Shanghai Marriott Marquis City Centre, China [Master Thread]
Nov 14, 2014, 2:22 am
#16
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Review of Shanghai Marriott Centre
Stayed there for 3 nights in late October.
The hotel is the 'flagship' Marriott in Asia (according to flyertea.com), so it's nice to have tried it.
Location:
Very centrally located, we arrived in high speed rail to SH station, 3 stops from there. The metro stop is called 'peoples square' - it's the main transit station so it's busy and you can take different lines to different parts of SH.
From the station it was very difficult to find our way there - no sun light and no compass we had no idea which way to walk. Called the hotel and got the direction. The trick is to look for New World Department store (not sure they had sign in English since I know the language), walk towards that and the hotel is right behind the department store.
We took the metro to PVG and it took us 1:40 door to door - fare is 6 RMB, taxi will cost you more than RMB 200.
From the hotel it takes you 5 minutes to walk to the Nanjiang Road pedestrian street.
Check-in:
As Plat we are supposed to be checked in at the lounge, but we did it at the counter instead. Took a while because they didn't have 2 rooms on the same floor, after a long time one pop up. We were offered 1 piece of candy each while we wait. There is a wide choice of arrival gift - from snack to haagen dazs (2 scoop size). We went for points as 2 cups of ice-cream will only make the kids fight......
The room:
Very comfortable, spacious - not as grand as the JW in Shenzhen (that's the only Marriott hotel we stayed at apart from this onein China). Bathrobes were replaced daily - not like in Europe they took it away and never replace it. We got 3224 and 3216 and I think it's a deluxe room (not an upgrade unless you count in the nespresso machine which is practically useless to me).
My little girl was fascinated by the fold-able scissors in the room, and there is a specialist shop (from that manufacturer) selling it on the pedestrian street for 16 RMB - I bought her one as a souvenir - something that last and will make her remember her trip to SH.
From the hotel it's a 20-25 minutes walk to the Bund - go into the Fairmont to have a look - it felt like that we are somewhere in Europe when we were there.
The key cards were a bit old and we had to replace it once.
No smell of cigarette in our rooms! In the CYs in HK we had to change room due to cigarette smells.
The lounge:
They asked for our room numbers once in a while, and the E+1 is not enforced - we are 2 plats and 3 kids and we were never asked question about it - although I was prepared to fight back if they challenge me about it.
It's a huge lounge and they help you to get your drink (kiwi and mango juice are great).
Food is great, especially for the first 2 nights, first night was duck, and the second night was great Indian chicken curry. The third night was hopeless, it was buffalo style chicken, and it wasn't replaced when it was emptied. If you want food, be there early, because the best food was served and then when they run out the options were worse.
If you like Chinese dumplings then you can fill yourself up with it which I did on the last night.
Dessert was nice - not great compared to European standards. It was served from 7:30-9:30 pm.
Brekkie was nice, especially the muffins (I didn't any but Mr. did). Elites could have them in the restaurant instead but we didn't try it due to the 'excessive' amount of kids we have. They can't do omelette/egg. My mushroom and ham omelette had 1 piece of mushroom and 1 piece of ham in, plus no seasoning was added. The taste was blend (no taste of egg), and the fried egg too.
Check out:
I got the bills settled at the lounge after breakfast as our flight was 13:30, no issue with anything - not even asked about whether I used any minibar ^
Paid with AE to avoid any potential DCC (there is a thread here on FT about how bad it is in China), and AE is the only way to avoid it.
I left the keycard at the FD and waived my receipt to them to show that I have paid.
Conclusion:
Not a bad place to stay at (based on the rate I paid), better than Skycity Marriott, CY Hong Kong and Sha Tin. The lounge food is better than JW Shenzhen. If I have to pay 700/night I might use points to redeem CY Puxi (cat 1) - it's a great hotel according to a lot of people.
Remark:
I saw a bunch of UA crews when I was replacing the keycards, then I made a comment to the FD about them travelling all the way to such a nice hotel (my friend works for a lowish cost HK carrier and they stayed at Courtyard Puxi). I said that I saw bunch of them at SFO Marriott and some of them were in the lounge.
He said that UA is very nice to their staff, and it was even better until not long ago - all crews got lounge access at the hotel!
The hotel is the 'flagship' Marriott in Asia (according to flyertea.com), so it's nice to have tried it.
Location:
Very centrally located, we arrived in high speed rail to SH station, 3 stops from there. The metro stop is called 'peoples square' - it's the main transit station so it's busy and you can take different lines to different parts of SH.
From the station it was very difficult to find our way there - no sun light and no compass we had no idea which way to walk. Called the hotel and got the direction. The trick is to look for New World Department store (not sure they had sign in English since I know the language), walk towards that and the hotel is right behind the department store.
We took the metro to PVG and it took us 1:40 door to door - fare is 6 RMB, taxi will cost you more than RMB 200.
From the hotel it takes you 5 minutes to walk to the Nanjiang Road pedestrian street.
