Shanghai: East or West, hotel questions, & airport choices - FlyerTalk Forums (2024)

AJLondon

Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: Asia

Programs: Yes!

Posts: 15,512

I'm going to be visiting Shanghai (first time) for 3-4 days in March. So

-Which is the better part to stay in Shanghai: East or West. From a first-time tourist perspective. I want to be close (ideally walking distance) to the major sightseeing/shopping areas.

My main hotel programs are SPG(Plat) and IC (Royal Amb). So the obvious hotel choices appear to be:
- Westin (US 210)
- St Regis (US 275)
- Intercontinental (US 220)
From what I can tell from a map, the Westin appears to be in the west (no pun intended ) in the HuangPu? area. Is this the area where all the touristy sightseeing/shopping stuff is... And is it walkable from the Westin.

Other hotels I think that are quite close to this area (Nanjing Road? ) are:
-Sofitel Hyland Hotel (US 130)
-Four Seasons Hotel (US 230)
-Hilton Hotel (US 180)
Any suggestions or recommendations among these and how they would compare to the Westin both in terms of service and location...

Is it worth it to stay 2 nights in the Huangpu area and another 2 in the Pudong area?

- Also I'll be flying in to Shanghai from Beijing on Air China. So I have an option to fly into either SHA or PVG. Any particular preference? (I'll be leaving the mainland from PVG). How much would a cab cost from the airport to the hotel. And what about the cost of pre-arranged hotel transport.

Also any tips for shopping areas would be much appreciated, although I'm sure I'll regret asking about this on my return

Thanks a ton,

cheers
AJ

Chapel Hill Guy

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: Chapel Hill, NC - UA Nobody (sigh)/0.925MM, HHonors Diamond

Posts: 3,510

Just returned a couple of weeks ago on my first trip. For tourist stuff, stay in the West (Puxi), not Pudong. We flew into PVG and stayed at the Hilton, which is showing its age a bit but still OK. Sichuan restaurant there is excellent. Cab cost maybe $15 or so. SHA is closer to Hilton, so would cost less. I wouldn't bother staying in Pudong, but that's just me. Bund, French Concession, Old Town, etc. are all in Puxi.

FYI, and I may get flamed for this, but I have very mixed feelings about Shangahi. There's really not that much to see, the pollution is terrible, and the shopping isn't that great (unless you want to shop at, e.g., Lacoste or The Gap, that you can find in any big city). Shopping in Old Town was mostly junky tourist stuff. Went to the clothing market in the French Concession and the touts there are worse than Kowloon in HKG. Copy watch? DVDs? Purses?

Go to the Club Jin Mao in the Grand Hyatt in Pudong for dinner and the view. 86th floor. Ask for a window table.

Sure Shanghai is big, but my 16-year-old said it reminded him of Pittsburgh and in a lot of ways I agree (and my son speaks a bit of Mandarin). It's gritty that way and I think requires an insider to reveal its charms. Lots of lights at night with a great skyline, but I much prefer HKG and BKK. Just IMHO.

Have fun!

Last edited by Chapel Hill Guy; Jan 16, 2005 at 8:19 pm

miizzles

Join Date: Feb 2004

Location: Maryland

Posts: 196

Puxi is, by definition, in the west.

Chapel Hill Guy

Join Date: Dec 2003

Location: Chapel Hill, NC - UA Nobody (sigh)/0.925MM, HHonors Diamond

Posts: 3,510

Yes, I am directionally challenged. OP edited.

NorthOrSouth

Join Date: Sep 2004

Location: UK

Programs: HH Diamond, IHG Spire, Marriott Titanium, BA Silver, FB Explorer

Posts: 995

1. Which is the better part to stay in Shanghai: East or West.

We stayed in Pudong (Shangri La) and while it's close to some tourist attractions, it felt a bit out of the way. For location I think I'd go for the Westin. There are some really good restaurants walkable from there. Otherwise your idea of 2 nights in one and then 2 nights in another is a good one.

2. Where to fly into?

I'd fly into PVG. ALthough it's further from the city it's more westernised. Flying into SHA first time in China will be more of a culture shock. Not sure of the cost from PVG though as we flew out of there but took the Maglev for the experience (not much quicker than the cab though as you have to take a cab to where it starts).

