The Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai Experience

Grand Kempinski Shanghai, the ex-Grand Meliá hotel opened in February 2010 still leaving behind a few Spanish interior influences and design touches after being taken over and re-branded since 15 May 2013. Together with The ONE Executive Suites, which launched earlier in 2012 in the Puxi district, Kempinski now has a presence on both sides of the Huangpu River in China’s most cosmopolitan city, Shanghai. mylifestylnews spent two nights in the group's 18th property in China and find out more......

Situated at the Lujiazui financial district overlooking the Huangpu River and the Shanghai skyline. The Grand Kempisnki Hotel Shanghai is actually a little off the main attraction and yet Shanghai’s important landmarks and sights such as the Pearl Tower, the Jin Mao Tower and The Bund, are still easily accessible. It is still an ideal choice for those who prefer a quieter surroundings especially for weekend stay. The huge hotel foyer is decorated in modern decor yet with a little 1980's mood in style. Several neon colors lighting and a Chihuly glass art looking installation is hung in the inner cavernous foyer. It was a little too busy and less is more doesn't seem applying here.

We proceeded to the check-in counter and were the next in line, despite our room was booked and upgraded to the Studio Suite where we could have our check-in at the Executive Floor. After 15 minutes of wait, we decided to take the liberty to ask the concierge for direction to go up to the Executive Floor instead. After numerous documentations checked, we were ready to proceed to our room.

The hotel features 686 rooms and suites, the majority of which overlook the dramatic Bund skyline. The rooms are contemporary in design and range from 43 to 245 square metres in size. Our corner Studio Suite is decorated in dark wood with an extended studio desk at the end corner of the building. The bed is rather comforting and the view from the room overlooking the bustling Pudong financial district from such height is rather captivating. 

Lighting is rather dim even though it was adjusted to the highest level in the evening. The standing shower is separated with the bath tub giving more space in the bathroom and provides an alternative preference.

The 30th floor indoor swimming pool, 20 metres long and160 sqm pool with big glass windows provides a stunning view overlooking the Huangpu River.

The iconic Pearl Tower and the scenic city skyline of both Pudong and Puxi is just right on your face.

The well equipped gym also runs 24-hours a day for a good workout.

The afternoon tea is served at the Executive Club Lounge and the variety of finger food are more than most hotels would provide. The spacious Executive Club Lounge is rather cozy, when there are not many guests around, you can pick your favorite spot to chill while looking out at the city skyline.

A couple of warm dishes are added to complete the entire spread for the evening cocktail session despite the beverage selection is lacking in choice. For a 5-star luxury hotel standard, this is rather penny pinching.

The other section of the Executive Club Lounge comes with a proper dining table set up, breakfast is also served here for their Executive Floor guests.

Created in 1897, Kempinski Hotels is Europe’s oldest luxury hotel group and now manages a portfolio of 72 five-star hotels in 30 countries and continues to add new properties in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Shanghai is a city that combines several cultures blending the east with the modern culture elements from the west, so is the experience to be encountered in the Grand Kempinski Shanghai.

Tried & Tested:
Location : 3/5

Interior & Design : 2.5/5

Service: 1.5/5

Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai

1288 Lujiazui Ring Road

Pudong Shanghai China

Tel: +86 21 3867 8888