Originally Posted by tailorgiven

In case you aren’t aware, HOB is sold by its original owner amid dire financial circumstances in early 2022. The new owner is a state-owned real estate establishment in possession of a few IHG properties in Shanghai, including the once robust Twelve at Hengshan (now a Hualuxe, a part of IHG).

HOB has finally started its long overdue refurbishment on Apr 10. Similar to GH Singapore, the hotel will be fully closed during renovation. Works are expected to take 14 months, with the hotel confirming no planned changes in branding (won’t change names but still considered a GH) or management (HOB’s first-term management contract is due in 2027). No confirmation as to which design firm is responsible for the renovation. There were rumors about the rumor a while back for a PH & GH dual brand that Hyatt wasn’t keen on the PH upgrade as the property “failed internal inspections”.

If you’re looking for an alternative and have the budget, PH is your best choice. GH has been dipping in quality control for years now, Andaz is aging rapidly (and is very likely to leave Hyatt once the new Andaz in Xujiahui opens next year), the HRs are nothing to write home about, whilst Alila (the former Four Seasons) and Thompson originally due this year are delayed and not arriving till 2025. The Sukhothai at Jing’an Temple (a part of SLH) is another worthy alternative if you can live with the subpar breakfast.