This was the last stop on our 2-week independent tour of China. The hotel is a very attractive property and we were upgraded, based on Starwood gold status, to a junior suite in the Grand Tower, even though we were using points. We also obtained executive lounge privileges by using an additional 2,750 points per night for 3 nights. This was well worth it since breakfast in the hotel restaurant was quite expensive. We had a beautiful room and spacious, modern bathroom. The check-in was not particularly friendly and I found that the English skills of the Service Express staff were somewhat lacking. We checked out in the executive lounge and I discovered that I had left my ATM card in the machine in the hotel lobby the night before. The staff could not have been more helpful, including placing a call to the US for me to contact my bank (at no cost to me) and following up with me by email after we departed. The card was not found but I suffered no loss. The hotel is a short walk from the Bund and therefore has a prized location. I would recommend this hotel not only for its location and well-appointed rooms but also the dedicated and responsive staff in the executive lounge. There is also an attractive pool but I never had time to use it. If anyone is interested, we took a very worthwhile walking tour led by Dvir Bar-Gal, an Israeli journalist, on the history of Jews in Shanghai [-]

stayed here for a weekend - good business hotel in decent location close to the Bund - check in was fine - nearly all staff had passable English - room was nice, good size and very clean with big walk in shower and stand alone tub - food was ok - had the lunch buffet and then breakfast to the room - both ok for western food in a chinese city - made the most of the hotel car; taxi's are a complete nightmare so its worth every cent to have the hotel car instead of getting lost,ripped off, robbed etc - overall good standard hotel for good standard rate

We checked in to the Shanghai Westin and it was as impressive as the Westin Hotel in Beijing. The sitting room/office, bath and bedroom were elegant and comfortable. We took a quick inventory of the amenities and discovered more toiletries than usually offered in a hotel. Slippers and robes, and an umbrella were also available.

We had free time before dinner and since the hotel is centrally located on the Bund, a group of us decided to walk down to Nanjing Road, the pedestrian zone. Here you find many of the famous stores like Peloman, Hensen's Suit, Peng Street, Hongxiang Ladies Apparel, Mankton, Renli Fashion, Long and Feng Traditional Chinese Clothes, Heming, Lan Tang, Bobu Leather Shoes, Shengxifu's caps and Zhangxiaoquan' s Cissors. We walked past the department stores and restaurants. We wanted to get the flavor of the district. We were just rubbernecking... and fending off the vendors who wanted to sell you flashing wheels to clip on your shoes and glide along the street. At my age I am out of the gliding business.

Dinner was quite cosmopolitan. We had western and oriental choices and the International fare for the evening was South African. A nice change, a nice choice.

My partner and I spent only 4 days in Shanghai at the Westin Bund Center, Shanghai.

What a fabulous experience!!!

The staff could not do enough to make our trip enjoyable. We stayed in one of the Deluxe Rooms - absolutely pure indulgence. Spacious, well appointed rooms. Clean, quite and a great view of the Huangpu River and the Pearl Tower.

We used the Banyan Tree Spa for a relaxing pampering. I dont think the staff were quite ready to deal with a European Male - but with much giggling and the always present smile I was treated well.

Everything you read on the Westin website is genuine and what IS offered!!.

Outstanding spacious rooms, fabulous food, wonderful staff - what more do you want!?!?!?!

The location of the hotel makes walking anywhere easy. At reception they have little maps with touristy places marked in Chinese, English and PinYin, so if you need help finding directions just show the map to either taxi drivers or passers by. At each intersection (for those on foot) there are 'pedestrian traffic controllers' - these are the best sources of guidance when walking and they are very helpful.

But remember its China! and the locals are a bit reticent about dealing with foreigners, so dont be put off if you approach a passer by and they ignore you - they are not being rude, they just are not as open as the west - (although the same happens in London, Paris & New York).

Places which are a MUST to see
1. The Green Jade Buddha Temple - get a taxi its only a few dollars). At the Temple they have a vegetarian restaurant and the food is outstanding!! Oh a word of caution, this is a fully functioning Buddhist temple, so do ask permission to take photographs - alto' no one will say anything too you if you dont ask, its just good manners too ask so as not to offend the Buddhist population.
2. The Yu Yuan Garden - have a cup of genuine Chinese tea in the Yu Tea House - (but use downstairs - the upstairs is for visitors and is twice the price). But we are only talking about a couple of dollars. Take a day and just stroll around the gardens amazing history and a great experience.
3. Walk around and absorb the atmosphere of Shanghai - a city I have fallen in love with. It quite safe to walk down the little side streets and see how the locals live.
4. Go to the antique and bricka brack stalls in the 'antique' market.
5. If you want authentic local chinese food find a 'supermarket' or grocery and you may find a restaurant upstairs.
6. The Bund is about 5 minutes walk from the Hotel and is also a must to stroll along.
7. When queuing to buy tickets just do as the locals do and push and push and push (it helps to have played rugby or other contact sports LOL).

I loved Shanghai, I loved the Hotel and cant speak too highly of the place and cant wait to go back!!!