Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Xana Hotelle, Rizhao's Hidden Gem!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the shimmering waters (and likely the slightly chaotic reality) of Xana Hotelle, Rizhao! Forget the perfectly polished brochures; I'm about to spill the tea, the salty ocean air, and maybe even a bit of the seaweed from my own stay. Prepare for a review that's less "fact sheet" and more "confessions of a slightly sunburnt traveler."
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Xana Hotelle, Rizhao's Hidden Gem! (But Is It REALLY Hidden?)
Right, so "Unbelievable Luxury." Bold statement, Xana. Let's see if it lives up to the hype, shall we? First things first:
Accessibility - The Great Leveling Field (Hopefully!):
Okay, this is critical. My own mobility is… well, let's just say I appreciate a good ramp. Xana seems to get it. They say they have facilities for disabled guests (and that's a good start!). There's an elevator, which is a godsend. BUT, and this is a big but, I haven't personally tested all the specific accessibility features. So, PLEASE, if accessibility is a MUST for you, call them directly and grill them about the fine details. Don't rely solely on this review! I'm just being honest here.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges & Wheelchair accessible:
Again, promises, promises. The website shows the restaurants and lounges, but whether those are FULLY accessible? Check with them. Ditto for wheelchair accessibility generally.
Getting Connected (The Modern Necessity):
- Internet Access: YES! Which is great. Like, seriously, in this day and age, if you can't get online, you might as well be living in a cave.
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! Praise be! This is essential for binge-watching, streaming your favorite shows and sharing those glorious beach sunset photos.
- Internet [LAN]: Okay, old school. A wired connection? Good for the super techie and those needing a super-stable connection.
- Internet Services: Let's hope it's solid all around. No one wants a buffering nightmare when they're trying to upload their envy-inducing vacation pics.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Yay! Because sometimes you just want to leisurely surf the internet while soaking up the lovely ambience.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (The Pampering Purgatory):
Okay, this is where Xana really tries to shine. And honestly, I felt a little shiny afterwards.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: All the usual suspects for serious relaxation. They better have good technicians, because I'm very critical when it comes to massages.
- Fitness Center, Gym/fitness: For the workout warriors. I, personally, am a "workout warrior" of the "walking to the fridge" school. But hey, if you're into it, they've got you covered.
- Pool with view: Crucial! A pool without a view is just… a wet hole.
- Foot bath: Interesting. I dig it! Feet deserve some TLC, especially after a long day of sightseeing or, you know, just existing.
And now about that pool with a view… Oh. My. God. Remember those magazine photos of infinity pools overlooking azure waters? This is it. I mean, really truly, jaw-droppingly beautiful. I spent a solid afternoon there, alternating between floating serenely and frantically trying to capture the perfect Instagram shot. The water was the perfect temperature, the sun kissed my skin, and for a few glorious hours, I felt like a movie star. This pool alone is worth the visit. (Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating slightly. But it was damn good).
Cleanliness and Safety - Because Nobody Wants a Germ Fest:
Alright, let's talk real talk. In this day and age, safety is HUGE.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: They say they’re going above and beyond. That's reassuring. I'd still recommend bringing your own wipes, just because I'm a germaphobe.
- Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service: Very convenient. Late-night food cravings satisfied!
- Cashless payment service: Good, given… you know, everything.
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Excellent. Always a good thing to have.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Essential.
- Shared stationery removed: Another plus.
Dining, Drinking, & Snacking - Fueling the Fun:
This is where things could get interesting.
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Whew! That's a menu. The variety is definitely there.
- The buffet: Okay, I have mixed feelings about buffets, in general. They're a gamble. Sometimes they're amazing, sometimes they're… not. The Xana buffet was decent, but not mind-blowing. I prefer a fresh menu. However, the selection was plentiful, and I definitely filled my plate (or two). The pastries weren't the worst, so take it as a good. If you're a buffet person, you won't be disappointed. If you're not, go a la carte.
- Room service: 24-hour? Yes, please! Especially after those long, exhausting days of… relaxing.
Services and Conveniences - The Perks that Matter:
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: A lot! They really appear to provide all you could need.
For the Kids - Fun for the Whole Family?
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Good for parents! I don't have kids, so I can't personally vouch for the kid-friendliness, but the amenities sound promising.
Getting Around - Location, Location, Location:
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Easy to get around.
Available in All Rooms - The Essentials:
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: Standard, but everything needed is there.
Inside the Rooms – My Honest View
The rooms themselves? Decent. Not the over-the-top "unbelievable" luxury of the marketing, but comfortable. The bed was comfy. The shower had good pressure. The balcony? Awesome (assuming you get a good view). The decor was… well, let's call it "tasteful." It wasn't particularly memorable, but it served its purpose. The slippers were a nice touch.
**Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms, Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24
Uncover the Hidden Ibis Sens France Secrets: You Won't Believe This!Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this itinerary is less "polished brochure" and more "scribbled-on napkin found in a particularly fragrant dumpling shop in Rizhao." Welcome to my Xana Hotelle adventure in the Lanshan District, China. Let's see if I actually survive.
