The last stop before entering Tibet from Western Sichuan! Batang Holiday Inn Suite Experience

Day 34 of the 101-day 318 Grand Loop. After completing the two-day trek through the southern line of Genie, I arrived in Batang County. I chose this Holiday Inn for my stay because of its good reviews. I stayed here for two days and went to Cuopu Valley on the second day. . The hotel is in a great location in the center of the county, surrounded by bustling streets. It has its own spacious parking lot in the backyard with several charging stations, making it very friendly for self-driving travelers. Batang is not at a high altitude, making it the best place to rest before entering Tibet on the 318. . However, for a Holiday Inn, the facilities here are a bit lacking. I think it would be more appropriate to call it a Holiday Inn Express. However, this hotel shares the same owner as the InterContinental and Indigo in Lijiang, and the Indigo in Diqing and Lugu Lake, which are all quite strong. They probably wouldn't be willing to open a Holiday Inn Express, and Litang County can't support a high-end brand at the moment, so it's understandable. I only realized they had the same owner when I received the same Pu'er tea gift as the other hotels when I checked out. . The hotel doesn't have an executive lounge or any alternatives, and it doesn't even have a gym. However, the service is still very good. They gave me a bunch of snacks when I checked in, the minibar in the room is free, and they automatically upgraded me to a suite with my Diamond membership. . The hotel lobby is connected to the breakfast room, which is indeed small, and the decor is average. The guest rooms are on the 7th floor. . The suite is said to be 40 square meters, but it's actually just an open suite, which is not as good as the Holiday Inn Express in Litang. However, it's already the best room in the hotel. As a Tibetan hotel that opened in 2019, it's well-maintained. There's a closet on the right when you enter, a bathroom in front, and a bedroom on the left. The sofa at the foot of the bed also serves as a reception area. The desk, TV cabinet, and minibar are combined into a single table, making good use of space and practicality. . The minibar offers free Pure Joy water, Chali tea bags, Nestle instant coffee, and 6 free soft drinks, including beer, in the mini fridge. . The bathroom has a large vanity, but only a single sink. There's a bathtub, and you can enjoy a bath at an altitude of less than 3,000 meters. There's no oxygen supply system due to the low altitude, but the heating is good. . The hotel is reasonably priced, with a good location and cleanliness, making it the top choice in Batang.