I haven't decided whether to stay there. (I stayed there 2.5 years ago and it's fine; just looking for possibly a cheaper option, hence the request for someone to get me a hotel quote from the Starwood China site.)

And I would also possibly be interested in the cruise. (Getting out my Shanghai guidebook.)

Kathy, I sent your hotel link on to an FT friend who reads Chinese. Here is her response:

"Yes, I can read chinese.. However, the www.starwood.cn link is actually a stereo company link?

I tried to find a china starwood link from spg.com and the only one I can find is www.starwoodhotels.com.cn but the rate from it also says US$195 for your dates. So, if you are referring to a different link, can you pls email it to me (I'll be happy to read it for you)?"

(The rate to which she refers is for the Beijing St Regis, as I knew the price there and asked her to check it for comparison. The rate is identical.)

So no joy here, I'm afraid.

The starwood.com.cn site is not a Starwood site. I've posted some hotel rates in post 223, in case you're interested.

I'm confirmed on SQ, leaving PVG on 2/20 via SQ 805/22, would love to meet everyone for drink 2/18 PM at the Grand Hyatt.

fyi river cruises
 

for those of you that don't want to invest 3+ hours on the water in february, you should know that there are several shorter cruise options available, leaving at least once per hour. it's best to just go to the docks and inquire there.

Do the cruises on the river have windows that open ;)

Also will one the locals tell me why Marriott is offering the 5*(?) Renaissance in Pudong for $60usd per night. Also on another web site some have claimed to have gotten priceline stays for $50 per night at the hotel.

Wow, nice find. Even though I don't have status w/Marriott, that is a heck of a cheap rate and it is cancelable too in case there is a good reason not to stay here.

during the cruises i've taken, most people hang out on the open upper deck and take pictures (though i've never dared to cruise during the winter). aficr, the lower decks have windows and chairs. i would guess that you could open the windows if you wanted, but i'm not sure.

as for the renaissance:

-not 5 stars in my book (that's the case with many hotels in china; just understand that there's a big gap between that property and the true 5-star hotels in town)
-while that rate is good, if it was my $50, i'd probably settle for a place like the hengshan (not as nice, but better location for my tastes)

Thanks to everyone for your help with the "Starwood China" website. I found the real one; it's http://www.starwoodhotels.com.cn (as posted elsewhere on FlyerTalk! ;) ). Unfortunately, I don't see any rates there that are cheaper than what I've already seen. I wonder if there's a Chinese language version? @:-)

Kathy,

The chinese version can be accessed by clicking on the chinese characaters immediately below the "-- All hotels by city --" choice list, which brings up http://www.starwoodhotels.com.cn/ch/index.html

However, the chinese version of the site seems to be a straight translation of the English version, and attempting to book brings up the English version of the search page. It does not appear that the chinese version will get you any better rates.

nice comment jim.. i think our group should know better than to get to close to the water !

as for the renaissance, i think there is a lurker out there who can tell more on this hotel !

Stayed in this property 2 weeks ago. On a priceline deal, in the weekend, but all-in it was about HKD 1000! That is about USD 125....

It is a beautiful hotel in a quiet part of Pudong, close to the park. After traffic hours getting there is no problem, if your taxi takes the tunnel. IIRC about RMB 60 after midnight. It is also easier to stay at this hotel for your trip to the airport on your last day (if you have a morning flight). The VS crew stays in this hotel and they were just arriving when I left.

The room was spacious and clean, nice bathroom with separate shower and bath. Definitely 5 stars in my book. Maybe not South East Asia standard, but certainly up there. Compared to the other hotels (5*) in China I have stayed at, it is among the best.

The reason why it might be cheap is that it is quit new and a bit further away from the riverside.

^
 

Well, since a couple of trips to SIN in a month simply isn't going to get me to 1K,,,,,,;) I'm in for the PVG trip!!! Booked, ticketed, and upgraded on UA/ANA all the way thru....

ORD-LAX-NRT-PVG Arrival @ 9PM on Friday, 2/18. PVG-NRT-ORD Departure AM on Monday, 2/21.

Just waiting to see if WWBGD is joining me....My guess would be yes!!

Look forward to seeing all of you in Shanghai!! Dave

Welcome to the Party!! :cool:

Dave, this is GREAT news! ^^^

great news, i'll add two more seats for the events then... which reminds me i will be emailing everyone over the coming weekend to confirm on numbers for sat brunch and sat dinner. if you don't hear from me by monday, and you are coming, then please get in touch.

thanks
graeme