Le Royal M'Ridien Shanghai

As a business traveller i can easily say i am the pickiest person when it comes to luxury services. More importantly, i have stayed at the grand hyatt, portman, and westin including most recently royal meridien. hands down the merideien is the better hotel. At the portman i used the shanghai rooms which are renovated but the room feels 'restricted' due to low ceilings, also the bathroom was very small and the shower is poor. Westin is very nice but i must say that the executive suite i took was fantastic. nothing out of the ordinary but clean, nice bathroom and great sound insulation (which in other hotels may be a problem). Favola, the italian restaurant down is excellent but i would prefer the palladium at the portman. The lobby is a fresher approach and it very airy, not to mention the lightning service speed that is offered. The staff are surprisingly competent and have a good command of english. Also since they are a new hotel and wish to build on their client base, if you request an upgrade they will be more than pleased. The only drawback is the selection of food at the club lounge on the 44th floor, but the design and view is stunning. starwood hotels are picking it up another notch.

Excellent new hotel, well situated in the tourist heart of Shanghai. Super, modern rooms with spacious bathroom and picture window views over the city. Perfect location near Peoples' Square and Nanjing Boulevard. 10-15 minute walk to the Bund.

Breakfast in the room was efficiently delivered and of good quality. The restaurants and bars have good food but lack ambience--modern, open-plan but rather lacking in atmosphere. This is to be addressed shortly.

Overall, this is a great place to stay, especially if you can get a travel agent's discount.

I stayed at this hotel for 10 days in November with my husband. We were upgraded to Executive Suite upon arrival. We had a great view of People's Square at night from our room. It is a bit different form a traditional Le Royal Meridien in that the décor is quite modern.

Things I liked:

1.Convenient location - right next to a major shopping street

2.L'Occitane products

3.Free shoe shine service

4.Bar at 66th floor (although they pour waaaaay too little drink in big glasses)

5.Helpful staff

6.Pool with a great view

7.Ultra fast response to our various requests

Things I disliked:

1.Many cab drivers do not know how to reach the entrance to the hotel yet

2.Level of English comprehension among staff was pretty low

3.Complicated elevator system

4.Sloppy finishing esp. in the bathroom

5.Club floor breakfast choice was not so exciting

All in all I had a real pleasant stay. I'd stay here again when I come back.

My parents and I stayed there for 2nights and spending the weekend there. Excellent location, just 5 mins walk from the subway station. You can take the express train and then change to subway to arrive hotel within 35 mins. Very easy to find the hotel. Very beautiful, modern hotel; but the bathroom is not really that suitable for all people. There is only a glass wall between the bedroom and the bathroom..although you can pull off the electronic curtain to cover the whole glass.....and the basin is outside the bathroom and the toilet........room size is okay and 42" Plasma is excellent...coffee maker available..and internet access is excellent and very stable....the view just highly depend on your luck...may parents' room have a great view which is facing the shopping street but mine is facing the building....anyway...I am highly recommend this hotel for those who are new visitors to Shanghai...all the sightseeing, restaurants, museum are within walking distance...even the bund..just 15 mins walking

Stayed for 5 days in late October (relatively soon after their opening). Property is a fabulous hotel, extremely nice design & good location. WOuld highly recommend it.

Highs:

- Extremely convenient location, right on Nanjing Rd. You can walk easily to the major sights & the Bund. Right at the People's Square subway stop. Also, the building is easily recognizable throughout the city, so it was always easy to find one's way back to the hotel.

- Beautifully designed rooms. I had a corner room (probably about 50% larger than standard room with separate dressing room, 2 walls of windows & windows in bath (including by tub)), but the standard rooms are also well appointed and nicely sized for Asian/Eurpoean standards.

- Rooms have great views. Had wonderful unobstructed views down Nanjing Road & also of People's Square.

- Great pool/spa. Beautifully designed area & very lightly used. It is wonderful to be able to swim/relax/read after a long day running around the city. Lots of natural daylight. Later in my trip I stayed at the Grand Hyatt Beijing, which has a fabulous pool (resembles a tropical island). HOwever, that had no natural light & was very noisy.

- Elegant hotel design. The overall design is very well done (stylish contemporary) & on a level much higher than I was expecting.

- Accommodating staff. LOTS of staff, although not all of them understood English completely (see below). One morning I went to get a cab to go the Ritz-Carlton. For some reason, which I don't understand, the cabbies would not take me. The bellman ran down into the garage & a few minutes later he was driving a cab & took me over!