Day 1: Arrival, the Great Wall of Exhaustion, and the Quest for Noodles (aka, Disaster Averted!)
8:00 AM (or, whenever my internal clock decides to wake up after the Great Sleep of International Travel): Land in Rizhao. My eyeballs are screaming "Sun! I need SUN!" – though honestly, I’m half-expecting smog, because, China. Customs? A blur of smiling faces and frantic passport-waving. I think I accidentally winked at a border patrol agent. Hope that doesn't come back to bite me later.
9:30 AM: Arrive at the Xana Hotelle. It's…actually pretty nice. Clean, modern, and blessedly air-conditioned. The lobby, though, smells faintly of…wasabi? I can't decide if this is fantastic or unsettling. (It's probably meant to be "fresh," right?)
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Great Unpacking and Reconnaissance Mission. The room's fine, though the pillows look suspiciously like they're made of clouds (I'm a tummy sleeper, so this could be problematic). I toss my bag on the bed (because I live on the edge), test the mini-fridge (empty, thank god – no temptation of questionable mystery snacks), and then collapse. Jet lag, you treacherous fiend.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: The Noodle Hunt. Okay, so, I’m starving. Like, "hangry" levels of starving. Armed with a phrasebook that's probably older than my grandma, I venture out. I desperately need to find some noodles. This is mission-critical. Let me tell you, navigating the streets is an adventure in itself. I got lost. Twice. Almost walked into a bicycle carrying a mountain of cabbage. But then! Glory! A tiny, bustling eatery. The aroma alone…pure heaven.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Noodle Nirvana. I point at a photo, say "Ni hao" like a drunken sailor, and cross my fingers. The noodles arrived. They were… perfect. Brothy, spicy, with a mountain of tender pork. I devoured them. I literally inhaled them. I'm pretty sure I made a mess. Worth. Every. Droplet.
2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Nap Time. After those noodles…well, you just can't keep a girl awake, can you?
5:00 - 6:00 PM: Errands. I have to find a convenience store for snacks. My survival hinges on a good supply of potato chips in case the jet lag hits me. Or, you know, in case the wasabi-infused hotel lobby starts to haunt my dreams.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner prep and relaxation. Since I am tired, I'm not going out again. I've only had time to buy some snacks and a few bottles of water. I'm going to watch some TV and try to relax.
Day 2: The Beach, the Bizarre, and the Battle with the Sun
8:00 AM: Wake up. Surprisingly awake, and it dawned on me. I'm here…I'm actually here!
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Beach time! The beach seemed so close, so I have to try to take advantage of it. I walked up to the beach. I saw many people, some are swimming others are just walking along the beach. Some of them are very funny! I bought some snack. I enjoyed myself so much, I took a bath in the water.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. I found a small restaurant near the beach. I ate some fried chicken and rice. It was good, but not as good as the noodles.
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Exploration. I started to explore the nearby areas. I went to a park, I saw a lot of people playing sports.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Back to the hotel. I was really tired. I went back to the hotel and relaxed.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: I went to a restaurant for Dinner. I enjoyed myself.
Day 3: Deep Dive into the Local Life and the Great Tea Fail (and redemption!)
9:00 AM: Finally, properly awake! The early mornings still feel like a conspiracy.
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Tea time! I had the brilliant idea of trying tea (this is China, after all), so I went to a tea shop. Ordering was difficult. The tea tasted…well, let’s just say I’m sticking to coffee for now (and maybe some instant noodles for comfort).
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: I went to a local market. I don't know what I expected, but I was more confused than I've ever been in my life. There were chickens and fish. The market was very busy. I took pictures and left.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: A walk in the park after having lunch. I had a lot of time to think about what I've been doing here so far.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Dinner time.
Day 4: Departure, Reflection, and a Promise to Return (Maybe?)
8:00 AM: Packed, checked out, and fueled by a terrifyingly strong instant coffee from the hotel. The wasabi smell is still subtle, but noticeable.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM: Airport. Security was a breeze. I'm a pro! It was time to go.
10:00 AM: The plane took off. I can see Rizhao for the last time. I'm going back home! Bye Rizhao!
Final Thoughts:
This trip was…an experience. It was messy and imperfect, but I loved every moment. From the glorious noodles to the questionable tea, from the beaches to the bustling markets. I saw many things. I felt many things. I laughed, and I got lost a lot. And yeah, maybe I’ll come back. Maybe. Once the jet lag wears off and I can stomach the thought of wasabi-scented hotel lobbies again.
Indonesian Paradise: Your Private Pool Villa Awaits (Laluna #K370)Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Xana Hotelle, Rizhao's Hidden Gem! - (or is it?) - Your Burning Questions Answered (Chaos Edition!)
Okay, first things first: Is this place *actually* as luxurious as it sounds? Because "luxury" is thrown around more than a beach ball at a rave.
