Peninsula Shanghai: Unrivaled Luxury Awaits You in China
Peninsula Shanghai: Oh My God, It's Real! (A Riveting Review - With a Few Rambles)
Alright, listen up, fellow luxury lovers! Forget Instagram, forget the hype… Peninsula Shanghai is a thing. A real, actual experience that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about pampering. I mean, I've stayed in some fancy places, but this? This is beyond. This is… well, let's dive in, shall we? Buckle up, because I'm about to get opinionated.
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First Impressions & That "Accessibility" Thing (Ugh, But Important!)
Look, I'm not thrilled to lead with something boring like accessibility, but it's vital. Peninsula Shanghai gets it. They're making serious strides. There are elevators everywhere – seriously, you're not stuck waiting for ages here. The public areas? Wide open, easy to navigate. They even have facilities for disabled guests that are well-considered, not just tacked on as an afterthought. (Accessibility, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Easy to navigate) This is genuinely good… even if it’s a bit… you know… a necessity.
The Rooms: Where Dreams (and Seriously Amazing Sheets) Are Made
Okay, let’s get to the good stuff. My room? Breathe-taking. Seriously. ( Air conditioning, Blackout curtains, Bathrobes, Slippers, Free Wi-Fi, Internet Access – Wireless, Bathtub, Separate shower/bathtub, Minibar, Coffee/tea maker, Extra long bed, High floor, Non-smoking) It wasn’t just a room; it was a damn sanctuary. Picture this: crisp white linens you want to live in forever, plush bathrobes that practically hug you, and a view of the Bund that'll knock your socks off. ( Bed’s amazing! )
And let's talk about the details. The complimentary tea? Delicious. The in-room safe? Actually useful. The blackout curtains? I slept like a baby. And the Wi-Fi? Free and actually works! (Free Wi-Fi!) No more ridiculous fees or buffering, people. Finally! I could actually, you know, work (or, ahem, binge-watch some shows). It’s the little things, right?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Prepare to Indulge (And Possibly Overeat)
Alright, foodies, prepare your stretchy pants. Peninsula Shanghai went all out on the culinary front.
- Restaurants: Forget the run-of-the-mill hotel restaurants. We're talking about a proper dining experience here. I had dinner at one of the restaurants one night, and the food was Michelin-star quality, the service impeccable, and the ambiance? Romantic personified. ( Restaurants, Asian cuisine, International Cuisine, Western Cuisine, Vegetarian Restaurant, Breakfast Buffet, A la carte in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant ).
- The Bar: The bar? Prepare for some serious cocktails and maybe a slight headache the next morning. ( Bar, Happy Hour ) Their martinis are legendary, and the atmosphere is buzzing. ( Poolside bar ).
- Breakfast: The breakfast buffet? ( Asian Breakfast, Breakfast Buffet, Western Breakfast, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service) Epic. Seriously, I’m still dreaming about the pastries. I think I may have eaten my weight in croissants. And the fresh fruit? Divine. ( Buffet in restaurant ). You can order room service, too which is a lifesaver when you really don't feel like getting out of those damn comfy robes. ( Room service [24-hour] ).
- Snacks/Coffee: Need a quick bite or caffeine hit? The coffee shop is delightful. ( Coffee shop, Snack bar ).
The Spa: Where All Your Stress Melts Away (And You Might Cry a Little)
Okay, the spa. This is where things got really good. I’m not a huge spa person, but this place… wow. I went for a massage and it was honestly one of the best I've ever had. ( Spa, Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Sauna, Steamroom, Spa/Sauna, Foot bath ). The therapist was incredibly skilled, and the entire experience felt so… luxurious. They practically cared about my well-being! I almost cried from pure relaxation. Don't judge. It’s that kind of place. And the pool? Amazing. ( Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view ). The whole spa area is just… serene.
The "Things to Do" (Besides Lounging Around and Eating Everything)
Okay, so you could spend your entire stay doing nothing but eating, sleeping, and getting massages. And honestly? I wouldn’t blame you. But if you want to venture out:
- Fitness Center: Got to burn off all those croissants somehow, right? The fitness center is well-equipped and modern. ( Fitness center, Gym/Fitness ).
- Exploring the Bund (Right Outside!): The hotel is right on the Bund! You're steps away from all the action. The view from the hotel? Unbeatable.
- Babysitting Service : Parents travel with their kids? Excellent service. ( Babysitting Service, Family/child friendly, Kids meal, Kids facilities ) for your children.
Cleanliness and Safety: They're Taking it Seriously (Which is Reassuring!)
