Shanghai Hotel Question
Apr 22nd, 2009, 08:34 PM
#22
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Enjoy the restaurant - the servers are very accommodating and even remember your personal preferences, etc. I prefer the LRM's buffet to the St. Regis'.
There's a whole - huge - ice cream self-serve. Sometimes I'd pay the 'just desserts' rate (coming from dinner out) and go crazy on the exotic toppings.
There's a whole - huge - ice cream self-serve. Sometimes I'd pay the 'just desserts' rate (coming from dinner out) and go crazy on the exotic toppings.
Apr 23rd, 2009, 11:43 AM
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I am jumping on this thread with another Shanghai hotel question. My husband is soon to be booked into a Japanese hotel in the French Concession area -- the Okura Gardens Hotel. Does anyone know it? Can you make any recommendations about room requests, dining in the hotel or the area, etc.? Thanks.
May 11th, 2009, 01:53 PM
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Marya: Regarding the Okura Gardens: I don't know much about the rooms but the Okura is in a great location in the French Concession. It's a classy looking more conservative style hotel from what I could see from the lobby. Try searching using Okura and you might find more info. I wrote some comments about it in the past and I believe someone added their insights.
SydneySteve: Regarding LRM - definitely stay there. Great location, nice rooms and if you can get the Bund view by all means take it. It's magical to watch the Bund light up each night. Also, if you are not a Starwood member, why not join today. It does not cost anything. I am not sure about this but I think you may even be able to buy 1000 starwood points for a small fee and then you can do what I did and use those 1000 points to get a deluxe room for 225/night. If you dig around a bit online I bet you might even find some intro offer to join starwood and get some points upfront for free. Check out whatever airline you use as there may be connections to starwood through them a well.
Hope that helps. If you search on my name or Shanghai you will find my detailed trip report.
SydneySteve: Regarding LRM - definitely stay there. Great location, nice rooms and if you can get the Bund view by all means take it. It's magical to watch the Bund light up each night. Also, if you are not a Starwood member, why not join today. It does not cost anything. I am not sure about this but I think you may even be able to buy 1000 starwood points for a small fee and then you can do what I did and use those 1000 points to get a deluxe room for 225/night. If you dig around a bit online I bet you might even find some intro offer to join starwood and get some points upfront for free. Check out whatever airline you use as there may be connections to starwood through them a well.
Hope that helps. If you search on my name or Shanghai you will find my detailed trip report.
May 11th, 2009, 05:17 PM
#26
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Starwoods is great. We've saved many thousands of dollars over the years. Points and cash give a great deal. In bangkok, we've stayed at the Royal Orchid Sheraton many times using points. Also, the Meridien Beach Resort in Phuket is a great deal.
May 12th, 2009, 06:51 AM
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I bought Starwood points and used them to book a deal at the Meridien in 2007. But I was NOT given a Bund view room. The price for those was quite a bit more. The view from the cheapest category of room, where I was, is not too shabby, either, although not as flabbergasting as the Bund view.
Nevertheless, I loved the hotel and will probably book there again for next year.
Marya: The Okura was the other hotel I considered, because it also has a great indoor pool. I took a look at it and it seemed very nice and also quite glossy; the pool is excellent. I would have no problem staying here; the location is superb! It cost more than the Meridien for my dates last time so I opted to pass.
Nevertheless, I loved the hotel and will probably book there again for next year.
Marya: The Okura was the other hotel I considered, because it also has a great indoor pool. I took a look at it and it seemed very nice and also quite glossy; the pool is excellent. I would have no problem staying here; the location is superb! It cost more than the Meridien for my dates last time so I opted to pass.
May 12th, 2009, 06:54 AM
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ekscrunchy on Dec 19, 06 at 01:54 PM
Shanghainese and John:
Thank you, thank you! I looked at the hotels you both suggested. The Ruijin Hotel seems really cool but the Okura Garden has a pool. The review in TimeOut stresses that the clientele is mostly Japanese and one review mentioned that the staff's English skills are not too great. But guess what? They are part of the Leading Hotels of the World and there is a deal where I think I can get a free night for every paid night (am planning to be in the city for 4 nights but can change my palns..) So here are more questions since you have been so forthcoming with information:
1. From the OkuraGarden can I walk easily to those interesting shops and lots of interesting places to eat? I know taxis are cheap but sometimes I just like to wander around on foot.
