Rhea Boutique Zhabei

The hotel is located near the Metro station itself, with as many as three lines going across. I was already at this Hotel a couple of years ago, and it should really be a little renovation. Probably the owner is waiting for the surrounding area to be tidied up, as new buildings are being built, and he will later renovate this hotel as well. The breakfast restaurant is satisfactory and the restaurant is open in the evening. I recommend spicy fish soup.

This hotel is really good for its : 1. Amazingly convenient location This hotel is only 2 minutes’ walk from HanZhongLu metro station (a blessing when you just arrived from the airport with heavy luggage!) and 1 stop from Shanghai Railway station. The city is very well covered by the metro system so getting around is really easy. There is a hotel restaurant and convenience shop on the ground level. Next to the hotel is a small Muslim noodle restaurant which stays open till about 11 pm. A tiny Carrefour shop and some cafes and restaurants can be found at a mall about 10 minutes’ walk away. 2. Clean & quiet environment Mostly new buildings around the front of the hotel; clean and uncluttered streets; surprisingly very little traffic despite being located at a road junction. Personally, I find that rooms facing the metro station have better views. The rooms at the back look out to not very attractive older buildings 3. Spacious and nicely decorated rooms with large windows Value for money for an expensive city like Shanghai. You’ll find the usual amenities in the room (good quality towels/linens, bedroom slippers, brand new kettle etc). Safe and mini-fridge are provided in some of the rooms. I booked the cheapest room category over different periods and strangely, the room sizes and layout differ even though the room category and price are the same. The Twin-bed Business room on level 5 is a better choice as the furnishings look newer and nicer than the Double Business room (same price). Another room I stayed in (on the highest floor, level 7), facing the lifts is horrible – cramped room with very worn furnishings, dusty and dirty carpet, water does not drain well in the bathtub and no view at all as almost the entire window is blocked by the very large hotel signage – avoid this floor! 4. Friendly and helpful staff overall Check in and check out was quick and reception staff was really helpful in offering the metro map (very handy!) displayed at a rack in the lobby. Luggage can be stored for free if you need to make short trips out of Shanghai. Overall, I’m quite pleased with my stay (except for the night when I was given a room on the top floor and the horrific encounter with one of the young female receptionists on duty who was shockingly blunt and unhospitable (she didn't get any training in guest services?!?) and completely put me off when I tried to explain that I would like to have a change of room. This lady is truly in dire need of "re-education" if she wants to keep her job in the hospitality industry).

Best located hotel just opposite Hanzhong Lu station. Walk out from Exit 2 or 3 and you will find this hotel facing you. Super convenient to go anywhere as it is always only 2 or 3 stops away from city centre. There is a wet market just opposite the hotel but one needs to walk from the left side to find eateries and more shops. Main road in front of the hotel is not busy and pretty quiet. Nice big room but cleanliness needs to be improved. Lots of dust found in the room (on the TV, carpet and tabletop). The housekeeper never vacuum the floor but she is a nice, warm and polite lady.