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because the answer is... complicated. Look, the PR team totally nails the "luxury" bit. The lobby? Stunning. Think: marble, huge floral arrangements that probably cost more than my car payment, and a smell that whispers "you're richer than you are." The room? Definitely swanky. Think: plush robes (I stole one, don't judge!), a gigantic bed that swallows you whole, and a view… well, the ocean view *is* spectacular from the balcony. But... and there's always a *but*, right? Remember that time I got locked out of my room for like an hour because the key card reader was being a drama queen? Yeah. Luxury is like that perfect Instagram filter - it looks amazing, but sometimes the cracks show. They definitely *try* to be luxurious, and on a good day, they nail it. Just… don’t expect perfection. (Perfection is boring, anyway, right? Right??)
What's the food like? Because a beautiful hotel can be ruined by truly atrocious cuisine. (I've been there.)
Okay, *this* is where Xana Hotelle redeems itself, somewhat. The breakfast buffet? A THING OF GLORY! Seriously. Dim sum, fresh fruit, omelets made to order… I nearly cried when I saw the pastry selection. (I may have wept actual tears of joy into a croissant.) Dinner? The Chinese restaurant is legit fantastic. I had the most incredible spicy noodles that nearly blew my head off (in a good way!). One night the seafood buffet was... a mixed bag. Some things were incredible – that grilled lobster was, wow. Others? A bit... bland. But hey, you can’t win ‘em all. Overall, the food is way better than the average hotel – way above average, in fact. Just keep an open mind, and maybe have some Pepto-Bismol handy, just in case you're prone to overindulging like *some* people *cough, me, cough.*
The Spa! Spa is a must. Tell me everything - the good, the bad, and if I can smuggle a foot scrub home.
The spa. *The spa.* Okay, deep breaths. The space itself? Gorgeous. Serene. Think: hushed whispers, the scent of lemongrass… the works. The massage? Divine. I had a deep tissue massage that *actually* worked out the knots in my shoulders – which, let’s be honest, were probably caused by excessive work-related stress. It was pure bliss. BUT… let's be real, prices are a bit, y'know, *up there*. And one time, the music was a little... repetitive. Like, whale song on a loop for an hour. I almost started humming along, which is rarely a good sign. Could you smuggle a foot scrub home? Probably not, unless you’re really, really good at hiding things. And are willing to risk serious trouble. The massage was worth it, though. Seriously. Get the massage.
Is there a gym? And if so, is it the terrifying, equipment graveyard sort, or… you know… decent?
Yes, there's a gym. And it’s… acceptable. It has treadmills, weights, and various other contraptions I pretend to know how to use. It’s not exactly state-of-the-art, but it's perfectly functional. The view from the treadmill? Not bad – you get a little peek at the ocean. However, on my final day a very loud bodybuilder absolutely *dominated* the weights section, grunting like a particularly grumpy bear. So, you know, your mileage may vary. If you’re a serious gym rat, you might be disappointed. If you just want to do a quick workout to work off all those pastries, it's fine. Just avoid the grumpy bear, he may bite.
Rizhao itself… is it interesting? Or just a stopover on the way to somewhere more exciting?
Okay, so Rizhao… it's… *charming*. In a slightly quirky, off-the-beaten-path kind of way. It's not exactly Paris, but the beach is lovely. The seafood is fresh. And the people are friendly. You can wander along the pier, watch the fishermen, and generally just chill out. Is it the most exciting place on earth? Probably not. But it's a nice change of pace. Especially after the chaos of city life. Perfect for a few days of relaxation, eating delicious things (seafood, duh!), and maybe even getting some actual sleep. Unless of course, the seagulls are in a particularly raucous mood.
What's the biggest downside of Xana Hotelle? What should people prepare for?
Okay, here's the honest truth. The biggest downside? The inconsistencies. Remember that room key issue? And the sometimes-bland buffet? You can't always guarantee perfection. It's not like a five-star hotel chain where everything is impeccably smooth. Sometimes it felt like they were *trying* to be luxurious, but they were still working out the kinks. Also, it can get crowded during peak season. Prepare for a bit of a wait for the elevators. And maybe pack some patience (and a book!). And for goodness sake, don't go in expecting everything to be perfect. Embrace the little imperfections – they're part of the charm, honestly. They add character!
Is it kid-friendly? Because, you know, tiny humans…
Hmmm, kid-friendly… it's a mixed bag. They *have* a kids’ club. It looked... okay, from the outside. I'm not a parent, so I didn't spend much time there. They also have a pool, which is always a win. BUT, the general vibe of the hotel is probably more geared towards couples and adults. So, if you have small children who are *really* prone to making a mess, or who love the noise, maybe do some serious thinking before you book. On the other hand, the beach is steps away... and the beach is always kid-friendly, unless you're allergic to sand.
You mentioned the view. Really? Is the view *that* great?
Oh. My. Goodness. The view. From the balcony, overlooking the ocean, especially at sunrise or sunset? *Chef’s kiss*. Seriously. It’s postcard-worthy. You can just sit there for hours, doing absolutely nothing but watching the waves crash. It's incredibly relaxing. In fact... I'm going to do a full-on stream-of-consciousness about that view, because it truly changed my appreciation of the hotel. I mean, I have the *worstBook Hotels Now