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Hi All, first time in the above cities, will have Hilton and IHG Diamond with Ambassador for the latter. Probably 3 nights in Shanghai and 2 in HK, any advice on hotels would be appreciated.
Can’t really help with a good Hilton or IHG choice in Shanghai, but having stayed in the city experimenting with staying lots of hotels and snooping around others have a few pointers. Don’t stay at the Indigo – it’s in a terrible location, technically maybe on the Bund but in reality in no man’s land. The WA is in a good location on the Bund but only the old building/front building is good and correspondingly expensive; the modern building is quite grotty. Our choice is the Kempinski after trying the Peninsula which is probably the best hotel, but has massively upped its prices – go to the upstairs bar for sunset; great views over Pudong, fabulous. Four Seasons has lost both its hotels after rows with the two different owners. Mandarin not up to scratch. On the Pudong side, have looked around the Park Hyatt, very smart, better than the two Shangri-Las. Ritz Carlton a bit soulless/corporate. Location matters and bear in mind that you can’t really cross the river in the centre on foot. You need to decide whether you want to be in Pudong looking back at the old Bund or on the Bund looking at Pudong and maybe some of the Bund depending on where you are. Both are massively impressive, but obviously very different. On the Bund side you can walk a long way along the river on an elevated walkway, but you usually have the busy road on one side and it’s always crowded. On the Pudong side they have built a fantastic walkway/cycle track with gardens. The Kempinski is on the Pudong side and offers great views over both Pudong and Bund. We have had incredible upgrades from what are already bargain rates for what is an expensive hotel city (Beijing v cheap) have found the service to be exceptional all over the hotel, really good quality rooms. There is a a rare ferry crossing just outside which is good fun and very convenient. In HK, there is only one hotel for me, but others will no doubt offer ideas. Three days is very short in Shanghai and doesn’t leave time for side trip to Suzhou which has more to see. On another visit, Nanjing, not far on the train is one of the nicest and most interesting cities to visit in China.
In HK, there is only one hotel for me, but others will no doubt offer ideas.
Oh come on @JDB – don’t keep us in suspense – which hotel is it?! 😉
For a historical option in Shanghai, the Peace hotel is gorgeous.
In HKG, the Icon is quite unique if you fancy being in Tsim Sha Tsui, while the
RC and MO are classics. A nice alternative would be a club sea view room at the Kerry.Waldorf Astoria, Hotel Indigo on the Bund and Regent are all great choices for Shanghai.
In HK, there is only one hotel for me, but others will no doubt offer ideas.
Oh come on @JDB – don’t keep us in suspense – which hotel is it?! 😉
Not very original, but it’s the Mandarin. I first stayed there when I was 18 and was treated incredibly well and every time since they have really pulled out all the stops in so many ways from the moment one steps off the plane. They know how to engender loyalty.
Waldorf Astoria, Hotel Indigo on the Bund and Regent are all great choices for Shanghai.
Waldorf Astoria, Hotel Indigo on the Bund and Regent are all great choices for Shanghai.
I can’t comment on the Regent although I’m told the one in Beijing which we liked a lot has gone downhill since the IHG takeover. For the reasons above, the other two are to be avoided unless you are in the Heritage building at the WA and even then…
I loved the look and feel of the Fairmont (Peace Hotel Shanghai) but only visited not stayed. If anyone has stayed I’d be interested to know about the quality of the rooms.
Which decent hotels are in the French Quarter?
Shanghai – Peninsula, Peace Hotel, and Waldorf Astoria are great on the Puxi side on the Bund. In Pudong I would go for MO, RC,Regent or Park Hyatt. There is a new place called Middle House which is great but a bit away from the Bund and you will need a taxi to go everywhere.
French Concession/Xintiandi – Langham probably best,imo.HK – can’t go wrong with MO, Peninsula, Four Seasons. Hotels around Admiralty/Pacific Place like Island Shangri La and Conrad are all good too. In Kowloon West you have the RC and W Hotel (great views) which are both amazing. In TST – there are loads – I have stayed in the Shangri-La which has some great views.
I am in Shanghai in April – staying at the Peninsula. @JDB and @Lady London kindly helped me resolve a flight problem I was having with BA.
Shanghai – the IC Ruixin in the French Quarter is very nice. We also stayed in the Peninsula on the Bund but although the rooms etc are lovely I wouldn’t stay again as there is not much of a lobby area to soak in the atmosphere of the hotel – part of the space is the bar/lobby cafe and a shopping arcade.
In HK our favourite hotel in recent years was the IC Salisbury Rd – the views from the Club junior suites was amazing and it had one of the best club lounge I’ve stayed anywhere. It’s now a Regent having gone through a major refurbishment and the prices will have gone up considerably – the view will still be amazing.
The other hotels we’ve stayed in in the luxury category are the Mandarin, the Island Shangri-la, the JW Marriott and the Conrad (which I didn’t like – very beige!). If you want IHG the Indigo in Wanchai and the CP in Causeway Bay are solid 4 stars.
For a first visit to HK I would recommend staying on the island.
I loved the look and feel of the Fairmont (Peace Hotel Shanghai) but only visited not stayed. If anyone has stayed I’d be interested to know about the quality of the rooms.
Which decent hotels are in the French Quarter?
There are hotels on the periphery of the French Concession, but the nicest parts don’t really lend themselves to hotels, but lots of restaurants.
