Unbelievable Emei Mountain Views: Your Holiday Inn Express Escape Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the… well, let's call it the unbelievable world of Holiday Inn Express at Emei Mountain. Hold on to your hats, this might get a little… uh… real. Forget the perfectly polished brochures, this is the raw, unfiltered… experience.
Unbelievable Emei Mountain Views: Your Holiday Inn Express Escape Awaits! (Or Does It?) – A Review That's More Real Than Your Last Selfie
Let's be honest, you're not expecting the Ritz, are you? You probably want a perfectly functional, clean place to crash after scaling a freaking mountain, right? Okay, cool. Because this Holiday Inn Express… well, it delivers that, with a side of "maybe I ate something weird at that street stall?"
Alright, let's break it down, shall we?
Accessibility: (Mostly) Thumbs Up
My first thought? Whew, I'm not disabled, thank god. They've got an elevator, which is crucial. And from what I could tell, the public areas seemed pretty accessible. Now, I didn't do a full-blown audit with a wheelchair, but I'd say the foundations are there. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, fingers crossed they're actually in use. I saw no specific mention of ramps or specialized restrooms, so… proceed with a bit of caution if you need them. This needs more work.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized Kitchen and Tableware Items
Okay, let's be candid. Travel can be… well, icky. I'm a germaphobe, to begin with. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and rooms sanitized between stays are music to my easily-infected ears. The hotel seemed to be taking things seriously. Hand sanitizer stations were everywhere, and everyone seemed to be masked up at least 1 meter apart. It was, however, still China and the kitchen and room cleaning items were from China, which is always a worry. Hygiene certification? Didn't see it. Staff trained in safety protocol? Didn't witness any blatant breaches, so… that’s a good sign, I guess? I did appreciate the safe dining setup. Makes me believe someone is taking the pandemic seriously. The hotel's Safety/security feature was well-needed on an emergency.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: (Buffet? Yes Please!)
The real star of the show? The breakfast buffet. Look, I'm a simple man. Give me a decent Western breakfast alongside, you know, the local fare? I'm happy. The Asian breakfast was… interesting. Let's just say my digestive system still hasn't fully recovered. There was a Coffee Shop that was very good, which was a god-send in the morning. There was a Bar, but it was uninspiring. The restaurants were good, however. International cuisine in restaurant got me excited.
Okay, here’s a true story: I might have eaten approximately 50% of a plate of those little pork dumplings at the buffet in restaurant one morning. They were so good. And thankfully, I didn’t get sick. Breakfast [buffet] rocks, I can tell you. I would wake up in a hurry for the breakfast service, but would then be sad to say good bye to it.
Also… a bottle of water in the room? Thank you, sweet baby Jesus. Dehydration is a real danger on those mountain treks.
Room Features (The Nitty Gritty)
Alright, the rooms. Not exactly Instagram-worthy, but perfectly fine. Air conditioning? Check. Free Wi-Fi? Double-check. The Wi-Fi [free] was actually pretty decent, considering. (Bless up.) The desk was good for me to work on, it was pretty simple, but it was a must. The bed was comfortable enough after a long day of hiking. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver (thank you, jet lag). The hair dryer? Needed it. The mini bar was stocked, but let's be real, I raided the breakfast buffet. The bathroom was small but functional.
Here's the thing: The window that opens! I love, love, love this! It's the little things. The alarm clock and wake-up service are really helpful. I loved the toiletries.
The "Relaxation" Stuff: (Meh to Whoa!)
Okay, here’s where it gets… interesting. Fitness center. Yes, technically. Was it amazing? Nope. But you can do some push-ups in there. Gym/fitness: it had all the gear. Swimming pool and Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes! Pool with View: I'm not sure. This is a must, though. The Sauna, the Spa, and the Massage: I did not utilize, but they were there.
The Body scrub and Body wrap, sadly, weren't on the menu.
Things to Do (Beyond the Hotel Walls)
Emei Mountain is the reason you're here. So, this section is more about the hotel's convenience for your chosen adventure. Airport transfer available? Check (probably a must). Taxi service? Definitely. Car park [free of charge]? Major bonus. You're here for the views, the temples, the monkeys (watch your stuff, people!), and the spiritual vibes. The hotel is a stepping stone, a clean, safe basecamp.
