Radisson Shanghai New World

When we deicded on a trip to Shanghai, I got a really good rate for a two bedroom suite for my family (mom and my two cousins). I believe it was about USD220/night. I took the money I saved on a five star hotel and got us a full time driver instead. Totally worth every cent! We all speak Mandarin but even that, we try to avoid dealing with the cab drivers - a lot of them don't know where even big-name hotels are! Nothing but a pain, but that's just my opinion.

The lobby of this place is crowded with four things. People, gold gold and more gold. I felt like I'd just walked into Donald Trump's home. The service at check-in and check-out was rather... ummm... official? Regulated? There is no sense of trying to make you feel at home or welcomed. No, no warm fuzzy feeling after check in that's for sure. Maybe it's just the Chinese way... I wouldn't know. Or maybe they just treat fellow Asians less then they would Caucasians - not uncommon nor surprising at all. While I'm usually trying to fend off porters when I'm traveling on my own with one tiny luggage, here, we had to ask for help with our luggages to the room with three large suitcases! Hardly seems to be something that needs prompting, I feel.

The suite is as pictured on their website. It's two deluxe rooms (yes, ensuite) in one bigger space with an eight seater dining table, a small kitchenette area (not at all loaded - not even utensils or a sponge/soap) and a comfortable living area with all the audio-visual electronics one might need. Everything within our suite was modern and we really enjoyed every bit of the space. We were very loud (we're a loud family, what can I say) but it didn't seem to bother anyone. In fact, there didn't seem to be anyone else staying on the same floor. Come to think of it, it was eerily quiet lol. There is also a large sitting area right outside our room which we also utilized for awhile when the air-conditioning didn't seem to be work. Yes, it was winter but it was too stuffy with the heater on. Okay, we're a loud and sweaty family lol!

The Chinese restaurant in the hotel serves good food. But if you're on a budget, this is not the place to go.

If I came to the city again with the same bunch of people, I wouldn't do it any differently. But if I'm Shanghai with my husband, I probably wouldn't choose to stay here. Location is superb and easy access to the 'subway' - better the subway then the cabs. Unfriendly edging on unhelpful staff but that might just be a cultural difference that I'm used to in America and the more service oriented countries I travel to.