Lows:

- Erratic service. Not all front desk staff speak English well (I know that it's a foreign country, but that's part of the reason that you pay exorbitant rates to stay at luxury international hotel is get seamless service). A few inconsistencies (shoes shined were not returned the next morning). However, this is pretty typical throughout China, so don't necessarily see it as this specific hotel.

- Awkward/confusing entrance/lobby. Cab drivers aren't familiar with the hotel yet & there are two entrances (it's on a corner & the main entrance is actually on the side street off Nanjing Rd). The main lobby is not at street level, so you always have to take elevators. There are way too many elevator banks & it gets confusing after a while (some go to the main lobby on the 11th floor, some just go the 8th - 10th floors, some go from guest floors to the ground, some don't, it's very inconsistent & you always seem to be heading for the wrong elevator bank). A friend of mine parked in the underground garage, then could only take an elevator to the 8th floor & then transfer to another elevator to street level (or take yet another elevator to go up to the hotel lobby level)!!!

Stayed in Le Meridien for 4 nights and really enjoyed it. I have already stayed almost in all top-rated hotels in Shanghai. Le Meridien is the newest one, that's why they still have some things to improve, but they try really hard. The rooms are very modern and nice. The only problem I had with the room is, that if you stay longer, and are two person in a room, you might have some problems with the storage place. They don't really have enough shelves and drawers, where you can put your things.

I had no problems with the bathroom, as very many hotels in Asia have this type bathroom and shower. Breakfast was pretty good. We didn't try the other restaurants, though we had a nice conversation to a french chief, so I suppose the guy knows how to cook. The bar upstairs was supposed to be opened a day after we left, but we went up to have a look, and it looks very impressive. And what a view!

Lobby bar was very crowded all the time, and the drinks were OK.

I went down to have a look at a spa, which is very expebsive, but it is huge and looks nice. They have a terrace in swimming-pool area, which is a nice idea, though I don't know, if I would use this terrace, since it overlooks noisy and smoggy People's square. The location is fantastic, you're everywhere very quickly, and taxi-drivers'll surely soon learn it.

One of the best Starwood properties (including Westins) I have stayed in around the world. Literally plenty of people eager to help you check-in and with all other services (guess that is one way of keeping more people employed). Most had working knowledge of English but not enough to hold a decent conversation (wait till you meet people outside the hotel who don't know ANY English- including the sales staff at western designer shops with English signs and English music all around but who don't understand a word of English!). I was robbed at a bar on Nanjing Lu. When I reported this to the hotel manager, he promptly called the cops and arranged for 2 of his staff members to accompany me with the cops to the bar and get a (partial) refund.

The room was spacious and very comfortable. Breakfast and evening drinks/snacks in the Club lounge were good (if you don't mind the ubiquitous LOUD Americans around).

Like its other hotels, I only hope Starwood doesn't run this new entry down or start fleecing people with jacked up prices once it knows that this property is well received.

My travel agent booked me into this brand new hotel recently during its soft opening(Grand opening in Nov.) period; and what a pleasant surprise it is!! The French chain hotel is tres chic! It is very modern and tastefully decorated. Thje hotel is in the tallest building in Puxi, and ideally located at the end of the walking street - Nanjing E. Road near the Peple's Square and Shanghai Museum, next to a department store. The hotel lobby is on the 11th floor, with a nice entry on the ground floor. I stayed in one of the Superior rooms, adn I understand the rooms on the Executive floors are exactly the same as these rooms except they get the privileges to use the ultra chic Executive lounge! Rooms are spacious, well appointed with upscale amenities; plasma TV and sound system, lovely beddings and floor to ceiling window looking out to the city. A sitting area with sofa, and a desk for business travelers. Bathroom is essentially a big glass-in shower with a large bath tub in it. Toilet is a separte glass-in stall. Hotel has a nice spa and a very beautiful pool, I didn't get to use either. I tried the French restaurant and the Italian restaurant, and really enjoyed both - they are expensive, but no more than other similar class restaurants in the city. Breakfst was good with both eastern and western choices. I understand the Chinese restaurant on site is also very good. Even though it is brand new, the service was friendly, they did try very hard. I would strongly recommend it! I found my new favorite hotel in Shanghai.

I spent 3 nights at the new Le Royal Meridien Shanghai below are my impressions of different aspects of the hotel and my stay.