This is important, especially these days. Peninsula Shanghai is on it. They had every anti-viral cleaning product known to man. ( Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment ). They've got hand sanitizer stations everywhere ( Hand sanitizer ), staff diligently wearing masks, and all sorts of protocols in place. It's reassuring to see that they're serious about keeping guests safe. ( Cashless payment service, Contactless check-in/out, First aid kit, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Safe dining setup, Shared stationery removed )
The Small Stuff (Because It Matters!)
- Service: The service is impeccable. The staff are incredibly friendly, helpful, and attentive. They go above and beyond to make your stay special. ( Concierge, 24-hour Front Desk, Room service [24-hour], Doorman, Daily housekeeping, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Luggage storage )
- Internet: Yes, there's fast, free Wi-Fi. ( Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas, Wi-Fi for special events ). I’ll repeat that. Fast, free Wi-Fi. Hallelujah!
- Business Facilities: They also have business facilities, including meeting rooms and a business center. ( Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Seminars, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Xerox/fax in business center, Projector/LED display, Meeting stationery ). Useful if you need to pretend to work amidst all the luxury.
The Imperfections? (Because Nothing's Perfect, Even in Shanghai)
Okay, so, the price tag? Yeah, it's not cheap. This is a proper splurge. But, honestly? You get what you pay for. The other "imperfection" is that it's so good, it's hard to leave. You'll just want to stay there forever! ( Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Gift/souvenir shop, Invoice provided, Laundry service, Safety deposit boxes, Smoking area, Terrace, Shrine, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Elevator, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Fire extinguisher, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Soundproof rooms, Additional toilet, Alarm clock, Bathroom phone, Bathing, Closet, Complimentary tea, Desk, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Sleep detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Window that opens. Hotel chain, Exterior corridor, Front desk [24-hour], Couple's room, Available in all rooms, Additional toilet )
My Verdict: Book it, Now! (Seriously, Stop Reading and Book!)
Peninsula Shanghai
Le Dauphin St-Hyacinthe: Your MUST-SEE Saint-Hyacinthe (QC) Adventure!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your cookie-cutter, perfectly-planned-by-a-bot itinerary. This is me, in Shanghai, wrestling with jet lag, dim sum, and my utter inability to navigate a map. Here's how I think it's gonna go at The Peninsula Shanghai, and let's be honest, things are probably going to go sideways.
The Peninsula Shanghai: A Shanghai Scrum (with a dash of hoping-for-luxury)
Day 1: Arrival & the Great Dim Sum Debacle
- 7:00 AM (ish) (Shanghai Time): Arrive at Pudong, bleary-eyed and already regretting the in-flight wine. Immigration? A blur. Finding my luggage? A miracle. Seriously, I swear that roller bag of mine has a mind of its own.
- 7:30 AM (ish): Taxi (or Didi, if I'm brave) to The Peninsula. Praying the driver doesn't try to sell me bootleg DVDs. I’ve heard the Peninsula’s elegant, but I'm picturing it as an oasis of calm after the airport chaos. Hopefully, the actual oasis is real.
- 8:30 AM (ish): Check-in. Deep breaths. Smile at the concierge. Don't spill anything on the pristine white carpet (a life goal, really). Might sneak a peak at the Shanghai skyline from my room - if I can still see straight.
- 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Food, Glorious Food (and a Touch of Panic)
- Breakfast at Sir Elly's: Okay, so I'm supposed to feel sophisticated while devouring my Eggs Benedict with a view. Reality? Probably me, covered in yolk, staring wistfully at the buffet, wishing I’d just ordered a bagel. Let's hope there's good coffee. Need. Caffeine.
- 12:00 PM: The Dim Sum Dilemma at Yi Long Court: This is the big one. Yi Long Court is supposed to be amazing. But I'm, let's say, a novice when it comes to dim sum. I might end up ordering a plate of chicken feet. I’ll need a crash course in chopstick etiquette. And may the gods of small dumplings protect me from requesting 'the spicy one' when I didn’t quite understand the translation….
- Anecdote Anticipated: Guaranteed at least one moment of sheer panic trying to flag down a waiter. Followed by the utter delight of biting into a perfect, fluffy xiaolongbao. Hopefully.
- Emotional Reaction: Utter terror followed by pure, unadulterated bliss.
- 1:30 PM: Walk the Bund (or, Attempt to Walk the Bund)
- Post-dim sum coma will likely kick in. The Bund, with its historical buildings, sounds lovely. The reality? Probably a crowded mass of humanity and selfie sticks. I might need to locate an espresso first.
