The Official Fall 2011 China DO Thread
 

Here is your chance to see Shanghai (AKA Paris of the East) with your fellow FlyerTalkers/FlyerTeas!

Thanks to the efforts of bschaff1 and TravellerOnline we have a schedule of events and it looks like things are moving forward to a potentially successful DO :cool:

Thursday November 10

-If anyone is interested a group of us are meeting at the Le Meridien at 0830 to go to Zhujaijiao, an old watertown with many bridges and canals. If you are interested contact lili or post your questions or intent.

Friday November 11

- Agenda: Shanghai Highlights Tour from an Insider's View - Thanks to the generosity of our FlyerTea counterparts they are arranging more of an insider's tour, not a typical Shanghai tour for tourists. Of course they will also include the main tourist sites. Exact start time and meeting location will be forthcoming. See post 229 for agenda and specifics and post 271 for pickup times

- Dinner: Starting 6:30-7:00 PM. Venue: A small Japanese restaurant which does a nice set crab meal. The ultimate delicacy in Shanghai is hairy crab and the crab season is only about 3, 4 months. November is the best time for hairy crab. Normally these hairy crab set meals(nothing hairy in the set) will cost over RMB1000 per person. But this little gem can do it for RMB150. This is the real hidden gem in Shanghai. For those who won't venture into crabs, they can choo
se all-you-can-eat Japanese buffet for RMB158We need a final count of attendees NO LATER THAN 1 November Please advise me and TravellerOnline of your participation. Post #209 reflects those that have signed up for Dinner



Saturday November 12

- China Eastern Tour: China Eastern Airlines has their home hub in Shanghai and we will have the opportunity to tour their commercial pilot training facilities. (http://www.ceaftc.com/CeaftcWeb/Intr...nyInfo_En.aspx). The tour will be approximately 4 hours and we anticipating leaving the Le Meridien at approximately 1330. Please see Post #301 for additional information.

See (Post #153) for a list of attendees on this tour

- Dinner: 7:30 PM, Venue: Di Shui Dong located at 56 Mao Ming South Road, 2nd Floor (by Change Le Road) Shanghai. Comes with some great recommendations, check this link out (http://accidentalepicurean.com/2010/...sion-shanghai/) or do a web search on the name
See (Post #163) for a list of Dinner attendees. Here is a link for printable taxi directions http://www.smartshanghai.com/taxi/2848

Note: Dinner is now set for 1930hrs

- After Dinner Drinks: Pudong, Venue TBD

Sunday November 13

- Late Brunch or Lunch at 1200 (noon) at Jean Georges, 4th Floor, Three on the Bund, #17 Guangdong Lu (near Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu)

- Dinner: Timing is up in the air since I'm sure some people will be leaving this evening

See Post #2 for a list of DO attendees

Attendees for The Official Fall 2011 China DO
 

Here is the list of those that have committed and the maybe's. We are not going to identify a central hotel but it is recommended that you choose one on or near the Bund - this would make herding the cattle much easier :D. If you want to PM me with your hotel and flight arrangements I will build a post for these.

Definitely:
acpccl
bennos +1 (CY Puxi)
bschaff1
chchkiwi (LeMeridien & Westin)
ckpeter
Ellyse (local)
FriendlySkies
frostie +1
fsfguy
gvdIAD (Hilton)
KAndre (Renaissance Shanghai Park)
lili
Mackenzie77 +1 (local)
NewbieRunner (LeMeridien & Westin)
NYC101
rbAA
restlessinRNO (Hilton)
Ryu2 +1
Sabalca
Spaceman +1 (LeMeridien)
TravellerOnline
wijomas
wpyeh (IC Shanghai Puxi)
wrxmom
yul36




Interested:
3LeftTurns
8dimsum
aanswer
Abraxis
alicesantamonica
awc4
bseller
CaseyN2
cawhite
christinasc
Condition One
cyby +1
dedehans
falconea
jan_az
Jerseygirl17
karung99
Lori_Q
meremale
mnredfox
mrbrad
perthite
seacarl
Slipless
taiwaned +1
tmartazu
UA_Flyer
uchuuace
upup&away
usa18dca +1
worldtraveller2
yang1980
zInSocal

The Official Fall 2011 China DO Thread
 

Deleted, please refer to post #1.

