Ibis Wuhan Hubu Alley Hotel

The rooms were large, but they looked dated. Major renovations were underway, and having access to just one elevator led to a lot of waiting.

The location was excellent for shopping, though the area around the hotel was packed with people. Getting to Wuhan airport by metro was simple, about 16 stops for just ¥7, compared with a taxi at ¥100+. Our first room was very cold because its heat pump thermostat didn't work, so we asked to move. The woman at reception was lovely and let us pick from three rooms. The carpets, especially in the corridors, looked old and a bit dirty, and the reception staff knew very little English. A Housekeeping staff member was quite rude when we asked how to use the thermostat while she was bringing pillows.

We had a spacious room and bathroom, a comfortable bed, and very good WiFi. Reception staff were incredibly helpful. The first room was stuffy and too hot, with a window facing an inner courtyard. When we asked to move to a room with an outside-facing window, they upgraded us to a Club room for free. The central spot on Jianghan Road is fantastic, right by the pedestrian mall and night market. It did get noisy at night and in the morning, with other guests talking loudly and slamming doors.

The breakfast was the one letdown. The selection was basic and the food only average. Otherwise, everything was great: the hotel was clean, the room was good, and the hot water worked well. It's very central, with three 24-hour convenience stores nearby, Lawson, Codow and Today, plus lots of little stalls close by.