Summarize in short : they should keep this place only for Chinese speaker, not recommend for traveller with other languages.
Base from my true experiences, I booked here the night before traveling to Shanghai. Once I check out from hotel in Guangzhou, front desk lady help me called reception at Shanghai Novotel Hotel Chuansha to ask if they can pick me and my partner at Pudong Airport as they advertised for a complimentary shuttle bus.
The lady at Novotel cannot speak English so I passed to the front desk lady in Guangzhou and got to know that I have to book a shuttle bus a day ahead. I accepted this because I read info, just have hope if they could help customer with this, anyway I flew to Shanghai and went hotel by myself.
On the way to Shanghai, I still have hope that receptionist at NOVOTEL will be able to speak English. When I arrived there, I met 3 receptionists and NONE OF THEM CAN SPEAK ENGLISH. We had a tough time to communicate. I have my own language and English, also broken Chinese but we still not understand each other. I had to call a friend of mine in Taiwan to speak Chinese to them.
Again, I wanted to book a shuttle bus to Disney land for the next day and they ask me to have a Wechat app to see a detail and communicate. Since I do not have China mainland mobile number so I cannot make a Wechat work on my phone. My ********* friend still help me out with this.
At that time, another lady came, seem like she work for shuttle bus thing. I do understand that Chinese tone of voice always loud but I cannot see mercy on her face. She consisted that we still need a Wechat. One lady there said, I have to take a taxi without Wechat even though the hotel provided us a free shuttle bus to Disneyland. At this point I a little upset as there is no choice that they can call or set me a time for my travel, _ucking asked me to take a taxi. I do not mind to pay for taxi but we have never been here so we worry about other unexpected factor could happen.
Further more, I went there on my girlfriend birthday to celebrate her birthday. I decided to take it here a last minute and I asked if they could have a card written Happy Birthday to her. Only I know is ”NO CARD, NO CARD!!!! bad service mind ever, disappointed and felt give up with Novotel
Yes, I picked NOVOTEL because I really hope they provided international services. I was a member of ACCOR PLUS and experienced such good services but since I experienced here, I am a failure.
I actually have 2 more nights in Shanghai after 2nights here. I was thinking to move out all the time because me and my partner felt suffocate with a service. I do not talk to them anymore as it is useless T___T
I even tried with my broken Chinese but I cannot feel that they put an effort to serve their guesses. No bellboy, air-conditioning at public area is pretty warm.
To be honest, the place is good, bed is comfy and we tired from playing things in Disney land park so I extended to book for one more night then I do not need to rush for checking out. I went reception floor, this time a girl with glasses, seem kind and she is fluent in English help me check in for my last night here :)
Whole time staying here I kept my mouse shut because don't want to feel unpleasant anymore and I feel like the robot that delivery food downstairs is working better than human lol.
Eventually, I did tried until I can log into Wechat to found that the text were written in Chinese only. I still can travel with a hotel shuttle bus even I do not read thing on Wechat (我看不懂) 😔 I definitely won't be back here even things are good.
Hotel is providing everything we needed which is good but they should hire people who able to speak English or people who able to use translate on google and else to communicate as they open for the whole world guess. Not only Chinese on earth but also another language exists. Last thing, key of hospitality is ”SERVICE MIND”
