Shanghai Secrets: The Hidden Gem Hotel in Holland You NEED to See!
Shanghai Secrets: Is This Holland's Best-Kept… or Just Secret? A Review That's Honestly Messy!
Alright, folks, buckle up, because I just got back from Shanghai Secrets, the "Hidden Gem" hotel in Holland, and, well… it's a journey. Forget those pristine, robotic reviews; this is the real deal, warts and all, written by someone who enjoys a good cup of tea (complimentary, of course!).
First Impressions: Where's the Secret?
Honestly, my first thought was, "Wow, they really mean 'hidden'." The GPS had me zig-zagging through charming Dutch streets, past windmills and flower boxes, and then… BAM! A slightly unassuming entrance. Now, I'm not going to lie, my inner critic, the one that lives on a diet of perfectly folded napkins and critical reviews, started to raise an eyebrow. But hey, that’s the perfect place to be! You never know what to expect, right? Plus, free car parking on-site, which is a score in Holland.
Access, Access, Everywhere! (and Some Minor Gripes)
Okay, let's get the basics out of the way. Accessibility: They have a pretty good setup, boasting facilities for disabled guests and an elevator. Nice touch! Wheelchair accessibility is advertised too, so I’d assume it’s generally a good bet. CCTV in common areas and outside property felt reassuring, especially since I got there late thanks to a flight delay (airport transfer was a life-saver, by the way).
The internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, and Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and even Wi-Fi in public areas, were all working like a charm. And hey, there's even Internet access – wireless in the room! The Laptop workspace was a lifesaver for catching up on emails.
Now, for the grumbles. While contactless check-in/out (which I loved!) was available, the initial entrance felt a bit… well, not exactly grand. But hey, the 24-hour front desk staff were friendly, and a doorman was available, so maybe I got there on a bad day.
Room Rundown: A Sanctuary or a… Slightly Quirky Box?
My room? Let's just say it was… unique. It wasn't massive, but it was clean, and that counts! Non-smoking rooms, which tickled me to see was emphasized and that there were smoke alarms for safety. The Air conditioning did work, thank goodness. The Blackout curtains were essential for my jet lag, plus the complimentary tea and free bottled water were a very welcoming touch. There was a coffee/tea maker, and a refrigerator, all the comforts of home! The Bathroom, with its separate shower/bathtub, was perfectly functional. A hair dryer was a life-saver after a day out, the slippers were a luxury, and the bathrobes were a plus. I'm a sucker for high floor rooms… or, at least, I thought I was. Turns out, I hate looking down. I prefer to look straight out, with the window that opens.
But here's where the "quirky" comes in. The Room decorations were… interesting. A mix of traditional Dutch and, as you'd expect, a subtle nod to Asian influence. Not bad, just… a little different. I almost wish there was a window that opens to let in some air.
Dining & Drinking: A Culinary Adventure (with a Side of the Unexpected)
This is where Shanghai Secrets really shines, and where my messy review REALLY dives in.
Breakfast: They offer a stunning Asian breakfast, and the Buffet in restaurant was amazing! From the Breakfast [buffet] to a Western breakfast, there was food for everyone! And, for lazy days? The Breakfast in room was fantastic, and the Breakfast takeaway service was perfect for a busy schedule.
Restaurants: Okay, the Restaurants were varied. They had a Vegetarian restaurant, which I loved. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was, naturally, excellent. Plus, they had International cuisine in restaurant as well, and you could order A la carte in restaurant.
Drinks: The Bar was a cozy spot. I loved a Bottle of water after a long day. There was even a Poolside bar, which makes me want to jump back into the Swimming pool [outdoor]. And yes, I went for Happy hour.
The Soup Story: One night, I ordered the soup as an appetizer, and it wasn't just good, it was SOUP. Seriously. I’m not usually one for gushing over soup, but this… this was a masterclass in broth. I'm still dreaming of it.
Relaxation & Rejuvenation: Spa Day Dreams Collide with Dutch Reality (Mostly in a Good Way!)
Alright, here's where I really went off the rails. The spa… or the Spa, depending on your mood… The Spa/sauna! It’s the most confusing, incredible experience.
The Pool with View: The Swimming pool was stunning and the Pool with view was something else!
The Steamroom/Sauna:** The Sauna and Steamroom were amazing, perfect for relaxing!
So, the spa. They have it all. And I tried it all… The Body scrub was good, but I didn’t try the Body wrap because I'm not as adventurous as I thought (or, maybe, I wanted to save it for another time). There was also a Fitness center, and a Gym/fitness. Then, more… I was looking for ways to relax, which also included a Foot bath, and the wonderful massage.
