Shanghai Hongqiao Hotel: Unbeatable Location, Unforgettable Stay!
Shanghai Hongqiao Hotel: Unbeatable Location, Unforgettable… Well, Mostly! (A Messy Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from the Shanghai Hongqiao Hotel, and my notes are about as organized as my sock drawer. This is a review, but it's also a therapy session, a love letter, and a mild rant, all rolled into one. Let’s get this tangled yarn of an experience untangled, shall we?
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- Keywords: Shanghai Hongqiao Hotel, Shanghai hotel review, accessible hotel, Hongqiao Airport, hotel with pool, spa hotel Shanghai, business hotel Shanghai, free wifi, family-friendly hotel, Shanghai lodging, hotel with restaurants, hotel with gym, best location Shanghai, luxury hotel Shanghai.
- Meta Description: A brutally honest, hilarious (hopefully!) review of the Shanghai Hongqiao Hotel. Dive deep into accessibility, food, amenities, and the overall vibe. From the pool with a view to the questionable coffee to the surprising charm, here’s the real deal.
- Categories: Hotel Reviews, Travel Blogs, Shanghai Hotels, Asia Travel.
First Impressions: The Location – Pure Genius (and a little chaos)
Alright, let's start with the good stuff: location, location, LOCATION!. Holy moly, this place is practically on the doorstep of Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. Seriously, I practically rolled outta the arrival gates and onto the hotel grounds. That, my friends, is a game-changer, especially after a 14-hour flight where your legs feel like jelly and your brain is still operating on Beijing time.
Accessibility – Mostly Thumbs Up!
Accessibility: This is actually really important! And, I was pleasantly surprised. The whole place felt user-friendly, with elevators and ramps everywhere.
- Wheelchair accessible: Plenty of room to manoeuvre in the hallways.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Tick! I saw some specially adapted rooms.
- Elevator: Essential!
But… (and there's always a but, isn't there?) There were a couple of minor hiccups—one slightly tight turn near one of the restaurants—nothing that made me want to smash my wheelchair through a window! Overall, a solid score here.
Rooms & Amenities: The Good, The Bad, and the Questionable Coffee
The rooms themselves were… fine. Clean, modern, and with all the essentials.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms: Absolute lifesaver!
- Internet access: Yup, LAN and wireless. Perfect for work or, you know… endless scrolling.
- Air conditioning: Essential for Shanghai humidity.
- Additional features:
- Available in all rooms: Extra toilet
- Bathroom features: Bathrobes, Hair dryer, Slippers
- Bathroom amenities: Mirror, Toiletries, Towels
- Comfort features: Alarm clock, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Free bottled water
- Connectivity features: Desk, Internet access – wireless, Laptop workspace, Satellite/cable channels, Telephone
- Entertainment features: Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Reading light, Television
- Safety & Security Features: In-room safe box, Smoke detector
- Room Features: Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Extra long bed, High floor, Interconnecting room(s) available, Ironing facilities, Linens, Mini bar, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Wake-up service, Window that opens.
My biggest gripe? The coffee. Oh, the coffee. It was… well, let's just say I'm pretty sure instant coffee from the 1990s had more flavor. But, hey, free tea came with the room, so… small victories, I guess! I quickly had to resort to Starbucks, which was thankfully nearby.
The "Things to Do" & "Ways to Relax" Extravaganza (or, the Spa That Never Was)
This is where things got interesting. The hotel boasts a whole host of ways to de-stress.
- Fitness center: Yes, it was legit. I'm not sure I used it, but it was there!
- Pool with view: Now this was cool. The outdoor pool! The views are outstanding.
- Spa: Here's my confession: I fully intended to hit the spa. I fantasized about a massage… a body wrap… the whole shebang! I'd been picturing a serene oasis, a haven of cucumber slices and tranquil music. It was closed! Apparently, they were doing some "maintenance", which always makes me nervous. My dream of a spa day evaporated faster than my patience in a Shanghai traffic jam.
- Sauna, Steamroom: I asked about these, and the front desk just shrugged.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Food Odyssey (with Mixed Results)
Okay, so food is a big deal, right? Especially when you've just flown halfway across the world. The Hongqiao Hotel had a decent array of options.
- Restaurants: Several including Asian, International, and a Vegetarian option.
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes, thankfully!
- Breakfast [buffet]: Massive! Plenty of variety, from the usual Western fare to some delicious Asian options.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Slightly better than the in-room stuff, but still… not stellar.
