Shanghai Nanxiang Hotel: Luxury Near the Metro!
Shanghai Nanxiang Hotel: Luxury Near the Metro! (Or Is It?) - A Review You Can Actually Trust
Alright, alright, let's talk Shanghai Nanxiang Hotel. I've just crawled out of there, slightly jet-lagged, and buzzing from what felt like a lot of amazingness and a few head-scratching moments. Think of me as your hotel-reviewing guinea pig. I'm gonna lay it ALL out, from the plush robes to the questionable elevator music. Buckle up, buttercups, because this is gonna get real.
SEO & Metadata Blitz! (Because, you know, gotta appease the Google gods)
- Keywords: Shanghai Nanxiang Hotel, Luxury Hotel Shanghai, Metro Access Shanghai, Accessible Hotel Shanghai, Spa Shanghai, Fitness Center Shanghai, Pool with a View Shanghai, Chinese Cuisine Shanghai, Western Cuisine Shanghai, Family-Friendly Hotel Shanghai, Business Hotel Shanghai, 5-Star Hotel Shanghai, Shanghai Accommodation, Hotel Review Shanghai, Nanxiang Area Shanghai.
- Metadata Description: Honest and detailed review of the Shanghai Nanxiang Hotel, covering accessibility, amenities, dining, cleanliness, services, in-room features, and overall experience. Find out if this luxury hotel near the metro is worth your money! Plus, my own, unadulterated thoughts.
- Meta Title: Shanghai Nanxiang Hotel Review: Luxury, Metro, & My Honest Take!
First Impressions & Getting Around (The Good, The Bad, and the Slightly Confusing)
So, the website boasts "luxury near the metro!" And, well, they’re not entirely lying. The location is pretty damn good. You're practically spitting distance from a metro station which is a HUGE win in Shanghai, especially if you're planning on seeing anything beyond the immediate vicinity. No more endless taxi hunts – score!
But getting to the hotel? The entrance itself is a bit… grand. Like, unnecessarily grand. It screams "expensive, right?" Which, fine, I get it. They're going for the wow factor. The doorman was impeccably dressed, and very solicitous (almost too solicitous, if I'm being honest. Made me feel vaguely underdressed in my travel sweats).
Accessibility: Trying to be Inclusive (But More Work Needed)
Okay, big up to the hotel for trying. The elevator is, thankfully, a breeze. I peeked into the public restrooms, seemed decently spacious, and the hallways seemed wide. They've included:
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Elevator
BUT (and there's always a but, isn't there?), I'd really want to see more information before recommending this as truly 100% accessible. It would be really helpful if they'd provide:
- Specific accessibility information: Like, is there a ramp to the entrance? Are there accessible rooms with roll-in showers? Real details, please!
Check-in. The "Smooth" Process
Check-in, allegedly "contactless", was… a bit clunky. I fumbled with the app (thankfully, the Wi-Fi was at least okay in the lobby), and the front desk staff, though friendly, seemed a little overwhelmed. The "express" check-out, however, was a blessing. A simple drop-off of the key card, and boom, I was outta there.
Room Glory (and Minor Quibbles!)
My room? Oh, the room. Chef's kiss. Seriously, they got the room situation right.
- Wow Factors: Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi (a godsend!), a king-sized bed that could comfortably house a small family (Extra long bed, even!), lovely robes (Bathrobes), a stunning view (High floor!), and a bathtub that begged for a bubbly soak (Separate shower/bathtub).
- All the Right Things: Blackout curtains, a well-stocked mini-bar, and a fantastic hair dryer (Hair dryer), meaning no more damp hotel hair nightmares!
- In-Room Perks: Alarm clock (Alarm clock), Closet (Closet), Coffee/tea maker (Coffee/tea maker), Complimentary tea (Complimentary tea), Desk (Desk), Extra long bed (Extra long bed), Free bottled waterFree bottled water, In-room safe box (In-room safe box), Ironing facilities (Ironing facilities), Laptop workspace (Laptop workspace), Linens (Linens), Refrigerator (Refrigerator), Safety/security feature (Safety/security feature), Seating area (Seating area), Shower (Shower), Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed and soundproofing.
