Kimpton QIANTAN SHANGHAI by IHG

Honestly, this hotel can only be called a designer brand, definitely not a luxury one! From the ambiance to the service. I arrived quite late and asked the front desk if food delivery could be brought to the room. Their clear answer was that food needs to be picked up, but personal items can be delivered. I ordered antiperspirant, and the courier delivered it to the front desk. I called twice, and the front desk didn't answer! There was a 10-minute gap, and then it just rang busy! So I went to pick it up myself, only to find a female employee at the front desk in the lobby who asked me why I didn't call?!!! I retorted, 'Did you even answer?!' When I arrived at the front desk, I bought breakfast separately. The next day, realizing I wouldn't have time to eat, I asked to cancel it. First, they told me it couldn't be canceled. I asked him which law stated that an unredeemed item couldn't be refunded, and he immediately said he'd put in a request. Why bother putting guests through that emotional hassle? Also, the showerhead in the room was loose!!! And the paint was peeling at the connection! Apparently, my room was even jokingly called a 'cattle and horse room' because it was super close to the office building across the street! Super close! I came with high expectations but left quite disappointed!!

The hotel has a retro-modern ambiance, and the rooms are comfortable. On the 5th floor, there are several lounge areas with a great atmosphere, and snacks and drinks are available from 5 PM to 6 PM. The bars on the 8th and 9th floors are magnificent, and their cocktails are delicious! Thanks for the welcome gift too!

Our staycation unexpectedly got upgraded to the Paris Suite, which was a pleasant surprise. The room was huge, giving off 'CEO's lavish mansion' vibes, fully functional with eye-catching alcoves. The standalone bathtub was large enough to fit three or four people. The infinity pool had a beautiful view, 25 meters long and 1.2 meters deep, facing west for perfect sunset viewing. Swimming in the evening was quite romantic. It was a bit sunnier during the day, but there were hardly any people, so going for a swim early in the day meant pretty much having the pool to ourselves. The staff were all courteous and polite, preparing a complimentary anniversary cake for my partner and me. Overall, the experience was excellent.

I've always been drawn to the infinity pool here, so I came for a weekend stay to experience it. While the room was a bit small and the lack of a view was a minor disappointment, overall it was still great. The mini-bar had a good selection of coffee and drinks. The bathroom was very comfortable, with a fantastic large bathtub and a spacious shower area separated from the toilet, which I really liked. The JBL speaker and aromatherapy diffuser were thoughtful touches. The infinity pool view was also excellent, making it a perfect spot for a relaxing weekend getaway.

The pool view is absolutely stunning! The infinity pool is perfect for those Instagram-worthy photos. Our room was spotless, very clean, and had a great design aesthetic. The afternoon tea offered complimentary desserts, wine, and juice, which was also a lovely touch and great for snapping some pictures.

Beyond the newly renovated rooms and the infinity pool, there's really not much else to praise. The service simply can't keep up; breakfast was chaotic with a severe shortage of staff. When I asked the concierge outside the hotel how to get to the nearby mall, he looked at me blankly and asked where such a place was, only for the front desk to tell me it was a five-minute walk away. The service at the pool reception was equally bewildering. The hotel doesn't offer an inflation service, only providing a rather ineffective plastic pump for you to do it yourself, leaving me almost too tired to swim afterward. Every other five-star hotel I've stayed at has offered an inflation service. In short, the service is truly disappointing, and I won't be returning.

Kimpton Qianhai Hotel A beautiful hotel, though a bit of a walk from Qianhai Taikoo Li. It's surrounded by office buildings, so it's very quiet and you don't get the crowds of influencers that you might see online. The hotel staff were incredibly accommodating. There was a minor issue with the room initially, but the manager handled it swiftly and kindly, which was excellent.

The hotel's location is a bit far from the city center, but it's perfect for those who appreciate peace and quality. There are many dining options nearby, offering plenty of choices, and it's about a 10-15 minute walk to Taikoo Li. The hotel is very new, and I particularly liked the decor in the public areas on each floor; the sunset view from the lounge in the afternoon is beautiful. The infinity pool's opening hours are a bit short; by the time the sun sets and it's no longer scorching, it's almost closing time. I wish it could stay open for an extra hour. Breakfast was a bit chaotic; there was no one to seat us, and the tableware wasn't cleared promptly, so it was hard to find a table at first. I hope they can improve this.

The overall black and gold retro design is absolutely stunning. From the high-ceilinged lobby to the artistic lounge area on the fifth floor, every detail is thoughtfully crafted and incredibly photogenic. The rooftop infinity pool boasts crystal-clear water, and watching the sunset with a panoramic river view in the evening creates an unbeatable atmosphere. The staff were attentive and friendly throughout our stay. It's also super convenient, just a 10-minute walk to the Oriental Sports Center, and getting to Taikoo Li Qiantan for shopping and dining is a breeze.