China - Shanghai - Pudi Boutique Hotel

Has anyone stayed at the Pudi Boutique Hotel? It is on Yandang Rd, supposed to be in the French Concession. The description sounds very nice and the price is reasonable, especially for a "boutique" hotel. How is the location? Easy to get to? Where is this relative to the Bund? We will be arriving at PVG, but leaving the next day from SHA. Any idea how long the transit time from/to the airports will be? Thanks for any information.

Has anyone stayed at the Pudi Boutique Hotel? It is on Yandang Rd, supposed to be in the French Concession.

I've never heard of it before, but based on what I just read about it online (I did a quick search), I'd be willing to give it a try. It's on Yandang Rd, which is a nice little restaurant street between Fuxing Park and Huaihai Rd.... a very good location in my opinion. Assuming you don't hit horrendus traffic, you should be able to make from PVG to there in about 45 minutes. And, I'd allow 30 minutes to get to Hongqiao the next day. It's about 15 minutes away from the Bund by taxi. But, as long as you're staying over there, I'd encourage you to walk around the French Concession a bit (more interesting than the Bund as far as I'm concerned). Fuxing Rd is a partularly nice street (lots of trees and interesting buildings).

I stayed at this hotel from September 14-18. It was great. Very cool rooms and awesome bathrooms - full jacuzzi tub and walk in shower. The lobby is a bit dark and funky, but overall the place was great. I also really liked the location - right next to the French concession and walking distance to the Xiantindi developments. There is also a great spa, Dragonfly, 2 minutes from the hotel.

- right next to the French concession .

Welcome to FT, but I have to disagree with this (in spite of the fact there are many interpretations of the term in question).

Edited to add: I take this comment back, but am letting in stand anyway (just so you guys don't regard me as a "post changer"). For some reason, I thought mark2040 was talking about the Westin, which is nowhere near the French Concession. However, the property in question is (a bit east to be sure, but I'm willing to concede this much).

However, the property in question is (a bit east to be sure, but I'm willing to concede this much).

The property is as close to the heart of the French Concession as it gets, being adjacent to 1) the Academy of Science (originally Cercle sportif francais, beautiful building, if a little run down) and 2) Fuxing Park (can't remember the original French name, but something like le parc francais or jardin francais, and the only one in Shanghai with a proper parterre.

The French concession expanded in several phases. I think what moondog is referring to is the later phases, which was developed really as residential suburbs. The FC started right outside the wall of the old city.

I stayed at this hotel from September 14-18. It was great. Very cool rooms and awesome bathrooms - full jacuzzi tub and walk in shower. The lobby is a bit dark and funky, but overall the place was great. I also really liked the location - right next to the French concession and walking distance to the Xiantindi developments. There is also a great spa, Dragonfly, 2 minutes from the hotel.

While I have not stayed at this hotel, I have to agree that Dragonfly is fantastic!

Did either of you staying there collect airline points for your stay? The hotel appears to be run by Accor, so I would assume (and hope!) so...

I've just made a reservation for next weekend and am looking forward to checking it out...

Sorry, we ended up staying at a different hotel (Renaissance YuYuan - new hotel). I would expect that Pudi would post points okay. The only hotel we didn't get points at was the Sofitel Trilec in Nanchang, and an email from Accor later told us it no longer participates in the program.

Enjoy your stay!

I just spent three nights at this hotel... its in a great location just at the bottom of Yandang Road just before Fuxing Park and about a five minute walk from the Metro.

At check-in, they just took my passport and immediately escorted me to my room, where a butler - as many of the male staff are called - took care of all the paperwork and showed me around the room. He returned with my passport and pillow menu selection about five minutes later.

My room was a great size, including a small wetbar with microwave, a desk and bedroom area separated with a large flatscreen tv that turned 360 degrees (and had glassware/bottles of spirits on the backside). There was also a window seat area surrounded by windows and shades with a small fruit bowl on the seat. There were also lots of complimentary bottles of drinking water around the room.

The bathroom was really large, including a huge bathtub, walk-in shower, and dual sinks. My only complaint is that the shower had one of those rainforest heads, so there wasn't a ton of pressure - it didn't help that some of the water was spraying out the side as well. It was also a bit tough to figure out the very modern handles!

They had thought out most of the details. The bar included 375mL liquor bottles, rather than the minis, and in the bathroom there were all kinds of essentials that you might otherwise leave at home. The hotel had a dark and modern feeling about it, featuring original art, all of which was for sale. In fact, I am almost certain that the painting above my bed changed during my stay, although I can't be certain.

The breakfast, included in my rate, was served on the 8th floor 'Members Gallery' and was excellent. I imagine that it could have also been ordered to the room, as that option was offered. All of the staff spoke great English, and I wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.

At checkout, I handed over my Aeroplan card (accepted at Accor hotels) and the staff made a photocopy... I'll see if the points post or if I'll have to send it in.

We stayed at the Pudi Boutique Hotel late last week.

Our experience was less than perfect - for us, the hotel was like Fawlty Towers, with the technology serving as Basil Fawlty!

The "Butler" was friendly, but could not be contacted as he had not charged his telephone. The Internet access was welcome, but did not work using the normal DHCP connectivity, which resulted in virtually no success. The butler had to assign both IP address and DNS, and even then connection was slow.

The room required multiple remote controls, none of which had clear English explanations. For example, when we tried to play a DVD, the sound boomed out in the bathroom, but there was no picture! I managed to get a picture by using the manual controls on the TV and DVD, but still had sound problems.