- The Annoying Bits: The TV remote was a masterclass in confusing button placement. And the decor, though luxurious, felt a tiny bit generic. Like they'd consulted a "Luxury Hotel Starter Pack" and followed the instructions to a T.
The internet access was also LAN and Wireless.
Let's Get Physical! (Fitness, Spa & Pool - Oh My!)
- The Fitness Center: Surprisingly well-equipped! Free weights, treadmills with those annoying built-in TV screens (I couldn't get them to work. I am not alone), and everything else the gym-goer could want. Cleaned regularly. (Fitness center, Gym/fitness)
- The Spa: Ah, the spa. This is where the Nanxiang truly shines. (Spa) I opted for a massage, and it was pure bliss. The masseuse was amazing, and the whole experience felt incredibly relaxing. (Massage) They also had a sauna, steamroom, and foot bath to make all the stress melt away. (Spa/sauna, Foot bath, Sauna, Steamroom)
- The Pool: Cue the angelic music. The outdoor pool (Swimming pool [outdoor]) with a view was magnificent. There's nothing quite like swimming laps while gazing at the Shanghai skyline. (Pool with view, Swimming pool) The poolside bar? Slightly overpriced, but hey, you're on vacation! (Poolside bar)
Dining & Drinking (A Culinary Adventure… Mostly!)
Let's be real. Hotel food can be a gamble. The Nanxiang, thankfully, wasn't a total disaster.
Breakfast: The buffet breakfast (Breakfast [buffet]) was extensive. A decent selection of Western options (Western breakfast) and Asian ones (Asian breakfast). The pastries were a bit meh, and the coffee…well, it could have been better.
Restaurants: I ate at the hotel's main restaurant once. (Restaurants) The international cuisine (International cuisine in restaurant) was solid, but not mind-blowing. I kept seeing "A la carte in restaurant", as well as "buffet in restaurant", so it may be a mixed bag of options.
Bar: If you're looking for a bar, there is one on site. However, on the occasions that I went, it was empty. (Bar)
The Food Dilemma: I noticed "Alternative meal arrangement". Thank God.
Drinks: Every room included Bottle of water.
Cleanliness & Safety (Feeling Safe and Secure, Mostly!)
- The Good Stuff: The hotel clearly takes cleanliness seriously. (Cleanliness and safety) They had all the COVID-19 precautions, from the daily disinfection (Daily disinfection in common areas) to the hand sanitizer (Hand sanitizer) and individually-wrapped food. (Individually-wrapped food options) They are also apparently using "Anti-viral cleaning products." (Anti-viral cleaning products)
- Safety First: The usual suspects: Fire extinguisher (Fire extinguisher), smoke alarms (Smoke alarms), CCTV in common areas (CCTV in common areas), and security (Security [24-hour], Security/security feature). It made me feel pretty secure.
Services & Conveniences (The Little Things That Matter)
- Convenience is Key: They had pretty much everything you could want: laundry service (Laundry service), dry cleaning (Dry cleaning), a gift shop (Gift/souvenir shop), currency exchange (Currency exchange), and even a concierge (Concierge).
- But…: I had to ask twice for more towels, and the phone in my room didn't always work. Minor annoyances, but still…
- Also… There's a business center.
For the Kids (My Non-Existent Kids' Take!)
While I don't have any kids, the hotel appears to be family-friendly. (Family/child friendly) They had:
- Babysitting Service: (Babysitting service)
- Kids Facilities: (Kids facilities)
- Kids Meal: (Kids meal)
In-Room, Round 2! (More Detail, More Feelings!)
- The Bed: Seriously, the bed was like sinking into a cloud. I could have stayed there for days. (Extra long bed) Just…amazing.
- The View: The view was spectacular! I even got woken up by the sunrise on a couple of mornings, which was stunning. The opening window (Window that opens) was a bonus for fresh air (you can smell the city, but for it's price point, it's worth it).
- The Annoyances, Revisited: The bathroom phone (Bathroom phone) was useless. It didn't work, and I was too lazy to call
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, perfectly-timed travel brochure. We’re diving headfirst into a slightly-deranged, gloriously messy week at the JI Hotel in Nanxiang, Shanghai. Consider this less an itinerary and more a survival guide… with sprinkles.
