Shenzhen's Hidden Gem: Bakatun Boutique Hotel - Unforgettable Luxury!
Shenzhen's Hidden Gem: Bakatun Boutique Hotel - Unforgettable Luxury! (Or, My Attempt to Unravel a Shenzhen Dream)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! You want a review? You got it. But this ain't your average sterile hotel blurb. This is the Bakatun Boutique Hotel, Shenzhen, filtered through my own brain, and let me tell you, it's a doozy. Prepare for some unfiltered opinions and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of hotel-induced existentialism.
First off, the Accessibility thing. This is important, right? I mean, we all need to know if we can, you know, actually get into the place. Bakatun seems to have made an effort, which is a good start. I didn't personally need to check out the facilities for disabled guests myself, but the reviews mention that they are present, and the website says the hotel is designed to be approachable. Good! Because nothing ruins a luxury experience like a flight of stairs you can't conquer. It's 2024, folks, let's get accessible. (Though, I will admit, I kind of wish there were more specifics readily available. It's a bit vague, and a little more transparency wouldn't hurt. Still, points for trying.)
Now, the Internet. Oh, the Internet. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms. Praise be! And Internet [LAN] if you're feeling old-school. Internet services in general are seemingly covered. The Wi-Fi in public areas was decent, I can tell you that much. (I may or may not have live-streamed my breakfast to my cats. Don't judge me.) The internet was speedy enough for streaming, which is a MUST in my book. Lost a few hours to Netflix, whoops.
Cleanliness and Safety: Okay, they are clearly taking things seriously (and they should be, considering the world climate). Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Profession-grade sanitizing services… they're not messing around. The rooms are sanitized between stays, they have hand sanitizer everywhere. I'm a bit of a germaphobe, so this was a MAJOR win for me. I walked in, I almost sighed in relief. They even have Sterilizing equipment! Is that over the top? Maybe a little. Do I care? Absolutely not. Bonus points for Staff trained in safety protocol. Felt safe as houses. They even had rooms sanitized between stays which is great. They have safe dining setup
(And yes, they have a doctor/nurse on call and a first aid kit, because even in paradise, stuff happens.)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Okay, let's talk about the most important thing: food. This is where Bakatun really shines. I mean, seriously. It's a food adventure.
For starters, restaurants galore! You've got your Asian cuisine in restaurant options, your Western cuisine in restaurant options, and even a Vegetarian restaurant! I spent an embarrassing amount of time sampling everything. The A la carte in restaurant was my usual go-to. Buffet in restaurant? Yes, please. Oh, and the Asian breakfast? Forgetaboutit. I ate my weight in dim sum and congee. Delicious!
And let's not forget the Poolside bar. Cocktails while gazing at the view? Sign me up. They even have a Happy hour, which is essential for me. And if you're peckish, the Snack bar and Coffee shop are perfectly placed for a quick nibble. The deserts in restaurant were simply to die for! I nearly died and went to heaven.
Room service [24-hour]? Oh, yes. Absolutely. I may have ordered a burger at 3 AM one night. Don't judge my life choices. They also have Breakfast in room which is just fantastic. If you’re on the move, try the Breakfast takeaway service.
The bottle of water? Always welcome. But the coffee? The Coffee/tea in restaurant was decent but not to die for.
Speaking of which, the essentials condiments were great, though.
Things to do, Ways to Relax;
The pool is something special. A Pool with view is an understatement. It's the most beautiful thing you've ever seen. I swear, I spent half my time in there just staring at the way the light hit the water. Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor] – everything you could dream of to relax. I went full-on spa bunny. I got a massage that melted my muscles into a puddle of bliss. I may have snored. Don't judge. The Fitness center was… well, it existed. Let's just say I prioritised the spa.
Services and Conveniences: Alright, Bakatun, you're spoiling me. Air conditioning in public area (essential in Shenzhen, let's be real), Concierge (helpful, but a bit… formal), Daily housekeeping (my room never looked this clean at home!), Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service… It's all there! They even have a Doorman!.
