A Romantic Qingdao Getaway After Saying Goodbye to Our Little Beast in 2021

In September, we took a spontaneous trip to Qingdao. After sending off the little beast, my husband and I decided to have a real good time and enjoy a true couple’s getaway. We arrived in this beautiful coastal city. We briefly looked at the itinerary and decided our first stop would be Fantawild. After getting off the plane, we took the subway to the pre-booked Lanhai Yuhua Hotel, which is very close to Fantawild. After reading the reviews, we were really looking forward to the stay. As soon as we entered the hotel, a young lady came up to greet us and took our temperatures. She asked for our health codes, so it seems the hotel’s epidemic prevention measures are very thorough. She then led us to the front desk to check in. The lobby was even more gorgeous and grand than in the photos. The front desk staff checked us in quickly—in just two minutes—and asked if the 8th floor was okay, and we said yes. Then a young man helped us with our luggage and escorted us to the room. Along the way, he introduced us to the hotel’s facilities and mentioned the buffet. My husband and I said in unison, “Let's have the buffet for lunch.” Once we got to the room, he explained all the room amenities. After dropping off our luggage, our stomachs started rumbling. Probably just the thought of the huge buffet he described triggered it! Haha, no matter, we headed straight down to eat. We went to the Blue Diamond Buffet Restaurant. Luckily it had just opened, so there was no queue. As soon as we stepped in, our eyes lit up—it felt like the food stations stretched on forever. Each counter was so tempting that we didn't know where to start. I'm a seafood lover, so I got a spicy hot pot base and started with some seafood for dipping. There were so many varieties that even picking just one of each filled my plate. My husband grabbed his favorites: salmon, steak, and abalone. Here you can really indulge in seafood to your heart's content. The waitstaff was very attentive, always clearing our plates and asking about the food. I couldn't believe that for just over 100 yuan we even got Häagen-Dazs ice cream. The meal felt incredibly worth it. For us, traveling on a budget while eating well is what matters. After eating our fill, we set off for the next stop—Fantawild. Before even leaving the restaurant, I booked a ride. The transportation around here is so convenient—within a minute of placing the order, a driver accepted. We hurried to the hotel entrance, and the car was already there. It took just half an hour to reach. As soon as we entered the park, Fantawild wowed us. The streets on both sides were lined with European-style buildings, making us feel like we were abroad. We started exploring according to our plan. Time flew by, and soon it was the nighttime session, which was absolutely spectacular. The day ended as the fireworks faded, and we returned to the hotel. When we opened the door, we were startled by the bedside lamp that was left on; we thought we had entered the wrong room. Then we noticed the room had been tidied up: there was milk, fruit, and a welcome card. The bed was turned down to the optimum sleep state, and the phone was placed at the most convenient spot. A warm feeling rushed over us; we could really sense the hotel’s thoughtful service. We had initially planned to stay here just one night before moving to a hotel near Shilaoren, but after experiencing such attentive service, we decided not to leave. We fell in love with this place. We slept so soundly that when we opened our eyes it was almost 9 a.m. We quickly went down for breakfast, which also had a huge variety. It really felt like we had chosen the right place—such great value. From the hotel, we took the subway to Shilaoren, which took about an hour. The beach was crowded, the sunshine was beautiful, and the sea breeze was so refreshing. Hahaha! The day’s adventure soon ended, and we returned to the hotel. The hotel entrance looked very pretty at night, so we decided to have dinner and then stroll around the area. We ate at the hotel’s à la carte restaurant in the evening. The server recommended several new dishes: Sister Song’s Appetizing Fish Soup, Braised Live Abalone with Pork Ribs, Crispy Cowpea Pancakes, and Pickled Chili Chicken Feet. We ordered all of them. They were indeed excellent and delicious. At checkout, the cashier said the new dishes were discounted. Truly delicious and affordable. After dinner, we visited the nearby Olympic Park, shopping malls, and night market. The hotel’s surroundings are quite lively, and everything is convenient. Prices are very reasonable for locals. And so, we happily spent two wonderful days. I sincerely recommend this hotel. Great service, great environment! I’ll definitely choose to stay here next time!