- Room service [24-hour]: Always a bonus, especially when jet lag hits.
- Poolside bar: Didn’t try, but I did see people happily slurping cocktails, which made me jealous.
- Snack bar: Perfect for a quick bite.
My Top Food Moment: The dim sum at the Chinese restaurant was incredible. Light, fluffy, and bursting with flavor. I devoured it with gusto! The bad was when I tried the "Western" restaurant was bland and underwhelming.
Cleanliness and Safety: The Pandemic Edition
Important, essential! Shanghai, like everywhere, had its Covid-19 protocols. The hotel was on top of it.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Very good.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Hygiene certification: Good.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed to know what they were doing.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Also available.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area: Aircon, a lifesaver!
- Business facilities: Tick, if you're into that.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: Yup.
- Meeting/banquet facilities: Yes.
- Meetings: Yes.
- Projector/LED display: Yes.
- Xerox/fax in business center: Yes.
- Cash withdrawal: ATM on-site.
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Contactless check-in/out: Smooth as butter.
- Convenience store, Gift/souvenir shop: Essentials covered!
- Currency exchange: Convenient, but check the rates.
- Daily housekeeping: On point!
- Doorman: Welcomed me with a smile
- Elevator: Yes.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Yes.
- Invoice provided: Yup.
- Laundry service, Ironing service: Useful.
- Luggage storage: Free.
- Meeting stationery: Useful!
- On-site event hosting: Did not see any.
- Outdoor venue for special events, Indoor venue for special events: Yes.
- Safety deposit boxes: Needed.
- Smoking area: Yes, thankfully.
- Terrace: A nice touch.
Getting Around: The Airport Shuffle & Beyond
- Airport transfer: This is a HUGE selling point! Right on the money.
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: Good.
- Taxi service: Easy to hail.
For the Kids: Did Not Really Check
- Babysitting service: Probably, but I didn't have kids.
- Family/child friendly: Looked it.
- Kids facilities, Kids meal: Didn’t scope these out.
The Verdict (My Brain is Still Processing…)
The Shanghai Hongqiao Hotel is a solid choice, especially if you need airport proximity. The location is a major win. The accessibility is good. The pool is a must. The food is hit-or-miss, but overall, good. The staff were friendly. The facilities are plentiful.
But… the spa was closed. The coffee was tragic. The Wi-Fi was great, but sometimes I think I got so used to internet I lost
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Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your glossy travel brochure. We're diving headfirst into the messy, glorious reality of a trip to Shanghai, centered around the Hanting Hotel near Hongqiao Road Metro Station. Consider this less an itinerary and more… a diary of controlled chaos.
Day 1: Arrival and a Symphony of Suitcases
- 10:00 AM (ish) - Shanghai Shenanigans Begin! Flight lands. Jet lag hits. I swear, even the air in Shanghai smells… different. Not bad, just… exotic. Finding my luggage feels like a competitive sport. (Spoiler alert: I always win eventually.)
- 11:30 AM - Hanting Hotel – The Humble Abode: Finally at the Hanting. It's… well, it's a Hanting. Clean enough, the air conditioning is battling valiantly against the Shanghai humidity, and the receptionist's English is, shall we say, "developing." Check-in, drop bags (and my sanity… momentarily) a small, unassuming room.
- 12:30 PM - Food Fumbling: The hunger monster awakens! I think there's a dumpling place nearby. Armed with a shaky translation app and an even shakier sense of direction, I venture forth. Finding the place… a triumph! But the menu? All characters. The adventure begins.
- 1:30 PM - Dumpling Delirium: Oh.My.God. These dumplings! Steaming, juicy, and bursting with flavor. This is what I came for. The language barrier? Irrelevant. The sheer joy of the food transcends all understanding. I eat about four times more than I thought possible.
- 3:00 PM - Metro Misadventures: Tackling the Shanghai Metro. It's a beast (in a good way). Clean, efficient, and… dizzying. Figuring out which line to take took me an embarrassingly long time, but hey, I got there. (Eventually.)
- 4:00 PM - Nanjing Road Walkabout (and Existential Dread): Nanjing Road. Crowded. Blinding neon lights. A sensory overload in the best possible way. The sheer volume of people is overwhelming. I feel tiny. Lost. Intrigued. A small shop selling weird hats calls out to me. I buy one. Regret it immediately. Still wore it, though.
