Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai

I booked a city-view twin room the night before. I called the hotel to ask if I could check in early at 11:30 AM. They told me to add a note to my booking and call again the next day. So, on the morning of check-in, around 10 AM, I called the hotel again. They confirmed they saw my note and said my room was being cleaned. I asked if I could check in between 11:30 AM and 12 PM, and they said yes. I arrived at the front desk around 11:40 AM, but they told me no rooms were ready and they were still being cleaned. I had pulled an all-nighter and desperately needed rest, so I asked if there were any empty rooms available that I could upgrade to by paying the difference. If I had a rewind button, I definitely wouldn't have said that. The front desk informed me that only an Executive King room was available, so I agreed to pay the difference and checked in. They gave me room 2801. To anyone who gets this room card in the future, demand a different room from the hotel immediately! Otherwise, you'll end up like me, with a sleepless night. First, the room door was obstructed by a large door, like a fire door, which I had to push open every time. The room itself was generally dark, and the window was tiny. Later, I looked at the brochure on the table, which stated that Executive rooms come with executive benefits, including a minibar. I asked the front desk about this, and they informed me that my room didn't have these benefits because I had upgraded by paying the difference. Why didn't the front desk tell me this beforehand????????????????????????????????? And to top it off! The elevator noise was incredibly loud. I woke up around 1 AM, hot from the air conditioning and disturbed by the elevator noise, and couldn't fall back asleep until almost 3 AM, even with tissues in my ears. The room was only a few steps from the elevator, and it was constantly running. This is honestly the worst hotel I've stayed in all year!!!! I wouldn't even take this room if it was a free upgrade! I wish I had known! And I even paid for it!

A truly excellent stay! The hotel's decor is luxurious and elegant, making a grand impression. The front desk staff were incredibly warm and attentive, and the children's amenities they provided were fantastic, even including a small toy. Our room was well-equipped and spotlessly clean, and the view from the window was beautiful. Overall, it was superb, and we'd definitely come back again if we have the chance.

I booked a deluxe river-view room. While the decor was a bit old-fashioned, the view from the window was truly beautiful. When we first arrived, our room wasn't ready, but after lunch, we were able to check in smoothly. The next day, I wanted to request a late checkout until 2 PM, and the hotel quickly approved it. The location was very convenient, and the stay was pleasant. The breakfast had a good variety of options. It was much better than the 'Golden Lily Sheraton' I stayed at in Nanjing, which was really disappointing and didn't live up to its old five-star reputation.

I rarely leave bad reviews, but this hotel was a huge disappointment, and my stay was truly terrible! We booked the nearest hotel for our vacation to explore the area. I originally booked a city view room, but at check-in, the front desk suggested upgrading to an executive river view room for an additional 550, citing better views and a complimentary buffet dinner, which they said would be convenient with a child. I agreed, but regretted it immediately upon entering the room. The facilities were incredibly old and outdated; it simply wasn't worth the extra money. The 'river view' was obstructed and at an awkward angle, and the windows were dirty. There was a stale smell as soon as I walked in – if you're looking for a nostalgic, Y2K vibe, this is your place. Cabinet doors felt like they were about to fall off, and the sofa was stained. The mini-bar items were chargeable, and I even found uncleaned hair in the bathroom. Afternoon tea had already passed that day, and around 11 PM, a server finally brought some simple fruits: an apple, a banana, a mango, and a pear. The buffet dinner was even more laughable; the venue was tiny, and the food selection was pitifully small. The few guests there were probably all upsold just like us. It would have been far better to eat out nearby! This price was an absolute rip-off. In all my hotel stays, I've only ever received free upgrades, never been upsold for an upgrade. I was so caught off guard and felt completely conned. This hotel is clearly desperate for money, and the key is that it's absolutely not worth the price. Do NOT stay here!

Stayed at this hotel for a two-night, three-day trip during the May Day holiday. The service was pretty good, and check-in went smoothly. However, the soundproofing is terrible. Doors slamming shut are incredibly loud – 'bang, bang, bang' – and you can hear every word clearly when people are talking in the hallway. On top of that, I lost some valuables in the hotel. When I went to the front desk to ask about it, the staff member in the red suit was incredibly arrogant and just said they hadn't seen anything.

The environment is great, the service is excellent, and the location is very close to the Oriental Pearl Tower, within walking distance. My kids loved it, thumbs up! 👍 The only thing is there weren't many snacks for the holidays.

Close to the Bund and Oriental Pearl Tower, with a rich breakfast. The front desk lady also gave us a free extra bed.

This is my third time staying at the Kempinski, and I once again chose the Business River View Room. I made a note in advance and called to confirm, and I'm grateful to the hotel for arranging a room on the 20th floor with an excellent river view. This time I was traveling with my mother, who loves river views, so every detail was important. A special shout-out to the hotel's room service – the staff were warm and polite on the phone, and the food quality was consistently excellent. However, I felt the hotel as a whole lacked a welcoming, homely touch. The front desk during check-in and check-out, the concierge when storing luggage, and the breakfast reception all felt a bit perfunctory, lacking the warmth and smiles that make you feel truly at home. While there was nothing specifically wrong, it just didn't quite live up to the brand's expected standards. That said, I didn't have any negative experiences, it's just my personal impression. On a positive note, the breakfast timing is definitely commendable; even on the last day, I could sleep in and still enjoy breakfast, haha!

This is an eager five-star review, starting with a special shout-out to Bernie and Grace at the Executive Lounge for their exceptional help and superb coffee! All the other staff were also very nice, and the desserts by the plump chef at breakfast were incredibly amazing. It was a perfect travel experience, full marks. Now for the specifics. From the check-in date, the experience was top-notch. For my 4-day trip, the front desk offered a room upgrade at the minimum extra cost, allowing my whole family to enjoy a full river view plus executive benefits throughout our stay. The rooftop swimming pool was fantastic; the water quality was perfect, and swimming naked at night didn't feel uncomfortable at all. My baby practically lived in the pool and executive lounge for several days. The breakfast was more Western-style, with unbeatable desserts. The ice cream and donuts were outstanding. The Executive Lounge is on the 28th floor, and lunch is à la carte. I highly recommend the foie gras and wagyu burger – absolutely fantastic. The beef was cooked to perfection, and the tenderness of the foie gras and beef complemented each other beautifully. For afternoon tea, there were various coffee options, and the cappuccino and iced latte I tried were both excellent. The light dinner in the evening was more than sufficient for a traveler; the creamy mushroom chicken stew, grilled sausages, and curry beef left a very deep impression. Finally, let's talk about the room and hotel environment. Kempinski perfectly replicated the essence of classic elegance. While the room facilities might seem a bit dated, the hotel redefined luxury with its tangible comfort. The room temperature was always just right, and the experience with personal garments, towels, and bedding made you unconsciously indulge in the luxury. Even the blankets by the pool were warm, truly embodying the idea of 'warm service.' Lastly, to pick a bone, I'll offer some limited suggestions as a guest: Firstly, with the economic downturn, family travel will gradually become mainstream. Breakfast could add some kid-friendly items like smiley potato fries, ketchup, and bolognese pasta, which wouldn't significantly increase costs. Secondly, the glass needs cleaning, especially the panoramic glass at the pool, as it affects the view. I can't come up with a third point because the experience was truly excellent. I hope they continue their efforts. As a long-established luxury hotel in the 'center of the universe,' it needs to uphold not only its style and culture but also persistent passion and warmth. I will definitely visit again. (The ice cream wasn't replenished; it was photographed after closing, which shows how popular it is!)