🍃Atour Origin: Unearthing Inner Peace Amidst the Dust
My first stop on this Yunnan journey.
Having stayed in countless old-brand five-star hotels and commercial four-star ones, after much deliberation, I finally settled on Atour Origin. I loved its location – quiet yet central, perfect for morning runs or bike rides right outside the door.
No Longer Obsessed with Just Five-Star Hotels
I used to prefer five-star hotels, but gradually realized that many old-brand five-star facilities no longer meet the needs of modern travelers.
For a family trip, laundry costs can easily add up to several nights' accommodation. Especially in summer, clothes get sweaty quickly, so a 24-hour self-service laundry room is an essential travel necessity.
Atour Origin perfectly fills this gap:
Complimentary 24-hour self-service laundry room, no deposit required. The Zhuju Reading Room is open day and night, offering warm congee late at night. You can grab a packed breakfast for the road in the morning. The guest rooms are well-soundproofed, and the hotel is located right next to the Dianchi Lake promenade, offering excellent value for money.
My first encounter with Atour was on a cool summer evening in Kunming, with the air filled with the fragrance of osmanthus.
Before checking in, I had some apprehension, worried that the reality wouldn't live up to the overwhelming positive reviews online.
To be honest, I was a bit disappointed upon check-in, but after observing for another day, my impression gradually improved.
⚠️Here are Atour's shortcomings that need improvement:
No luggage service. You have to carry your luggage from the car to your room yourself.
While four-star hotels generally don't offer luggage service, Atour Origin is a premium upgrade within the Atour brand (like Atour S and Atour Origin). It targets a new, upper-middle-class clientele (those new to Atour or transitioning from five-star hotels).
Without luggage service, guests accustomed to five-star hotels will have a negative first impression.
⚠️Check-in process needs improvement:
The room type I booked seemed to have been occupied by someone else, and it took a while to sort it out during check-in. After finally getting the room card, I wearily dragged my luggage upstairs, only to find someone already in the room. I had to go back downstairs to exchange the card, and only succeeded in checking in on the third attempt.
⚠️Nighttime cleanliness needs improvement:
The reading room and laundry room had high traffic at night. The tea in the reading room seemed to have been sitting for a long time, tasting sour, and the laundry room was messy.
⚠️The room had a strong smell of smoke. Upon check-out, the hallway was filled with cigarette smoke 🚬. I saw the cleaning staff busy trying to purify the air, but the smell was still very strong.
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My first impression of Atour Origin was that it was imperfect, but I wasn't angry. I observed that it was due to insufficient staff; the nighttime cleaners had gone home, and only two front desk staff were handling reception, tidying, and various guest complaints late at night. They always maintained a gentle demeanor, and were patient and polite, without any perfunctory or evasive behavior.
They truly embody Atour Origin's core value of "peace of mind." Even with chaotic procedures and numerous oversights, their proper and gentle service diffused guest anxiety, making me feel at ease throughout my stay.
I noticed that the public areas being messy at night wasn't due to neglect by the cleaning staff, but rather a lack of rotating cleaning during peak hours. By morning, when the cleaning staff arrived, every corner was wiped sparkling clean, and even the crevices of the fitness equipment were meticulously cleaned. My consecutive stays were always comfortable. The room towels were individually packed in frosted security bags, showing meticulous attention to detail.
Atour Origin has its own kind of small, luxurious, and relaxed vibe. Putting aside the minor flaws at night, it almost perfectly matches all my expectations for a long-stay accommodation. It infuses tranquility, healing, and a slow pace into every space.
"To stop is also a kind of pursuit."
People are always on the move, fearing that even a moment of pause is a waste. But we often misunderstand the meaning of stopping.
At Atour Origin, the Dianchi Lake promenade is right outside. Haigeng Dam is within easy reach. Whether it's morning runs, cycling, sitting by the water enjoying the breeze, or simply zoning out, it's all effortless.
This personal quiet time is a gentle way to recharge tired spirits, embracing moments of leisure as the best form of self-healing.
Living here, you get a gentle perspective to understand Kunming, avoiding crowded influencer spots. The surrounding scenery is relaxed and serene.
Staying at Atour Origin is a healing journey that changes your lifestyle. It's not just a place for your body to rest, but also a way to relieve anxious emotions and deeply recharge tired spirits.
Haigeng Dam is within walking distance. The smooth lakeside greenway is perfect for morning runs, with the shimmering Dianchi Lake and the outline of the Western Hills in view. In winter, you can even feed the red-billed gulls.
Seagull Island is a short walk away. This niche wetland is sparsely populated, with a boardwalk along the water for enjoying the breeze and taking photos, full of a healing atmosphere.
Park 1903 is a short taxi ride away. The park has a relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere, featuring Gingko Outlets for a one-stop shopping experience for various discounted brands.
Within the park lies Dream Park, with a full range of indoor and outdoor amusement facilities. Afternoon tea, strolling, shopping, and playing can easily fill an entire day.
Finally, I must praise the pillows from Atour Planet!
Suffering from cervical spondylosis for years, multiple doctors couldn't alleviate my neck pain. Unexpectedly, after a night's sleep here, my neck felt completely relieved in the morning. I immediately ordered several 'Atour Planet Deep Sleep Pillow Pro3s' to be shipped home, saving me from carrying them during my travels, which was incredibly convenient.
Original TextTranslation provided by AI