Despite being November, the room became extremely hot with late afternoon sun streaming in. The air conditioning did not cool, and it appears that, despite the claimed "individual heating and cooling" (using another indecipherable remote control) central cooling had been turned off. Their answer was to open the windows (a plus) but then we could not close them at night, and the street was very noisy.

The food in the "Member's Lounge" was good, if pricey, and the staff friendly.

Our final major problem came on checking out - we had prepaid by the Accor website, but while they had our booking, they had no record of payment. After 45 minutes, I paid under protest as our taxi to the airport was getting very impatient.

A lovely idea, badly executed!

Algyhol

ps It is almost impossible for a taxi to find, and there is a turntable at the end of a long lane so taxis can turn around. There is no passing taxi traffic.

Sorry, we ended up staying at a different hotel (Renaissance YuYuan - new hotel). I would expect that Pudi would post points okay. The only hotel we didn't get points at was the Sofitel Trilec in Nanchang, and an email from Accor later told us it no longer participates in the program.

Enjoy your stay!
Hi Idranet,

I was just doing some research and came upon this thread. Just FYI, the reason why Sofitel Nanchang is not longer in the programme is cuz it has been delisted as a Sofitel due to some owner-hotel management company disagreements, hence Sofitel pulled out of it. I met the GM, who is now at the Sofitel Wanda Harbin (another great Sofitel property).

The property is as close to the heart of the French Concession as it gets, being adjacent to 1) the Academy of Science (originally Cercle sportif francais, beautiful building, if a little run down) and 2) Fuxing Park (can't remember the original French name, but something like le parc francais or jardin francais, and the only one in Shanghai with a proper parterre.


I think the former Cercle Sportif Francais is now part of the Okura Garden Hotel. You can see the old facade incorporated into the lobby and public areas.

SQ319 - thanks for the explanation. It's a lovely hotel from the outside, but the rooms could use updating/cleaning. I'm somewhat curious when Sofitel pulled out, since when we were there in late Sept/early Oct, I thought the GM told me he was with Sofitel (originally from France, and was recently assigned to China). I could easily be mistaken, though.

Any other updates on this place, esp with regards to A/C? I'll be in SH in a week for business and it looks to be between this and the Hilton. Trying to avoid staying in Pudong (more culture/nightlife/potential to walk around the french concession during the day), though circumstances may not allow it... Any reccommendations are welcome

I'll be in SH in a week for business and it looks to be between this and the Hilton.

Can you swing the Portman? It's usually not much more than the Hilton in the swimming pool is pretty nice during the summer.

Given my junior status, I don't think the Portman is doable at $300/night, though it would be nice. Trying to keep the budget around 150-ish/200 USD all in...

other ideas/places to get rates besides ctrip/elong/expedia?

Edited to add: I see the Portman is available for 219 on Expedia, but the Hilton is available for 130ish...

other suggestions for hotels would be most welcome. FYI I'm in Hangzhou for 3 days before I get to SH and staying at the Hyatt for a conference, Don't know how much time I'll spend in the hotel as I'm in SH for business for 1 night/2 days the other 2 nights will be for fun and meeting up with friends, nightlife, walking around etc.

And Moondog should be pleased..

I have managed to get a room at the Portman on some ridiculously low rate via Asiarooms (and got the confirmation via email from the site). Although I'm excited, I'm a bit sceptical since I have to check in this Thursday and its already Monday. I will though, be sure to bring the voucher provided. Here's to knocking on wood.

Edited to add: I know I can also ask the concierge this, but just a question, how far is the French Concession from the hotel? While I will try to arrange meetings, I would love nothing more than to spend my Friday walking around the French Concession and having real local, Shanghainese food (something I have not done). I hear the Hundun and the Xiaolongbao are big.. anything else?

I know I can also ask the concierge this, but just a question, how far is the French Concession from the hotel?

First of all, congrats on getting the Portman! Try your best to utilize the pool to its fullest, preferably with company :)

As for your question, based on some maps that I've seen, the Portman is actually in the French Concession (which, apparently grew and shrunk over time), but, when modern people talk about the area, I think of the swathe of land between Ruijin Park and Hengshan Rd... all south of Huaihai Rd (visit the Urban Planning Exhibition -- or maybe Google -- if you want to glean more insights on this topic).

But, practically speaking, the Portman is reasonably close to all points within the French Concession (no matter what map you choose).... figure 15 minutes max by taxi.

Everything went smoothly with my booking.

$140 USD/night all in on Asiarooms.com, rate is still up and there's a good looking deal on the Meridien too. Don't know why its so low, maybe due to some minor renovations (I did hear some drilling from my room one afternoon though not at night or when I was around (not often), and other booking rates for the hotel remain quite high. Moondog, I apologize for not using the pool (I thought the Hyatt at Hangzhou had a nicer one, which I did use), although I might be able to next time... ;)

Location was just fine and service was as expected.

FYI, for anyone interested in walking around Shanghai, go to the "Old China Hand Bookstore" on ShaoXing Lu, in the French Concession, and buy the book "6 Shanghai Walks" or a newer one "6 more Shanghai Walks." While designed to be used by 1-3 travellers at once (since the walks take you through traditional neighborhoods and near/in people's homes), the walks and the descriptions are fantastic. I did a walk of the French Concession, which should have taken 3 hours but took me around 7 split over 2 days. Then again, when there are so many boutiques, galleries, and people to talk to, one does get distracted...