Hanting Hotel Dandong Railway Station

We visited this very average hotel on the 8th of this month before going on a trip to the DPRK. We returned this evening to be told very abruptly by the manager that the hotel will not allow foreigners. Then to make things worse the receptionist (the same one from checking in three day prior) claimed never to have seen us before and we hadn’t stayed previously. It was almost like a sketch from a Chinese version of Fawlty Towers. I tried to argue my case and showed them the reservation on my email but sadly they didn’t care and they then changed tack, claiming it wasn’t for the Hanting hotel and was for somewhere else. Another excuse was that the government wouldn’t allow westerners to stay in this hotel. How odd. I told them my wife was pregnant and the three staff involved could not have cared less. We were then ushered out of the hotel like scum onto the dark street outside full of dodgy looking guys loitering about shouting stuff at us in Chinese. I am certainly not the kind of guy who is intimidated easily but with a upset pregnant wife and now no accommodation in a shady Chinese boarder city I felt extremely uneasy. My conclusion was that the hotel was overbooked or the manager simply had a dislike with European tourists either way I would hate for anyone to book this hotel and arrive late at night from the train or the airport and have to find alternative accommodation like we did, plus would you really want to stay in an establishment that employs staff with such low morals.

I was glad I had a printed Chinese confirmation as well as my English version. It was very hard to pin point it on any map system but it was nearer the station than I had expected . The hotel title is not written in English, just Hotel. I managed to identify it from looking at the Chinese writing on the confirmation. Outside it did not look too inviting, but ok. But my room was very clean, large double bed and good electric dockets that could accept nearly every type of plug including British style 3 pin and European 2 pins. It had a good bathroom with big walk in shower. The TV onky had Chinese channels but that's not unreasonable. It was very good value and I would certainly recommend it for anyone want to be close to the station.

I stayed here the night before a trip to DPRK. It is a short 5km walk from the train station. The hotel sign is in Chinese only so at first I wasn't sure I had the right hotel (it's the one with the horse on btw!). Reception couldn't speak English but they were quick and efficient. The room is basic. This is a budget hotel. It wasn't super clean (there was hair on the floor) but it was fine for the price I paid. The walls are a little thin, I could hear the TV next door but in the night it was quiet. If I was staying a few nights I wouldn't stay here, I would need more comfortable but for a 12 hour overnight hotel stay conveniently located next to the train station, this is fine.