I imagine the Peace hotel has improved somewhat (even though Fairmont is a very second eleven operator). I was billeted there in 1984 when it wasn’t possible to choose a specific hotel, just a category, all at the same price. In Peking and Canton as they then were, I could choose. It had more rats and cockroaches than you can imagine, filthy bedding and windows; just so grim. City very polluted and Bund buildings black. Had to leave, but airline office told me all flights to Canton for next few days full, so found a stationery shop where I purchased a red pencil to make the adjustment myself and rather nervously went to the airport but my IATA ticketing training was not in vain, so got to Canton fine which was a vast improvement. Shanghai now is of course just fabulous; waiting to go back very soon having not been since autumn 2019, but don’t think it’s quite the moment yet.
@qc the best public space at the Peninsula Shanghai is the roof bar; just absolutely amazing after dark.
Hotel Icon HK had a great view from my room and the club was actually worth a visit for a few cocktails and nibbles with a great view
For HK I would suggest figuring out which area you want to stay in. Of everywhere we’ve stayed, I think The Langham in Mongkok was the best. Lovely hotel in an area of the city that still had a bit of a local buzz about it. We stayed at the Harbour Grand last time which is slightly more ‘downmarket’ 5*, but nice street food nearby and the main reason to choose was the monster bath on the balcony overlooking the harbour (took hours to fill but staff did that). NYE fireworks sadly got cancelled so the rooftop was only good for harbour views.
@qc the best public space at the Peninsula Shanghai is the roof bar; just absolutely amazing after dark.
The problem was that we stayed over NY so on 31/12 they were setting up for the evening and then on 1/1 they were clearing up so for two days of our stay it wasn’t accessible. The party and the view of the fireworks was good though.
We then went down and mingled with the crowds on the Bund – this was a few years ago so I don’t know what the situation is post Covid.
In any case I suggest staying on the Puxi side rather than Pudong.
Just noticed I misspelt the IC Ruijin.
Thanks all, have gone for the Regent in Shanghai, I should be able to use club access and a confirmable suite upgrade. Waiting for availability for the Conrad in Hong Kong.
Thanks all, have gone for the Regent in Shanghai, I should be able to use club access and a confirmable suite upgrade. Waiting for availability for the Conrad in Hong Kong.
The Regent Pudong is I think the old Four Seasons? Regent is building a new hotel near the Bund, but not sure when it is supposed to open. You will be close to the Park Hyatt – worth going there for a drink in the restaurant (so needs to be tea timeish unless you want to eat) which is on about 100th floor for great views – a drink is cheaper than going up to the viewing terrace and no queues. Also, if you like spa treatments but not hotel spa prices, Green Massage is your friend; quite a few of them around, smart set up, English spoken, full of guests from the top hotels.
Just to reinforce @JDB recommendation for Park Hyatt drink for the views – at one point,
they def. even had a happy hour up there!Thanks again, Regent Bund slated for Q2 2023 which seems unlikely? I’ll keep an eye out though, Park Hyatt for a drink has gone onto the itinerary.
HKG – MO is very nice, The Landmark (MO again) is my fave but doesn’t have the views. The Upper House has excellent reviews although I haven’t stayed. Use Emyr if you decide to go this route as Virtuoso etc get some nice upgrades and perks.
Get up at daybreak in Shanghai and walk to the Bund while it’s quiet and see the pensioners doing their exercises before you go back for breakfast, it’s a very walkable city and to see the old people ballroom dancing in the parks is lovely.
China was one of my most memorable holidays along with Havana.Was just browsing mid-priced options in Hong Kong.
Noticed the IC is very cheap – like 34k points or about £170pn
Is there something wrong with it?Also, the CP in Kowloon East looks to be located right on top of a tube station and shopping facilities. It’s a bit further out from the action I think, but the handy transport link must make up for it right?
Any thoughts on that hotel anyone?The Indigo seems to be reasonably priced and looks OK in theory. Again any thoughts on that?
As this would be for a city break, I don’t really care about luxury. Somewhere comfortable, clean and conveniently located for public transport. Oh and needs to be IHG or Hilton.
Thanks.For HK I would suggest figuring out which area you want to stay in. Of everywhere we’ve stayed, I think The Langham in Mongkok was the best. Lovely hotel in an area of the city that still had a bit of a local buzz about it. We stayed at the Harbour Grand last time which is slightly more ‘downmarket’ 5*, but nice street food nearby and the main reason to choose was the monster bath on the balcony overlooking the harbour (took hours to fill but staff did that). NYE fireworks sadly got cancelled so the rooftop was only good for harbour views.
I agree, I had a great stay at The Langham. It’s close to everything great metro links, I had a club room and their lounge had great snacks and a great view. I really liked the rooftop swimming pool.
I stayed the Langham a few times some years ago now, and quite liked it until I got bitten by fleas on a sofa in the lobby bar. Never went back. Then I discovered Langham Place (since rebranded as Cordis I think) – rooms and lounge were excellent. I liked the Conrad and stayed many times, but on my last stay (pre-pandemic) the lounge had been refurbished and didn’t seem as good, to me. I liked the Indigo also. IC Grand Stanford has been a favourite over the years – I actually prefer it to the IC Hong Kong (now rebranded as a Regent?).
Was just browsing mid-priced options in Hong Kong.
Noticed the IC is very cheap – like 34k points or about £170pn
Is there something wrong with it?Also, the CP in Kowloon East looks to be located right on top of a tube station and shopping facilities. It’s a bit further out from the action I think, but the handy transport link must make up for it right?
Any thoughts on that hotel anyone?The Indigo seems to be reasonably priced and looks OK in theory. Again any thoughts on that?
As this would be for a city break, I don’t really care about luxury. Somewhere comfortable, clean and conveniently located for public transport. Oh and needs to be IHG or Hilton.
Thanks.Of those options I would chose the Indigo as it’s on HK Island where most of the attractions you would want to visit are. Right in the heart of Wanchai.
The IC is in an ok position and probably fine if you have a club room with a harbour (not mid harbour) view.
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