Day 1: Shanghai Shenanigans – Arrival and Overwhelm (and Noodle Soup)
14:00 – Arrival at Pudong Airport (PVG): Ugh. The sheer scale of this airport. Seriously, it’s like they built a whole city inside an airport. Finding a taxi? Another Olympic sport. Finally, a guy… probably not a licensed driver, but hey, adventure, right? He drove like he was personally offended by speed limits. My internal monologue: "Just breathe. You're in Shanghai. Breathe… and maybe clutch your life insurance policy."
15:30 – Check-in at JI Hotel, Nanxiang: Wow. The lobby is… clean. Which, after the taxi ride, felt like a miracle. Room’s small, but hey, it’s cheap. And the aircon works! Blessedly. Did I expect a palace? No. Did I secretly hope for a fluffy duvet? Yes. I got a stiff, perfectly ironed sheet. Welcome to China.
16:00 – Explore Nanxiang…Sort of: Okay, the map looks easy. Except EVERYTHING is in Chinese. And my Mandarin is… nonexistent. Got lost in the first five minutes. Ended up buying a weirdly delicious, mystery meat-filled bun from a street vendor. Communication involved pointing, grunting, and a lot of laughter. Worth every yuan.
18:00 – Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant: Heard this place is legendary. The line? Also legendary. Managed to navigate the order, using pictures like a cave painting. These Xiao Long Bao? Explosions of soup in your mouth. Seriously, be careful! I scorched my tongue. But…OMG. The flavor! Worth the queue. Worth the burnt tongue. Worth possibly never eating again because I'll never get soup dumplings this good.
19:30 – Evening Stroll (Attempt): Tried to walk off the mountains of deliciousness, but the crowds and the flashing neon signs started to give me sensory overload. Found a quiet alleyway. Sat on a step. Watched the world go by. Felt utterly alone. Felt utterly… amazing. The city is a beautiful, chaotic beast.
21:00 – Back to the Hotel, Exhausted and Overstimulated: Ordered a room service of instant noodles, because, why not? Watched a dubbed Chinese soap opera. Fell asleep before the opening credits finished.
Day 2: The Yu Garden and the Art of Patience (and Avoiding Tourists)
09:00 – Breakfast Fail: The hotel restaurant offering… let's call it limited. Tried the mystery congee. Texture was… challenging. I’m already craving those soup dumplings.
10:00 – Metro Adventure: Navigating the Shanghai Metro is a logistical masterpiece. Download the app. Learn some basic phrases. Embrace the human sardine experience. Got to the Yu Garden Station… only to be met by a sea of people. My personal space bubble was instantly eviscerated. I lost my will to visit the Garden itself.
11:00 - Wandering the Streets Around Yu Garden: Surrounded by souvenir shops, food vendors, and throngs of camera-wielding tourists. It was sensory overload. I would be one of those tourists soon…
13:00 – Lunch near the Garden: Found a tiny noodle shop. The noodles were hand-pulled, the broth was rich, and the owner's smile was even warmer. This is what I came for! This is what makes the chaos worth it. Simple food, real people.
14:00 – Attempted Zen: Walked for 2 hours and finally, I found a quiet tea house. Drank tea. Tried to meditate. Failed miserably. My brain just wouldn't shut up. But the tea was good, and the quiet was… a refreshing change.
17:00 – Back to Nanxiang: Metro again. Almost missed my stop. The sheer efficiency of the system is incredible, but honestly, the sheer number of people is exhausting.
19:00 – Dinner at the Hotel: Decided to be lazy and use the Hotel restaurant. Huge mistake. bland food at a higher price.
21:00 – Early Night: Seriously. Exhausted. The mental weight of travel is starting to bite. Watched bad television. Dreamt of soup dumplings. (Okay, I'm obsessed.)
Day 3: The Bamboo Gardens (and A Minor Meltdown)
08:00 – Woke up with a slight headache: Another night of bad sleep. I need to do something about this, ASAP, I decided to explore a place where I could calm down.
10:00 – Bamboo garden: Finally, I found a place I could calm down. The Bamboo forest, the air was fresh. I walk into the Bamboo forest, and everything changes. I found myself. No one to bother me, no lines to wait in. I was alone, with the Bamboo. I felt peace.
