Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
guestrooms are impressive, light and airy,
with dark wooden furnishings. All have
Jacuzzis.
9
The Nine
9 Lane 355, Jianguo Xi Lu, by Taiyuan Lu
T
64719950.
This small boutique hotel in an
old villa cultivates an air of exclusivity; there's
not even a sign - look for the sturdy gates.
There are only five rooms, all bedecked with
antiques, and fine meals are served at the
long table. It's intimate and classy; guests
are made to feel as if they are weekending at
a country house. Phone reservations long in
advance are essential.
8
Okura Garden
上海花园饭店
shàng h
i huā yuán fàn diàn
58 Maoming Nan Lu
T
64151111,
W
www
.gardenhotelshanghai.com.
The grounds are
lovely at this Japanese-run mansion, and
the lobby, which used to be the Cercle
Sportif French Club, has some great Art
Deco detailing. Rooms, though, are in that
nondescript new monolith looming at the
back. All have been newly renovated and
have multi-function toilets with a bidet
attachment and seat warmer.
9
Old House Inn
上海老时光餐厅酒吧
shàng h
il
Ruijin Hotel
瑞金宾馆
ruì jīn bīn gu
n
118 Ruijin Er Lu (main entrance on Fuxing Lu)
T
64725222,
W
www.ruijinhotelsh.com.
This
Tudor-style villa complex, a couple of blocks
south of Huaihai Zhong Lu, is set in
manicured gardens, complete with lawn
tennis courts. It was once the home of the
editor of the North China Daily News in the
1920s; as a hotel, it's hosted both Ho Chi
Minh and Nixon. The villas, none higher than
four storeys, are cosy and exclusive; ask to
stay in Building One, where Mao used to
stay, as it has the finest Art Deco touches -
in the lampshades, balustrades and window
decorations - and is in the best nick. The
lavish Face Bar (ser p.125) and Lan Na Thai
restaurant above it are an additional bonus.
The only downside is the occasionally
lacklustre service, the usual complaint for any
Chinese establishment run by the govern-
ment; but it's still recommended.
7
-
9
Taiyuan Villa
tài yuán bié shù
106 Taiyuan Lu, by Yongjia Lu
T
64716688.
If you don't mind a 10min walk to the nearest
subway, Changshu Lu, this historic villa (see
p.77), set on a quiet street in lovely grounds,
is certainly one of the best places to stay in
this price range. In the turreted old block the
period charm is enhanced by dark-wood
panelling and antique furniture in the rooms.
A new block holds serviced apartments -
comfortable and nicely furnished, but much
less interesting than the villa. Facilities are
limited - there's no business centre or gym -
so it's best suited for the short stay tourist
who values character and quiet.
7
i bā
16 Lane 351, Huashan Lu, by Changshu Lu
T
62486118,
W
www.oldhouse.cn.
A small,
atmospheric guesthouse in a sympatheti-
cally restored shikumen house, set in a leafy
courtyard. The dozen rooms are all chic and
comfortable, with four-poster beds, retro
furnishings and dark wooden floors. The
corridors are authentically poky, and it's a
bit ramshackle in places and chilly in winter,
but if you're looking for affordable character,
this is the place to stay. The incongruously
hip attached restaurant is of high quality but
can get noisy at weekends. The bar here
makes up for the fact that the hotel has no
common area. Reservations essential.
6
l lo shí guāng cān tīng ji
Jing'an
See the map on pp.80-81 for the location of
the places reviewed here.
JIA Shanghai
JIA酒店
i diàn
931 Nanjing Xi Lu
jiā ji
www
.jiashanghai.com.
In a good position on
Nanjing Xi Lu, this is a brand-new branch of
the Hong Kong boutique hotel chain and is
already causing quite a stir among the smart
set. Its 55 rooms are housed in a rather
dashing building from the 1920s, with big
balconies and Art Deco touches. Phillipe
Starck had a hand in the classy interior
T
62179000,
W
109
Old House Inn
