Originally Posted by
callmedtop
Thanks for the lengthy post and recap - some great tidbits. Have to ask though - you sure it was the W-A Shanghai you were at? I stayed here maybe 3 years ago and the rooms were far from "extremely outdated". Toto toilets, automatic drapes, etc. This was a standard Bund View room. The hotel had some issues but for the price we grabbed it at, it was a good stay. If the rooms have been that poorly maintained over 3 years, I can't imagine how the rest of the hotel is running now.
Just to clarify on this point [MENTION=632530]callmedtop[/MENTION] - the hardware is there, but the maintenance wasn't too great. Also looks badly dated (apart from the nice automatic drapes etc) - gives me the Taj Campton Place vibe. Also, stepped into some rooms (both guest rooms and facilities such as banquet hall) and got a terrible sniff of a damp room that had very poor ventilation. Found the hotel to be far too big as well.
Very similar issues with Fairmont, which also had the added benefit of looking like a prison - I didn't have a scheduled appointment at this hotel so I walked in, but finding the entrance was difficult. There were a ton of tourists gawking outside the hotel, but what seemed to be its main entrance doors were gated off. Walked around the block, couldn't find a proper entrance - ended up walking in through the car park or something bizarre.
Originally Posted by
bhrubin
[MENTION=143771]chinmoylad[/MENTION], it appears you and I share appreciation of the same best hotels.
Haha yea - think I mentioned it in another thread but only reason our lists aren't identical is that I haven't been to all the places you have!
Which makes me even more frustrated now that I spent time going across hotels in San Francisco while I was there a few years back but didn't do even a site visit, let alone a stay, at the St Regis!