Renaissance Shanghai Hongqiao

The hallway carpet looked filthy, and the front desk man was very cold when checking me out. The whole place felt old. The room facilities were dated, the towels were yellow and worn, and the sheets and quilts smelled. I've stayed in many five-star hotels, and this was almost the worst. I don't recommend it and won't return.

Getting around by train or metro is convenient from this hotel, though the city center is a 30-minute metro ride away, with one or two transfers to People's Square. The hotel has plenty of facilities, a great concierge, and rooms that were perfectly clean. Water bottles were free and towels refreshed daily. The Japanese-style water setup was nice and fully automatic. Room service was perfect, the restaurant superb, especially its European-style food, and breakfast was outstanding.

After a long flight, I checked in and discovered there was no air conditioning. The Front Office told me the hotel doesn't turn on the main AC switch in mid-April, even when outdoor temperatures are in the 60s°F. This was certainly the worst stay I've had at a Marriott Bonvoy property. Avoid this hotel at all costs.

Once I was settled, I was happy with the concierge, who helped me find local spots. The location seemed remote at first, but there are interesting places to the south and a foreigners hotspot to the east, both an easy walk away. Breakfast buffet was very good, with lots of Western and Eastern choices. I tried something different each morning and liked it all. The lounge, which I could access, was often empty; its food was good, with a selection that changed daily, and the staff were attentive. I was there for 6 nights on a business trip. The room situation took three tries to sort out: the first had no A/C, a smoky smell, and was smaller than my initial room. Staff came and moved me each time.