UrCove by HYATT Shanghai Pudong East

The highlight is One Step Garden. On a pleasant day or at night, you can step into the garden, smell the grass, and watch dogs run around. It's a charming place to sit with tea and watch the seasons change, and for me that atmosphere adds two stars to the experience. The surrounding area is being redeveloped, and One Step Garden nearby makes this a good option for a relaxed, quiet stay. The hotel is near Shanghai Pudong Airport, within 10 km, but getting around is an issue: it's accessible only by private car or Didi Chuxing taxi. It consists of three buildings and an annex, a banquet hall that's currently not operating. It's between local Communist Party official buildings and was remodeled from a former training center. Despite the room and other amenities, it operates exclusively for local and Chinese guests because of the transportation issue. One Step Garden is a corporation that uses old government residences for pet gardens and dining cafes. It has about 30 locations throughout Shanghai, each set in traditional, modern cultural heritage, or historic sites. I found it very impressive. Check-in was stressful at first because a Chinese tour group was noisy and aggressive toward the staff, but it went smoothly afterward. The value was excellent, with free breakfast and a rate of 370 yuan per night, which helped offset the other issues. There are plenty of things to improve in the hotel itself: hallway facilities were broken or cracked, the wallpaper finishing was poor, and the welcome drink was refilled only once a day. I saw front desk staff outside smoking with a friend at night. The towels were typical of a standard Chinese hotel, and the device terminals and USB outlets didn't work. It's a typical Chinese hotel with a lot needing attention.