The Westin Bund Center, Shanghai

The Westin Bund is a beautiful and safe hotel in a great location. The Bund is a short walk away. Nanjing Road is close too. I have stayed at this hotel over ten times and it is a favourite for the location and the breakfast. Also the rooms are comfortable (though they are showing signs of wear and tear). My one complaint is the water in the shower seemed to leave a residue on my hair (I used the usual products from home). The problem isn’t the water pressure. The pressure is good. It is something about the water. Perhaps chemicals were added to treat it. This is the second year that I have noticed the issue. Last year was worse so maybe they are working on it. All that said, I still recommend the hotel. Those who like a gym will be happy with the facilities.

Our stay started on a lousy note when we were told that our room was not ready when we arrived at 3pm. The staff at the hotel reception indicated that they needed just a little while more as the “room is probably made but needs to be checked” and told us to go to the Executive Lounge to enquire further. When we proceeded to the lounge, staff there informed us that they needed some time and that the room was pending the rollaway bed and final checks. After waiting about 20mins, we decided we enquire again and were told that it was till not ready. As we had plans for the day, we left and told them we would return soon within the hour. Unfortunately, when we returned at 4.15pm, the lounge staff seemed clueless about it, and only proceeded to make calls to hurry Housekeeping after I made my displeasure known. She then said that it was still not ready! By that time, we were honestly quite annoyed at the 1hr 15min delay and asked to speak to the Front desk manager. When the front desk manager Angela arrived, the only explanation offered was that “this room type is late check out that is why the room is not ready”, and that “you asked for an extra bed hence they needed time”. For the record, my request for the extra bed was made months in advance and the hotel’s official website states that check in time is 3pm. Angela tried to appease us with waiver of extra bed charges, but failed to realise the whole point was that it was appalling how Westin can be 1hr 15mins late in having a room ready for their guests. The room corridor also reeked strongly of cigarette smoke, despite the hotel being strictly non smoking. Lastly, we called for new towels and a foot mat for the toilet one morning, and it took a really long time to arrive. We decided to leave the room and turned on the “do not disturb” sign, hoping the staff would leave the towels in a paper bag at the door. As we were leaving, I noticed a housekeeping staff placing a bunch of towels on the carpeted corridor in order to close the housekeeping room door, following which he proceeded to walk to our room and ring the doorbell. I was honestly disgusted by then. How could anyone leave towels on the floor and think it is ok!?! If I had not seen this I would never have known the same towels we use to shower have been placed on the floor in the corridor! We met Angela at the lounge that morning and left our feedback about this. She didn’t seem surprised at all, which goes to show this is not an uncommon occurrence in this hotel. When we returned to our room that evening, we realised that despite the “do not disturb” sign on, the staff had actually entered and replaced the towels in our room. This was an utter invasion of privacy and shows how little respect they accord to their guests. I must say the rooms are not expensive for a Westin, and it makes it seems a value for money option for stay in Shanghai. However, given the multiple bad experiences here, I would think twice about staying again or recommending this to anyone.

The Westin is a modern, beautifully decorated, modern hotel at a great price point. Rooms are very spacious, clean with modern, large bathrooms including a bathtub and great water pressure. Beds are super comfortable. There are 2 restaurants on stite, one Chinese and one Italian. There is also a gym, spa and a bar. Staff is very friendly and helpful. The hotels location is fantastic, close to the Bund, the business district, Yu Garden, People's Square/Park and Xintiandi. All within walking distance. There is also public transport nearby as well as restaurants and shops. Very enjoyable!