Hengshan Moller Villa Hotel Shanghai

The hotel feels like staying in a museum, with striking details and good taste inside and out. It has an amazing history, and the location in the center of the old historic town is really convenient. My standard room was compact, comfortable, and very clean, and the service was perfect. Breakfast was unforgettable, rich, and delicious. The staff offered to upgrade my room for free because I was staying a long time, but I chose the standard room since it was much more comfortable. The entrance is a little inconspicuous, so keep an eye out or you might miss it.

Weighted Nordic-style keychains are still used for the room keys here. The mansion itself feels like something from a fairy tale, and its turrets hide an astronomical observatory. The original brass telescope tracked Jupiter’s moons in the 1930s. Medieval European techniques were used for the stained glass, with cobalt oxide giving it that distinctive blue. Below the ballroom, the brickwork in a forgotten wine cellar bears imprints from textile mills that once stood nearby.

We stayed in building 2, which wasn’t as fascinating as building 1. The hotel has two separate buildings and a reception for each. The location is okay, but Shanghai’s streets get packed at night, so getting to the Bund and back can be painful and expensive. Service was good. Reception staff tried to provide information even though their English wasn’t strong. Breakfast was okay, and it’s better to ask for a seat in the garden or private area, where Chinese guests are normally seated.

The room was clean and spacious, and the location was good. The service was disappointing, though. There are several steps at the entrance, so getting in with large luggage is difficult, and the bellboy won’t help. If you choose eggs and sausage at breakfast, they’re cold. Also, the bathroom has no curtain, and people can see in from outside through the upper window.