3. Also any tips for shopping areas would be much appreciated.

The French Concession is the best shopping area though if you're going to buy Western products (eg. fashion) they won't really be cheaper.

(Sorry for the quick post as I'm actually heading to the airport this morning! Hope it helps.)

moondog

Join Date: Dec 2000

Location: Shanghai

Posts: 42,861

xiangyang (襄阳) is the local fake market and is very popular with tourists. personally, i prefer the boutiques to the north on shanxi road (a little more expensive, but less crowded and higher quality). if you're looking for antiques, there is an antique district near the bund, and another on hongmei road in gubei (the latter specializes in furniture). ime shanghai's antique prices are much higher than other places in china (beijing, guangzhou, qingdao)

AJLondon

Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: Asia

Programs: Yes!

Posts: 15,512

Firstly, thanks a heap for the advice everyone. ^ ^ It is much appreciated.

So based on the above, I shall stay in the Puxi area. According to my guidebook the the main pedestrianized shopping/sight-seeing area is the Nanjing Dong Lu ??. So based on this the Puxi area hotel shortlist is

-Westin at US210 (incl exec club benefits due to Plat)
-Sofitel Hyland at US130 (incl bf)
-Four Seasons at US230 (incl bf)
-Portman Ritz Carlton at US260(with bf) OR US300(with full club level)

Now does anyone have any experiences in these properties...
Am I correct in assuming that all of the above are within 20 minutes walk of this (Nanjing Dong Lu) area?
And is the Sofitel really as good as the Westin? (both classified by expedia as 4*) Any experiences with this property? I've never stayed at an Accor Hotel. It does seem to have the best location as well as a remarkably low rate.
Any recommendations out of the four, given the different rates...

cheers
AJ

moondog

Join Date: Dec 2000

Location: Shanghai

Posts: 42,861

my thoughts:

-the sofitel is a dump (significantly worse than the other properties mentioned)
-nanjing road pedestrian street is making a revival, but still isn't all that
-you should be able to get into the portman for MUCH less than that because it is out of vogue. i know one company that has a corporate rate in the low 100s
-why isn't the jw marriott on your list?

mosburger

Join Date: Oct 2004

Location: Asia/Europe

Programs: CX, OZ, MU (+AY, DL), Shangri-La, Hilton

Posts: 7,236

AJLondon

Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: Asia

Programs: Yes!

Posts: 15,512

Thank You! Much appreciated. ^

because it wasn't mentioned in my guide book (Frommer's China).
I have checked out the web rates and the lowest one is US250 (room only).

That would be a good deal. Is a similar rate available online anywhere?

cheers
AJ

moondog

Join Date: Dec 2000

Location: Shanghai

Posts: 42,861

i just emailed a friend about the portman for you. i will let you know when he replies.

no, you'll never find rates like that online, but you can occasionally negotiate your way into the same ballpark if bookings are light and the manager is feeling generous.

i think you should be able to get the jw marriott for closer to 150. it probably wasn't in your guidebook because it is one of the newest hotels in shanghai.

AJLondon

Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: Asia

Programs: Yes!

Posts: 15,512

Thanks moondog. :-: :-: :-: Greatly appreciate your help!

If you are free one evening when I am in Shanghai, then drinks are on me!
Maybe even at the R-C Club if I'm lucky.

KosraeTV

Join Date: Nov 2004

Location: Current Micronesian, Ex Buckeye....

Programs: All My $$$ Went to CO (Plat) with a Lifetime PClub membership that got degraded to United crap...

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I'll second this, I had a terrible experience at sofitel. While I normally stay in Pudong I did have a good stay at the Westin. However there are many very good hotels in SH. I would have to say that internet rates are always extremely high and have always received better rates there in person or having a local make the arrangements.

KosraeTV

Join Date: Nov 2004

Location: Current Micronesian, Ex Buckeye....

Programs: All My $$$ Went to CO (Plat) with a Lifetime PClub membership that got degraded to United crap...

Posts: 2,089

Excellent Suggestion ^ SH is getting expensive (for PRC's standards) IMO. Suzhou was an excellent get away for me.

SanDiego1K

Join Date: Oct 2000

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