Expert Reviews of Shanghai Hotels

Editors of Subtleties

In China there are two types of hotels: so-called. joint hotels owned by Chinese citizens, but run by foreigners, and completely Chinese hotels. The first, as a rule, have the status of 4-5 stars, while the latter can range from expensive suites to non-starry shacks.

Both options are popular with Western tourists, providing relatively comfortable, even luxurious rooms and English-speaking staff. Foreign-run hotels have foreign employees only among top management, the rest of the state is filled by the Chinese. For foreign travelers, joint hotels are the best choice. In any case, Chinese-controlled 4- and 5-star hotels do not match the level of hotels owned by foreign colleagues.

The two largest Chinese hotel chains - Jin Jiang and Hengshan - starting in Shanghai, now spread all over China.

Hotel service

Five-star hotels have a wide range of services and service as in any other international hotel, but even in its own range, the quality of service can vary more than it should.

Four-star hotel, to rise above the level, usually lacks some technical facilities - for example, a swimming pool.

Three-star hotels almost always have Chinese managers, and there is little in which 3-star hotel speaks English. However, for travelers with a limited budget this is the best option for spending the night. With a little effort, you can find a very decent "treshka."

One- and two-star hotels should be avoided mainly because of a lack of cleanliness, security issues have nothing to do with it. In some provinces of China, hotels of this level do not even accommodate foreigners. Please note that our counting of stars does not correspond to the Chinese rating system.

The rooms in most hotels have internet, air conditioning (central or individual), television (usually local Chinese channels), drinking water in a thermos or bottled, electric kettle. With the exception of very expensive hotels, most do not have rooms for smokers.