The Peninsula Shanghai

I originally booked a Deluxe River View Room at The Peninsula, but to my pleasant surprise, I received a complimentary upgrade to a River View Suite! What an amazing bonus! The suite offered a stunning, expansive view directly overlooking the beautiful Bund, creating a fantastic ambiance. The hotel's service was meticulous and attentive, the facilities were top-notch, and the environment was serene and elegant. During the holiday season, I even received some delightful complimentary treats. The whole experience was absolutely fantastic – truly a benchmark in luxury.

Excellent! This classic hotel really delivers on service. I had a garden view room, which was clean and tidy, and the walk-in closet and vanity room were super convenient. The Western restaurant was very upscale and offered a truly authentic Western dining experience.

Terrible. Will not stay again. The check-in SOP was unclear, forcing guests to ask multiple questions, even for basic information like breakfast times and location. The room smelled of smoke, possibly due to old or poorly maintained air conditioning. The front desk staff denied there was a smoke smell and only after repeated requests did they show me other rooms, about half of which also smelled of smoke. Their service attitude was both arrogant and perfunctory. The operational procedures were also a mess; for example, after checking in, I found the room didn't even have a kettle and called to request one. Ten minutes later, housekeeping knocked on the door, saying they needed to replace the in-room magazine. It was bizarre to replace a monthly magazine after check-in. The kettle that was eventually delivered was wet inside and out, with a strong disinfectant smell inside. The ice bucket in the room also had water and already smelled foul when opened. The hotel management is riddled with loopholes everywhere; quality is in the details. The hard furnishings like the toilet and bathtub in the room were old, the shower handle was broken, and the water pressure was worse than a 3 or 4-star hotel. The linens were average. However, the bedding and mattress were good.

If you're torn between hotels like Shanghai Centre J, Amanyangyun, Bulgari, and The Peninsula for your trip, I have to say The Peninsula's service is comparatively subpar among them. No one will ask you how you'd like your breakfast or if you'd prefer it in your room; they won't even bring it up. I even asked the front desk to temporarily store my takeout, and it was refused, with them telling me to take it somewhere else. I rarely leave neutral or negative reviews, but I genuinely feel the value for money here is very low, and the service is even worse than some Ritz-Carlton or InterContinental properties. It might be okay if you have a soft spot for The Peninsula; the only thing I was satisfied with was the breakfast taste, which met expectations. I wouldn't recommend it for a regular leisure trip. I complain about the InterContinental Sanlitun the most, but I've never given a review like this, so you can imagine, my friend.

Fantastic hotel! Booked it for a friend, and it's the perfect choice for exploring Shanghai. It's right on the Bund, making it super convenient to get everywhere. The surrounding scenery is absolutely stunning, and there are tons of amazing cafes nearby.

The location is super convenient, right next to the subway exit. It's only a 3-minute ride to Nanjing Road. There are plenty of great restaurants and shops nearby, and convenience stores are everywhere. No need to overthink it; I'll definitely be back next time. Excellent!

The Peninsula Shanghai, nestled by the Waibaidu Bridge, the Monument to the People's Heroes, and the Bund, might not be described as 'convenient' in the traditional sense, but I found its location perfect for soaking in the unique Shanghainese vibe! The service here is wonderfully old-school and distinctively 'Shanghai' – unhurried yet efficient, demonstrating a clear and deep understanding of guest needs. The rooms are classic Peninsula style, with well-defined functional areas, superb soundproofing, and impeccable cleanliness and maintenance, putting my mind completely at ease. The dining experience was a genuine delight; both breakfast and the Cantonese restaurant in the evening were so memorable. I particularly loved the evening bath ritual – pressing the SPA button and immersing myself in the tranquil, ethereal music, it felt like I was back in a cozy island retreat! My two-day Peninsula experience was a solid 12 out of 10. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Shanghai who wants to truly experience its unique charm!