Shanghai !
 

I'm planning a trip to Shanghai this coming November. How's cold in November ? Grand Hyatt or Rizt Calrton ? 4-5 days ? Local tour guide ?<BR>Any inputs would be greatly appreciated.<BR>Thank you.

ttt!

November can be cold in China but maybe not so much in Shangai, as it is pretty much south. I would recommend Ritz-Carlton, coz it is a very grand andbeautiful hotel and besides "Hard rock cafe" is right next to it, and it is centrally located around all the sight seeing places like galleries and museums. Hotel concierge can arrange wonderful Tour guides.

Alex,<BR>I can't comment on the Ritz Carlton because I've never been there, and maybe I just don't get it, but why on earth would you even consider proximity to a Hard Rock Cafe when choosing a hotel in China?<BR>I have been to the Grand Hyatt in Shanghai, and it's an awesome experience. This is a top-flight hotel, with a unique location (the lobby is on the 53rd floor of the 3rd tallest building in the world, and I believe the hotel extends up to the 88th floor). The view is amazing (particularly if you get a room with a view of the Bundt).

I stayed in Grand Hyatt as well last time and it does has a beautiful view there. Try their massage in their club, it's around US$50 for 45 mins which is not bad. Don't miss dining at M on the Bund. Make sure you make a reservation since it's very busy there. Their balcony has a good view overlooking The Bund.

Here's my take on your questions (I'm an American living in Shanghai):<BR><BR>* Weather: It can be really cold in Shanghai in November - the average temp is 45 - 61F.<BR>* Hotel: If you're set on one of the two, I'd pick the Ritz. The Grand Hyatt is a FABULOUS hotel, with incredible rooms (and is definately worth a dinner visit), but is on the "wrong" side of the river, in Pudong. There was only farmland in Pudong 5 years ago, and now it's a network of skyscrapers with no little shops around (not like a typical downtown area - it's just the skyscrapers). Staying there, you can't just pop out of your hotel and go for a walk around an interesting old neighborhood to get a feel for daily life in China. You will also have to take a taxi and go through the tunnel to get to any of the tourist destinations - traffic is often so bad that it can take you 30 minutes just to cross to the other side of the river. The Ritz, on the other hand, is right in the heart of town, so you can find interesting neighborhoods within a few minutes. I'd recommend the Peace hotel on the Bund (less luxurious since it's an older hotel, but beautiful Art Deco lobby, and wonderful historical significance, and it's also close to good walking around areas). Another good choice is the Hilton, again not as nice as the Ritz or Hyatt, but closer to the French concession and good walking-around areas.<BR>* 4 - 5 days should be plenty; the best parts of Shanghai, in my opinion, are walking around the older neighborhoods (it's not like Beijing, for which you're likely to have a very long list of specific sights to go see). <BR>* Local tour guide: A local guide might be useful for one day, but for the rest of the time, you'll probably have more fun if you explore on your own. Armed with directions to where you want to go from the hotel concierge (in Chinese) and a phrase book, you'll be able to explore the city and have a great time.<BR><BR>Good luck!