We're trying to plan a week in Shanghai during April or May. Interested in JW Marriott, Westin, Four Seasons. I've been getting horrendously expensive prices--$300-$400--on both hotel web sites and brokers.
The lowest price I get for Marriott is 1680 + for one April weekend and then it goes into the stratosphere! I would really like the Marriott because it looks to have a super location. I have found a price of $217 + for 4 Seasons for 10 consecutive days in April. I love 4 Seasons Hotels, but will the location be poor? The best price available at the Westin is $277.13, also only one weekend. I don't want to move around. Does anyone have suggestions for web sites I'm missing. One thought I had was booking the Marriott for the 3 nights and then asking for an extension with perhaps lower rates. Has anyone done this?

For Labor Day week--May 1 to 9, I'm getting good rates (by comparison) $247.35 at the Westin. How crowded is Shanghai during this period?

Any suggestions will be much appreciated

In Bologna,Italy, when booking with the Baglioni hotel, I asked for an extension of the weekend rate for two more days and the hotel agreed to it. I was amazed. I really wouldn't count on the JW Marriott doing it if it is close to capacity. We stayed at the JW Marriott in Shanghai in September and were unable to locate a "deal", though I really tried. I attempted to extend the weekend rate and but they had no interest in negotiating, especially since they were full. We did like the hotel and its location.

Marija--thanks for responding. Did you attempt to negotiate the weekend rate at the Marriott itself or with a phone reservationist? This hotel seems to be the flavor of the month.

For the Baglioni, I negotiated in e-mail with the hotel. For the Marriott I tried at check-in but I was immediately dismissed since they were full. They had all of the business they could handle.

when i just checked now on expedia.com, the westin shanghai in: may 01 out: may 09, deluxe room, they had an average of $218.88 per nite ($210 for the first 7 nites, $281 for the last nite), maybe you can have a look there.

Booking for 3 nights and asking for an extension is unlikely to work. 5* hotels in Shanghai are so full at times that it's difficult to get a room. The best rates as you've discovered are generally offered on weekends and holidays when business travelers stay home.

Have you tried the "Starwood" resorts website. I think it's www.starwood.com
If you become a member (which costs nothing) you can get some pretty sweet deals all over the world. St. Regis is another Starwood property in Shanghai and I hear it's pretty swanky.

CHL--Most hotels have low prices for 1st week in May because it's labor day holliday for China. Everyone has the week off & travel is very crowded.

tuxedocat--The St Regis looks beautiful but it is in Pudong. Most restaurants, shopping is in Puxi.

We just bought our tickets for Shanghai, May 8-23. Couldn't resist the $753.20 price on American, plus we have $200 vouchers, so we have the bargain fare of $553.20 with 15000 miles. We've booked Four Seasons at 1750 + weekends & 2200 + weekdays with breakfast. Will be scanning for better prices at the Marriott or Westin as we can cancel Four Seasons up to a day before. It's good to have something locked in.

Thanks to all who responded.