Shanghai Hotels

Shanghai Hotel Reviews

Although China has become a hot destination for leisure travelers, Shanghai's stature as China's business capital means that its hotels still cater primarily to business clientele and can be divided into two categories: modern Western-style hotels that are elegant and nicely appointed; or hotels built during the city's glory days, which became state-run after 1949. The latter may lack great service, modern fixtures, and convenient facilities, but they often make up for it in charm, tradition, history, and value.

Judging by the number of five-star and Western chain hotels now in Shanghai, the city has proven just how grandly it has opened to the outside world. The Grand Hyatt, JW Marriott, Westin, Portman Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis aren't merely hotels; they're landmarks on the Shanghai skyline and standard-bearers for all lodgings in town. Even the historic properties that make up the other half of Shanghai's hotel market feel the pressure to update their rooms and facilities. And as Shanghai speeds up its preparations for the World Expo in 2010, newcomers, like the Conrad, Jumeirah, and Park Hyatt, are setting the bar even higher with their ultramodern settings and top-notch service. This increasing competition means there are bargains to be had, especially during the low season from November through March. Avoid traveling during the three national holidays—Chinese New Year (mid-January to mid-February), Labor Day (May 1), and National Day (October 1)—when rooms and prices will be at a premium.

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