Unbelievable! This China Coffee Shop Near a High-Speed Rail Station Will Blow Your Mind!
Unbelievable! This China Coffee Shop Near a High-Speed Rail Station Will Blow Your Mind! - A Review That's Actually Useful (and Maybe a Little Crazy)
Okay, so you're thinking, "Another hotel review? Yawn." But TRUST ME, this one is different. I just stumbled out of "Unbelievable!" coffee shop near that High-Speed Rail station in China, and my brain is still buzzing. This isn't just a place to grab a latte before you hop on a bullet train; it's a whole freaking experience. And yeah, it's attached to a hotel – and that hotel, well, let's just say it’s… something.
First Impressions (and a Near-Panic Attack): Accessibility, Cleanliness & Safety – The Not-So-Perfect Start
Alright, let's rip off the band-aid. Accessibility. Okay, it claims to be wheelchair accessible. I saw elevators, ramps… but honestly, navigating the place felt like a treasure hunt. Some pathways felt a bit narrow. And the signage? Let’s just say my Mandarin is… non-existent. (Accessibility – 3/5, needs more clear signage and possibly wider pathways)
Cleanliness and safety are SUPER important these days. They’ve tried. Hand sanitizer everywhere, staff in masks (of course). They're using "Anti-viral cleaning products" – gotta love that buzzword! They had "Daily disinfection in common areas.” That’s a relief. But honestly? Walking in, my slightly paranoid brain immediately went into overdrive. I was counting hand sanitizer dispensers like they were precious gems. (Cleanliness/Safety – 4/5, could still tighten up the visual cleanliness factor)
And here’s the kicker: Rooms sanitized between stays is a HUGE plus. They had a small thing, "Room sanitization opt-out available" and it made me feel like they are trying.
The Coffee Shop Itself: Heaven and Hell in a Cup (and a Croissant)
Okay, the coffee shop. This is where things get… unbelievable. Seriously. I'm normally a Starbucks-or-bust kind of gal, but holy moly. The coffee was phenomenal. Rich, smooth, actually tasted like coffee, not burnt battery acid. They had everything: lattes, cappuccinos, filter coffee, even some weird concoctions I couldn't pronounce, but that looked beautiful.
The pastries? Oh, the pastries. Fresh croissants, pain au chocolat, little cakes… my inner sugar demon was having a FIELD DAY. I swear, I almost wept when I took the first bite of that croissant. (Dining, drinking, and snacking – 5/5, pure, unadulterated bliss)
The vibe? Super modern, sleek, a little bit… overwhelming. Big windows, lots of light. It was a bit much at first – like walking into a spaceship built by a minimalist architect. But once I settled in with my coffee and croissant, I started to appreciate it.
The Hotel Itself: A Rollercoaster of Features (and Some Quirks)
Let's talk about the hotel. It’s all part of the "unbelievable" package. Let's be honest, it's not exactly a boutique hotel. The lobby is vast. Like, airport-terminal vast. But here's the deal: The rooms themselves, once you get to them, are actually pretty good.
Available in all rooms: The Checklist
- Air conditioning: Check! (Thank GOD, China is hot.)
- Alarm clock: Check. (I can never figure these things out.)
- Bathrobes: Check. (Nice touch.)
- Bathroom phone - I didn't even know these still existed. Like, who uses them?
- Bathtub: Yes! I took a long, luxurious soak.
- Blackout curtains: YES! (Essential for beating jet lag.)
- Carpeting: Check. (A little worn in places, but clean enough.)
- Closet: Check.
- Coffee/tea maker: Check. (Crucial for that morning caffeine fix.)
- Complimentary tea: Double check.
- Daily housekeeping: Check. (And they actually did a good job.)
- Desk: Check.
- Extra long bed: Check. (My tall self was happy.)
- Free bottled water: Check. (Hydration is key, people!)
- Hair dryer: Check.
- High floor: I got a high floor. Awesome views.
- In-room safe box: Check.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Not sure if that's a plus or a minus.
- Internet access – LAN: Don't think I used it.
- Internet access – wireless: Check. (Free Wi-Fi!)
- Ironing facilities: Check. (Perfect for those inevitable travel wrinkles.)
- Laptop workspace: Check.
- Linens: Check. (Clean and comfy.)
- Mini bar: Check. (Expensive, though.)
- Mirror: Check.
- Non-smoking: Check. (THANK YOU!)
- On-demand movies: Check.
- Private bathroom: Check.
- Reading light: Check.
- Refrigerator: Check.
- Safety/security feature: Check.
- Satellite/cable channels: Check.
- Scale: Check. (Oh dear.)
- Seating area: Check.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Check.
- Shower: Check.
- Slippers: Check. (Little details count.)
- Smoke detector: Check.