2. Would the analogy here be like staying in Times Square (Nanjing Road area) vs something like a Soho/Nolita/Village-type area (yes, I am from NYC)?
French Concession sounds more interesting...boutiques rather than chain shops.. I don't care about peace and quiet so much...it's Shanghai..and noise at night won't be an issue for me (these are things other people have mentioned in the reviews of various hotels..)
If shopping and eating is better in French Concession it seems like that would be the place for me to stay, no? Is that the area where I would find lots of expats?
Would love to hear from anyone who has stayed at Okura Garden..
Thanks so much..once I get there I know I will wonder what I made such a fuss about..the decision about the hotel is not going to make or break the trip, I realize...but still...
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twofortheroad on Dec 19, 06 at 02:24 PM
This web site is a walking tour of the French Concvession which includes the Okura and the area of Maoming Lu which Shanghainese mentioned: (enlarge the map):
http://www.toranahouse.com/French%20Concession%201.html
The Okura might well be the best solution and there is a subway line close by. Taxis will cost more to the Bund, but still will be reasonable. If you do the tour, don't miss Spin Ceramics. I could have walked out with everything.
Shanghainese and John:
Thank you, thank you! I looked at the hotels you both suggested. The Ruijin Hotel seems really cool but the Okura Garden has a pool. The review in TimeOut stresses that the clientele is mostly Japanese and one review mentioned that the staff's English skills are not too great. But guess what? They are part of the Leading Hotels of the World and there is a deal where I think I can get a free night for every paid night (am planning to be in the city for 4 nights but can change my palns..) So here are more questions since you have been so forthcoming with information:
1. From the OkuraGarden can I walk easily to those interesting shops and lots of interesting places to eat? I know taxis are cheap but sometimes I just like to wander around on foot.
2. Would the analogy here be like staying in Times Square (Nanjing Road area) vs something like a Soho/Nolita/Village-type area (yes, I am from NYC)?
French Concession sounds more interesting...boutiques rather than chain shops.. I don't care about peace and quiet so much...it's Shanghai..and noise at night won't be an issue for me (these are things other people have mentioned in the reviews of various hotels..)
If shopping and eating is better in French Concession it seems like that would be the place for me to stay, no? Is that the area where I would find lots of expats?
Would love to hear from anyone who has stayed at Okura Garden..
Thanks so much..once I get there I know I will wonder what I made such a fuss about..the decision about the hotel is not going to make or break the trip, I realize...but still...
#
twofortheroad on Dec 19, 06 at 02:24 PM
This web site is a walking tour of the French Concvession which includes the Okura and the area of Maoming Lu which Shanghainese mentioned: (enlarge the map):
http://www.toranahouse.com/French%20Concession%201.html
The Okura might well be the best solution and there is a subway line close by. Taxis will cost more to the Bund, but still will be reasonable. If you do the tour, don't miss Spin Ceramics. I could have walked out with everything.
May 12th, 2009, 03:38 PM
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I have a family member with a NYC frame of reference who is staying with colleagues at the Okura Garden Hotel this week. If you want to narrowly frame any questions, I will be happy to relay them to someone who is there now and report back the answers.
I do have a couple of photos of the hotel and the room taken upon first arrival a few days ago if you would like to see them -- they are not spectacular but will give you a very general sense of the property. He is staying on the 21st floor and included a photo of the view from the window. They all apparently had dim sum at a restaurant across the street called the Jade Garden and enjoyed it.
I do have a couple of photos of the hotel and the room taken upon first arrival a few days ago if you would like to see them -- they are not spectacular but will give you a very general sense of the property. He is staying on the 21st floor and included a photo of the view from the window. They all apparently had dim sum at a restaurant across the street called the Jade Garden and enjoyed it.
May 12th, 2009, 06:00 PM
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Okura Garden Hotel locates on the site of the old Jin Jiang Club, the hotel compound has ample space.
Jin Jiang Club was like Tavern on the green in NYC in the 50s & 60s, but it had more than just food.
