MAXX BY STEIGENBERGER SHANGHAI ON THE BUND

Reception staff were friendly and willing to answer questions, though they need to improve their English. My flight was late at night, so I extended my stay until 4:30 pm before heading to the airport and had to pay a half-day rate. The location is very good, just a minute's walk from the Bund and a five-minute taxi ride from the main shopping areas and streets.

I was lucky enough to stay in the Presidential Suite at this iconic hotel, with its stunning river and "Bund" views. The suite was amazing: spacious and well appointed, with two toilets, a fantastic shower and, best of all, a wonderful bed with high thread-count sheets. The rain shower was incredible, with hot water pouring over me.

The room was dirty and dusty, with old furniture, stains on the carpet and a broken shower fixture. The lobby is small but renovated, as are the hallways, yet the rooms are very old. Even though we were in their “suites,” the star rating is a joke and I would never return. The electronic room controls didn't work, including the do not disturb sign. One morning, housekeeping knocked once and came straight in before we could ask her to wait, while I was in the shower. The aircon controls also did nothing, so we had no way to set the temperature. We stayed in March, normally a winter month, but on an unusually hot 28-degree-Celsius day the room was steaming. Staff said cooling was completely shut off and apparently they couldn't turn it on either. They offered no alternative, just told us to open the windows. This is DEFINITELY NOT a 5 STAR hotel.

The view and fittings are gorgeous, and Nanjing Road is within walking distance. I got a free upgrade to member status with daily breakfast, which had such a great selection that I never got bored.