Thank you! Very useful indeed.

Regards,
Alex

Hey I am trying to check out online hotel info for the Hengshan and the Ruijin Hotel per previous recommendations on here. Any suggestions on where to get rates/make online reservations?

has anyone stayed at 88 Xintiandi before? looks very nice from the outside, but i'm interested to hear some independent reviews. thanks.

I like this site for the user reviews:

http://www.asiahotels.com/

.....but, it isn't very comprehensive AND the prices are about 20-25% higher than what can be attained by speaking with the manager directly. Other than Priceline, I don't know of any booking sites that give really good rates in Asia these days.

In other words, you'll probably come out on top if you call the hotel directly and on top of the top (to borrow an old Chinese expression) if you get a Shanghai native to negotiate on your behalf.

Moondog,

What is your take on M on the Bund these days? I have heard mixed reviews - great view but okay food. I will be in Shanghai in two weeks (after a 7 year hiatus) so like the idea of going to a restaurant with a fantastic view of the Bund. Any other view recommendations (you suggested St. Regis in one of your previous posts - how does this compare?)

Thanks!

I've never eaten at M, but the drinks are as good as anywhere (decent champagne prices too).

It's hard to compare the view with the St. Regis', but if I had to choose one over the other, I'd probably go with M just because it's more uniquely Shanghai.

Handel Lee's new complex -- 3 on the Bund -- is supposed to be pretty fly. I'll try to check it out before I leave on Wed.




[This message has been edited by moondog (edited 08-02-2003).]

Couple of links I posted a few months ago:

http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...ML/000006.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...ML/000005.html

More on Ruijin Hotel:

I have some friends that want to stay at Ruijin in October so I went over there today to do a little recon and negotiation. Unfortunately, there weren't any managers around when I stopped by so I didn't make substantial progress on the latter front, but I did check out a few rooms and get the web address:

http://www.shedi.net.cn/outEDI/Ruijin/

The rooms were quite good in my opinion, better equipped than all but the nicest renovated apartments I've seen in the same neighborhood and very large.

I also got the current rack rack rate list: $85 for standard single, $150 for superior standard, $225 for executive superior, $300 for deluxe suite, $400 for complex suite.

The girl at the front desk immediately slashed 20% off of those rates, but my goal is to get them below Y500 for the superior standard.

Edited to add: a friend of mine recently got a standing commitment for Y350, which is a pretty sweet deal (and ostensibly transferable).

[This message has been edited by moondog (edited 10-21-2003).]

Radisson Plaza Xing Guo Hotel: Has anyone stayed here? What's it like?

Thanks.

I haven't stayed there, but go there on occasion as part of my buffet circuit. The grounds and facilities are top notch and serene; the chef is very good; and the staff seems reasonably competant. The bad news is that the location, while preferable to Hongqiao/Gubei, isn't very good, IMO probably not worth it if you're paying anywhere north of $125.

Thanks for your help! It's part of a cheap travel package. So I guess I'll deal.

I've got one more question relating to airport departure tax:
I'm traveling to Qingdao after my Shanghai visit. On my return back to HKG, i'm going through Shanghai (Pu Dong) to switch planes. Can I
(a) just purchase the international tax or
(b) do I have to pay both a domestic tax at TAO and international tax at Pu Dong.

Thanks in advance.

Rui Jin Hotel?
 

I think I'll resurrect this puppy. I will be in Shanghai for six nights in mid-November. I'm considering staying at the Rui Jin. Any opinions? Also, should I try phoning directly to book? Any ideas about what rate I can expect to pay? I do have a couple of Mandarin-speaking co-workers who can do the bargaining for me. Regarding hotels in general, is phoning directly likely to yield a better rate than using a hotel Web site or Priceline? If the Rui Jin is on the outs, I'd appreciate other hotel recs. up to say $125 or $150 per night (although I'd prefer a little lower) TIA.

I have a friend who's going spring of next year. He's a bit of a food hound (I'm not), so I was wondering if anyone knew of any good sites for finding high caliber restaurants? Or if anyone has any particular recommendations? He's pretty much open to anything in terms of cuisine, despises chain restaurants, dislikes noise and bustle and pushy waiters, and wouldn't want to go to somewhere that had great food but lousy decor.

In your hotel conceige, you should be able to pick up some free Shanghai magazines. In it, you will be able to find listing of the restaurants and review.

I have tried the following restaurants and found the nice and decor to be nice (based on my personal experience). As the addresses I have are in Chinese, you may wish to call them to find out the directions for going there and as well as to make a reservation:

A) South Beauty Restaurant Co. Ltd
Tel: 021-50471817/1917
You should try the one at Pudong SuperBrand Mall. It has nice view of the skyline of Shanghai while dining. Reservation is strongly recommended. It serves Chinese food and price is reasonable. You can visit the website for details at:- http://www.qiaojiangnan.com/

B) EEST Crystal Garden Restaurant at Westin Hotel
Tel: 021-63351787
Usually, they will have buffets (International food - Chinese, Western, Thai, Japanese) and it is usually in the price range of RMB200 per person, which is a little on the high side. But quality of food is nice and quiet & comfortable decor, coupled with excellent service. If you are a member of Asia Miles FFP, you can earn miles for your meal by presenting your Asia Miles card at point of payment.

C) Shintori Restaurant
Tel:021-54045252 / 021-64660505 / 021-54040707
There are several outlets for this restaurant. It is originated from Taiwan. It has quiet environment coupled with unique chinese food. Price is reasonable and after you have finished your dinner, you can proceed to the wine bar to unwind yourself till late at night.

D) Simply Thai
Tel: 021-64459551
This is a Thai restaurant which is pretty popular. However, prices can be a little expensive especially so if you compare to the prices that you can get in Thailand. Nevertheless, it has nice settings and if you are craving for Thai food, you can give this place a try.

Well, hope that these 4 places will give your friend a good start in Shanghai.

i've recommended the rui jin in the past (earlier in this thread, i think) and stand by my sentiments. the location is great, the gardens' serene, and the mystique "old shanghai". that having been said, getting one of the big rooms is an imperative (they cost more).

be advised that if money is no object up to your threshold, you can stay almost anywhere in the city, provided you are a decent negotiator and/or can reference any corporate agreements. if i were in that boat, i'd probably go for the portman because i like the gym or the jw marriott because it is new. i would pass on other places within striking distance (shangri-la, hyatt, westin, st. regis) because i think they're overrated. the 4 seasons would be a decent pick as well, though not necessarily better than the portman (except for the rooms) and probably not less than 150.