Is location in Shanghai would be like the location of Ritz Carlton Hotel in Battery Park City, NYC. Being in the French Concession in Shanghai is not close by the waterfront at all.
Most blocks in Shanghai are big, zigzag and easy to get lost for newcomers.
From Okura Hotel, walking distance to the nearest Subway station is around 15-20 minutes.
To get a cab is easy, the coincerge will be helpful.
To get back to the hotel by cab would not be as easy though especially during the rush hours.
Shanghainese are aggressive to hail cabs on the street. Travellers have no competition with them.
Some tourist hotels have taxi stands, hotel coincerge are always helpful.
No matter which hotel in Shanghai tourist stay, they have to deal with the rush hour taxi issue though.
Jin Jiang Club was like Tavern on the green in NYC in the 50s & 60s, but it had more than just food.
Is location in Shanghai would be like the location of Ritz Carlton Hotel in Battery Park City, NYC. Being in the French Concession in Shanghai is not close by the waterfront at all.
Most blocks in Shanghai are big, zigzag and easy to get lost for newcomers.
From Okura Hotel, walking distance to the nearest Subway station is around 15-20 minutes.
To get a cab is easy, the coincerge will be helpful.
To get back to the hotel by cab would not be as easy though especially during the rush hours.
Shanghainese are aggressive to hail cabs on the street. Travellers have no competition with them.
Some tourist hotels have taxi stands, hotel coincerge are always helpful.
No matter which hotel in Shanghai tourist stay, they have to deal with the rush hour taxi issue though.
May 13th, 2009, 01:32 AM
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This place I plan oin trying on my next trip http://www.quintet-shanghai.com/house.html it looks nice and i am looking for a more home type of place when I stay next so I can keep going back to a similar environment.
Oh the taxi thing...plan you day around rush hour. I was stuck in the French Concession for 2 hours trying to get a taxi and having many stolen from me until I just got aggressive and made sure I jumped in first and out talked them. It was like NYC rush hour in the 80's! I did not know how to use the metro or where it was and was panicking to get back for a planned dinner meeting. We usually stay out past rush hour or leave well before.
Oh the taxi thing...plan you day around rush hour. I was stuck in the French Concession for 2 hours trying to get a taxi and having many stolen from me until I just got aggressive and made sure I jumped in first and out talked them. It was like NYC rush hour in the 80's! I did not know how to use the metro or where it was and was panicking to get back for a planned dinner meeting. We usually stay out past rush hour or leave well before.
May 13th, 2009, 03:35 AM
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Marya: Many thanks! I meant to answer your query with an old (2006) post that had some info on Okura Gardens--I should have posted the link instead.
But now that you have offered, I would like to know only how your family member likes the hotel and if he or she used the pool and had any comments. It appears to be within walking distance of some good restaurants..
But now that you have offered, I would like to know only how your family member likes the hotel and if he or she used the pool and had any comments. It appears to be within walking distance of some good restaurants..
May 13th, 2009, 06:00 AM
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The Okura Gardens Hotel sounds very pleasant. My on-site reporter thought that the Nanjing Lu/NYC Times Square analogy resonated, but he doesn't think that the OG's neighborhood feels at all like the Village or Soho. He couldn't quite pin it down -- sometimes saying Madison Avenue, other times speculating that it reminded him of parts of the West Side, so there is no useful comparison to be drawn from that.
The hotel's location sounds very convenient to restaurants, shops, and the subway. (Shanghai is apparently building many miles of subway and the system sounds user-friendly and well-run.) One can walk in the area -- they took a leisurely stroll back from Xintiandi that took about 25 minutes.
The hotel apparently has a very inviting large public space on the lobby floor where refreshments are served but he has been too busy working to enjoy it so all I can say is that it is there and would offer comfortable meeting space for you and your fellow-travelers. There are lovely "gardens" to justify the name. The bathrooms are to the high standard expected by Japanese guests. This is all very general but trending positive. My impression is that of a well-run 4 star hotel. He would stay there again.
If you have specific questions about the pool, let me know and I will ask. I recall an earlier exchange about water temperatures but forget your specific concerns.
