More about Le Royal Meridien Shanghai
Gorgeous but price varies
by TripAdvisor Member ladyesq
We stayed at this hotel for 3 nights in February 2007 at only $100USD per night (which we found through a Hong Kong based travel agent from a website that is the equivalent to those online hotel discount websites based in the U.S., which had it at $200USD per night. The hotel room was large, clean, very modern and definitely a bargain for the $100 per night. View from the floor to ceiling windows was great (despite the cloudy weather). Housekeeping needs were fufilled very quickly upon a phone call, the front desk staff are professional, proficient and friendly. Location of the hotel is very good. It's true you need a different set of elevators to go to the rooms, but there is always someone there to direct you to the right set of elevators and it isn't rocket science. We had a tour guide and car for the three days so cannot comment on proximity to mass transit. Hotel restaurants seemed overpriced and never were clear as to whether the 15% "service charge" was considered gratuity for the waiter or not.
Minor flaws, but overall a great stay!
by TripAdvisor Member pandagoldman
Stayed here for 4 nights in early March on business. Hotel is ultra-modern and very beautiful. Rooms are immaculate and the beds are other-worldly. Location on Nanjing Rd. is prime.
Only a few minor flaws: The lobby is located on the 11th floor and rooms are located on 20 - 65. However, the trip to your room could require 3 separate elevator rides depending on your location. The shower head placement is awkward in some bathrooms and there are just too many greeters (perhaps some will like the extra attention).
Overall, this was a wonderful hotel and a great springboard for our exploration into Shanghai. They also arranged a great tour of Shangha for us.
Great Hotel
by TripAdvisor Member 1connection
I've stayed at numerous hotels in Shanghai over the last few years from the Grand Hyatt, The Westin and The Portman Ritz Carlton, and the LMR is truly top of list. I'm a business traveler and this hotel not only caters to the globetrotting businessman but would also be a fantastic hotel for a holiday get-away or leisure traveler.
The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of the Bund right on Nanjing Rd and adjacent to the People's Park. There are three subway stops nearby; one within about a 100 yard walk from the entrance to the hotel. In terms of location this hotel is very well the best situated in the area from my perspective. Outside of the hotel lobby are several restaurants and cafes including a Subway.
The hotel itself can be summed up by one word: Grand. The lifts were not as confusing as some previous reviews indicate although there are not a set of elevators that serve all floors. The rooms were extremely functional, contemporary and pleasant. The windows span one entire wall of the room and are floor to ceiling which when paired with a room on the east side of the hotel give a wonderful view of Nanjing Road, the Bund and even PuDong. Rooms contain large plasma televisions, rainforest showers, extremely comfortable beds and efficient desks which face the large window.
There are several restaurants in the hotel. I enjoyed the breakfast buffet served in the all-day dining restaurant adjacent to the main lobby. My favorite restaurant in the hotel is an Italian restaurant called Favola. I ate dinner there four nights of my trip, and given my knowledge of Shanghai and great eateries, this is a fantastic accolade to the staff, the food and the ambiance of the restaurant. I actually enjoyed staying in at the hotel. They have great leg of lamb and have a great selection of flat crust pizzas. While the wine list was sufficient, I was a bit surprised that they lacked what I would describe medium priced wines. They had a lot of choices sub-$100 and many listings +$500, not a lot in between which surprised me for such a great hotel. The staff at the restaurant is why I returned so many nights in a row. They were quick, responsive and extremely cordial. I had many great conversations with the wait staff as well as the hostess.
The hotel also has a very nice spa and fitness center. While I did not use the spa, I did take a tour and based on appearances it reminded me of the spa at the Westin Hotel in Shanghai. The fitness center was great, clean and kept at a pleasing temperature which is something that many hotels do not pay attention to. They have a very nice lap pool; bring your goggles, they don't have any to rent and it will set you back $30 to purchase a pair. At the top of the hotel is a three story bar that offers amazing 360 views of Shanghai. It’s a great place to kick back with a drink and a cigar after a long day at the office or visiting business partners.
Pros:
- Great staff and friendly, efficient rooms with great beds.
- Well decorated.
- Great location in PuXi
- Favola restaurant and the fitness center.
Cons:
- Buffet was a little expensive for someone who eats a small breakfast. There is a coffee shop adjacent to the main lobby entrance to the hotel if your breakfast is a simple coffee and bagel or muffin.
- It can be inconvenient at times to have to use different sets of elevators to move about the hotel from the main entrance up to the 65th floor. My recommendation is to use the same sets of elevators during your whole stay.
Great hotel, excellent location - the place to stay in Shangahi
by TripAdvisor Member olimaspecto
Stayed here on my second trip to Shangahi (last time stayed at Westin Bund Center). Very happy overall with the hotel. It's in an excellent location downtown close to the subway and other major attractions.
Since I'm a Platinum member with Starwood was upgraded to a suite on arrival on the 56th floor with great views of Shanghai and Tomorrow Square. Room was more like a Junior Suite than a suite, since the bedroom wasn't walled off but it was still very nice. TV did a nice swivel thing that rotated it 180 degrees from bed viewing to living area viewing. Bathroom was nice and updated with a very large shower and jacuzzi tub.
I had access to the lounge and it was nice, though food spread was a bit disappointing for what I has experienced at other Starwood top tier hotels, but still great.
Staff was excellent and extremely accommodating. A bellboy even walked with my partner over to a tailor about 15 minutes away to get his pants hemmed and translated. Very helpful and very genuinely nice people.
