EVEN HOTELS Hotels in Shanghai

This was my first stay at an IHG hotel, and Bonnie's service was truly outstanding. The hotel offers a huge underground parking lot with direct elevator access to the front desk. The only minor drawback was the lack of EV charging stations. Our room was spotlessly clean, featured a pillow menu, and the bedding was incredibly comfortable. The minibar also offered a wide selection. During check-in, the front desk staff greeted us with warm smiles. Bonnie was particularly thoughtful; aware that there was no late-night supper service on weekends, she proactively prepared fruit for us and even upgraded our room. Breakfast on the second day was equally lavish and significantly more substantial than what's typically found at similarly priced hotels like Ji Hotel or Atour, especially regarding the Western dishes. It only seemed to lack a few Western options compared to a full-service InterContinental property. The sole drawback was during breakfast, some children (possibly Korean or Japanese) were constantly screaming and running around the restaurant. Their parents' failure to intervene significantly disrupted the dining experience for other guests.

I have to say, the hotel really exceeded my expectations in almost every aspect. While there were a few minor issues, they were insignificant compared to the overall experience. For Shanghai, it offers great value for the price, and my stay was, on the whole, perfect! First, let's talk about the positives: 1. The staff service was generally excellent, especially the housekeeping team. The room cleaning was meticulous, and IHG's standards and training for housekeeping staff would put even a germaphobe at ease. The dining and front office staff were also very good. In particular, a chubby, glasses-wearing male supervisor (manager) in the restaurant and a young lady named Nina at the front desk left a lasting impression on me. Their attitude and problem-solving skills are highly commendable. The enthusiasm and attitude of the other staff members were also consistently good. 2. Facilities and amenities: The hotel is truly generous with its air conditioning, especially in the hallways on each floor. The cool air was plentiful; you could even sit on the small sofas in the elevator lobby and not feel rushed to return to your room. The room had everything one could need. Although I don't work out, Even, a brand centered around health and fitness, has exercise equipment everywhere, including the most prominent yoga ball and yoga mat in the room. This is incredibly friendly for those who manage their physique daily. In terms of hardware, everything you'd expect was there. The room size was standard and well-maintained. The bed was quite comfortable, with electric curtains, ample and well-distributed lighting. The bathroom was spacious and bright, and the room's view was also excellent. It's more than sufficient for business travelers. 3. Dining: I didn't try dinner or lunch, but the breakfast was unbeatable. For a hotel in this price range, the breakfast really shines, especially the dessert and salad bar – they were unbelievably good. The fruit cart offered a rich variety daily, rarely repeating items. Those who enjoy steamed dishes and whole grains are in for a treat. As a brand emphasizing health, it lives up to its promise. Usually, if I can't find anything else I like at a hotel breakfast, I'd go to the noodle station to fill up, but for four consecutive days here, I barely touched the noodle bar. Another point is that I almost always had breakfast during the busiest times, yet all the food and plating were consistently neat and tidy, never looking like it had been ravaged. This indicates that the staff promptly refilled and tidied the dishes, and the guests staying here generally have good etiquette too. 👍 4. Surrounding environment: The hotel is located within a new commercial complex. The owner also has a voco hotel just opposite, but its price was beyond my budget, otherwise I would have definitely tried it. Next to the hotel, there's a very large green space and walking path. There's also a terrace and walking path above the hotel, accessible via an elevator from the commercial complex, which is great for a post-meal stroll. Although it's not far from the elevated highway, I couldn't hear any traffic noise in my room, so the soundproofing is excellent. Now, for the minor drawbacks 🤣: 1. The hanging space in the room conflicts a bit with the exercise equipment, especially the placement of the yoga mat. Clothes hung up would inevitably brush against its bottom surface, potentially getting dirty. This seems like a slight design flaw. My solution was to put all the yoga mats and similar items under the storage cabinet. However, it might also be an issue specific to my room, as it was a corner room with glass on two sides, and unlike other rooms, it didn't have a desk for a computer. Therefore, the hanging clothes issue might not exist in other rooms. 2. The desk issue: My room, at least, didn't have a suitable space to comfortably work on a computer. I noticed other rooms I passed by had one, integrated into the wall below the TV. However, this hotel focuses on fitness and exercise, so I assume most people finish their work at the office and return to the hotel to work out and relax. I, being a 'workhorse,' might not be the ideal guest for this particular room. 3. Location: It's very close to the elevated highway and the National Exhibition and Convention Center, which is unbeatable for those attending exhibitions. It's outside the noisy hustle and bustle of the exhibition center but still within walking distance. The subway station is neither too close nor too far; it's about a 10-yuan taxi ride or a 10-15 minute bike ride, but about a 30-minute walk. If you're heading into the city, I recommend booking a car in advance, as there are fewer cars around during peak hours. If there's an exhibition, you might have to compete for taxis with the exhibition crowd. It's about a 15-minute drive to Airport T2, which is quite convenient, but the hotel doesn't have an airport shuttle bus, so you need to arrange your own transport for arrival and departure. Strictly speaking, this isn't a drawback, but for me, commuting to the city daily was a bit of a hassle. Summary: Overall, for the price (within an artist's name, if you know what I mean), I think it offers incredible value for money. If this price includes breakfast, I'd wholeheartedly recommend staying here because the breakfast is truly excellent. As an IHG fan, this was my first time staying at this brand, and it genuinely exceeded my expectations. I originally booked two nights with IHG, then extended for another two nights through Ctrip, and also used a Shanghai LeYou accommodation voucher for assistance, which made it an even sweeter deal! (I realized I hadn't taken any room photos when uploading, which is annoying!)

The stay was very satisfying! The hotel has an elegant environment, the service staff Allen is warm and thoughtful, the room is clean and tidy, and the facilities are complete. The bed is comfortable and spacious, ensuring a good night's sleep. The breakfast is rich in variety and meets all tastes. Overall, this was a very pleasant stay and I highly recommend it to other travelers!