Hotel Indigo Shanghai on The Bund by IHG

The location made it easy to reach shops, restaurants, and sights such as Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street and Shanghai Tower. Set along the Huangpu River, the hotel has stunning views of the Pudong skyline. Our room was comfortable, clean, and quiet, a nice place to return to after exploring. The breakfast buffet had a decent range, but there weren't many vegan choices. The waitstaff were friendly and attentive, especially Rita and Jenny, whose welcoming smiles and helpful service stood out. Housekeeping was responsive too: after we reported a shower leak, it was repaired within an hour. We appreciated that. The bathroom was spotless and supplied with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. It had a walk-in shower with good pressure, and my favorite detail was the toilet seat that opened when you approached. Robes and slippers were provided. The bed was very comfortable, with clean, soft linens and four plush pillows. The air conditioning worked adequately, though it sometimes felt warm at night. Wi-Fi was poor, with very limited connectivity during our stay. There was lots of storage for a longer visit, with hangers, drawers, and shelves in the spacious closet. The room also had a desk, a comfortable couch, two nightstands, and four USB-A ports. Other useful items included a kettle, cups, instant coffee, tea bags, complimentary bottled water, a minibar with snacks and drinks, an iron and board, an in-room safe, and a smart TV. For the location, amenities, and accommodations, the price seemed fair. The river views and comfortable room setup made it feel like a home away from home.

The common areas were very cold, maintenance seemed poor, and the hotel is starting to feel old. Breakfast was poor too. I stayed here in 2018 and was excited to have that lovely Bund view again, but this visit was a bad experience. Although a river-view room was available at a similar price, reception wouldn't accommodate my request to change from the city-view room that had been booked by mistake. The view itself is fantastic.

The river views are exceptional, the bed was comfortable, and the bathroom amenities were good. But quite a few things let the stay down. Wi-Fi and in-room entertainment were poor, and Bluetooth speakers and alarms aren't standard in every room. I'd strongly suggest bringing a universal adapter. Noise from outside came through because the sound insulation was poor. The rooftop bar had a great atmosphere, but service was slow. The other dining options felt overpriced, and breakfast food wasn't kept at a good temperature. Staff interactions also lacked warmth and engagement, below the hospitality I expected. At check-in, staff charged the full amount plus a deposit of RMB800 per night, based on the number of room nights, without telling me beforehand. I only noticed once the charges had gone through. At checkout, they didn't explain how the deposit refund would work. There are better hotel choices for what this one costs.

The rooms are fantastic, and the Bund view from the bar is something else. It's a bit more expensive, but lots of places are within walking distance, so I'd recommend staying here for a business trip. One warning: don't ask reception to arrange an airport taxi. They call a local driver who charges more than they should.