Shanghai Hotel - Shanghai, China 

I have stayed at dozens of different hotels in Shanghai and across China, and have stayed at The Shanghai Hotel several times over the past few years. Before the hotel had some irritations for me - minor, but they were there. The staff had previously seemed cold and aloof; the breakfast was mediocre and if I had a problem then the staff's English seemed to disappear. This hotel is one of several in Shanghai managed by Shanghai Jin Jiang International (Group) Company Limited, and has been for some years. Now I am personally convinced that there has been a change of management in this company, and that international management has been brought in. My reasons for saying this are twofold: one, the standard of printed English in the new hotel literature in the rooms is exemplary, the best I have ever seen in China and as far as I am concerned is wordperfect. Second, the transformation in the standard of the hotel is huge. The staff are helpful and pleasant, the duty manager especially went out of his way to help a member of my group who left a cash card in the atm at reception. The breakfast is great, and there are far fewer bored and disinterested staff shuffling about trying to find something to do. I also noticed on this visit to Shanghai that the Peace Hotel, also managed by the same group, has now been closed - not before time! I look forward to it being refurbished and reopening 'under new management'! The Shanghai Hotel has also revamped and improved its business centre, and also had signs pointing to a swiming pool (although I didn't visit this). Also, the improvements here have not resulted in a massive price hike - not yet anyway.

Location was not the greatest, but taxis are cheap. We tried to walk back from the Pu Dong but ended up getting a taxi. Breakfast was nice. Rooms looked a bit tired & bathroom floor stained. Luggage took ages to come up & when i tried to get it off the trolley myself the porters insisted on delivering it themselves.