I agreed - location is not very good - I like staying out on Nanjing Xi Lu, near the Portman in the Jing An Temple area; lots of shopping and cafes, on the subway line to PuDong / People's Square; decent taxi ride to XinTianDi or XuJiaHui (if you care), sort of centrally located. Also good for meetings, as many foreign companies are in that area in Citic Square, Plaza 66, etc. And PLENTY of bars, expat and local, on or around TonGren Lu.

At the same time, down in the French Concession is nice, too, and quieter, but less convenient, I think.