scented

I may try Pen and Park Hyatt or possibly FS Pudong by the end of the year -- inchallah as they say. Pen seems to get conflicting reviews, PH now under leadership of Etienne Dalancon, who moved up from DOSM and DOR (def a sales background). Sadly the previously excellent DOR at PH, Samuel Dabinett, has left ages ago (now well deserved GM at PH Busan after Roppongi Hills Club, which is Hyatt's testing ground for GMs) -- service went downhill for a while. Anyone familiar with leadership of FS Pudong? Service?

TOMFORD

I have stayed at both the PH and FS pudong, going back to PH shortly. The FS pudong has been nothing but wonderful with its staff attentive when needed and leaving me alone when I want to be left alone. The pool has a wonderful and unique view of the skyline, and is where I find myself spending most of my time in the hotel. In the pool area there is a jungle? themed room where you'll get mists and rain and stuff and red light to simulate jungle fever, and another arctic? themed room where you'll get mists and rain and stuff and white light to simulate being in the arctic. There is also a complimentary dry sauna and a wet steam sauna in the locker rooms. The breakfast is spread out expansively (physically) throughout Camelia. Service is top notch as you'd expect. The first time I stayed there I was jetlagged and spent most of my night staring at the blinking fire alarm light, after saying that it was distracting, the hotel taped the fire alarm light on every one of my subsequent visits. Also there's the comp house car for 3km radius.

The PH design is underwhelming compared to the FSPD. Whereas the FSPD is art-deco done right using calacatta marble, kenya black marble, lacquer ebony, fresco weave or slub velvet on furniture, PH design can be summed up as beige linen, dark wood cabinets, and Ikea-like tables/chairs. That's literally it. I feel like the PH food prices are also higher than the FS. Service wise I haven't made many requests, but the few times I did request water it took quite some time. Also I asked for a bag/cover for my suit and after hours of looking they said they do not have any to offer.

CGRA

Glad that you had a good stay

Sir elly was closed during my stay.

FlyerEC

Anyone planning on staying at Amanyangyun ? Seems all set for her October opening
A bit farther out though ..

spylaw4

There are some prices up (£680 per night) but only for what I assume could be a soft opening as it's only a limited time window, or maybe it's simply a trial to see if the website is working?

FlyerEC

Some of us are waiting for Fliar to post about his stay at AmanYY this week .
Must be a very “ soft “ launch as opening is now suppose to be in January .

callmedtop

What are the chances we'll be able to venture over (I know it's far) to Aman YY for lunch or dinner during our stay in Shanghai mid-December? We'll be trying out the new StR but would love to check out the new property.

bhrubin

Obviously, the StR is quite new, but I’ll be very curious to hear what you think. I’ve heard the hard product is exceptional.

Have you ever stayed at the Pen Shanghai? I ask because our Grand Deluxe River Suite was one of the nicest suites we’ve ever enjoyed, and the service was flawless when we were there in May 2012. I’d be very curious how you compare the StR with the Pen, PH, and/or RC, since we visited all of those during our stay. (My TripAdvisor review of the Pen: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUser...-Shanghai.html)

FlyerEC

Have just heard from AmanYY about special rates for January , let you know when I email again or when you hear from Fayun

callmedtop

The hard product looks quite stunning so I am looking forward to my stay. We'll see about the soft product but I am cautiously optimistic. Given the corporate rate we are using + Citi 4th night free + Plat benefits, even if the soft product is very disappointing, I doubt I will have any regrets not staying elsewhere.

I've only stayed at the PH Shanghai (and had a decent, but not necessarily amazing stay - but Pudong doesn't really do it for me), as well as the W-A (which I liked far more than it gets credit for here, and I think, along with AMS, is the "crown jewel" of the W-A portfolio, not that that means much), so not sure how valid my comparison will be. I'll still hopefully put together a trip report along with Amanfayun.

FlyerEC

Have just heard from AmanYY about special rates for January , ( will let you ) know when I email again or when you hear from Fayun

abcx

The Puli is pretty disappointing. The interiors are showing their age and the service leaves a lot to be desired. Wait staff take too long to take orders in the restaurant, sometimes they forget, take too long to bring the bill, etc. And what is it with having only one restaurant - a French one - in a Chinese hotel? Michelin star or not, most people don't go to China to have French food!

While the Puli's location right next to Jing'An park and temple is nice, I will avoid the Puli next time and try the Shangri-La across the street.

I cannot believe the Puli gets all these rave reviews. The Rosewood in Beijing is in a totally different category from the Puli in terms of service and the classiness of the room decor - now that's a real luxury hotel - not the Puli!

JohnRain

Any recent feedback regarding the Pen, MO, RC, FS Pudong or WA would be very appreciated as I'm still hesitating where to stay next month.
I've been to the PH last year and would like to try something else.

Thanks

chinmoylad

Stayed at The Pen last year (my video):
One of the finest city hotels I've seen.

Visited the WA - didn't like it at all, but great location. PuLi is okay - it's like what the Upper House would be if it didn't do it quite as good as it does.

I think you should try to narrow it down by location rather than hotel. The Bund is great, and the area around PuLi isn't bad either. I didn't like the area on the other side of the river - it seemed dead.

Anlun

My wife and I will be in Shanghai in November, and while @chinmoylad 's Pen video is tempting, Pen is dead to me after my stay in Bangkok. I vowed never again to stay in a Pen and I will stick to that solemn vow! Was planning on going with FS, but Middle House should be open by then, and its a tempting thought, although not sure on the MH location.