- Socket near the bed: Check. (Godsend for charging phones.)
- Sofa: Check.
- Soundproofing: Check. (Needed, given the proximity to the train station.)
- Telephone: Check. (Again, who uses these?)
- Toiletries: Check. (Decent quality.)
- Towels: Check.
- Umbrella: Check. (Just in case.)
- Visual alarm: (Thank god, that is something I can skip)
- Wake-up service: Check.
- Wi-Fi [free]: CHECK!
- Window that opens: A big NOPE.
The Relaxing Stuff (and Where It Gets WEIRD)
Okay, I'm not gonna lie. The "ways to relax" were… interesting. They had a "Fitness center," which I didn't brave. But, they had a "Spa" and a "Sauna," and a "Steamroom," which were the saving grace. However, the "pool with a view" looked kinda sad. It was an outdoor pool, but it felt a little… neglected. Still, it was there.
And get this: They had a… shrine. A SHRINE! In the middle of the hotel. I found myself getting lost there, and there was some sort of event going on. Like, a professional event, with audio-visual equipment. (Things to do, ways to relax – 3/5. The coffee shop saves the day.)
The "Services & Conveniences" – A Mixed Bag
This is where things get… messy.
- Concierge: Actually helpful. Pointed me in the right direction, sorted out my taxi.
- Convenience store: They had one! Perfect for grabbing snacks.
- Currency exchange: Check. (Helpful.)
- Daily housekeeping: Good job.
- Elevator: Check.
- Laundry service: Check.
- Luggage storage: Check.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: They had everything from small meetings to huge, flashy events. Seemed over the top.
- Car park [free of charge]: YES. Free parking!
- Taxi service: They had a taxi service, which was super useful.
The "Food and Drinks" – More Food? More Coffee? Yes, Please!
- Restaurants: Several restaurants! All of them were… fine? Not mind-blowing, but perfectly decent.
- Bar: The bar was a bit bland, honestly.
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes! Crucial when you're jet-lagged and craving a burger at 3 AM.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Buffet was decent, with a heavy emphasis on Asian cuisine.
- Asian breakfast - Okay, I'm going to be honest, there was some noodle breakfast, which, on a first try, was disgusting.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant - The restaurant had a very good asian cuisine, I tried the noodles later on and it was really good.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes! Thank god!
- Coffee shop: I've already raved about the coffee shop. It's the heart and soul of the place.
- Desserts in restaurant: They got really good desserts, I'll go as far to say that they got the best desserts.
- Bottle of water
Alright, buckle up buttercups. This ain't your grandma's travel brochure. This is the REAL DEAL: A chaotic, caffeine-fueled odyssey through the bowels of China, starting (and maybe ending) in that very specific corner of the world…
JAMES JOYCE COFFETEL LUOYANG LONGMEN HIGH-SPEED RAILWAY STATION BAOLONG PLAZA CHINA (or, My Brain's Afterthought)
(A Trip Report, for the Discerningly Discombobulated)
Day 1: Arrival and Immediate Regret (or, "Why Did I Think This Was a Good Idea?")
- 6:00 AM (Luoyang Longmen HSR Station): Okay, so I'm here. Officially. The gleaming, utterly enormous train station. It’s like a spaceship, built for the Chinese invasion… of… wherever the hell they're going. My stomach is currently staging a coup d'état as I navigate the sheer volume of humanity. And the language barrier? Don't even get me started. I'm basically a mime with a heavy backpack.
- 6:30 AM - 7:00 AM (The Great Hunt for Breakfast): The mission: find coffee and something that doesn't look like it's been on the shelf since the Han Dynasty. Success rate: 0%. Found a little stall selling what looked like deep-fried dough sticks. Okay, FINE. Dipped in some vaguely sweet, milky stuff I think is coffee. Pretty sure I just ingested enough oil to grease the entire railway line.
- 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM (The Coffetel): Found it! James Joyce Coffetel. Sounds fancy, right? Expectations: high. Reality: a room that smells vaguely of damp air conditioning and desperation. But, hey, a bed is a bed. And the wifi mostly works. I'm still convinced the walls are paper-thin and every cough, snore, and whispered conversation is going to enter this mental journal.
- 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Baolong Plaza: The Initial Reconnaissance): Baolong Plaza. Apparently, the "entertainment hub." My expectations are at an all-time low, but then… I see it. A gigantic, rainbow-colored inflatable unicorn. God bless you, China. Dodged the shopping, though. I’m already sweating, and I've been here for, like, five hours. The heat doesn't want me.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (Lunch - Or the Culinary Russian Roulette): Lunch. This is where things get dicey. Wandered into a tiny noodle place. Pointed at something that looked vaguely edible. It was. Kind of. Spicy as HELL. Tears streamed down my face. The lady behind the counter just laughed. I think she likes me. This might be my new favorite place.
