Astor House

There’s a beauty salon service at the hotel. I had a facial in my room and it was bliss, a lovely way to wind down in the evening. For more room to stretch out, I’d pay a little extra for the Richard Executive room. Mine was enormous. There’d have been room for a cocktail party and still space for a string quartet. The bed was comfortable, and the renovated bathroom was bright and clean, with a separate shower and bath. Water pressure and temperature were both fine. I used the wired internet in the room without any trouble, but there was no Wi-Fi signal there for a mobile device. Wi-Fi is available in the lobby, which gives you an excuse to head down for coffee or dumplings. The Peacock ballroom, where breakfast is served, was being used for a film shoot during my stay, so I can’t comment on breakfast. I did eat at the Richard restaurant and was pleasantly surprised by its varied Western and Chinese menu. The wine list was reasonable too. The Astor House Hotel is a grand old dame from another era, with a remarkable history that’s worth looking up. It’s at the top end of the Bund, a great base for walking around Shanghai, and getting a cab was relatively easy. There’s always a concierge to arrange a car. The front desk card has a little map, so I never had trouble finding my way back after a day out.

The location is fantastic, and I really liked the hotel's historic feel. It’s also maintained quite well. The room was fine, though pretty standard, and the food was nothing special. Honestly, I expected more.

Restaurants, an important shopping street, and a food market are all in the neighborhood. The hotel itself has wonderful architecture and decoration, and its location is spot on, with a view of the Bund. The backdrop is stunning, which is why brides come there to take photos. I loved this historic place.

The rooms are huge, though they feel pretty old. It’s a very old, historic hotel in a good location near the bridge, about a 15-minute walk from the metro. Breakfast was excellent, and the service was excellent too.