The hotel's location sounds very convenient to restaurants, shops, and the subway. (Shanghai is apparently building many miles of subway and the system sounds user-friendly and well-run.) One can walk in the area -- they took a leisurely stroll back from Xintiandi that took about 25 minutes.
The hotel apparently has a very inviting large public space on the lobby floor where refreshments are served but he has been too busy working to enjoy it so all I can say is that it is there and would offer comfortable meeting space for you and your fellow-travelers. There are lovely "gardens" to justify the name. The bathrooms are to the high standard expected by Japanese guests. This is all very general but trending positive. My impression is that of a well-run 4 star hotel. He would stay there again.
If you have specific questions about the pool, let me know and I will ask. I recall an earlier exchange about water temperatures but forget your specific concerns.
May 23rd, 2009, 11:29 AM
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Here are a few comments on other people's notes above. Everyone's perspective is different though so it is always hard to pin down a description everyone would agree on. I hope this helps.
The French Concession is a relatively large area so it is hard to compare it to one part of NY or another. Parts have high-rises buildings but there are still large parts that are wonderful walking streets with only 2-4 story buildings. The shops vary a lot also. The Okura is in this lower rise building, leafy tree streets area. It is definitely not SOHO. And not really the same pace as Manhattan. It might be more like the Park Slope area of Brooklyn if I had to choose someplace. There are lots of trees and it just is not as modern looking as most of Manhattan is.
The Puxi area along Nanjing Lu and going toward the Bund is much more like Manhattan in volume and pace but I would also say it is nothing like Times Square partly because Nanjing is pedestrianized in this area. I would say that in this part of Puxi there are even more people on the streets than Manhattan during much of the day and on the weekend for sure but it's exciting, not overwhelming. We loved staying at the Meridian. The area is great fun with lots of energy. But we also thought if we return to Shanghai we might stay in the Okura or someone in the concession.
Regarding getting around: We walked from the Meridian on Nanjing all the way to the Okura. This is a long walk but definitely doable if you like walking. And although flagging down a cab is harder than it is in NY, it's not a big deal. Maybe someone not from a big U.S. city would be bothered by this, but I don't think a New Yorker would find this a big challenge. It may take a little time or require you to move your location a bit but hey, if you are not in a rush, just enjoy the process. I do agree that traveling by cab during rush hours can be discouraging as it takes so long but as someone else said, we just planned our day around rush hour so we rarely traveled during it unless we were walking. And cabs are super cheap. We considered taking the subway at times but if there are two people cab fares are just so cheap we just skipped the subway.
Enjoy your trip.
The French Concession is a relatively large area so it is hard to compare it to one part of NY or another. Parts have high-rises buildings but there are still large parts that are wonderful walking streets with only 2-4 story buildings. The shops vary a lot also. The Okura is in this lower rise building, leafy tree streets area. It is definitely not SOHO. And not really the same pace as Manhattan. It might be more like the Park Slope area of Brooklyn if I had to choose someplace. There are lots of trees and it just is not as modern looking as most of Manhattan is.
The Puxi area along Nanjing Lu and going toward the Bund is much more like Manhattan in volume and pace but I would also say it is nothing like Times Square partly because Nanjing is pedestrianized in this area. I would say that in this part of Puxi there are even more people on the streets than Manhattan during much of the day and on the weekend for sure but it's exciting, not overwhelming. We loved staying at the Meridian. The area is great fun with lots of energy. But we also thought if we return to Shanghai we might stay in the Okura or someone in the concession.
Regarding getting around: We walked from the Meridian on Nanjing all the way to the Okura. This is a long walk but definitely doable if you like walking. And although flagging down a cab is harder than it is in NY, it's not a big deal. Maybe someone not from a big U.S. city would be bothered by this, but I don't think a New Yorker would find this a big challenge. It may take a little time or require you to move your location a bit but hey, if you are not in a rush, just enjoy the process. I do agree that traveling by cab during rush hours can be discouraging as it takes so long but as someone else said, we just planned our day around rush hour so we rarely traveled during it unless we were walking. And cabs are super cheap. We considered taking the subway at times but if there are two people cab fares are just so cheap we just skipped the subway.
Enjoy your trip.