I would definitely stay here again, though its a tough choice between Le Royal Meridien, St. Regis and Westin Bund.
Private holidays in the centre of Shanghai
by TripAdvisor Member Michael1975
I stayed here beginning April, 5 for 5 nights.
For the additional comfort of the Royal Club Lounge located on floor 44 and personal Butler service I decided for a Royal Club room.
The service is top-end and I enjoyed this stay very much.
Because of 138 Royal Club rooms they offer a good breakfast with a lot of different choices at the spacious Royal Club Lounge.
I missed a bit a typical chinese breakfast. The buffet breakfast was a typical french Meridien breakfast and I missed the local influence.
From 5.30 pm to 8 pm they offer a Cocktail hour with warm and cold snacks, pastries and chocolates. There is also a good beverage presentation offering international vines, Moet&Chandon Champagne, Cognac, Cocktails...
Personal Butler service includes packing and unpacking of clothes, personal wake-up call with coffee at your room and concierge services. There are also computers with free internet access at this lounge. During the day, they offer beverage service with coffee or tea and non-alcoholic drinks.
The room itself is spacious (38 sqm.) with open bathroom and separate toilet.
The location is the best for tourists because it is directly on the most famous shopping street, Nanjing Road.
I tried "Ai Mei" Restaurant for chinese meals and "Allure" for French gourmet cuisine. At chinese restaurant, prices are on a lower level with very good value for money.
The french restaurant is upscale, more personal service and, of course, higher prices than the chinese restaurant.
The bar is located on three top floors with panoramic views and a good choice of Martini cocktails.
It was a memorable stay for me and I highly recommend this modern, french style and very luxurious hotel.
Great location, good hotel facilites, only fair service
by TripAdvisor Member CHM1
Stayed here the first time though passed by last October. Location is excellent: at the start of Nanjing Pedestrain Street and the edge of People's Square. Close to Subway stations, and taxis are not too difficult to come by. Hotel is still very new (opened in Sept 2006?), so facilities are in good shape. Rooms are fair in size, though I find the room at the JW Marriott (similar skyscraper across the Square) bigger. 42" LCD is a nice touch. Bathroom is now an area within the room, without formal partition. Shower and bathtub are combined into one compartment, with "rainfall-type" shower, and a DEEP and LONG tub (VERY nice touch). The "compartment" is only separated with the living area by a glass, so you could be fully visible to whoever's in the room (don't worry, there's a curtain should you want more privacy). Toilet is in another compartment. I personally prefer the bathroom be in a completely separated room. Private business IS private business, afterall. I got a so-so view of the Square on a lower floor, but views from the high floors are excellent, as I checked out from the 66th floor bar/lounge.
Service quality is so-so. Always got this sort of poor attitude from Chinese hotels. That was especially evident from the Concierge and the service people at the lobby restaurant.
Lift arrangement is also a hassle. It always seems to be a bit confusing which lift goes where.
But with all that taken into account, considering the location and the quality of the facility, it was a great price I paid. Cheaper than JW Marriott / Westin / Ritz-Carlton.
Simply the best!
by TripAdvisor Member Travel Richly
Though it has only been open just over 6 months, Le Royal Meridien must be the premier hotel in Shanghai. It is big (and tall at 66 storeys), beautiful and perfectly located. And incredibly for such a young hotel, the staff are almost uniformly efficient and friendly.
The rooms are gorgeous and functional (though a few more drawers would have been nice) and the views incomparable.
The spa and fitness center are world class.
The main restaurant buffet is excellent but the restaurant that will be winning awards is Allure (French cuisine).
I can't think of anything that is wrong with this hotel!
Now in full swing
by TripAdvisor Member HKG852
I have stayed in this hotel twice now.
First in nov, second in apr.
In november i was only there for a day, hotel rooms and amenities are better than can be inspected.
U dont have to ask for things to be sent to room such as iron and ironing board, umbrella etc.
Deco and design make this hotel look stunning. 42inch tv is very nice. As is the bathtub and rainshower...
Staff were very confused in november, but not suprising considering the hotel just opened. Seems to have changed now, my check in was efficient and staff were helpful and willing to talk.
I headed back to the westin after my nov visit but after this visit the meridien is my hotel of choice
My Suggestions
Business travelers: Get a royal club room. If u are meeting anyone for business you can use their 8 person meeting rooms in the club floor for 2 hours complimentary.
Long Stay: standard rooms seem a little small unless if your in and out. executive suite are a nice and comfortable size.
Top of the Line
by A TripAdvisor Member
This top of the line hotel, a few blocks from the riverfront Bund area, did not disappoint. Our club level room on the 55th floor provided a magnificent view of the city lights (through the smog) and was perfectly appointed. We couild not have asked for better service from the attentive staff. Breakfast each morning on the 44th floor club level provided another perspective of the city skyline. The open bar and hors d'oevres available each afternoon made the extra expense a bargain, if that word can be used in connection with a hotel of this caliber. We did negotiate a significant price concession for 3 rooms over a 4-night stay.
We found the dim sum restaurant at the hotel to have a huge variety of dishes for lunch. An evening meal at the top rated M on the Bund, a rooftop restaurant, left us disappointed. We much preferrred Ye Shanghai in the French concession area--a sort of Georgetown in China, where the massive construction underway throughout the city does not intrude.
The staff has some difficulty with English, but the government's recent emphasis on English in the schools should help with this problem over the next several years. We were surprised to find the computers for Internet access were using apparently unauthorized versions of the Windows operating system. Overall, a great stay.
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