Services and Conveniences: (The "Nice to Haves")
Daily housekeeping is glorious. Concierge? Kinda helpful, but not mind-blowing. Elevator and Facilities for disabled guests? See above. Laundy service? A godsend for the sweaty hiker. Currency exchange? Useful. Convenience store? Great for that last-minute snack run.
Now, an anecdote. The first day I ran out to my room from the meeting/banquet facilities and went to the gift/souvenir shop to find the perfect gift to give to my friends and family.
Extra Stuff That Might Surprise You:
- Pets allowed unavailable. If you're bringing your furry friend, well, good luck.
- Non-smoking rooms are a must.
- Safety/security feature are all well-needed.
- Family/child friendly: Appeared to be.
- CCTV outside property and CCTV in common areas. I noticed this a lot, and it made me feel secure.
- 24-hour front desk? Definitely a plus.
The Unbelievable Offer: (Because You Deserve a Damn Good Deal)
Alright, here's the deal. Forget the generic booking sites. I'm giving you the inside scoop.
"The Emei Mountain Trailblazer Package"
What you get:
- Two nights at the Holiday Inn Express Emei Mountain (that’ll get you through your treks)
- Free, Delicious Breakfast Buffet (fuel up, buttercup!)
- Complimentary Wi-Fi (stay connected, or disconnect, your call)
- Early Check-In & Late Check-Out (subject to availability, so book now!)
- 24-Hour Room Service (because sometimes you just need dumplings at midnight)
- The peace of mind that you'll be in a well-managed and sanitizing environment.
Why this is epic:
- The breakfast buffet is worth its weight in gold.
- You're getting a decent hotel at a reasonable price and getting all the sanitizing protection you need.
- You're supporting your fellow travelers who need a place to recharge after conquering what is arguably one of the most beautiful mountains on earth.
How to Book:
Go to the Holiday Inn Express website (don't worry, I'm not getting a commission, I just want you to have a good trip!). Scroll to the bottom of the page. Tell them the "Emei Mountain Trailblazer Package" in the Additional request when you book.
Bottom Line:
This isn’t the flashiest hotel, but it's honest, clean, well-located. After a day of hiking, it's exactly what you need. Book it. You won't regret it. And seriously, those dumplings…
Now go climb a mountain and make some memories. And don't forget the hand sanitizer!
Hotel Hubertus Austria: Unbelievable Luxury You Won't Believe Exists
Okay, buckle up buttercup, because you're about to get a hefty dose of my travel thoughts on a trip to the Holiday Inn Express Emei Mountain. Forget pristine schedules; we're diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that is my brain.
Trip: Emei Mountain, China (aka, where I nearly lost my mind AND my phone)
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express Emei Mountain by IHG (Let’s be honest, the "by IHG" is a bit of a whisper, not a roar. Hopefully, the pillows are decent.)
Day 1: Arrival & Altitude Anxiety - Wish Me Luck (and Possibly an Oxygen Tank)
- Morning (or what passes for it after a red-eye): Landed in Chengdu. The air is thick with… something. Smog? Delicious Sichuan spices? Honestly, probably a combo of both. Shuttle bus to the high-speed train station. Ah, the joy of navigating a Chinese train station when you barely know Mandarin. This is where I started to feel like a lost puppy, tail wagging in confused excitement.
- Mid-day (ish): Train to Emei. Smooth as silk, mostly. (Except for the persistent feeling that my luggage held the secrets of the universe, and if it vanished, so would I.) Scenery? Stunning. Lush green mountains, rivers carving through valleys… I spent like, an hour straight just staring, mouth agape. Pure bliss.
- Afternoon: Finally, the hotel! Holiday Inn Express. Perfectly fine, let’s call it that. Clean enough, the staff were surprisingly helpful despite my atrocious Mandarin. Check-in. Room. And then… the altitude hit me. BAM. Headache, slight nausea, a general feeling of "why did I think this was a good idea?" I needed to pee. Badly. But walking felt like climbing K2.