- 6:00 PM - Temple Exploration: A tiny, incredibly beautiful temple tucked away from the crowds. A sudden stillness enveloped me. A moment of peace, and I feel a little bit more in love with this city.
- 7:30 PM - Dinner Disaster and Delivery Drama: Found this amazing little place online. Got completely lost on the way. Gave up and ordered some instant noodles from the nearby convenience store.
- 9:00 PM - Attempted Sleep and the Air Conditioning Wars: Back at the Hanting. The AC is either a raging arctic blast or a gentle whisper. Finding the sweet spot is a daily struggle. Finally, sleep.
Day 2: The Bund and a Brush with Culture (and a Dodgy Taxi)
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast Brain Fog: The hotel breakfast is… functional. I load up on lukewarm coffee and questionable pastries. Feeling under-caffeinated and slightly disoriented.
- 9:00 AM - The Bund Beckons: The Bund! Iconic Shanghai. The view is breathtaking. The buildings are magnificent. Taking photos like a tourist, because, well, I am a tourist. The Huangpu River, a shimmering ribbon of water.
- 10:30 AM - Taxi Troubles (and a Lesson in Negotiation): Hail a taxi. The driver doesn't speak English. He takes me on the scenic route, which, it turns out, means the most expensive route. I try my best to communicate via gestures and the translation app, but it's a frustrating battle. I overpay and accept defeat. A grumpy lesson in taxi etiquette.
- 12:00 PM - Yu Garden and Its Tangled Beauty: Crowded. Beautiful. The intricate architecture is stunning. Getting lost in the maze of alleyways and shops part of the fun. Bought an antique tea set. It’s probably worth nothing, but I love it.
- 2:00 PM - Tea Time Terror! (and a Gloriously Messy Food Adventure): Found a tiny teahouse near Yu Garden. Ordered tea I could not identify. The server smiled politely as I struggled to understand the menu. It was… interesting. Kind of awful, but fascinating. A total immersion in local flavors.
- 3:30 PM - Fabric Market Frenzy (and a Bargaining Battle Royale): The fabric market. A chaotic, overwhelming, and utterly fantastic place. I needed a silk scarf. Bargaining is serious business here. I start off timid. End up yelling prices across tables. Got a great deal (or so I think!).
- 5:00 PM - Relaxation and Reflectations: Back to the hotel for an hour of relaxation. Contemplating on the day, the smells, the people and the general feeling is one more adventure I’ve ever had.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner Downtown and Disasters: Attempting dinner the fancy restaurant. Trying new things. Regretting trying some of them things. Deciding on a cheap bowl of noodles.
- 8:00 PM - Pre-sleep reflections and plan for tomorrow: Planning for tomorrow, what to do, what not to do.
- 9:00 PM - Lights out!
Day 3: Art, Adventures, and Maybe, Just Maybe, Some Sanity
- 8:00 AM - The usual hotel breakfast, with a hint of hopeful optimism: This time, I attempt to order something new. Success! (Sort of).
- 9:00 AM - M50 Creative Park: Art. The colorful chaos of M50 is a welcome distraction. The galleries, the graffiti, the energy – it’s a breath of fresh air. I find a piece of art I love. Can’t afford it. Sigh.
- 11:00 AM - Back street exploration: Wandering. Getting lost. Finding hidden gems. The unplanned adventures are often the best.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at a local eatery: Trying the local food. The flavors are intense, and the portions are gigantic. I'm learning to pace myself.
- 2:30 PM - The Shanghai Museum (and a Culture Crush): The Shanghai Museum! Amazing. The bronze collection blew me away. My brain feels full. My feet hurt.
- 5:00 PM - People watching: Finding a nice cozy place to sit and observe the locals.
- 6:00 PM - Last dinner. The best dinner: The meal is not what I expected. The food. The view. The company. Nothing is the same.
- 8:00 PM - Last night stroll: Trying to absorb every last memory of Shanghai's sparkling lights, bustling streets, and the subtle hum of a city that never sleeps.
- 9:00 PM - Packing + Preparing for departure: Packing. Trying to stuff all my souvenirs into my suitcase. Feeling sentimental. Feeling exhausted. Feeling… changed.
So, that's it. My Shanghai adventure. Messy. Imperfect. Glorious. It’s not the ‘perfect’ itinerary, but it’s my itinerary. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go find some instant noodles… and maybe a nap. Good luck with your own adventure! And remember, embrace the mess. It's where the magic happens.