- 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM ("Culture" - Attempted at the Longmen Grottoes): The Longmen Grottoes. Stunning, honestly. The carvings, the scale… it's humbling. But the crowds? Oh, the crowds. I swear I saw more selfies than Buddhist statues. Lost my phone briefly in the throng. Panic initiated. Found it. Almost lost my sanity. The sheer volume of people made me appreciate loneliness for once… Almost.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (Back to the Coffetel and Existential Dread): The air conditioning in my room is still questionable. The wifi still glitches. But I am here. Alive. I spent two hours just staring at the ceiling, considering my life choices. At least I have a slightly better grip on how to order a bottle of water.
- 7:00 PM (Dinner - The Noodle Place, Again): See? I told you it was good. They remembered my face, my spice tolerance (apparently, zero) and my need for a full bottle of water. Feeling slightly less like a lost puppy.
- 8:00 PM (Bedtime - Praying for Sleep): Tomorrow? Who knows? Maybe I'll actually learn some Mandarin. Probably not, though.
Day 2: Doubling Down on the Longmen Grottoes and a Touch of Chaos
- 6:00 AM - 7:00 AM (Re-evaluation Coffee Ritual): A new day, a new quest. Same as last night. The "coffee" at the coffetel is grim. Time to find better. Eventually, found a tiny shop down a side alley. The owners gave some serious side eye but the coffee was actually decent. Made a mental note to tip them a lot later. Found a breakfast place with better choices - finally - and spent the day eating a mix of "what-is-this?" and "oh, this is perfect!"
- 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM (The Return to the Grottoes, The Revenge): Back to the Grottoes! Armed with a water bottle and a steely glare. Today, I'm mastering the art of dodging selfie sticks. This time, I focused on the details: the expressions on the faces of the statues, the way the light hit the stone. It’s still crowded, but I felt a little more "in" the experience.
- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (The Temple within a Temple): Found some temples around the Grottoes. Quiet. Peaceful. Smelly incense. But, also, the sound of monks chanting, the rustle of robes. Felt a real connection, for a few minutes. Then the silence broke. A group of tourists burst in, and their cameras flashed like a paparazzi pack. I nearly lost it. I guess peaceful is relative.
- 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (Lunch - An Adventure): Today, I stumbled into a tiny restaurant where nobody spoke a word of English. Used charades. Pointing. Exaggerated facial expressions. Ended up with a plate of something that looked like fried tofu. It was. I think. But, it tasted amazing. The best meal I had in ages.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM (Lost in the City): Decided to wander. Got completely and utterly lost. Wandered through alleyways, markets, and side streets. Saw things I couldn't begin to comprehend. A woman selling live turtles. A group of old men playing mahjong with intense concentration. Felt like I'd fallen into a different dimension. And, I loved it.
- 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (The Great Water Crisis): Suddenly, I needed water. Desperately. Found a convenience store. The sign said "Water." But the choices! Bottled water, flavored water, sparkling water, water with added minerals, water in a bag. I was overwhelmed. Ended up pointing repeatedly at a random bottle, desperately hoping it was just H2O. It was.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (The Quiet of the Coffetel, The Inner Rambles): Back in my room. The damp again. The wifi still fighting me. But, I realized something. This place, this chaos, this complete lack of control… it's kind of liberating. I feel like I went through the eye of the storm and came out smiling.
- 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Dinner): You know where I went. The noodle place. Comfort food.
- 8:00 PM (Sleep Is a Myth): I think the noises are getting worse. But, the day was incredible. I just wrote all this down.
Day 3: The Big Departure (and lingering thoughts)
- Morning Routine: The now-familiar grind of packing, coffee, and a final, forlorn look at the room. Leaving this place is bittersweet. I'm ready to go home. However I am, also, sad to go. I will always remember.
- The Train Station: The same behemoth of a train station. But somehow, less intimidating this time. I knew my way around. I even managed to buy a bottle of water. My heart did some jumping.
- Contemplations: The ride on the train was quiet. I just sat and thought of all the things I'd seen. All the smells. All the sounds. The food. The faces. It's a lot to take in. It was an experience.
- Reflections: I came here expecting chaos. I found it. But, I also found beauty. And a lot more than that.
- Conclusion: Now, on to the next adventure. Maybe.
(End of Transmission. This is by all means unfinished… for now.)
**Ibis Budget Grigny Centre: Your Surprisingly Chic Budget Stay in France!**
Okay, Seriously... What's SO Unbelievable about this Coffee Shop?! Is it actually *that* mind-blowing?