Deleted, please refer to post #2.

Reserved for DO (2)

Guess I'll be the first one to put down my preference.

Attendance: Definite
Date Choice: Nov 11-14
# of attendees: 1
Hotel Preference: None
Other Suggested activities: Whatever the group decides

Had a few munites free while do the stress test of StarMegaDo-2:) so here are my preference.

Attendance: Definite
Date Choice: Nov 11-14
# of attendees: 1 for sure (possibly 2 if Mrs Spaceman is willing)
Hotel Preference: Hilton (1st choice), Starwood (2nd)
Other Suggested activities: Whatever the crowd decides

Mort

Put karung99 and +1 as maybe. Love to get back there.

I would suggest not having the Do during any holiday in China, we were trap in one of these holiday and everywhere we go it seem like zoo.

If not mistaken it was May 01 CN labor days, we went to Hangzhou, can't even catch taxi back to our hotel for long time, all restaurant was packed like sardines.

Attendance: Probable
Date Choice: November 11-14
# of attendees: 1
Hotel Preference: Hilton
Other suggested activities: Flexible

Oct 1 is China's National Day, sort of like our July 4th. I think the local folks will have a whole week off. The proposed Oct date is in the later half of the week so it shouldn't be that bad and TravellerOnline said business travel is usually slow during that week and we may get some good hotel deals, so something to think about.

I'll put you down as interested for Nov for now, let me know if things change.

Attendance: Definite
Date choice: November.
# of attendees: 1
Hotel Preference: None

I'm already getting ahead of myself and filling out China visa application. Of course I cant submit it for several months

Attendance: Probable
Date Choice: November 11-14
# of attendees: 1
Hotel Preference: Starwood
Other suggested activities: Flexible

Attendance: Interested
Date Choice: October 7-10
# of attendees: 1
Hotel Preference: Hyatt
Other suggested activities: Flexible

I pretty much have no excuse as I am a short and cheap flight away in Tokyo...might be hard to get a couple weekdays off, but the weekend component should be no problem...

Attendance: Probable
Date Choice: The October 7-10 weekend would be ideal as the 10th is a holiday in Japan
# of attendees: 1
Hotel Preference: Hilton
Other Suggested activities: Having Xiao Long Bao as it is a Shanghai specialty as compared to Dim Sum which is from Hong Kong. I'd also suggest taking the Maglev train instead of a car/van from the airport (greener/faster/more fun!), and somehow working in hanging in the Bund into the equation somewhere (good night life). And of course, would love to visit China Eastern/Shanghai Airlines.

Keep up the good work!

Attendance: Interested
Date Choice: November 11-14
# of attendees: 1
Hotel Preference: Hyatt, Starwood, Intercontinental
Other suggested activities: ???

Attendance: Possible
Date Choice: November 11-14
# of attendees: 1
Hotel Preference: Hyatt
Other suggested activities: Flexible

Attendance: Interested
Date Choice: Nov 11-14
# of attendees:1 or 2
Hotel Preference:IC, Hyatt, Hilton...best group rate. I have no real status anywhere...
Other Suggested activities: Shanghai Museum. One of the most spectacular museums I have ever been to.
Might be necessary to be an option as I would not like to be limited to just one or two hours there.

Attendance: Interested
Date Choice: Nov 11-14
# of attendees:1 or 2
Hotel PreferenceMarriot, Hilton..

Attendance: Interested
Date Choice: Nov. 11-14
# of attendees: 1
Hotel Preference: Non-western chain hotel, i.e. Barron Business Hotel or the Metropole - if you're paying, they're much better value than a western chain in China.
Other Suggested activities:
A tour of one of the airlines in Shanghai or of PVG airport or something along those lines would make the trip far more interesting and more likely for me since I know Shanghai reasonably well and spend some vacation time there every year. This would however, likely require someone with a contact, maybe someone on the Flyer Tea side(?).

