Having been involved in the online travel industry for about ten years, I am acutely aware that the current market for senior travelers is not healthy; it is dominated by low-cost shopping groups, often leading to various scams and misleading experiences.
Seniors’ travel isn’t synonymous with low-cost tours or shopping trips; they deserve better options. The silver-haired community has more flexible travel times and prefers off-peak or midweek trips. Quality prices should be secured from the supply chain rather than by gambling on shopping or optional expenses to reduce tour costs.
This is why Ctrip’s efforts in this area are trustworthy. Of course, this is just a small step for Ctrip’s “Old Friends Club.”
The first wave of benefits for the elderly community provided by Ctrip includes exclusive discounts at star-rated hotels with shockingly low prices for midweek stays (and some weekends as well). Most of these packages also have significantly long validity periods.
Let me mention a few examples: Tianjin Banyan Tree at 750 RMB with double breakfast, Zhoushan Greentown Rose Garden at 399 RMB with double breakfast, and Lijiang Yuyun Courtyard at 399 RMB for a villa stay, with Qi Zi Bay Kaiyuan providing two nights for 888 RMB including breakfast…
Additionally, participants will receive dedicated, one-on-one customer service, access to airport VIP lounges, expedited security checks at the airport, postal-free reimbursement for plane tickets, online seat selection for train tickets, fast train ticket procurement, and hassle-free cancellations and amendments for train tickets, totaling six significant benefits.
Of course, all of this is targeted only at users over 50 years of age. Please share this article with them or simply search “Old Friends Club” directly on Ctrip when they have a need. There will be delightful surprises waiting.
It should be noted that a real-name authentication process is required (for those over 50) to join the “Old Friends Club,” and only then can they enjoy the exclusive discounts. However, there is a reminder: during the reservation validation step, there is an age verification check for those aged 50 and above (an ID number needs to be provided). If this check fails, users will be informed that they do not meet the booking conditions.
In today’s article, I’ll appropriately Post some hotel packages offered by Ctrip’s “Old Friends Club.” This is just the first wave of benefits; Ctrip will gradually expand the hotel packages for the “Old Friends Club.” This project is a major initiative for Ctrip this year and is something they are taking very seriously.
“Old Friends Club” offers items that, like other products, allow cancellations, returns after expiration, and return anytime, so everyone can feel assured about stocking up on these deals. If you’re not yet 50, then congratulations—you are still young! Please consider forwarding this article to your family elders.
1) Qiyuan New World Hotel for 1 night with breakfast + 2 adults and 1 child hot spring experience for 888 RMB.
Valid until October 28, 2024, with restrictions from Sunday to Thursday and non-holiday use; no price increase during summer vacation.
This hotel used to be the luxurious subsidiary, Qianli, and later transformed into the New World brand. The group remains the same; they just repositioned the brands under their umbrella. Officially opened in 2020, the facilities are all quite new.
From guest rooms to common areas, the aesthetic appeal of this hotel is undeniable. The hot spring pool emphasizes a Japanese forest onsen style, and the natural hot spring has a certification as a first-class weak alkaline spring.
At Qiyuan New World Hotel, you can experience an authentic Japanese ONSEN hot spring, with the pool designed following traditional Japanese hot spring layouts, surrounded by serene bamboo groves. The integration of the pool with nature is beautifully done.
Additionally, every room features a spacious terrace and a private hot spring tub! Personally, I lean towards using the private hot spring as it offers more privacy.
This package provides a deluxe room, which is 55 square meters in size. Our team member has stayed here and noted that the room’s hardware is excellent, with a hot spring tub available right in the room.
The usual pricing at Qiyuan New World Hotel is not cheap.
Links for room purchases:
Deluxe King Room Purchase Link:
Deluxe Twin Room Purchase Link:
2) Tianjin Haihe Banyan Tree Senior Business Twin Room for 1 night with breakfast, 750 RMB.
Valid until January 14, 2025, unavailable during holidays, and no price increase during summer or weekends.
Tianjin Banyan Tree usually charges over 1000 RMB per night, not including breakfast. Therefore, 750 RMB including double breakfast is incredibly valuable, and the validity period is particularly long.
This offer should definitely be recommended to your elders.
Tianjin Banyan Tree is located along the Haihe River, close to the Tianjin Eye Ferris wheel and the ancient cultural street tourism area, making it convenient for travel in Tianjin.
For this package, we are providing a room with a view of the Tianjin Eye Ferris wheel, allowing guests to enjoy views directly from their room. Room sizes range from 61-65 square meters, ensuring comfort, as expected from Banyan Tree.
Link for purchase:
3) Zhoushan Greentown Rose Garden includes 1 night with breakfast + a drink during afternoon tea + 2 sets of eighteen seed bracelets for 399 RMB.
Valid until December 31, 2024, unavailable during holidays or peak summer; an additional 100 RMB per night applies for Friday and Saturday.
Isn’t this an amazing deal?
For a vacation in Zhoushan, this hotel is quite appealing because it’s located on an island. I will mark it on the map for you. The hotel is situated on Changzhi Island, directly by Ruxin Town’s lakeside, and nearly all rooms offer sea views.
This hotel was constructed in 2017, and the owner is Greentown, ensuring high quality.
