Jinjiang Inn Shanghai Maotai Road Branch

It has the hot-water shower I need, and it's clean and very convenient.

I chose the Maotai Road branch of this chain, which has several locations around Shanghai. The subway station is about a 10-minute walk away, and you can get there from Pudong Airport without switching lines. It seems like a convenient base for sightseeing. The front desk staff were very helpful, and everything else was provided, though there was no refrigerator. I found a cockroach in the room, and the pillow had a bit of an old-man smell. I left a note for the cleaning staff, and they replaced it with one that didn't smell. Breakfast is available for 30 yuan, but it wasn't very tasty. Still, it's a good option for budget travelers.

There are plenty of little shops nearby, and prices are reasonable. I'd heard the area was safe, and it seemed quite nice when I was there. Most nearby shops don't speak English, though, so having an electronic payment option that works in China is a good idea. You can order without having to talk. At the hotel, the staff only understand numbers, but they're very friendly, and a translation app or writing things down works. For Japanese visitors, Family Mart is just a 1-2 minute walk away, with rice balls that are a lifesaver. Apita is around five minutes on foot and has a Daiso inside, so there's plenty of convenience for food and shopping. The Line 2 subway station is roughly a 10-minute walk. Pudong Airport takes about an hour and 15 minutes on Line 2, which is handy. The twin room is a decent size for the price, not cramped, and clean enough as long as you're not a germaphobe. Towels include bath towels, face towels, and a bath mat. Toothpaste is provided, but no toothbrushes. There's a combined shampoo and body soap like the one in the picture, though I'd bring my own, plus disposable slippers. There's no refrigerator, which is a pretty big problem. The shower is ordinary and the hot water works fine. Like other toilets, this one clogs if you flush toilet paper. The bathroom has two paper cups, with another two by the bed. Bottled water is provided, probably enough for everyone, and there's a kettle, outlets all around, a large desk, and air conditioning. There's also a TV, though you wouldn't know it by looking at it. Mosquito coils and repellent are provided, both mentioned twice. For stays of several nights, a cleaning lady comes around 9pm. She'll clean even if you haven't asked, so you can just leave the notice alone if you don't mind. If you stay in bed so you won't be in her way, she won't change the sheets. That's common sense. I can't speak for everyone, but I can highly recommend it.

It's small but lovely, clean and comfortable. Breakfast is simple, but nutritious.