12:00 – Lunch: I ate some of the snacks that I brought.
14:00 – Return to the Hotel: The Bamboo forest helped me to relax. I felt revitalized.
17:00 – Explore Nanxiang Market: I decided to explore the local market. I bought some new clothes.
19:00 – Dinner: Found some restaurant near the market. The food was good.
21:00 – Early Night: I felt relaxed. I had good sleep.
Day 4: Shanghai's Shiny Center (and a Reality Check)
09:00 – More Congee… Still Challenging: Honestly, I’m starting to suspect that whatever substance they're serving is made of… something other than food.
10:00 – Metro to the Bund: Okay, time for some iconic Shanghai. The Bund. Expectations: Grand. Reality: Impressive, but… also overrun with tourists. Photo ops are competitive. People are pushing. Managed to snag a blurry photo with the Pudong skyline in the background. Success! (I think.)
11:00 – Nanjing Road Walking: This is where you understand the meaning of 'crowds'. So many people! So many shops! So much… sensory overload. Bought a silly souvenir. Impulse purchase. Regret it instantly.
13:00 – Lunch in the French Concession: Found a charming little French bistro. Actually ate something I could recognize. Delicious. Felt a little bit like I was back in… well, not China. But the change of pace was welcome.
15:00 – Xintiandi Wanderings: Trendy, picturesque. A bit too… curated for my liking. Everything is shiny and new and expensive. Felt a rising wave of… melancholy. Like, is this all there is?
16:00 – Reality Check: Sat on a bench. Watched the traffic. Realized I’m a tourist. In a city of millions. Feeling overwhelmed. Again.
17:00 – Back to the Hotel. Sulking: Ordered… you guessed it… instant noodles. And watched a documentary about… soup dumplings.
Day 5: The Art District (and a Fresh Perspective)
09:00 – Pancakes for Breakfast (with my own supplies!): Victory! Found a shop with basic ingredients. Made my own pancakes. Small victories are important.
10:00 – M50 Creative Park: Art! Street art! Cool cafes! Finally! Something that felt… authentic. Wandered around for hours, getting inspired, feeling less like a bewildered tourist and more like… well, vaguely artsy.
13:00 – Lunch in M50: Creative Cafe. Western Food. Good coffee! Needed this.
15:00 – Back to the Hotel: Metro. Crowds. But feeling a little more… resilient?
17:00 – Last Soup Dumpling Run: One last pilgrimage to the Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant. Ordered at least three baskets. Ate them slowly. Savoring every single, glorious bite.
19:00 – Packing: The inevitable
Shanghai Nanxiang Hotel: The Rollercoaster of Luxury (and Metro Mishaps!) - FAQs, My Way
Is the Nanxiang Hotel *really* luxurious? Like, actually?
Okay, let's be real. "Luxury" is thrown around more than free candy at a kid's birthday party. The Nanxiang Hotel? Well, *some* parts are definitely trying. The lobby? GORGEOUS. Marble, those ridiculously tall ceilings that make you feel like you're in a palace (until you trip over your suitcase, which I totally did). The rooms? Generally, pretty swanky. Nice amenities, the kind of fluffy robes you want to steal (I didn't, obviously… mostly).
But then… the little cracks start to show. A slightly wonky showerhead. A remote control that fights you for control of the TV. You know, the things that remind you you're still in the real world, even if the lobby *is* trying to convince you otherwise. I'd say it's "aspirational luxury." You *feel* fancy, even if the fancy is a little... patchy.
My Anecdote: One time, I was SO excited to use the fancy bathtub I'd seen in the pictures. Champagne, bubbles, the whole shebang. I fill it up, sink in… and the water barely trickles out of the jets. I swear, it was like a crying kitten. I called reception (in my robe, naturally) and they sent someone up. Turns out, a rogue rubber ducky had gotten lodged in the system. A RUBBER DUCKY! Ruined my champagne-soaked fantasy, it did. But hey, at least it was a funny story, right?
Okay, the Metro thing… is it *really* that close? I'm a bit directionally challenged…
Ah, the Metro! They tout it, don't they? "Steps away!" "Convenient!" The honest truth? It’s… close. But the definition of "close" can vary wildly, depending on your mood, your luggage situation, and the existential dread you experience at rush hour.
