Mrs. AC110 and I will be travelling, we hope, to Shanghai in September for a conference at the Ritz.

The hotel conference rate seems to be, for 2 people with breakfast, 2,200 yuan (or renminbi - could never get that straight) + 15% tax. That's going to be a little tough to get past the approvals process at work, and may kill the trip, which would be very disappointing to say the least.

Can anyone suggest a more modest alternative within walking distance or at least a short transit ride? There will be evening activities centered around the Ritz, so it will be difficult if we're not close by.

Even a short term (5-6 day) apartment rental would be fine - we're not fussy as long as it's clean and safe - though hotels are more convenient. If government rates are an option we can get travel orders.

We'd really appreciate any advice, we really don't want to miss this trip.

I think this thread will be helpful.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=801906

Can someone tell me if one can walk practically from the Hilton or the Equitorial to the Portman Ritz? We'd probably be back and forth a couple of times a day.

Is it a safe area? OK to walk it at night?

Hilton is our chain of choice for the points.

We don't know anything about the Equitorial, the prices seem low, $800 for 6 nights - a mistake perhaps?

Any comments on this area and these hotels would be welcome.

I'm far from an SH expert but can meekly attempt to clarify the "Yuan" vs "Renminbi" debate.

Renminbi is the currency's official name. It literally means the "People's Money/Currency" like we might say "Canadian Dollars, US Dollars etc"

Yuan is like saying "Dollars" or "currency" or "unit of money" is my understanding of it and is used most commonly. For example US Dollars in China are called "美元" Mei Yuan or American Yuan. Of course it does not help that they also often throw in the "gold (jin)" character �金� when talking about money/currencies.

Hope this has not made you more confused. In other words, use Yuan more often, and if you get puzzled looks, which you won't (for getting the tone wrong) you can always say Renminbi.

Hilton and Equitorial are not quite within walking distance but a short ride of taxi away. JC Mandarin is across the street from Ritz and may be not as expensive. City hotel is 10-15 min walking distance away and will be much cheaper.
Shanghai is safe but taxi is so cheap ( $2-3 USD per trip) might as well take the taxi

The towers on either side of the Portman Ritz Carlton include the Shanghai Centre service apartments. I stayed there for 2+ weeks a couple of years ago and loved the location, and it was much cheaper than the Ritz.

Shanghai Centre

Also, as a previous poster said, the JC Mandarin is right across Nanjing Road.

in order of preference:

1) shanghai centre apartments (they're right there and you get all of the hotel amenities)
2) the executive apartments right across xikang road
3) hilton

IMO the JC Mandarin is kind of terrible so I can't advise it, but it is closer than the Hilton.

Feel free to PM me if you need more advice.

Thank you all very much for the comments posted so far. Some really useful information.

I'll keep watching this thread, and any more info would be very welcome.

well you are in luck with alternatives to hotels to thr ritz........recently opened thus brand new !! is the SWISSOTEL grand half block (?) from the ritz ..onnly trouble is that not al facilities are opened .

a smaller outique "property is the URBN (sic) hotel 10 mins walk fro SWISSOTEL which is new and cosy. ..has an eco theme .

The PULI diagonally across from the RITZ - behind the Kerry centre will also open within the year ..

that would bring SH hotels pretty much up to date ...safe for the HYATT BUND which is much further away near hong kou.

.

yuan = RMB

I've tried a few places in Pudong... my fave so far is the St Regis Shanghai (a Starwood property - SPG/Sheraton). Its relatively newer, and very nice. A cool feature is a "womens only" floor - designed for women travelers.

St. Regis Shanghai
889 Dong Fang Road, Pudong District � Shanghai, Shanghai 200122 � China
Phone: (86)(21) 5050 4567
URL: http://www.starwoodhotels.com/stregi...ropertyID=1365

The OP wants to stay near the Portman. Given this criterion, the St. Regis would be a pretty bad choice (it's really far out there).