Shanghai is China’s largest city by population and is the country’s global financial hub. Situated along the Yangtze River in East China, Shanghai is a major metropolitan city with high-rise commercial buildings, beautiful architecture and an amazing skyline that rivals the likes of New York and Chicago.
The Westin Bund Center is located in the heart of downtown Shanghai and is two blocks away from the Bund, a beautiful mile-long walk along the waterfront of the Huangpu River. Centrally located in the city, the hotel is within walking distance to a number of other local attractions including the City God Temple, Nanjing Pedestrian Street, Old City and Yuyuan Garden. From Shanghai Pudong Airport, the Westin Bund Center is about a 45 minute cab ride, depending on traffic. Cabs are plentiful and were pretty inexpensive.
You can also take the Metro rail from the airport into the city (get off at Yuyuan Garden). It’s much cheaper and a tad bit faster but it does require a train transfer mid trip. But don’t worry, the Shanghai Metro system is actually very good. Everything is clearly marked and signs are labeled in both Chinese and English.
The building is uniquely designed and is easily spotted along the Shanghai skyline. Just look for the crown esque/blooming flower-like top. I know it looks funky but the odd design really helped to orient yourself and find your way back to the hotel.
Inside, the hotel is bright and modern. And by “bright and modern,” I mean lots and lots of neon lit stairs. The lobby reminded me of a Las Vegas nightclub.
The front desk is located to the right of the lobby and the friendly agents helped me check-in promptly. All the employees spoke English proficiently and were used to visiting Westerners. Make sure to visit the concierge to get a handy translation card with the hotel’s address and names of all the local attractions. That way, you can show the card to your cab driver, point to where you want to go or get directions if you are lost.
On this trip, I booked a Grand Studio suite. Located in the Grand Tower, the suite was large, spacious and beautifully decorated with wood paneling and clean colors. Separated by sliding doors, the private bedroom can be closed off from the main living area/bathroom and included a Westin Heavenly king size bed, 32-inch flat screen television and universal electrical power ports.
The separate living area had a sitting area, working desk, fax machine, 37-inch flat screen television and DVD player. Both the bedroom and living room had large windows with views of the city. WiFi internet was provided throughout the hotel but was super sloooow (and censored, but that’s all of China).
Now, the bathroom was really the star of this show. The very spacious bathroom was equipped with a several closets, security safe, sitting area, large soaking bath tub and individually enclosed toilet and shower areas. I love this because if you are traveling with another person, both of you can use the bathroom at the same time.
The walk-in shower was amazing. The waterfall showerhead had good water pressure and pumped out a ton of water. Bathrobes, slippers and White Tea bath and body products were also provided for your convenience. Complimentary bottles of water were provided to guests in the bedrooms and throughout the hotel.
Other hotel amenities included an indoor pool/Jacuzzi area, fitness center and spa. The pool was located on the third floor and was nothing spectacular. The fitness center was separated on two floors with cardio equipment on one floor and weight machines on the second floor. For a hotel gym, it wasn’t bad and had enough to keep you in shape during your trip.
There is an Executive Club Lounge here but being a lowly SPG Gold member, I didn’t have access to it. But I hear the breakfast buffet is amazing and the Sunday Brunch is really worth writing home to mom about.
Overall, the Westin Bund Center was a great stay and I would recommend it to anyone. The hotel was beautiful, centrally located, easily accessible by public transport and allowed me to conveniently see the city from my “home base.” The employees were all very helpful, spoke English well enough and I managed to get by without speaking a lick of Chinese.
Have you visited the Westin Bund Center Shanghai before? If so, let me know your thoughts below.
Other trip reports in this series:
- The new Star Alliance Lounge at LAX
- The new Korean Airlines Skyteam Lounge at LAX
- Turkish Airlines business class from Los Angeles to Istanbul
- Hilton Istanbul
- Turkish Airlines CIP Lounge at Istanbul
- Turkish Airlines business class from Istanbul to Frankfurt
- Lufthansa Senator Lounges at Frankfurt
- Asiana Airlines first class from Frankfurt to Seoul
- Asiana Airlines first class lounge at Seoul
- Asiana Airlines business class from Seoul to Shanghai
- Westin Bund Center Shanghai
- VIP lounges at Shanghai Pudung International Airport
- Thai Airways business class from Shanghai to Bangkok
- Thai Airways Royal First Spa and Lounge
- Thai Airways first class from Bangkok to Paris
- Star Alliance Lounge at CDG
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at CDG
- Air Canada business class (Executive First) from Paris to Montreal
- Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at Montreal
- Air Canada business class (Executive First) from Montreal to Los Angeles.
