Recently wrapped up a stay at the brand new Mumian Shanghai Expo. My experience is mixed, but the property has potential. Mumian and the upcoming Thompson share the same mixed-use complex Expo Place.
Neither property would be at the best location for visitors, but a 5-min walk to metro line 8 and a 10-min walk to line 13 made the commute to the heart of it all quite easy. Contactless payment is certainly appreciated. The hotels’ immediate vicinity is enveloped by SOE headquarters with the iconic Chinese pavilion resembling some reminiscence of Expo 2010. Do note that both hotels are the closest upscale properties to a large convention center and the Mercedes-Benz arena, so expect surges in occupancy and room rates during events.
As for the property itself, the relatively limited public spaces were elegantly furnished with Shanghainese elements. A rather cringeworthy “evening ritual” consisting of a dance show and low-proof cocktails was performed every day at 6pm. I was upgraded to a “So Nanyang Suite”, but I was far less impressed with the room, appearing much more modest than some of the other Mumian properties I’ve seen online. All suites are equipped with kitchenettes and washing machines, but who the hell in their right mind thought the bathroom minibar placement was a good idea? The minibar itself was nice enough with JING teabags and Nespresso machines, but suffice to say I was extremely put off by its placement.
Breakfast was another mixed story. Pastries were impressive at the price point, easily approaching Park Hyatt standards in the region. Also impressive was the selection of muesli and yoghurt, which isn’t a given in China. Hot dishes on the other hand were… almost inedible. My companion reported the grilled chicken dish to be as dry as sand.
Globalists receive 200CNY of on-property F&B credits per night as part of the “executive benefits”, to be used at either “So Nanyang”, the hotel’s main restaurant, or “Sugar Pavilion”, hotel’s cafe and patisserie. I used up all the credits at Sugar Pavilion, and fortunately breakfast’s pastry excellence was able to extend all the way down here. Egg tarts are must tries. I was informed the hotel’s executive chef was transferred from Grand Hyatt Macau with a pastry background, maybe that has a lot to do.
It’s always nice to see new full service additions amidst the region’s real estate downturn, but I’d probably only return here for the Thompson. I paid 8,000 pts for my stay, an okay redemption value over the prevailing cash rates. Do note that akin to UrCoves or inclusive collection properties, none of the Mumian hotels uses Hyatt’s standard property management suite. In-app features such as viewing the bill or your room number isn’t possible at this point, but the plan is to integrate these features later. A few photos in the spoilers tag below.