Shanghai Chi Chen Boutique Hotel

The bed was clean and comfortable, and the staff were friendly and helpful. The room itself was a bit worn down, though. The walls were damp and moldy, which looked like a clear sign of leaking pipes. The shower drain was badly clogged, so the bathroom flooded easily and water seeped onto the bedroom floor. We only stayed two nights and managed, but I wouldn’t have booked a longer visit.

Staff were helpful, and the room was comfortable with everything I needed. The lounge downstairs serves coffee, tea and beer, and reception staff speak good English. My room had a window, but not all rooms do. I had the round-bed room. It was fine for me, though the bed is small, so it may be a squeeze if two people share it. The bathroom smelled like a blocked drain, and pipes made a lot of noise, which I guess comes with being part of a bigger building. Also, only stay with someone you’re very comfortable around: the bathroom is all glass, with a flimsy net curtain that doesn’t cover the door. The location is handy, just behind the metro station, and it’s a 15-minute walk to old Town and the start of the river walk down to the Bund.

The location was great, close to major places, and the stay was okay. I shared a queen-bed room with a friend, but the bathroom door was transparent. There was a curtain, yet you could still see inside, so I’d say it works for couples or solo travellers, but not families or friends.

I’m a solo female traveler and was happy with this find. The outside looks run down, like much of the area, but it’s convenient for reaching places around shanghai by subway. For what I paid, this boutique hostel felt underrated. It’s right opposite Xiaonanmen Subway Station, in a quiet local neighborhood. There’s also a morning market nearby with cheap Shanghai and Chinese snacks and meals. My private room was more spacious than I expected at that price, clean, with a comfy king-sized bed and full hotel-style amenities. A few downsides: the water suddenly stopped while I was showering on my second night. The room felt too dim at night, though morning daylight from the window was good. The towels had stains and a strange smell, but it was bearable. The front concierge wasn’t the best, although check-in was quick and they accepted foreign credit cards. I also wish there had been a closet or cabinet for hanging clothes.