And let's talk about the little things: Air conditioning, of course. Alarm clock, yeah, it worked. The Bathrobes felt like clouds. Bathroom phone. Why do hotels still have those? I can't even remember the last time I used my landline at home. But hey, it's there. They had a Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Complimentary tea, Desk, Extra long bed, Hair dryer (essential), In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens (amazing quality!), Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale (oh dear), Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Slippers, Smoke detector, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, and Wake-up service. The Additional toilet was a real perk. Socket near the bed – blessed be. Soundproofing – a godsend. Window that opens – nice to have a little fresh air. The Daily housekeeping was fantastic.
For the Kids: I don't have kids myself, but I did notice that Bakatun is Family/child-friendly. They have Babysitting service and even Kids facilities, which is great. I saw a Kids meal option on the menu.
Getting Around: Airport transfer, check. Car park [free of charge] – a blessing! They even have Car power charging station!. They have Taxi service.
Available in all rooms has 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.
Okay, let’s talk about the not-so-perfect. No hotel is perfect, right? The Breakfast [buffet] was good but not as phenomenal as the other food. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was nothing to write home about. And the cashier machine was a little slow. The Hotel chain was a bit too prominent. And the Reception could be slow sometimes.
The Verdict:
Look, Bakatun Boutique Hotel isn't just a hotel. It's an experience. It's a retreat. It's a… well, it's a little slice of heaven, to be completely honest.
My Offer:
Tired of the same old boring hotel experiences? Ready to truly indulge? Book your stay at the Bakatun Boutique Hotel in Shenzhen and get ready to be utterly pampered.
- Unforgettable Views: Imagine waking up to breathtaking views from your impeccably designed room.
- Culinary Delights: Savor world-class cuisine at our multiple restaurants, from authentic Asian dishes to Western favorites.
- Ultimate Relaxation: Unwind with our spa treatments, pool with a view and state-
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. We're not just planning a trip to Shenzhen Bakatun Boutique Hotel, we're living it. Get ready for some glorious chaos.
Shenzhen Shenanigans: A Messy, Wonderful Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and the "Wait, Where Am I?" Moment
- Morning (7:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Arrive at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX). Flight was fine, you know? Middle seat, screaming toddler…the usual. Customs went surprisingly smooth. Pat myself on the back for remembering to pack those tiny travel-sized toiletries. Victory is sweet, even if it comes in the form of a TSA-approved hand sanitizer.
- Pro Tip: Download a VPN before you leave. You’ll thank me later when you try to access your Gmail account/Instagram feed/favorite cat video.
- Mid-Morning (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Taxi to Bakatun Boutique Hotel. Holy. Cow. The city is a blur of skyscrapers and neon signs. My brain is currently running the equivalent of dial-up internet. Finding the hotel itself was a mini-adventure, involving questionable street signs and a lot of gesturing. The taxi driver, bless his heart, seemed to understand my frantic flapping of arms. After a good deal of confusion, finally, got to the hotel!
- Emotional Response: Relief. Utter, unadulterated relief. Especially that the taxi driver didn't drop me in the middle of nowhere.
- Lunch (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Check in. Hotel lobby – beautiful, minimalist, smells faintly of jasmine and money. Seriously, the lobby is fancy, like “I should be wearing a silk robe” fancy. Drop luggage. Scramble to locate a decent restaurant near the hotel. Decide on a tiny noodle shop with a handwritten menu and a language barrier thicker than a brick wall.
- Anecdote: Pointing at pictures and hoping for the best. Wound up with noodles… and a side of mysterious, delicious, and slightly spicy… something. Ate it all, of course. No regrets.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Exploring the neighbourhood. Get lost. Get found. Take pictures of everything. The street food is incredible. I might actually live on these delicious snacks.