Cleanliness & Safety: A Deep Breath of Fresh Air (Literally)
This is HUGE right now. They are following all the rules to keep you safe.
They have Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and even Rooms sanitized between stays. Daily housekeeping was on point.
They have Hand sanitizer everywhere.
The staff is Staff trained in safety protocol
You can opt out of having your room cleaned, which is super convenient.
I felt completely safe, which is paramount.
Services & Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Shanghai Secrets offers a bunch of stuff to make your life easier. There is a Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Currency exchange, and the Car park [free of charge]!
Food Delivery.
Laundry service and Dry cleaning were there.
Additional toilet.
Essential condiments are there, too.
There is a Gift/souvenir shop too.
The elevator was working (very important).
There is a doorman and luggage storage.
There is a smoking area.
For the Kids: Babysitting and More!
They are Family/child friendly, with Babysitting service and Kids meal. Plus Kids facilities. The hotel’s family-friendly environment ensures a comfortable stay for guests with children.
The Verdict: Hidden Gem… or Just Different? You Decide!
Shanghai Secrets isn't your typical cookie-cutter hotel. It's a quirky mix of Dutch charm and Asian flair. It's not perfect, but its imperfections are part of its charm.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely, with a few caveats. If you're looking for ultra-luxury, maybe look elsewhere. But if you want a unique, memorable experience with fantastic food, friendly service, a decent spa, and a dash of the unexpected, then book it!
My Final, Honest, Messy Opinion:
Shanghai Secrets is a good bet. It's comfortable, clean, and I'd stay there again in a heartbeat.
Offer Time!
Tired of the Same Old Holiday Routine? Unleash Your Inner Explorer!
Book your stay at Shanghai Secrets today and receive:
- A complimentary welcome drink upon arrival.
- A 15% discount on all spa treatments.
- VIP access to our legendary "Soup and Secrets" night (limited spots, book early!).
- Free car parking in Holland
Don't miss out on discovering Holland's best-kept… well, you get the idea. Book your escape to Shanghai Secrets now!
Shanghai's BEST Hidden Gem Hotel: JTOUR Inn Oriental International Trade Secret Revealed!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is my attempt to tame the chaotic beast that is travel, specifically in Shanghai Hotel, Holland, Netherlands. Prepare for a rollercoaster of highs, lows, and questionable decisions. Here we go… (deep breath)
Shanghai Hotel Shenanigans: A Human's Guide (with a healthy dose of self-doubt)
Day 1: Arrival (and the Immediate Panic)
- 14:00 - Arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS). Okay, so far, so good. Except… I'm already sweating. Not from the weather (it's Holland, it's perpetually drizzling), but from the sheer idea of customs. Pray for me.
- 15:00 - Train to Zaandam. Found the train! Victory! (Small, shaky victory, but still.) The train is… surprisingly modern. And clean! Holland, you're winning so far. Now, which platform was it…? (Checks ticket, triple-checks, anxiety rises, finds the right one.)
- 15:45 - Check-in at Shanghai Hotel, Zaandam. Alright, here it is. The hotel. The reviews were… mixed. "Quirky." "Dated." "Charmingly… peculiar." I'm going in with an open mind. (Secretly praying for a room that doesn’t smell like old cigarettes and disappointment.)
- 16:00 - Room revealed! Okay, well, it’s… a room. The bedspread does look like it time-traveled from the 1970s, and there's a faint aroma of… something. (Let's call it "ambiance.") BUT, the view is pretty decent! Overlooking the Zaan River (I think). I'll take it. Plus, hey, I can already hear the faint sounds of the hotel's washing machine, which is quite pleasant.
- 17:00 - Immediate Existential Crisis in the Shower. Because, travel. I'm staring at the strange, almost-too-powerful showerhead and wondering if I know how to do this correctly. More importantly, did I remember to pack shampoo?
- 18:00 - Wandering Aimlessly & Failing: Okay, I'm STARVING. The hotel restaurant is closed. I'm a terrible planner, apparently. Scoured the neighborhood, with no luck. Ended up buying some cheese and bread from the, erm, specialty shop next door. I like what I see, but the shop owner is very, very excited to talk to me and I don't understand Dutch.
- 19:30 - Attempted Dinner and Utter Failure. I just spent an hour trying to microwave the cheese and bread I bought and I'm pretty sure I broke the microwave.
- 21:00 - Bedtime. Exhausted and defeated, yet strangely exhilarated.
Day 2: Zaanse Schans & Windmills (and More Existential Crises)
- 09:00 - Breakfast Attempt #2. Nope. Still closed. Found some fruit in a nearby shop. Okay, breakfast, you win.
