InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland by IHG

The viewing gallery is worth a good walk, with a chance to see the hotel in all its glory. The night display is marvelous, with lights and drones. The detailed decor makes this a fantastic place for couples and families, and staying in a quarry is a unique concept. You take the lift down to your room instead of going up. Highly recommended.

My stay at InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland was the most disturbing hotel experience I've had, especially at a property presented as a luxury five-star hotel. The marketing photos looked impressive, but the actual experience was very different. Some of the windows looked dirty, parts of the property seemed poorly maintained, and details around the hotel fell below what I expect from an international luxury brand. Pool towels looked worn and outdated, and much of the presentation felt more like a mid-range hotel than a premium resort. The breakfast was generally good, though, and the kitchen staff did well. Food was one of the few consistently positive parts of the stay. My biggest concerns were about safety and the way guests were treated. A dispute involving people who presented themselves as connected to hotel operations led to police officers being called to my room. I was concerned for my own security and my child's. The interaction was deeply uncomfortable. Instead of feeling protected as a paying guest, I felt pressured and intimidated, and I was told to leave earlier than planned even though my reservation was still active. Whatever the intention, I felt vulnerable and unwelcome. I've stayed at luxury hotels around the world and never had law enforcement involved in a guest matter in a way that made me feel less safe. I was also concerned by people in public areas who seemed to approach guests with offers to help with technical problems, including internet and connectivity. International visitors in China may have trouble with internet and VPN access, and this can lead to misunderstandings and possible security concerns. I strongly encourage management to make it clearer who is officially authorized to provide technical help. Pool staff often seemed indifferent and unprofessional. Their interactions felt dismissive rather than welcoming, far from what I'd expect of a luxury brand. The location also creates a practical problem: there are several InterContinental properties in Shanghai, so transport mix-ups are common. I had repeated trouble with drivers taking the wrong route or misunderstanding the destination. Clearer arrival instructions or a recommended airport transfer would make things easier for international guests who don't know the city. After I raised these issues through official channels, I still hadn't received what I considered a meaningful response. Given how serious the problems were, I expected much more effort to investigate and address them. InterContinental is supposed to stand for trust, professionalism, and care for guests, but my experience here didn't reflect that. I left feeling management was focused on the hotel's spectacular image while safety, communication, maintenance, and service need urgent attention. This is only my personal experience, but based on it I can't recommend the property to other international travelers, particularly families.

Our room was very comfortable and had a fantastic view overlooking the hotel. There's a theme park nearby, too. Set inside a former quarry, this is an exceptionally unique location and one of the most impressive properties I've experienced. The hotel has been open for several years, so there are a few minor signs of wear, but it's still well maintained and has excellent amenities. The language barrier was occasionally a small challenge, though that's part of traveling in a different country. Staff clearly made a genuine effort to give attentive service and make our stay comfortable.

Sheshan town is about 75 minutes from Pudong airport. The hotel itself is amazing, though the room feels a little dated. It can get crowded in high season, and service may be slow, so I'd suggest visiting in the low season. Still, it's a great place for young families. There's a small theme park next door for young children, and the nightly light show is quite spectacular.