Check-in:
As Plat we are supposed to be checked in at the lounge, but we did it at the counter instead. Took a while because they didn't have 2 rooms on the same floor, after a long time one pop up. We were offered 1 piece of candy each while we wait. There is a wide choice of arrival gift - from snack to haagen dazs (2 scoop size). We went for points as 2 cups of ice-cream will only make the kids fight......
The room:
Very comfortable, spacious - not as grand as the JW in Shenzhen (that's the only Marriott hotel we stayed at apart from this onein China). Bathrobes were replaced daily - not like in Europe they took it away and never replace it. We got 3224 and 3216 and I think it's a deluxe room (not an upgrade unless you count in the nespresso machine which is practically useless to me).
My little girl was fascinated by the fold-able scissors in the room, and there is a specialist shop (from that manufacturer) selling it on the pedestrian street for 16 RMB - I bought her one as a souvenir - something that last and will make her remember her trip to SH.
From the hotel it's a 20-25 minutes walk to the Bund - go into the Fairmont to have a look - it felt like that we are somewhere in Europe when we were there.
The key cards were a bit old and we had to replace it once.
No smell of cigarette in our rooms! In the CYs in HK we had to change room due to cigarette smells.
The lounge:
They asked for our room numbers once in a while, and the E+1 is not enforced - we are 2 plats and 3 kids and we were never asked question about it - although I was prepared to fight back if they challenge me about it.
It's a huge lounge and they help you to get your drink (kiwi and mango juice are great).
Food is great, especially for the first 2 nights, first night was duck, and the second night was great Indian chicken curry. The third night was hopeless, it was buffalo style chicken, and it wasn't replaced when it was emptied. If you want food, be there early, because the best food was served and then when they run out the options were worse.
If you like Chinese dumplings then you can fill yourself up with it which I did on the last night.
Dessert was nice - not great compared to European standards. It was served from 7:30-9:30 pm.
Brekkie was nice, especially the muffins (I didn't any but Mr. did). Elites could have them in the restaurant instead but we didn't try it due to the 'excessive' amount of kids we have. They can't do omelette/egg. My mushroom and ham omelette had 1 piece of mushroom and 1 piece of ham in, plus no seasoning was added. The taste was blend (no taste of egg), and the fried egg too.
Check out:
I got the bills settled at the lounge after breakfast as our flight was 13:30, no issue with anything - not even asked about whether I used any minibar ^
Paid with AE to avoid any potential DCC (there is a thread here on FT about how bad it is in China), and AE is the only way to avoid it.
I left the keycard at the FD and waived my receipt to them to show that I have paid.
Conclusion:
Not a bad place to stay at (based on the rate I paid), better than Skycity Marriott, CY Hong Kong and Sha Tin. The lounge food is better than JW Shenzhen. If I have to pay 700/night I might use points to redeem CY Puxi (cat 1) - it's a great hotel according to a lot of people.
Remark:
I saw a bunch of UA crews when I was replacing the keycards, then I made a comment to the FD about them travelling all the way to such a nice hotel (my friend works for a lowish cost HK carrier and they stayed at Courtyard Puxi). I said that I saw bunch of them at SFO Marriott and some of them were in the lounge.
He said that UA is very nice to their staff, and it was even better until not long ago - all crews got lounge access at the hotel!
Last edited by nacho; Nov 14, 2014 at 2:33 am
Jan 14, 2015, 4:04 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Programs: UAMP S, TK M&S E (*G), Marriott LTP, IHG P, SK EBG
Posts: 11,089
Review: Marriott Shanghai City Centre
Stayed there back in October, booked 2 rooms from 2 Plats.
Location:
Right in the city centre, 5 minutes walk from the pedestrian street and metro.
Check-in:
At FD (apparently you can just run to the lounge and do it but we weren't sure), took ages because even though we requested to have the 2 rooms close together (1 of them is for the kids and they are not old enough to use the elevator themselves), the hotel didn't honour that. After a long while 2 rooms on the same floor were found, it was on the 32th floor.
PAG - 500 pts or a long list of things (including haagan daz ice-cream), we opted for the points.
The room:
Modern and comfortable, the size are great - not the biggest room we stayed at but it's more than adequate. We were told that we got an upgrade (can't see anything different except the useless Nespresso machine). The bed is the typical Marriott bed so it's nice and comfy.
The lounge:
It's huge and when we were there they didn't enforce E+1, you need a keycard to use the lift so I guess only people have lounge access would be able to get up to the lounge floor.
Food offering is great - better than SkyCity + CYs in HK. I think it's the best lounge we have been to. However during the 3 nights we were there, we felt a huge difference in food offerings - the last night was bad compared to the other nights. The hot food plates (main course) were left empty for hours. It also felt a bit like a market place (loud and noisy and busy).
The pool:
I took the kids down one evening - I didn't get into the water. According to them the water is on the cold side (my guess is less than 30 degrees celsius).
Check-out:
Since we had to leave early to catch a 1pm flight (2 hours from the hotel to PVG by metro). I asked to settle the bills the night before and it was all set. I used AMEX to avoid potential DCC as I don't want to a)waste my holiday time to argue with FD and get them to sort things out and b)if they do screw up Swedish Credit cards I have provide 0 customer service - they don't even know what DCC is.