- Evening: Managed, barely, to stumble out for a noodle soup. God bless that soup. Revived me. Spent the rest of the evening in a chair, staring at the view from my window. This view, I realized, was the only thing that was holding me together. Ordered room service - simple, right? Wrong, it took forever. I blame the altitude. Gave up on the hotel TV, which for some reason thought I liked watching 25 straight episodes of a drama about a single lady with a cat. Passed out.
Day 2: Monkeys, Temples, and the Relentless Staircase of Doom
- Morning: Woke up feeling slightly less like I'd been run over by a yak. Decided I would conquer the mountain today. (Famous last words.) Armed myself with bananas (for the monkeys, obviously, and also, sugar). Headed to the Baoguo Temple. Gorgeous, serene, a little bit overwhelming in its scale and history. I even awkwardly bowed in front of the Buddha - I felt like a touristy fool, but also, respect.
- Mid-day: And here comes the monkeys! The Emei Mountain monkeys are basically tiny, furry, highly-organized bandits. They will steal your food (and anything else they can get their paws on). Lost a bag of potato chips and nearly my glasses to these little ninjas. A local, bless his heart, gave me a tip: "Hold nothing! Smile! No eye contact!" I followed his advice, and was spared!
- Afternoon: The real mountain climbing began. This is where the "staircase of doom" bit comes into play. I swear to God, every step was uphill. The views were breathtaking, but I was also gasping for air and questioning all my life choices. Stopped at a few other temples along the way -- felt like I was traveling through time and space.
- Evening: Reached the Leiyin Temple (and collapsed). The golden statues were mesmerizing. Spent an hour inside, and the view was incredible. Back down, and I swore I would never look at another staircase for the rest of my life. Ordered the same noodle soup. Ate. Blacked out in my bed.
Day 3: The (Almost) Summit & the Search for Enlightenment (and a Decent Ketchup Packet)
- Morning: Woke up with sore muscles, but a feeling of accomplishment! Refueled with a bland hotel breakfast. More stairs.
- Mid-day: Decided to make a run for the summit! It was harder than anyone in my family anticipated. I finally realized why people were riding horses uphill, and that maybe, just maybe, I should have followed suit. I got part-way up, before turning around for a hot meal.
- Afternoon: Recovering at the hotel. There was not enough ketchup with my fries. This is a tragedy. Contemplating how to spend my last evening in Emei.
- Evening: Strolled through the town and got some souvenirs. Decided it was okay to give up. Maybe I should return to Chengdu. Back to the room. Ate some junk food. Read. Sleep.
Day 4: Departure and My Emotional State.
- Morning: The train ride back to Chengdu. A sense of triumph mixed with exhaustion. And a lingering feeling that I left a piece of myself somewhere on that mountain.
- Afternoon: Back in the "real world".
Ramblings and Realizations:
- The Food: Mostly delicious, sometimes a bit…mysterious. The noodle soups were my salvation. The lack of ketchup, a personal betrayal.
- The People: Friendly, helpful, and generally tolerant of my fumbling attempts at Mandarin.
- The Hotel: Clean, but it could have used a better coffee machine. The views, however, were priceless. More than made up for the slightly less-than-ideal pillows.
- The Altitude: A foe, a challenge, and a teacher. It taught me humility, the importance of rest, and the value of good soup.
- The Monkeys: Adorable, terrifying, and definitely planning world domination.
- Emei Mountain: Worth it. Every dizzying, stair-climbing, banana-stealing moment. A truly remarkable experience. I'm already planning how and when I can come back.
Final Verdict: Go. But bring good walking shoes, a sense of humor, and maybe some ketchup packets. You'll need them. And be prepared to be changed (slightly). Or maybe a lot. You never know what the mountains might do!
Hafi Hotel Vietnam: Your Dream Vacation Awaits (5-Star Luxury!)
So, Emei Mountain… Is it REALLY as jaw-dropping as they say?
Okay, honest moment? Yeah. It is. I mean, the pictures are pretty, right? Lush green, towering temples… but they don't even *begin* to capture the sheer *scale* of the place. It's... epic. Like, you feel genuinely small, in the best possible way. I remember standing at the Golden Summit, and honest to god, the clouds were swirling around me like a cotton candy rave. It was… overwhelming. Beautifully, terrifyingly overwhelming. You'll probably cry. Don't judge. I did. Twice. Once from awe, once from the altitude (that darn oxygen thing!), and maybe a third time because I couldn't find my favourite scarf. But seriously, yeah. Go.
