentially family-hosted lodgings owned by locals. Theoretically, they should be cozy and have distinct features – but this time, I was bitterly disappointed! Located near the famous "seven li mountain stream" section in Suzhou, known for its quaint bridges and flowing water with typical Jiangnan countryside elements, this place usually attracts many tourists.
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My Gruesome Experience:
- A group of us three friends opted for a two-bedroom suite at "Encounter Chang Renjia" for convenience.
- Upon arrival, the owner first led us into a bedroom that was completely disheveled and dirty! Disgusted by it, we immediately demanded a room change upon noticing its poor conditions.
- The owner then offered to show us another room "guaranteed with satisfaction." We agreed to check it out – second bedroom was indeed bright and cleaner on first glance! However, the price was marked up by 150 yuan, and the owner gave us a slightly discounted rate of 20 yuan off. Deeming cleanliness as the primary concern, we paid for the room and ventured out for sightseeing with joy.
️ Warning! The real nightmare begins after returning back home late at night.! ️
- While preparing for bed, we found all three beds covered with dirty blankets bearing visible hair threads and unknown stains, which made us feel sick.
- In addition, the sofa was equally dirty; however, I kept my peace since I wasn’t planning on sitting on it.
- Nonetheless, I couldn’t bear the condition of the beds at all! It is now four o'clock in the morning, the more I lie down, the itchier my skin gets, making it impossible for me to fall asleep!
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My Hard-learned Lessons and Advice:
- I recommend being cautious when choosing a home-stay! Especially those located near famous tourist sites, the quality may not be consistent.
- Although living in a two-bedroom, home-stay alongside my friends sounds convenient, my most recent experience tells me otherwise: standard chain hotels have better sanitary conditions.
- ️ How to avoid such pitfalls (emphasize again!) :
- Make sure to perform meticulous inspection during入住. Pay special attention to bed-spreads, quilts, and pillows – thoroughly examine each item to ensure cleanliness, and check for any peculiar smells or stray hair.
- Don't be fooled by what you see at first glance! Some rooms may appear clean and shiny during the day but could reveal underlying issues like soiled beddings or hidden dirt in bathroom corners once examined closely.
- If any issues are found, contact the landlord immediately, opt to switch rooms or request a refund if necessary – do not put it off until the problem arises, by then it would already be too late!
I hope my experience helps others when they visit Suzhou, yet I am certain I won't recommend this place "Encounter Chang Renjia".
#Pitfall_Avoidance #Suzhou_Home-Stays #Seven_Li_Mountain_Stream #Suzhou_Trip_Venting
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It's just 500 meters from Pingjiang Road! Rooms are still available for May 3rd and 4th, and the prices are great.
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How much is it?
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The one I'm staying at is 250 a night.
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Mine was 350.
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Come check out my guesthouse; it might change your perspective on B&Bs. My aim from the beginning has been to provide a clean and authentic experience, because whenever I travel, whether I choose a hotel or a guesthouse, I have very high standards for hygiene.
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Is it expensive?
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Oh sis, I'm kicking myself for not seeing this sooner! The one I booked is just terrible.
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What's wrong?
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Why not take a look at my place?
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How much would it be for this Saturday and Sunday, for two nights, for one adult with a 6-year-old child?
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Seriously... I can't even find it with a search. How do you all manage to dig up these obscure guesthouses?
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On Meituan...
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I'd suggest avoiding guesthouses that cost less than 200 yuan.
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It's 350!
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I found one for 170, it's a studio apartment.
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Could I get the address? What's it like?
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It's 350 a day. And it's a standalone unit with its own private entrance and yard. For future guesthouse stays, try to find places that are the owner's actual home and self-operated. That way, you have a better guarantee for everything.
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Where exactly is it located? And do you have any availability for this Sunday?
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It's near Shin Kong Place in the Industrial Park. A 58-square-meter one-bedroom apartment for ¥220.