Crowne Plaza Shanghai Pudong by IHG

The breakfasts were tasty, and the staff deserve thanks for being so professional and helpful. The rooms are large, with very comfortable beds. The furnishings look a little vintage, but feel solid. I'd give it four stars because the hotel's general cleanliness could be better, and at this price I expected a bit more.

There's a lot inside the building, including several restaurants, a bar and a gym. The staff were all friendly and helpful, even though I didn't speak their language. Breakfast was both extensive and tasty. A very nice place to stay if you're in the area.

It's quiet around the hotel, and I slept well in the very comfortable bed. The place was clean and had nice amenities, and the staff were friendly and helpful. There's a Family Mart right across the street, plus a wonderful bakery and a great kebab place to the left.

The food at the hotel wasn't impressive either. It was always oily. Even the grilled salmon with vegetables and french fries tasted nothing like that dish elsewhere. The fish seemed deep fried, with the seasoning added at the end. I couldn't bear either meal I ordered, including a Chinese dish, because of the taste and oiliness. I left the trays outside my room because the smell was unbearable. The hotel rooms and bathrooms were very clean, but the SPA was the opposite. It was noisy, with no calming music, and employees talked at full volume nearby. The aircon rattled loudly for the whole massage. My room was right across from the kitchen, cluttered and covered in things on the walls, like a child's playroom. When I lay face down for the back massage, the bed smelled strongly of stale sweat. I had to ask for a clean towel to put over it because the odor made me gag.