Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9
Accommodation
A
ccommodation in Shanghai is plentiful, and sometimes stylish, with
prices that are higher than elsewhere in China but still much cheaper
than you'll find in a large Western city. A double room in one of the
grand old-world hotels
that form so integral a part of Shanghai's
history will cost at least US$120 per night these days, and for comfort and
elegance have been overtaken by new arrivals. The concept of chic
boutique
hotels
has only just taken hold, but has been enthusiastically embraced. As yet
though, there are not quite enough small, characterful, affordable places -
honourable exceptions are listed below.
If you want to be near the centre of the action, go for somewhere between
People's Square
and
the Bund
, where there are options for all budgets. It
might be noisy but as soon as you walk out the front door you'll know you're
in the real Shanghai. For style and panache, head to the more genteel
Old
French Concession
, where there are plenty of mid-range hotels, housed in
attractive buildings and grounds and close to upmarket dining and nightlife. To
the north, t he upscale accommodation in the commercial district of
Jing'an
puts you at the heart of modern, international Shanghai, with plenty of places
to eat, drink and shop nearby. For the latest in corporate chic,
Pudong
has the
fanciest options, but really, the area is rather dull.
At all but the cheapest hotels,
rack rates
should not be taken seriously; it's
almost always possible to bargain the rate down - in off season by as much as
two-thirds. The biggest discounts are available
online
, a n d if you don't have a
reservation, it's quite possible that you'll end up paying less for your room on
Accommodation price codes
The accommodation in this topic has been categorized according to the price codes
below, representing the cost of the cheapest en-suite double room. Some
upmarket establishments have high-season (April-Sept) and low-season (Oct-March)
rates, in which case the price code represents the cost in high season. In those
places where the cheapest rooms are not representative of the general standard, a
range of codes are given. Single rooms are uncommon, but where available will
generally cost around two-thirds of the price of a double.
Note that in the upscale establishments, a ten or fifteen percent service charge is
added to the bill; this is included in the price code. In cheaper hotels with
dormitories,
prices for a bed are given in yuan.
1
up to ¥150
4
¥350-500
7
¥900-1300
2
¥150-250
5
¥500-700
8
¥1300-1600
103
3
¥250-350
6
¥700-900
9
Over ¥1600