Yes, technically, it's a short walk. But that short walk involves navigating a bustling street, possibly dodging scooters that think they own the sidewalk, and battling the general chaos of Shanghai life. And at the end of a long day of sightseeing? "Short" can feel like "Mount Everest."
Plus, you have to factor in the time to *buy* a Metro card... and figuring out which line to take... and the sheer, unadulterated *crowding*. Seriously, I've been packed in the Metro like a sardine so many times, I’m surprised I haven’t spontaneously combusted. It's a love-hate relationship, the Metro. You *need* it, but you might also curse it.
My Observation: One time, I saw this tiny, elderly woman on the Metro, managing to hold onto about five different shopping bags, read a newspaper, AND casually maintain eye contact with someone across the car, all while the train was swaying violently. Pure. Shanghai. Magic. I, on the other hand, was clinging for dear life, convinced I was going to be flung into someone’s lunch.
Is it worth the price? Are there better, cheaper options nearby?
Ah, the million-dollar question (well, maybe closer to the 100-dollar question, depending on the room!). Look, the Nanxiang Hotel isn't exactly a budget option. You *are* paying for that "luxury" experience, and also for the "convenience" (debatable) of the Metro. Are there cheaper places nearby? Absolutely. Hostels? Guesthouses? You betcha.
The real question is: what do you value? If you want a slightly more upscale experience, if you want the fluffy robes and the chance to pretend you're a high roller (even if your bank account disagrees), and if the Metro access is *crucial* to your itinerary? Then, yeah, it could be worth it.
But if you're on a tight budget and don't mind a less-polished stay, or if you're happy to use taxis… explore other options. Seriously, do your research. I learned the hard way. I'm talking "spent-my-entire-travel-allowance-on-one-hotel-night" hard way. Live and learn, right? Right?
My Emotional Reaction: I used to think I was a budget traveller. I *thought* I was. Until I saw the price tag on that room service menu. My eyes watered. I actually considered selling a kidney. Okay, maybe not, but you get the picture. Sigh.
What's the food like? Specifically, breakfast? Is it worth it?
Breakfast, the most important meal of the day! (Especially after a night of questionable street food and questionable decisions). The Nanxiang Hotel’s breakfast buffet is a mixed bag, people. It's got the usual suspects: eggs (scrambled, omelets… the works), bacon (sometimes crispy, sometimes… less so), pastries (some delightful, some suspiciously…) and then there's the *adventure* that is the Asian food selections. You've got your noodles, your dumplings, your… well, a lot of stuff I couldn't identify.
I'm not a picky eater (usually!), but I have to admit, sometimes the sheer variety is overwhelming. And let's be honest, not everything is going to appeal to Western taste buds.
My Quirky Observation: I saw this one guy, he was wearing a suit, and he'd piled his plate so high with food, it looked like he was building a tiny skyscraper. Then he just sort of… stared at it. For a good five minutes. I'm pretty sure he realized he'd made a colossal breakfast mistake.
My Recommendation: If breakfast is included in your room rate, go for it. If not? Maybe explore the local area. There are bound to be some amazing (and cheaper!) options nearby. Embrace the food adventure! Or, you know, stick to the safe haven of toast and jam, like me.
Are there any good restaurants or things to do *near* the hotel? Because I don’t want to spend an hour to get anywhere…
Okay, the "near" thing? That's the golden ticket. If you wanted to get around, that Metro access is going to be your best friend. But around the Nanxiang Hotel itself? Well, it's not exactly a bustling hotspot. I mean, it's not *dead*. But let's just say, don't expect a vibrant nightlife scene outside your doorstep.
There are usually some local restaurants floating about, offering the kind of authentic food that’ll either thrill you, or send you running for the nearest bottle of Pepto-Bismol – depends on your stomach. They're great options for a quick bite, but there may not be many English menus, so prepare for some adventurous point-and-pray ordering.
Also, there are usually convenience stores nearby for your water/snack/emergency phone charger needs. And a few shops. The typical tourist things, you know? Nothing mind-blowing.
My Rambles: Honestly? I spent most of my time at the Nanxiang Hotel *leaving* the areaHotelish
