We stayed at the JC Mandarin when we were in Shanghai in 2005. Unfortunately, my travel agent doesn't deal with them anymore. We loved the location and the hotel. The travel agent suggested the Swissotel, but I'm not sure of the location. Also, I have some Marriott points and Hyatt points that I could use to keep the costs down. Any suggestions for other hotels to consider in that area that are nice?

Really, to find the location of a particular hotel couldn't possibly be easier. Go to http://maps.google.com and type 'Swissotel Shanghai' into the search box. QED.

In Shanghai I personally favour the Ritz-Carlton (Google maps again) for its service, and tower-top Grand Hyatt in Pudong, as well as the tower of the Shangri-La on that side. But there have been so many new openings in recent years, and which I haven't seen, there must be many better and newer choices than the much older JC Mandarin. Amongst these would probably be the Park Hyatt near the Grand Hyatt, in a tower even higher than that of the Grand, and which has received good notices.

Peter N-H

This is really good advice. We really enjoyed the area around the JC Mandarin for the shops, restaurants and things to see without needing transportation. I had heard that Pudong is more business related than for tourists. What is the area around the Hyatts like?

Broad, artificial, windy boulevards. Small museum on history of Shanghai nearby. But you're on the metro system, you're on the side that gives you the view of the Bund rather than the hideousness of Pudong itself, and you can also walk to the bank of the Huangpu and catch a ferry.

The Meridien across from People's Park is really nice. Lots of walkable sights. It's a Starwood Hotel and the cash and points deal is the best. Plus, right outside the back entrance, there will be ballroom dancres almost every morning.

I can second Gpanda's suggestion. We stayed at the Meridien in July and thought it was in a great location for sightseeing. There is a subway entrance just downstairs on the Nanjing Road. We enjoyed walking up and down the Nanjing road every evening.

We stayed at the JW Marriott in Tomorrow Square, right in People's Square. We were very happy with the location, services, food... Oh, the view is fantastic, the hotel starts on the 40th or 50th floor. The best part is it is within walking distance to our favorite hole in the wall restaurant, Yang's Fried Dumplings.

We will be staying there again in a month.

Pat

Pat, I'm jealous of your return trip! We loved Yang's Fried Dumplings. Also loved Jia Jia Tang Bao across the street!

I will have to give Jia Jia Tang Bao a try this time, heard many mentions here on that restaurant. The biggest challenge is to be so close to Yang's and not go in.

Pat

Just do what I did--go to both! For lunch one day, we went to Yang's and had an order, then went to Jia Jia and had more dumplings!

Of course, I am paying the price in the gym now, trying to get all those dumplings off....Ha!

Between Rick and I, we had 3 orders of the fried dumplings, maybe we will have 2 orders only and do both. I will ask them this time what kind of vinegar they use, it was soooooo gooooood. We went to Sparks Nevada for the bbq cook off this Labor Day weekend, I am working off the bbq now.

I've been to Shanghai three times. I like the People's Square location the most. This time I stayed at the Langham, and last time I was at the Marriott. I've also stayed at the International (?) Hotel, Okura Garden and Hyatt Jin Mao on the Pudong side.

Pat! We'll be in Shanghai next month too, if we can't catch up in the US, perhaps we'll catch up there. I'll be posting a GTG topic soon.

I think the vinegar is the black kind from Zhenjiang.

I agree, that vinegar is SO good! Thanks for telling us what kind it is, Shanghainese! Can you get it in the US?

Hope you have a good trip also! Eat some dumplings for me!

Hey Shanghainese, I will be in Shanghai from October 9th to 19th, then Beijing from the 19th to the 25th. Staying in JW Marriott in both places. I will have a laptop so I will be reading e-mail. Would be fun to catch up with you. My e-mail address is [email protected].

Pat

Florida1: In CA we get it at the Ranch 99 Market, which has opened in NV, WA and TX, there is black vinegar on Amazon.com but not from Zhenjiang.

Pat: Oh oh, we arrive in SHA on 10/19, give me a shout when you come north again, you still have my e-mail address? Also check out Wangjiashe near your hotel, the best chinese bakery in the city.

Dear Shanghainese, I had to replace my laptop (I dropped the old one on concrete floor) and lost all my contact e-mail addresses. Would you please e-mail me and give me yours? Thanks.

Rick will be up in Walnut Creek after we get back from China, I might go up with him. I will let you know if I do.

Pat

I loved The Westin and many of my friends who have stayed there also recommend it.