Airport Pickup: I called 3 days ahead to book the hotel limo to collect meet at the airport. When I called the concierge located my booking, confirmed my flight details, advised I will be met after I clear the customs area and mentioned the cost is 550 RMB. When I arrived nobody was present. Searching for someone in vain, I called the hotel, and a few minutes later the hotel's airport representative showed up. He lacked communication skills and left me alone for several minutes while he literally ran off to do something. When he returned I was informed they had no booking for my pickup and that no car is available. I was quite upset and left with the option of taking a taxi. The taxi ride was unique in that my driver often yelled at other drivers and the cabin smelled. The fare for a 1 hour 20 minute ride was 160 RMB.

Arrival at Hotel: Everyone knew my name from the second they opened the door of my taxi. Clearly, staff were warned of my arrival and that I was upset. My bags were collected swiftly and I was escorted to check in at the Lobby level. At check in a guest relations officer met me while the staff indicated that I should go to the Royal Club Floor to check in as a club guest. The guest relations officer escorted me. Check in was fast and I was offered a drink, which all club guests get on arrival, as I explained my frustration with the airport experience. I suggested they offer me a ride back to the airport. They did not. However, my taxi fare was promptly reimbursed by the hotel and a fruit basket was swiftly sent to my room. This and the numerous apologies exceeded my expectations.

The Lobby: Very modern and sleek. Lighting and numerous elevators create a maze for guests. I never gained a sense of direction. However, all public areas were nice and the place definitely has style.

The Room: My room was modern with a separate bath/shower room and toilet area. There is no door between the room and bathroom area. The shower was a waterfall system and located immediately adjacent to the bathtub. The entire area gets soaked as you shower, hence it is its own room with a central drain on the floor. Unique but ok. L'Occitane products were abundant. The room has nice working space, a fast internet connection for 120RMB per 24 hours and a large plasma TV with many channels. The bed has thick mattress and 4 large pillows. I found the bed comfortable but sheets were not soft enough and bit coarse. That was disappointing. Views were of the city/smog and on the 45th floor I experience little hallway or exterior noise so I was very pleased. A few small issues I must mention include: my room had no room service menu, there was no guest services directory (not enough were printed) and flaws were evident in the workmanship.

The Royal Club Lounge: The lounge is a small atrium, sleek and very modern. I liked the appearance and the views of the Bund area/CBD. Breakfast was good with mainly western choices. Illy coffee is served and the abundant pastries/breads were quite good. Fruit choices were lacking but a variety of hot items were available. Afternoon tea was a joke, they should not advertise it. Evening cocktails were pleasant. In addition to drinks, a small but tasty selection of bite size items were available. No nuts or chips though, I asked for some nuts and they could not provide any. About 5-6 staff serve you and stand around waiting for you to summon them. While drinks are available all day you must ask for everything which is somewhat annoying. If they just left some items out, like water, it would be easier. I would likely book a club room again.

Favola Italian Restaurant: We had a delicious meal and at a modest price in a casual environment. The chef is Australian and spent many years in Italy. His touch showed in quality of the food. Recommend it.

Ami Me Chinese Restaurant: Had an excellent meal but service was spotty. Waiters bused items before they were finished and cleared my table when I went to the restroom. Given the food quality I would return. Chef is from the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.

Spa: Is not finished but I had an excellent massage. My therapist was professional but there was some street noise in the spa room.

Further Comments: My biggest disappointment is the bed sheets, beyond that I had a very pleasant stay. Given the excellent location, food choices, and overall experience I would likely return. As the hotel is new there are some quirks in the system. One bar is not open but will open soon. Several services are incomplete like the Spa or are not working smoothly. Taxi drivers do not know the hotel either, its too new, so get written directions.

We stayed at Le Royal Meridien the first weekend of its soft launch. Taxi drivers did not know where it was, so thank goodness we had a general sense. First impression are good but some improvements needed. The entrance is huge, confusing and lots of hotel staff looking to help you. Reception is on a high floor like 19 or something similar. Young helpful staff who need a few more lessons in english, can't fault their enthusiasm. With all that white marble it feels like you are in a ice house. The bedrooms are very spacious, loads of amenities, big plasma screens, views of shanghai, but watch out for the construction workers at the next building bearing binoculars - keep those sheers closed!!! Bathroom is a wet room, huge shower overhead but at an awkward angle so you are better standing in the bath!! Lots of bars and restaurants, the one on the 65 floor will be great when it is open. Highly recommend the buffets. Easy walking distance for people's square etc