Side note: I told Mr. to take a stroll on his own when I was taking the kids to the pool. He did, it was raining and he walked out with the hotel umbrella and a shopping bag from a CY in Hong Kong. He walked to the pedestrian street and in less than 20 minutes he was offered 'message' for more than 6 times. He told me that some were very persistent.
Location:
Right in the city centre, 5 minutes walk from the pedestrian street and metro.
Check-in:
At FD (apparently you can just run to the lounge and do it but we weren't sure), took ages because even though we requested to have the 2 rooms close together (1 of them is for the kids and they are not old enough to use the elevator themselves), the hotel didn't honour that. After a long while 2 rooms on the same floor were found, it was on the 32th floor.
PAG - 500 pts or a long list of things (including haagan daz ice-cream), we opted for the points.
The room:
Modern and comfortable, the size are great - not the biggest room we stayed at but it's more than adequate. We were told that we got an upgrade (can't see anything different except the useless Nespresso machine). The bed is the typical Marriott bed so it's nice and comfy.
The lounge:
It's huge and when we were there they didn't enforce E+1, you need a keycard to use the lift so I guess only people have lounge access would be able to get up to the lounge floor.
Food offering is great - better than SkyCity + CYs in HK. I think it's the best lounge we have been to. However during the 3 nights we were there, we felt a huge difference in food offerings - the last night was bad compared to the other nights. The hot food plates (main course) were left empty for hours. It also felt a bit like a market place (loud and noisy and busy).
The pool:
I took the kids down one evening - I didn't get into the water. According to them the water is on the cold side (my guess is less than 30 degrees celsius).
Check-out:
Since we had to leave early to catch a 1pm flight (2 hours from the hotel to PVG by metro). I asked to settle the bills the night before and it was all set. I used AMEX to avoid potential DCC as I don't want to a)waste my holiday time to argue with FD and get them to sort things out and b)if they do screw up Swedish Credit cards I have provide 0 customer service - they don't even know what DCC is.
Side note: I told Mr. to take a stroll on his own when I was taking the kids to the pool. He did, it was raining and he walked out with the hotel umbrella and a shopping bag from a CY in Hong Kong. He walked to the pedestrian street and in less than 20 minutes he was offered 'message' for more than 6 times. He told me that some were very persistent.
Last edited by nacho; Jan 15, 2015 at 1:45 am
Jan 14, 2015, 1:41 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Wesseling, NRW, Germany
Programs: UA *S , MR LT Titanium, HH Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,940
Given the passage "(2 hours from the hotel to PVG by metro)" there is very little doubt that nacho is talking about the Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre as PVG is the airport-code for Shanghai...
Greetings - Dirk
Greetings - Dirk
Jan 15, 2015, 8:25 am
#23
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Midwest USA
Programs: BA SIL, WN A, UA SIL, Marriott TIT (LT), Hilton DIA
Posts: 1,969
Given the passage "(2 hours from the hotel to PVG by metro)" there is very little doubt that nacho is talking about the Shanghai Marriott Hotel City Centre as PVG is the airport-code for Shanghai...
Greetings - Dirk
Greetings - Dirk
Nacho - thanks for updating the title.
Jan 15, 2015, 8:33 am
#24
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Dec 19, 2016, 7:02 am
#26
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Dec 19, 2016, 9:38 am
#27
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Cheers.
Jan 3, 2018, 7:04 am
#28
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Taiwan
Programs: IHG Diamond, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, oneworld Emerald
Posts: 1,164
Have anyone compared it directly to nearby JW? How much inferior is it? I stayed in JW Tomorrow Square before, but not in this Marriott. Price difference in points is double!
Jan 3, 2018, 1:51 pm
#29
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,787
Never stayed at the JW, but was just at this Marriott last month and wouldn't call this inferior at all.
The rooms are very nice. Overall has a modern feel. The lounge is huge, but I had breakfast in the main restaurant instead for a bigger selection (although I think some of the items may actually be a bit nicer in the lounge). The 360 view from the lounge is breathtaking.
The rooms are very nice. Overall has a modern feel. The lounge is huge, but I had breakfast in the main restaurant instead for a bigger selection (although I think some of the items may actually be a bit nicer in the lounge). The 360 view from the lounge is breathtaking.
Jan 3, 2018, 6:41 pm
#30
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boston
Programs: DL PM/1 MM, Bonvoy LTT
Posts: 100
Never stayed at the JW, but was just at this Marriott last month and wouldn't call this inferior at all.
The rooms are very nice. Overall has a modern feel. The lounge is huge, but I had breakfast in the main restaurant instead for a bigger selection (although I think some of the items may actually be a bit nicer in the lounge). The 360 view from the lounge is breathtaking.
The rooms are very nice. Overall has a modern feel. The lounge is huge, but I had breakfast in the main restaurant instead for a bigger selection (although I think some of the items may actually be a bit nicer in the lounge). The 360 view from the lounge is breathtaking.