I'd be interested to know what activities the people on Flyer Tea would be interested in doing.

Attendance: Definite
Date Choice: Nov
# of attendees: 1, maybe 2
Hotel Preference: Hilton
Other Suggested activities: flexible, anything with some walking associated with it

Interest looks to be really strong. Once a date is decided on we will qualify as an official DO, eligible for posting in the Consolidated Do Thread

Seems most people here prefer Nov, we'll wait for TravellerOnline to post a similar post on FlyerTea and pick a date that would work for most people.

As for a tour of the facility @PVG/SHA, if we have enough responses, we can certainly ask folks on FlyerTea if they've got contacts. But does anyone ever had experience dealing with the airport authority and request for such tour?

I think that for PVG/SHA facility tours, it might have to or be easiest to go through an airline that's a customer at the facility. The airlines with the most clout would be the best bet, I think that China Eastern has the biggest presence there, they're joining Skyteam next year so a DL contact might work and they currently have codeshares with AA so an AA contact might work. Though working directly with UA, DL, AA might also be possibilities.

Attendance: Probable
Date Choice: Nov 11-14
# of attendees:1 or 2
Hotel Preference Hilton or IC.

Ok, here we go..

Attendance: Probable
Date: Nov 11-14
Attendees: 1 , maybe 2
Hotel: Starwood or Hilton
Activities: Airport facility tour

Cheers

Some comments on the hotel chain properties in Shanghai:

Hilton
- The current Hilton Shanghai is an old property. It used to be one of the earliest 5 star hotels in Shanghai. Good location on the border of French Concession. But time has taken its toll on the property.
- The brand new Waldorf Astoria is great, right on the bund. But it's tough to find a rate that's lower than $300/night. Great place to stay if you have a free Hilton night.

Starwood
- Le Royal Meridien(CAT5) is great, right on Nanjing Raod (the main shopping street in Shanghai) at People Square (the geographic center of Shanghai) with 3 subway stations. The best rate we can find is $110++. Upgrade for platinum: Junior Suite.
- Westin Bund Center(CAT5) is close by. Though not as convenient and more expensive, but still a valid choice. Upgrade for platinum: Suite, sometimes.
- The St Regis(CAT4) is in Pudong and in the middle of nowhere. It's a pitty that such a good brand. Upgrade for platinum: Suite.
- The 12 Hengshan Road (Luxury Collection) and W are probably not ready for 2011 Shanghai DO.

Marriott
- The JW Shanghai(CAT5) is one of the world's most favorite JWs. It's right at the opposite side of People Square as Le Royal Meridien and enjoys the same location benefits. Great property. The best price we can get is about $130++. Upgrade for platinum: Suite.
- The brand new Ritz Carlton Pudong is gorgeous. Great view. In my opinion, it's one of the top three hotels in Shanghai, along with Penninsula Hotel and Park Hyatt. The best price we can find is about $180++. Upgrade for platinum: One category.
- The old Ritz Carlton Shanghai is not bad either. The best price we can get is about $130++. Upgrade for platinum: One category.
- Renaissance Zhongshan Park(CAT3) is a new property and is the world's tallest Renaissance. Located in a shopping mall with direct access to three subway lines. The best rate we can find is about $78++(A friend's company is in the building and their corporate rate is $75 net if that particular room type is available). Upgrade for platinum: Suite or executive floor.
- The new Marriott City Center(CAT4) will open in Jan 2011. Let's see how good it is.

InterContinental
- InterContinental Puxi is a new property. State of the art hardware. Ok location though. The best rate we can get is about $125++. Upgrade for RA: suite or executive floor.
- The brand new Indigo will open on December 16. Right on the south bund. Haven't paid a visit to the hotel yet. But we know the senior management at this property and might be able to get a good rate there.
- IC Pudong and Expo are not that conveniently located.