- 10:00 - Zaanse Schans Pilgrimage. Okay, this is the classic touristy stuff. Windmills! Wooden shoes! Cheese! (I can handle cheese.) The windmills are actually pretty spectacular. The sheer size of them is… humbling, I guess? Like, imagine being a miller back in the day… talk about a workout.
- 11:30 - Cheese Factory Debacle. The cheese factory is… crowded. And the cheese samples are… overwhelming. I'm pretty sure I ate half a wheel. The cheese lady is very kind, but I'm starting to suspect I might literally explode.
- 12:30 - Shoe Shopping…Or Not. The wooden shoe store is… also crowded. Plus, I'm pretty sure wooden shoes would immediately cripple me. Pass.
- 13:00 - Lunch Found a delightful cafe by one of the Windmills. I should have listened to the locals and had the bitterballen.
- 15:00 - Back to Hotel & Despair This hotel is NOT equipped with the ability to cook food. I'm pretty sure I could survive longer in the wilderness than in the walls of this hotel room.
- 16:00 - The "Oh My God, I Need a Snack" Incident. This is not a diet, this is survival.
- 18:00 - Dinner. Dinner. Decided to go to a local restaurant in Zaandam. The food was surprisingly good, and the people were friendly. I didn't understand half the words, but the beer was cold, and the food was warm.
- 21:00 - Early Night, Feeling Like I'm Not Doing Enough… Yet Perfectly Content. Maybe I should be ticking off more boxes on my "Things to Do" list. But I also feel like I've absorbed the vibe of this place, this hotel, and I'm starting to dig it.
Day 3: Amsterdam (and the inevitable tourist trap)
- 09:00 - Train Ride. So, I'm going to Amsterdam. I'm actually getting pretty savvy with the train system. (Pat on the back!)
- 10:00 - Amsterdam Canal Tour. Okay, tourist trap time. But, admit it, it's pretty. The canals are beautiful, the houses are charming, and I'm trying really hard not to sound like an idiot when I take photos.
- 12:00 - Museum Square. Wandered through the museums, but I mostly people-watched. People are fascinating, you know?
- 13:00 - Lunch. Found a little cafe, the food was overpriced. I needed it, though.
- 15:00 - Red Light District (or, "Is it wrong to be curious?") It's… an experience. I feel conflicted. Some part of my brain is horrified, some part is just… observing. Trying to be respectful, trying not to gawk. It's a lot to process.
- 17:00 - Stroll through the Canals. The canals, the people, the architecture. I'm actually starting to fall for Amsterdam, despite myself.
- 18:00 - Dinner in Amsterdam. Finding a good place is a struggle. Then I found it. The perfect place. The food was perfection and I was content.
- 21:00 - Train back to Zaandam. Exhausted but happy.
Day 4: Departure (and the bittersweet realization)
- 09:00 - Breakfast. A final, unsatisfying attempt to get breakfast. Never mind.
- 10:00 - Last Stroll and Final Thoughts. Walked around Zaandam one last time. This odd little town has grown on me.
- 11:00 - Check-out. Leaving, with a weird feeling of fondness for this hotel.
- 12:00 - Train back to the airport.
- 14:00 - Flight.
And there you have it. My slightly messy, overly emotional, and probably not-very-helpful travel log. Did I miss anything? Probably. Did I make mistakes? Absolutely. Would I do it all again? Honestly? Probably yes. Because even in the chaos and the questionable food choices, there's a certain… magic. And maybe, just maybe, I learned to appreciate the quirkiness of the Shanghai Hotel and its surroundings. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll learn to cook next time. (Fingers crossed.)
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a nap. Travel is exhausting. And I need to mentally prepare for the mountain of laundry I'll have when I get home.
Escape to the Poconos: Your Perfect Holiday Inn Express Getaway!
Shanghai Secrets: The Hidden Gem Hotel in Holland You NEED to See! - Seriously, Though?
Okay, Okay, So What *IS* This "Shanghai Secrets" Place? Sounds Kinda...Mysterious.
Is it Actually *In* Shanghai? Because That Would Be a Very Long Flight...
Is it… Clean? Because, You Know… "Hidden Gems" Can Sometimes Mean "Dusty Corner."
What About the Rooms? Are They Tiny? Are They Luxurious? What's the Deal?
Okay, You Keep Saying "Attention to Detail." Give Me an Example!
What About the Food? Is There a Restaurant?
Is it Expensive? My Wallet is Already Crying.
What's the Best Thing About Shanghai Secrets?
And the Worst? Because Nothing's Perfect.