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Shanghai Hongqiao Hotel: FAQ (and a Few Rants!)
Is the location *really* as good as they say? Hongqiao Airport and train station are right there, right?
Okay, let's be real. The location is practically insane. They're not exaggerating! I'm talking 'get off the plane, practically roll into your room' levels of convenience. Hongqiao Airport? Like, a 5-minute taxi ride, tops. The train station? Barely a stumble away. (Though, quick tip: make sure you flag down a legit taxi. Don't get scammed by the guys lurking outside, they're predators!)
I remember one time, I was racing to catch a connecting flight after a truly disastrous business meeting. I landed, sprinted out of the airport, jumped in a cab, and BAM! Checked in before I even had time to fully process the meeting's awfulness. Pure. Undiluted. Bliss. That's a good location for you. That's the kind of life I want.
What are the rooms like? Modern? Spacious? Do they have decent views?
Rooms are... well, let's call them "functional chic." They're not the Ritz. Don't go expecting a chandelier and a butler. They're clean, perfectly adequate, and usually have everything you need. Think well-worn but well-cared-for. The views, though? Ah, the views. Depends. Some rooms face the runway (yay for plane spotting!), others face the city (less exciting, but still, Shanghai!).
I had one room with a view that was, and I'm not kidding, primarily of a giant brick wall. Like, *right* outside my window. I’m not sure what building it was supposed to be, but it wasn’t the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. It added a strange, almost claustrophobic, vibe to the experience. I requested a change the next day. They were very accommodating, thankfully. And I got a better view. So, always ask!
Is the food any good? Breakfast options? Any recommendations for restaurants nearby?
The hotel breakfast is…serviceable. Think your standard international buffet fare. Plenty of options, but nothing that'll blow your mind. Personally, I always hit the dim sum station. It's a classic, and honestly, a pretty good start to the day. (The congee is comforting, too, especially after a long flight.)
Nearby restaurants? Okay, listen up. Getting around, a taxi ride or using Didi is the only way in the sprawling, modern metropolis. There's a decent mall nearby with a ton of options, from fast food to slightly fancier places. But if you're feeling adventurous, venture out a *little* further, and try to find a local noodle shop. Those are where the real magic happens. Warning though: language barriers can be fun/challenging, bring a translation app!
What's the vibe of the hotel? Is it a party place? Quiet and business-y?
Definitely more business-y than party. Lots of people in suits, a steady stream of luggage being wheeled around, and a general air of efficiency. It's definitely NOT a place to come if you're expecting a wild weekend. More like a place to get some solid sleep before a big meeting or a flight out.
One funny anecdote, I remember staying there during a huge technology conference. The lobby was absolutely swarming with people wearing lanyards and talking in a rapid-fire, business jargon language that went straight over my head. It was like being in a weird, tech-fueled alien movie. I just tried really hard to avoid eye contact and sneak to my room. It's got a specific energy, a specific...business-y energy.
Any issues with noise, given its proximity to the airport and train station?
Okay, this is IMPORTANT. Yes, there's noise. It's inevitable. Planes taking off and landing. Trains whooshing past. The occasional construction noise (because, Shanghai). However, the windows are generally *decent* at blocking it out. But, light sleepers beware: bring earplugs. Or be prepared to channel your inner zen master.
What are the staff like? Friendly? Helpful?
The staff are generally very friendly and helpful, although, as with anywhere, your experience may vary. Language barriers are a thing. Not everyone speaks fluent English. A little patience and a smile go a long way. They try hard, and usually do a fantastic job. I've had countless interactions there, and most were positive, and genuinely kind.
I had a situation where I accidentally locked myself out of my room at 3 AM. I was exhausted, jet-lagged, and more than a little bit frazzled. The night staff were absolute angels. One even offered me a cup of hot tea while they sorted things out. It was a small gesture, but it completely saved me from descending into a full-blown melt-down. So, yes, the staff often go above and beyond.
Would you recommend this hotel overall? Any final thoughts?
Absolutely! If you need convenient access to the airport and train station, this is a no-brainer. It's clean, comfortable, and the staff are generally great. It's not the most glamorous hotel in Shanghai, but it's reliable and efficient. The location is king. Literally, the *king* of convenience.
My final thought? Embrace the chaos. Shanghai is a wonderfully overwhelming city. And this hotel is a good base camp for exploring it. Just pack some earplugs, a sense of adventure, and you'll be just fine!