Hyatt
- Park Hyatt is one of the top 3 hotels in Shanghai and commands the relavant price. The best rate we can get is about $280++. Upgrade for diamond: Breakfast.
- Hyatt on the Bund is great. Sweeping view of both sides of the river. The best rate we can get there is about $160++. Upgrade for diamond: executive floor river view.
- Grand Haytt used to be the tallest hotel in the world. But not my favorite among the Hyatt properties in Shanghai anymore. Upgrade for diamond: executive floor river view.

These are probably the best properties in Shanghai among the 4 major chains. If FTs are interested value properties, I can comment on other properties as well.

My personal favorites(value for money) in Shanghai are:
- Le Royal Meridien
- JW Marriott
- Ritz Carlton Pudong(if you can get lounge access)
- Hyatt on the Bund

My value hotels choices in Shanghai are:
- Renaissance Zhongshan Park
- Renaissance Yu Garden
- Courtyard Xujiahui
- InterContinental Pudong
- Crowne Plaza Shanghai

If anyone has any questions on hotels in Shanghai, please let me know. Enjoy your stay in Shanghai.

Thanks for the great description and research. Le Royal Meridian sounds like a great location and property. I have nothing against Marriott (finally made Silver) but every time I am in one I get the feeling I have entered a palace and I wonder what they would think when a bunch of FT's take over the executive lounge.....:D

Interested in the Nov date

What do you like in the value range? I'm interested in boutique type hotels, preferably non-western-chains, in the $50-100 range.

Attendance: Interested
Date Choice: Nov. 11-14
# of attendees: 1
Hotel Preference: SPG, Hyatt or Marriott will do
Other Suggested activities:
I just kind of want to eat :)

I never expected to see the Ritz and JW Marriott under $300 let alone almost 1/2 that price. Is it cheaper in Asia, low season?

Attendance: Interested
Date Choice: Nov
# of attendees:1, plus1?
Hotel Preference: frugal

Generally speaking, the hotels in Asia are cheaper. These rates are pre-negotiated(qualifying and very good) rates.

Le Royal Meriden Shanghai is a very good choice. I have stayed over 30 times there and am very satisfied with the service there.

JW Shanghai is at a similar location. In terms of lounge, the lounge at JW offers better food than Le Royal Meridien. They are quite friendly too -- I guess that's why it's one of the world's most favorite JWs, according to a poll at FlyerTalk. It's slightly more expensive though(about $20). They do tend to offer full suite upgrades for platinum, rather than the standard junior suite at Le Royal Meridien.

Anyway, both hotels are very viable choices. You can walk from one hotel to another in about 5 minutes.

Most people on FlyerTea prefer November. The most common response us: Well, this is really interesting event and we would like to attend. But it's too far away and we can't plan that far away.

Please add me to the "Maybe" list! It's too far in advance to plan a date, so any date is fine with me.

The general consensus appears that Nov 11-14 will work best for both Flyertalkers and FlyTeas. Plus 11/11/11 isn't a date that come around too often...

Therefore, the front page has been updated with the Nov date as the official DO date. Please review your attendance and hotel preference and notify us if anything changes.

Eddie(UpgradedFirst) is looking into the hotel rate for us and remember the more people we get the more bargaining power we have.

Always nice to have a date now. It help a lot as we can book awards the day they become available.

I'm reconfirming my intent to show up for November barring any force majeure* events:

Too early to know for SURE, but definitely interested!!

Attendance: HOPE SO!
Date Choice: Nov 11-14
# of attendees: 1
Hotel Preference: Either LM or Westin on the Bund
Other Suggested activities: We've done brunch at M on the Bund in the past, that was a LOT of fun.

Dave

Attendance: Interested
Date Choice: Nov
# of attendees: 2 (myself and Mr Falconea
Hotel Preference: Not too expensive. With non-smoking floor and restaurant, if possible.

Looking forward to seeing how it pans out!

I am planning a trip to Hong Kong at around this time - are there any interesting transport options between Hong Kong and Shanghai? Train?

Audrey