- Quirky Observation: Expect some bizarre street performances. Maybe a rogue accordion player or a lady doing Tai Chi with a flock of pigeons. Bring earplugs.
- 3:30 PM: Back to the Peninsula (And a Nap)
- I'm going to need a nap. A serious, deep, coma-inducing nap. All this travel is exhausting.
- 5:00 PM: Swim and chill?
- I’m not sure I'll actually have the motivation to go swim. The pool always looks inviting. Maybe I'll just sit in the lounge and watch the world go by.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner
- Dinner at The Peninsula’s Cantonese restaurant: It’s my birthday! I’m probably going to over-order. I’m looking for the absolute best, and honestly, a touch of decadence. Maybe I'll even attempt to use those fancy chopsticks with grace (fail).
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated happiness. The kind of birthday I would actually like!
Day 2: Culture, Chaos and Cocktails
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at The Peninsula. Repeat yesterday’s breakfast plan, or a more adventurous one.
- 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM: A Visit to the Shanghai Museum (or, Getting Lost in Art's Embrace)
- The Shanghai Museum is supposed to be incredible. I'm picturing myself wandering around, gazing thoughtfully at ancient artifacts. The reality? Probably getting overwhelmed, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of stuff.
- Imperfection Alert: Will almost certainly mispronounce every single gallery name. The jade room will be a challenge.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch near the Museum
- Wander around some side streets, or find some cafe nearby that's not to touristy.
- 2:30 PM: Garden stroll:
- Shanghai's gardens. The Yuyuan Garden is high up on my list.
- 5:00 PM: Tailor Made Suit
- Shanghai is known for its tailors. I figure that it would be a nice experience.
- 7:00 PM: Cocktails at The Salon de Ning
- Cocktail hour at The Salon de Ning. Hopefully, I've learned how to use chopsticks by now. I'll need a fabulous cocktail after the culture overdose.
- 8:30 PM: Dinner…
- Dinner at a restaurant near the hotel. More amazing food!
Day 3: Departure…with Regret
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast
- One last breakfast at the Peninsula. Savor it.
- 9:30 AM: Last minute shopping and souvenirs
- I'll have to do the last minute souvenir shopping.
- 11:00 AM: Check out
- Check-out and be sad that I have to leave.
- 12:00 PM: Taxi to Airport
- Airport, and the long flight home. I'll be thinking about dim sum the whole time.
- Emotional Reaction: Sadness. But happy. And already planning my return.
The "Messy" Bits (Because Life Isn't Perfect)
- Navigation Nightmare: I have a terrible sense of direction. I will get lost. Accept it.
- Language Barrier: My Mandarin consists of "ni hao" and a desperate hand gesture. I'll rely heavily on Google Translate.
- Unexpected Delays: Flights get delayed. Plans change. Embrace the chaos! That's what makes it an adventure.
- Food Failures: I'm not a picky eater, but there's a high chance I'll accidentally order something I'm not so sure about.
- Jet Lag: Expect random naps at inappropriate times.
- Bargaining? I don’t bargain. I can’t! I am way to soft.
So, that's the plan. It's a fluid document. It will evolve. It'll be delicious. It will be messy. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Wish me luck. And if you see me wandering around the Bund, looking dazed and confused, come say hi. I'll probably need a friend (and maybe a map).
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Peninsula Shanghai: Unrivaled Luxury Awaits You (or Does It?) – Let's Get Real
Okay, Okay, The Peninsula Shanghai. Is it REALLY worth the hype?
Alright, let's be honest. The hype? It's... intense. Think Instagram models posing by the grand staircase, whispers of "the best hotel in China," and price tags that make your wallet weep gently. Is it worth it? *deep breath* Honestly, it's complicated. Yes, the building itself is absolutely stunning. That Art Deco vibe? Killer. The views? Magnificent, especially from the rooftop bar (which, by the way, prepare to pay a small fortune for a cocktail). But "worth it" is a subjective beast. If you have a bank account that resembles a small, well-fed dragon, then yes, absolutely. If you're on, shall we say, a tighter budget? Well, let's just say you'll be feeling that pinch.
Tell me about the rooms. Are they actually as amazing as they look in the photos?
