Holiday Inn Express Shanghai Pudong Airport

Getting to the hotel took some figuring out. I was told to catch its shuttle at T2 Gate 27, but an airport employee said there wasn't a bus there. I went to the nearby Holiday Inn and learned the shuttle actually leaves from T1 Gate 9. The room was much nicer than the mediocre-looking lobby. It was clean, cosy and well maintained, apart from a tiny wrapper in a bathroom corner and a tissue by the entrance, neither of which was a big deal. The colours lifted my mood after a day of travel, and the orange lighting felt welcoming. I was on the tenth floor and had expected noise from other reviews, but it didn't bother me. I left the provided earplugs unused. The pillow was a bit too soft for me, though that's personal preference. Breakfast was a good start to my holiday, with mostly Chinese and Western choices plus the usual cornflakes and milk. I especially appreciated the noodle and dumpling station on a cold day. I'd read good things about the spread and picked this hotel for my first night from the available options. My stays at IHG hotels have been pleasant so far. If being even closer to the airport matters, Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Airport is located inside the airport.

For a one-night, one-full-day stay, the price was excellent, and the room was clean and modern. Breakfast offered plenty of choices. There's also free laundry, with both a washer and dryer. They don't provide detergent, though you can use some from [unclear]. The fitness room has free weights, a stationary bike and a treadmill, but no machine-based equipment. Airport shuttle service is complimentary during set hours. Keep in mind the hotel is quite far from downtown Shanghai if you plan to go into the city centre every day. Food and dinner service end at 10 pm.

I stayed twice, in June and July 2025, and both visits were solid. The rooms are small but tidy and have the basics, with the consistent standards you'd expect from an international chain. It's very handy for Shanghai Pudong Airport, and the free shuttle to and from the terminals is a real plus. Several staff members spoke good English and were especially helpful. Breakfast was the usual Holiday Inn Express buffet, simple and reliable, enough to get you started. For taxis beyond the airport, I'd ask reception to book one. Trying to hail one yourself can easily lead to being overcharged, which sadly happens to international visitors. A dependable hotel for a short airport stay. I'd recommend it.

This works well if you have an early flight, with a smooth check-in and a free shuttle to and from the airport every 30 minutes, serving Pudong T1 and T2. The hotel is in the middle of nowhere, though. Haitiansan metro station on the green Line 2 is only 400 metres away and can take you to most places in Shanghai, but trips are long. Haitiansan to Nanjing Road took almost an hour by metro. The fare was cheap, 6 yuan one way. Breakfast is on the second floor from 6 to 10 am. There was no refrigerator or bidet in the room, but it had a water boiler. The shampoo and body wash smelled nice, and they use Tressemme. You get a toothbrush at check-in, plus instant coffee, tea and a shower cap in the room. A hairdryer, slippers and clothes ironing machine are free to use.