- Quirky Observation: The sheer energy of this city is intoxicating. It’s like every single person is hustling towards something. Also, everyone is glued to their phones.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (5:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Dinner and Back to the hotel. I tried to order food, I ended up with a dish I could not identify. I’m pretty sure it was some kind of sea creature, but I ate it, and it was kind of tasty.
- Before Bed (9:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Collapse on the ridiculously comfy bed. Flick through the hotel's guide to local attractions, thinking "Oh, I'll get to that tomorrow. I'll sleep in, have a quick breakfast, and all will be well." Famous last words, right?
Day 2: The "I Love This City (and Also Want to Nap Right Now)" Tour
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Wake up. Actually, I sleep in. So much for the early sightseeing. The breakfast buffet is a symphony of deliciousness. I tried everything - I'm pretty sure I committed some kind of breakfast crime by piling on a mountain of dim sum and an unholy amount of pastries.
- Emotional Response: Pure, unadulterated joy. This hotel knows how to do breakfast.
- Late Morning (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Visit "Window of the World" (theme park). I'm not a huge theme park person, but this place is INSANE. Replicas of famous landmarks from all over the globe, scaled down to a manageable size. Eiffel Tower? Check. Pyramids? Check. It's utterly bonkers, and I love it.
- Anecdote: Spent a solid 20 minutes trying to get the perfect Instagram shot of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Kept getting photobombed by enthusiastic tourists. Gave up, took a selfie, and called it art.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Lunch at a recommended dim sum restaurant. It's a bit of a trek to get there, but worth it. The dumplings are little pockets of heaven.
- Imperfection: I accidentally ordered something with chicken feet. I tried it. Let's just say, it wasn't my favourite.
- Late Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Explore the OCT Loft Creative Culture Park. This place is a haven for artists, designers, and anyone who appreciates cool stuff. Browsing through quirky shops, admiring street art, and feeling desperately uncool. Need a nap.
- Emotional Response: Envy. Pure, unadulterated envy. I want to be one of these effortlessly cool people who sell handmade earrings and drink fancy coffee.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Back in the hotel, I'm not sure I want to be in this place. A decent meal and maybe an opportunity to hang out.
- Evening (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Another early night. Reading in bed, listening to the city's rhythm, and feeling a contented weariness.
Day 3: The "Shenzhen, You've Stolen My Heart (and My Wallet)" Day
- Morning (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Retail therapy. The markets are calling. Visited the Luohu Commercial City. This place is a sensory overload. Counterfeit goods galore, and I'm trying to haggle like a pro. I think I'm getting the hang of it. (Maybe.)
- Anecdote: Almost bought a "genuine" Rolex. Realized I'd probably be paying more for a fake than I would at home for the real thing. Decided on a (slightly less impressive) handbag instead.
- Lunch (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Quickly grab my lunch in the shopping mall.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 4:00 PM): I went to the Shenzhen Museum. Not exactly my usual thing, but I learned a lot about the history of the city.
- Later Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Back to the hotel. Pack my bags (ugh), and rest before dinner.
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner and some last-minute souvenir shopping.
- Quirky Observation: Bought way too much stuff. Regret nothing.
- Night (9:00 PM onwards): Check out the hotel. Taxi to the airport.
- Emotional Reaction: Bittersweet. Sad to leave, but also looking forward to my own bed. Shenzhen, you've been amazing.
Day 4 : Leaving
- Early morning (1:00 AM - 7:00 AM): Fly back.
- Emotional Reaction: Tired, but happy.
This itinerary is just a suggestion. Feel free to disregard it entirely, get lost, make mistakes, and eat all the things. That's where the real magic happens. Shenzhen is a wild ride, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Enjoy! (And don't forget the hand sanitizer.)
Shah Alam Luxury Suite Sleeps 6! i-Soho 2BR Gem!
Bakatun Boutique Hotel: Your Shenzhen Escape - The Unofficial FAQs (Because Official Ones are Boring!)
