Intro
- I have stayed at this hotel during many visits since 2005. Due to my changing work locations, I just stuck to the "old formula" of staying in a familiar location.
Location and Logistics
- This specific Crown Plaza is situated on a secondary road (Pan Yu Lu) which connects to the Yanan Elevated Road (S).
- It is in an almost central location, in an area which is quite accessible to some of Shanghai's main sites.
- It is however a problematic place to stay if you want to regularily commute in and out during morning or evening rush hour. The reason is because Pan Yu Lu is a 2 way-single lane road with medium range shops on either side.
Rooms and Design
- Rooms are quite spacious. They are equipped with the usual standard stuff like a Safe, Kettle, (nice) Toiletries etc
- Internet is available but at a charge.
- The Design is quite nice to the eye as well - good tan/brown shade finishes which make a cold day outside feel nice from inside.
- They have a good range of TV Programmes as well.
- The lobby of the hotel is so-so. The Breakfast area in the morning can get a bit crowded in the morning but the food is good and always fresh.
Service/Safety
- This is a good secure hotel with pretty stiff security and CCTVs all over the place.
- The checkins can get slow sometimes since the hotel hosts regular flight crews which means bottleneck checkins at usually 2 counters working simultaneouly.
Amenities
- Theres a coffee shop run by the hotel just outside called Star walk Cafe. With a Starbucks opened up nearby, thats a plus for "fast food" type coffee lovers.
- I haven't checked the gym or pool but I was told its pretty good.
- The hotel actually shares a compound with a large cinema hall as well!
Opinion/Pros/Cons
- Pan Yu Lu can be a tight slow moving road at rush hour. It may even make your arrival time from airport extend by 30 mins! Total commute time from Pudong Airport in a taxi is around 90 minutes.
- The hotel at night is not really in a very hip or trendy area with much nightlife around and its not a walk away from the famed Nightspot Tongren or Heng Shan Road.
- Pan Yu Lu is however a very 'fully equipped' road with all kinds of shops for shopping medium range products like a range of clothes/DVDs/restaurants which are open at normal hours. This includes a 'legal' massage place suitable for all family members across the road.
- The hotel is situated at a spot which is quite close to the Xui Jia Huai Shopping intersection and good distance from the Jiangan Temple (by Taxi).
- Overall the hotel is a nice stay and quite comfortable but as someone mentioned...its a bit boring for some reason. It may be well packed with visitors but somehow still doesnt "rock" or isnt memorable.
Cheers