Alright, alright, deep breaths. "Mind-blowing" might be a touch dramatic, but... look, the anticipation alone was killer. You step out of the G-Train station, ears still popping from the speed, and BAM! This thing. It's not just a coffee shop; it's an *experience*. I first saw it on a TikTok - you know, the algorithm's always trying to sell you something - but this time, it wasn't just *stuff*.
The first thing that hit me? The sheer scale. It's massive! Think cathedral-meets-industrial-warehouse-meets-coffee-addict's-dream. And the *vibe*! It's somehow both minimalist and incredibly vibrant. I mean, I walked in practically trembling from the journey, and suddenly, I felt...well, pretty darn good.
So, the Coffee. What's the deal? Worth the hype?
The coffee... okay, this is where the real magic happens. I'm no coffee snob, I’m a “needs-caffeine-to-function” kind of person. But even *I* was impressed. They have everything, from pour-overs that are ridiculously photogenic (yes, I took a pic, don't judge!), to iced lattes that practically sing to your soul.
I tried this local blend, some dark roasted bean that I cannot remember the name of, maybe 'Dragon's Breath' or something equally dramatic (that's a lie I do remember it was absolutely some super dramatic name). Anyway, it was smooth, rich... not bitter at all. And let me tell you, after a seven-hour train ride, that caffeine hit was necessary. They also have those fancy pour-over stations, and I saw a barista who was practically giving the coffee a little pep talk before starting. It was a *bit* much, but hey, the coffee was good.
Was it crowded? High-speed rail stations... they’re not exactly known for peace and quiet.
YES! It's always crowded. Prepare yourself for the glorious, delicious chaos. Seriously, it’s like a bustling marketplace of caffeine-fueled humans. There were families grabbing a bite, business people hunched over laptops (probably trying to avoid going back on a high speed train), and what I think were groups of teenagers comparing filters for their Instagrams.
The sheer volume of people was initially overwhelming, but somehow... it didn't feel *too* stressful. The space is so vast that even with the crowd, it felt breathable. Plus, the noise level is a constant hum, and the baristas seemed immune to it - bless them. I did see one guy spill his whole coffee, which was fun, but at least they cleaned it up.
Okay, but what about the food? Because, you know, coffee and *food* are a package deal.
The food... okay, don't expect Michelin-star dining. It's a coffee shop, remember? But it was actually surprisingly good. They had pastries that looked *divine*. I was specifically obsessed with the croissant selection because, well, I like croissants. There were also some sandwiches, and these little savory tarts that I devoured in about three seconds, because I couldn't help myself.
Honestly, if I'm being critical, it isn't the *best* food in the world. but it's certainly not bad. It's the kind of food you grab when you are in a hurry, and you need something to go with your coffee. It's good, it's convenient, and it's much better than what I expected. I had a bit of a food regret thing later but hey, at least I got the croissant! And it went perfectly with the coffee.
What was the BEST part of the whole experience? Spill the beans! (Pun intended, of course.)
Okay, this is where I get a little... misty-eyed. There was this *moment*. I had my coffee, my croissant (yes, still obsessed), and I finally found a seat. I just sat there, watching the people, taking it all in. The sunlight streaming through the giant windows, the chatter, the clinking of cups…
And there was this one little girl. Maybe five years old. She was with her parents, and they were all laughing. She was wearing this ridiculous, bright pink dress, and she was absolutely bouncing at the sight of the pastries. And suddenly, I wasn't just tired from the train. I felt... happy. Just. Happy. It was a fleeting moment, a perfect snapshot of life, and that's what I'll remember. So, yeah, the coffee was great, the space was cool, and the food was solid. But the feeling? That's what made it truly unforgettable.
Any downsides? Got to be *something* you didn't like, yeah?
Ugh, yes. Okay, the downsides... First, the line to the bathroom was epic. Seriously, I considered just holding it. Second, it's *expensive*. Way more than I usually spend on a coffee. But hey, you get what you pay for, right? And the third, and this is a small thing, but the music playlist could have been... better. I was hearing one song like five times in an hour.
And look, going to be honest, it's a *little* pretentious. The baristas are all trying *just* a little too hard to be cool. But listen, if having the world's hippest espresso machine and wearing an apron is your thing, fine by me.
Is it worth going out of your way for? Or is it just a good pit stop?
Alright, the million-dollar question. Honestly? It depends. If you're *in* the area (and you've just stepped off a high-speed train), then ABSOLUTELY. It's a perfect way to recover from the journey. If you love coffee, and appreciate cool spaces, and don’t mind a crowd, yeah, go for it.
Is it worth a special trip? Maybe not. Unless you are *really* into coffee, like, hardcore obsessed. For everything else, it's a really great experience. I would go back for sure, the moment I'm back at the high-speed rail station. Absolutely no doubt. You will not regret it.
