IN Chongqing | A Friday night staycation at a refined hotel

| A Friday night staycation at a refined hotel. ⭐ Overall rating: 8.5/10 My friend and I had planned this Friday night outing well in advance last week. Neither of us enjoys overly noisy environments, and we're not big on staying up late either. So, we decided to book a comfortable hotel where we could order takeout and binge-watch shows together! ➖ After some research, we realized neither of us had stayed at a Howard Johnson property before. Coincidentally, there's a newly opened Howard Johnson Life in Chongqing, conveniently located near both of us—especially for me, as it's just a 10-minute metro ride from West Station. Perfect! ➖ The lobby took our breath away the moment we stepped in. The gold-toned decor wasn't overly old-money opulent; instead, it exuded modern elegance and sophistication. Crystal chandeliers above the front desk and warm LED lighting strips created a refined ambiance, while the modern touches included workstations with power outlets, a lounge with avant-garde sofas, a café-by-day-bar-by-night, and even a pop-up AI custom suit area—a first for me! ➖ We booked the Enjoy Room with a bathtub. The room's color scheme featured Howard Johnson Life's signature vibrant orange paired with premium light gray, complemented by marble accents throughout. This contemporary American style is undeniably appealing to younger guests. Beyond its stylish design, the room was highly functional: Xiaodu smart controls, a Nespresso machine, ergonomic work desk and chair, mini fridge, weighing scale, safe, Lefant hair dryer, plush bathrobes, gift bags, and premium toiletries (green tea scent). The bathroom had a separate wet/dry area, and the bathtub came with bath bombs and ample bath salts. For this price point, the attention to detail was genuinely surprising. ➖ After check-in, we asked the manager if we could tour other room types, and he gladly agreed. The Deluxe and Executive rooms were equally spacious—just without bathtubs—and offered similar amenities at great value. There was also a unique Yoga Room (p15) equipped with mats and accessories, perfect for fitness enthusiasts. Next time, we’re definitely trying that! ➖ We woke up early the next morning for breakfast (thanks to our early bedtime, lol). The spread was 70% Chinese and 30% Western: hearty hot dishes on one side, artisanal pastries on the other. The noodle station served everything from spicy Chongqing noodles to beef rice noodles and sour-soup dumplings—impressively diverse. Post-breakfast, we hit the gym, which had cardio machines, a power rack, dumbbells, and even a weight bench—all pristine and thoughtfully arranged, proving it wasn’t just a checkbox amenity. ➖ As an immersive social hotel brand under GCH Greater China Hotels Group, Howard Johnson Life carves out a vibrant, youthful niche in its price segment. It balances quality with distinctive branding, making it memorable. At least around Chongqing West Station, I can’t think of a better place to stay.