Link for purchase:
4) Gulangyu Gulang Villa Hotel (Nanzuo Ao Pier) Cozy Room for 2 nights with breakfast + afternoon tea for two + pick-up service from Nanzuo Ao Pier for 988 RMB.
Valid until September 30, 2024, price increases during summer peak, with an additional 100 RMB per night for non-peak Fridays and Saturdays.
Gulangyu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a 5A scenic area; staying here allows one to truly enjoy the atmosphere.
The hotel is beautifully located on the southwest side of Gulangyu, facing the sea and surrounded by mountains. It’s only a short distance from Xiamen’s Huandao Road, Zhongshan Road, Xiamen University, and Nanputuo Temple.
One renowned attraction on Gulangyu is Gulang Stone, which is right at the hotel’s entrance. There’s also a beach area nearby.
The Gulang Villa Hotel was renovated in 2022, enhancing its charm. Let me share some photos with you.
This package offers a secondary room type for Gulang Cozy Room, which is 18 square meters. The room size may be smaller, but it’s worth noting that most hotels on Gulangyu have compact rooms, as shown in the images below.
Twin Room Purchase Link:
King Room Purchase Link:
5) Hainan Qizi Bay Kaiyuan Blue Sky and White Clouds Twin Room for 2 nights with breakfast + free transfers from Qizi Bay High-Speed Rail Station + transfers to Dajiao Beach for 899 RMB.
Valid until September 30, 2024, limited to Sunday to Wednesday, unavailable during holidays, with no price increase during summer.
This Kaiyuan hotel is a favorite of mine; it is a project by WATG (the designer of the Ritz-Carlton in Sanya). If you’ve been to both locations, you’ll find that the architectural styles are remarkably similar, both reflecting Han and Tang dynasty styles, blending naturally with the surrounding environment, and the palace-like structure exudes a strong Eastern flair.
The highlight of Qizi Bay Kaiyuan is the sunset over the ocean, as it is one of the few western coasts in China where you can witness this beautiful phenomenon—the sunset at Qizi Bay is simply breathtaking.
Additionally, Qizi Bay beach is adorned with many cacti and wild pineapples, exotic tropical desert plants not commonly found on other beaches, making it a great spot for picturesque photography.
The downside is that this hotel’s beach has a lot of rocky areas (hence the name Qizi Bay, referring to pieces of rock resembling chess pieces scattered on the water surface). This beach is more suited for kids with small buckets to hunt for shellfish like crabs or clams. This package includes tools for sea hunting.
Qizi Bay Kaiyuan features traditionally styled Chinese rooms, with a minimum room size of 60 square meters. I recommend staying for four nights.
Also, regarding the location, this hotel is conveniently located along Hainan’s western corridor at Changjiang. Upon arrival at Haikou or Sanya Airport, high-speed rail takes you directly to Qizi Bay, with hotel transfers available based on demand.
Link for purchase:
6) Nyingchi Gongbu Manor Hilton for 2 nights with breakfast, 999 RMB.
Valid until December 31, 2024, with price increases during peach blossom festival, summer, and holidays (details on the page), with other dates not increasing in price.
Nyingchi Gongbu Manor Hilton opened in 2017, built near the Gongbu Manor ruins, making it one of the better hotels in Nyingchi.
The hardware here is excellent, featuring amenities like a pool, gym, indoor cinema, and even a chess room.
On the eighth floor, there’s an observatory bar that comes equipped with telescopes, allowing you and your friends to lie on the lounge chairs, look at the stars, and enjoy wine.
This Hilton’s basic room is 46 square meters; I have friends who have stayed here and confirmed the quality is remarkable.
Nyingchi offers many activities and attractions. A 30-minute drive will take you to Nanyi Valley, a beautiful enclave enveloped by mountains and mist, featuring peach blossoms in spring and red leaves in autumn. Attractions include the Luoba Ethnic Village, Tibetan Medicine Viewing Garden, Millennium Spruce King, Zagon Primitive Forest, and Ganu Cave.
It takes 1.5 hours to reach the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, where the massive Yarlung Zangbo River flows, offering a breathtaking view, often referred to as “the world’s grandest canyon.”
Approximately a 2.5-hour drive will lead you to Mount Namcha Barwa, China’s 15th highest peak at 7782 meters. Its Tibetan name translates to “the spear that pierces the blue sky,” known as the “father of icebergs,” and is one of the four sacred mountains in Tibet.
Link for purchase:
7) Lijiang Yuyun Courtyard Resort Hotel Yuyun One-Bedroom Villa for 2 nights with breakfast + afternoon tea for two at 798 RMB.
Valid until June 30, 2024, unavailable during holidays, and does not increase in price on other dates.
This hotel lies between Lijiang and Shuhe Ancient Town, primarily featuring villas. This 798 RMB package offers a one-bedroom villa of 95 square meters, which is really a great deal at just 399 RMB per night.
Link for purchase:
Lijiang Yuyun Courtyard Resort Hotel Yuyun Two-Bedroom Family Villa for 2 nights with breakfast for four at 1088 RMB.
Valid until June 30, 2024, unavailable during holidays, and no price increase on other dates.
The two-bedroom villa offers 106 square meters and can accommodate up to four adults.