Right, the Holiday Inn Express. How *good* is it, really? I mean, it’s not the Ritz, is it?
Okay, let's be real. We're not talking five-star opulence here. But after hiking up Emei all day (and trust me, your legs will *scream*), the Holiday Inn Express is a GODSEND. Spotless sheets? Check. Hot shower? Oh, YES, check. Free breakfast? Crucial. The coffee might taste like slightly diluted paint, but you're so exhausted, you'll chug it down anyway. My advice? Temper your expectations and embrace the basics. And honestly, the staff were SO helpful. One of them even tried to use Google Translate to tell me the best place to find a scarf to replace the one I'd lost. A+ for effort!
Those monkeys! Are they as cute as they look in the photos? And are they… dangerous?
Alright, strap in. The monkeys. Oh, the monkeys. They are… *interesting*. They are cute in a, "look at that tiny bandit with the tiny hands" kind of way. *However*. They are also tiny, furry, thieving, bitey little demons. I saw one rip the entire contents of someone's backpack and steal their lunch! Now, I'm not saying to be terrified, but do not, I repeat, DO NOT bring food out in the open. And for the love of all that is holy, keep your sunglasses and anything shiny tucked away! My advice? Watch from a safe distance. Bring a walking stick, and treat them like the tiny, adorable, *potential* muggers they are. They're like the Gremlins of the cloud forest.
What's the food situation like? I'm a picky eater.
Okay, this is where things get tricky. If you're used to burgers and fries, you might struggle. Emei Mountain cuisine is… well, it's *authentic*. There are some fantastic vegetarian options, especially at the temples. Lots of mushrooms, tofu, and delicious vegetables. Be adventurous! Try something new! Or, you know, pack a bag of your safety snacks. You do you. The breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express… well, it's the best of the buffet situation, you'll be fine.
Should I bother with the cable car, or hike it all?
This is the big one, isn't it? The Eternal Question. Here’s the deal. Hiking the entire mountain is a *massive* undertaking. Like, several days of intense trekking. I’m talking serious, boot-camp level commitment. The cable cars are a godsend but they still require considerable walking. Depending on your time, and how much you want to suffer, weigh the options. I did a mix! I took the cable car *up* for some views, and then hiked *down* for the full experience. My knees were screaming, but the views made me forget I was walking into the mountain.
Okay, spill the tea. What was the SINGLE BEST experience?
Alright, fine. The single best? It was during the hike *down*, a moment of clarity, or maybe just exhaustion, it could have been the altitude. Because the mountain is just a green abyss. I was walking in the low sun, through the mist and I found myself on a trail that was just… silent. No one was there. And I saw a waterfall, just gushing down the rock face. The way the light hit the water, the sound… it was pure, unadulterated *magic*. I just stood there, and I don't think I breathed for like, five minutes. And in that moment, I realised why people make such a fuss over Emei Mountain. It's not just the views. It's that visceral feeling of being connected to something bigger than yourself. After that I fell and grazed my knee and cried, but I was so happy!
Anything I should absolutely NOT forget to pack?
Okay, LISTEN UP. Hiking boots? Obviously. Rain gear? Even more obvious. Water bottle? Absolutely. But here's the *secret* weapon: a small, sturdy walking stick. And I mean *sturdy*. You'll be using it as a third leg on the way down, as a monkey deterrent, and as a general all-purpose anxiety reliever. Sunscreen? Duh. But also, and this is important: a sense of adventure, a willingness to embrace chaos, and a healthy dose of humour, because you will need it. Then again, I forgot to pack a scarf and it became a whole thing.
Final thoughts? Regrets? Do it again?
Regrets? Only that I didn’t spend more time there. The whole thing felt… fleeting. I just want to go back – even though climbing and the monkeys nearly killed me! Emei Mountain? It’s raw, it’s challenging, it’s beautiful, and it’s a wild ride. Absolutely, unequivocally, do it again. And maybe, just maybe, next time I'll remember to pack a scarf. And a better lunch.
