THE ONE Shanghai Downtown Vignette Collection by IHG

Probably due to the CIIE (China International Import Expo), hotel rates in Shanghai were exceptionally high this weekend. I stumbled upon this hotel by chance. Having mostly stayed at the InterContinental near the railway station when visiting IHG properties previously, I found the location of this hotel to be fantastic—super convenient and close to everywhere~ A special thank you to Lily, Emma, and Mike at the hotel. Their service was warm and thoughtful, meticulous and thorough, always ready to answer questions, and extremely professional. The overall stay and transit experience was wonderful. I now have one more great accommodation option for future trips to Shanghai ^_^

The hotel as a whole is very comfortable, set in a lovely neighborhood. It's very close to HKRI Taikoo Hui on West Nanjing Road, making it convenient to get to most parts of Shanghai. We drove during our trip to Shanghai, and parking was a breeze both on the street and in the parking garage. The concierge team was very responsive and helpful via WeChat, and the room-service delivery robot was super fast. The overall room decor is very practical and comfortable—the two-bedroom suite we stayed in this time was exceptionally cozy. A big shout-out to Lily, Simon, and Emma, who all provided so much help. Highly recommended!

Great stay and excellent service. My only minor suggestion is that the room came with an induction cooker, but unfortunately there were no pots, bowls, or plates provided, so it couldn't be used. That was a bit of a shame.

I chose THE ONE originally because of its spacious one-bedroom and one-living room layout, and the price was quite reasonable. During check-in, the hotel upgraded me to a two-bedroom and one-living room suite, which was even larger. The sofa in the living room was very comfortable, and the bed was excellent – I had a great night's sleep. Although the breakfast selection wasn't extensive, it was quite refined. The breakfast staff were incredibly enthusiastic, always attentive to guests' needs, which was really good.

Great location, clean and tidy, quiet, and friendly service. A truly exceptional hotel.

This stay truly exceeded my expectations! Although the main entrance isn't on a main road, it has that quintessential "hidden gem in the bustling heart of Shanghai" vibe. The receptionist was warm and efficient, getting me checked in swiftly and even proactively upgrading my room. The room was spotless, the bedding was soft and comfortable, and the soundproofing was great—I slept exceptionally well. The bathroom features a dry-and-wet separation layout, the hot water comes out instantly, and the toiletries have a very upscale scent. The only minor regret was not booking breakfast this time. As I walked past the restaurant, I noticed many dishes are made-to-order, featuring both Chinese and Western options. I'll definitely have to try it next time. What touched me the most was that I left my charger behind upon check-out. The hotel proactively contacted me and helped mail it back. True care is in the details, and the service is simply flawless. I will definitely choose to stay here again next time I'm in town and will gladly recommend it to my friends!

My friend was only staying in Shanghai for a day, so naturally, I wanted to give her an itinerary that offered both 'old-world charm and new-age chic.' While passing Nanjing West Road recently, this InterContinental 'Luxury Collection' hotel immediately caught my eye. And just as I expected, critical as she is, she complimented my taste the moment she walked in. Its most appealing features are its convenient location and its ability to be a tranquil oasis amidst the bustle: step outside, and you're on the vibrant Nanjing Road; turn around, and you're in the quiet serenity of a residential area. My friend said the elevator decor instantly made her feel like she'd 'traveled through time,' and that unique 'Haitian style' evoked long-lost memories of Shanghai. She had originally come to sightsee but happily spent most of her day lingering at the hotel. What she loved most were the terrace and the restaurant. On a summer evening, the breeze felt just like those childhood nights spent cooling off in the alleyways – she used to live in a Shikumen house. She remarked, 'If only I could lie in a wicker chair, fan myself with a palm-leaf fan, eat watermelon, and watch an outdoor movie, that would be truly divine.' She also adored the red hanging ornament in the lobby; it was vibrantly bright, yet its glass texture gave it a lively feel, much like Shanghai's character – passionate yet steady, with a touch of lightness within its composure. The food did not disappoint either. I pushed her to try the Shiqipu Noodle Restaurant, where the owner asked in Shanghainese, 'Mi dao ai hao fa?' (Is the taste good?), and she smiled and replied, 'Authentic,' instantly tearing up. She specifically bought the sweet variety of butterfly pastries from the International Hotel – saying 'only sweet is truly Shanghai.' Her only regret was: having stayed in too many foreign-style grand hotels, this time, with Shanghai elements everywhere and Shanghai flavors in every bite, it was 'just missing the sound of Shanghai.' Perhaps the cicada chirps in the alleyways and the hawkers' cries from the Shikumen are the hometown sounds she truly yearns to hear. However, she has already declared: the next time she returns, this will be her chosen hotel, and she plans to visit all the routes I arranged. I believe the charm of Shanghai has never been in its superficial glamour but in its ability to always find the most fitting way to blend East and West, ancient and modern, living as a unique 'Haipai' (Shanghai style). This is also the root that every Shanghainese person cherishes. Below are the three half-day itinerary options I created for her, which I've also compiled here, hoping they might help someone else: Option 1 · A Stroll Through Old Shanghai Charm Start from the hotel's main entrance on Fengyang Road and turn into Huanghe Road. The Changjiang Building and Changjiang Theater were the last residences of Eileen Chang; Huanghe Road is the origin of 'Blossoms Shanghai' (Fan Hua). The International Hotel is where her mother and aunt once stayed; next to it, the Sports Museum is rumored to be where Eileen Chang used to study. Diagonally opposite is the History Museum (formerly the Racecourse); the East Wing houses the old bronze lions from the HSBC Building on the Bund, and the 'Echoes of Shanghai' exhibition in the West Wing happens to talk about the past of Fengyang Road. The ornate windows of the West Wing and the Changjiang Building, mirroring the hotel's architecture, perfectly showcase the most fashionable Art Deco style of the 1930s. Option 2 · Tracing Red Memories Walk along Chengdu North Road to the Secretariat of the China Labor Movement, to see how Shanghai workers united into a revolutionary force; then visit the former site of the Songpu Special Committee. Go to the Sihang Warehouse to hear the echoes of the Battle of Shanghai and see the bullet-riddled walls recount the tragedy of that year. At night, turn into Xiang Kang Li on Xinchang Road to find the former site of the CCP Central Committee's secret printing press; on Nanjing West Road, there is also the former site of the Soviet Liaison Office, where, amidst the flickering lights, memories of the past reside. Option 3 · Modern and Retro Collision The LV 'Big Boat' on Nanjing West Road is currently a popular spot for photos; after visiting, turn into Wujiang Road for shopping and dining, and further ahead is Zhangyuan Shikumen – where new trends emerge in old alleyways, perfect for capturing stunning photos. Food Tips · The hotel restaurant's afternoon tea set is exquisite and picture-perfect. · Shiqipu Noodle Restaurant (the owner's Shanghainese is a living signboard). · Deda Western Restaurant and Gongdelin Noodle Restaurant, each with its own charm. · Donghai Small Restaurant (authentic Ningbo cuisine). · Chongming cuisine on the second floor of the hotel, authentic local flavors. · International Hotel butterfly pastries, remember to choose the sweet ones. Though the day was short, the essence of Shanghai will give her much to savor. When she returns next time, we'll continue our journey.

We had an amazing stay celebrating a birthday here as a couple! We communicated about the birthday perks in advance, and the hotel thoughtfully prepared a birthday cake and room decoration, which was full of delightful surprises. The room environment was great with fully equipped facilities, the staff provided attentive and thoughtful service, and the location was also very convenient. It left us with wonderful birthday memories, highly recommended!