The rooms... oh, the rooms. Okay, so the photos *mostly* don't lie. They're spacious, ridiculously well-appointed, and the technology is impressive, even if I spent half my time accidentally turning all the lights on with a rogue finger swipe on the control panel (it happens!). I still remember the first time I walked into my room, and it took my breath away. The bed was like sinking into a cloud… or, y'know, how I *imagine* sinking into a cloud would feel. It felt divine. But, and here's the little imperfection I found… the bathroom. Oh, the marble bathroom. Stunning, yes, but the walk-in shower? A tad... *too* walk-in. I swear I spent five minutes just trying to figure out which direction the water was going to spray! I felt foolish. But the toiletries? Top-notch. And the robes? So fluffy I almost considered wearing it to dinner.
Let's talk food. Is the Peninsula Shanghai a culinary paradise, or just a really fancy buffet?
The food. Ah, the food. I've got *strong* opinions about food. OK, so the Peninsula has several restaurants. Each restaurant has its own unique charm and they are mostly well-prepared, although you will be paying for the privilege. The buffet... honestly, it's not just a buffet. It's an *experience*. A decadent, overflowing, calorie-laden *experience*. Everything from the fresh sushi to the pastries is divine. Maybe a little *too* divine for my waistline, actually. Let me paint you a picture: I went in, I saw a mountain of perfectly cut fruit and, without thinking, I had filled my plate to the brim, before I could stop myself, there were 5 more plates. I probably *overate*, but I don't regret a single bite. My personal fave was the Yi Long Court, their Cantonese fine-dining. It was mind-blowingly good. It's pricey, yep. But the food was just incredible. The presentation, the service… everything perfectly orchestrated. Now, the *one* thing that slightly ticked me off? The price of the water. Seriously, it was probably more expensive than the actual food in some places.
What about the service? Is it truly "five-star" or just a facade?
Service. Ah, the make-or-break of any luxury hotel. And the Peninsula? Well, here's where things get truly interesting. The service is generally excellent. The staff are incredibly polite, attentive, and *eager* to please. They anticipate your needs before you even know you have them. Like, I was thinking about ordering a glass of wine, and *boom*, a waiter appeared, as if by magic! Seriously. But and here’s the *but*… it can feel a little… *overwhelming* at times. Like they're so focused on perfection, it sometimes feels a little… robotic? Almost like they’re all reading from a script, youknow? There wasn't a lot of genuine personality. And I'm a sucker for a bit of genuine, human interaction. One time, I dropped a fork at breakfast, and before I could even *blink*, a replacement appeared. Impressive, yes. But also, maybe a little *too* fast. I felt a little like I was being watched!.
Is the location good? What's nearby?
The location? Absolutely prime. The Peninsula Shanghai is right on the Bund, which means you're in the heart of the action, surrounded by stunning architecture and views of the Pudong skyline. It's perfect for exploring. Within easy walking distance, you've got all the iconic sights – the Oriental Pearl Tower, the Shanghai Museum, amazing shops, and of course, a plethora of restaurants and bars. The problem? It's. Always. Busy. Prepare for crowds. Expect to get jostled. But, hey, that's Shanghai! Plus, the hotel offers fantastic transportation options, including chauffeured cars. Which, when you think about it, is essential considering the price of a taxi there (ouch!). But the views from the hotel? Unbeatable. Especially at night. Seriously, wow. You can see the city lights, you can just sit there and watch the boats go by, you know? It’s pure magic. And the location helps you *feel* it.
Are there any cool extras or amenities I should know about?
Oh, yeah. The Peninsula is *loaded* with extras. The spa is ridiculously luxurious. Seriously, I'm pretty sure I gained a year of my life from the facial I had. Pure bliss. They have a beautiful indoor pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center (because, you know, you're going to need to work off all the food). And here's a fun one: they have a fleet of classic cars that you can book for a tour. Think vintage Rolls-Royces. Pretty impressive, right? So, when I was checking in, the concierge made a point of making me aware of it. I was tempted, I honestly was. But when I saw the price they were charging for an hour in one? My jaw dropped. I did a mental conversion to my currency and nearly choked on my own spit. I think I stuck to the subway after all. But the option's there, if you're feeling especially flush. And oh, do not forget the shopping. The Peninsula Arcade is filled with designer boutiques. Prepare to empty your wallet.
Okay, so...the big question: Would you go back?
Hmm. That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Would I go back? Right now? Probably not. My bank account's still recovering! *laughs*. I mean, it's a *seriously* expensive hotel. But, I loved the experience. The staff are awesome. The food is incredible. The building is beautiful. If someone gave me a free stay? Absolutely, yes, I would go back in a heartbeat! Perhaps I'd put it as a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing. It's aWeb Hotel Search Site
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