On the occasion of my Asian summer trip and in order to boost my Accor account which in turn feeds my Flying Blue account, I chose to stay in two Sofitel hotels, one in Shanghai and the other in Bangkok at the beginning of this stay. The rest of the stay will be in a rented house in Laos and a charming establishment in Siem Reap and will end at the Metropolitan in Bangkok.
This is the two-night stay in Shanghai that I’m sharing with you here, the one in Bangkok will soon follow.
Arrived relaxed at PVG thanks to a very good flight in Business Aeroflot (reported on flight report) it is by cab that I go to the Sofitel. It takes about forty minutes to drive the 30 kilometers from the hotel to the airport with, that day, a heavy but fluid traffic.
The Sofitel is located in the shopping area of Shanghai and one of the entrances of the hotel is located on Nanjing road, temple of consumption where there are many shopping malls. The arrival by car is done on the other side where the lobby is located.
The first impression is very pleasant. The lobby is large and bright decorated in a contemporary style with some Asian touches. The welcome is warm.
It is not at the reception that I will do my check in because the room I booked is a “club room” and benefits from a dedicated check in located in the upper floors of the hotel.it is there that I am kindly directed once my luggage has been taken care of.
Arrived at the floor I am greeted very kindly and invited to sit down to do the check in. Delicate attention a welcome drink is brought and an oshibori given to refresh me. The check in is fast and the receptionist gives me the key and takes me to the elevators.
The striped carpet, the decoration create a soft and refined atmosphere
The room I was assigned, 2717, is located on the 27th floor, one of the “Club Sofitel” floors of the hotel.
I discover my room which is large and arranged in a classic way with an entrance on which gives the door of the bathroom, and the room itself with at the end a large window. With perfect timing, my carry-on bag is delivered to my room upon arrival.
A night valet is available as well as large storage units and, of course, a safe.
A welcome message and fruit are placed on the TV stand.
This room has a huge advantage: the view towards the Bund and Pudong and allows to embrace a part of the city in one glance. No doubt about it: I am in Shanghai, and under a bright sun and blue sky!
Let us continue the visit by going to see the bathroom which by a system of blinds with wooden slats can open on the room of the side of the shower getting a beautiful feeling of space. On the other side is also a bathtub (not pictured)
The toiletries are provided by Lanvin. They are placed in the shower, on the edge of the sink and the edge of the bathtub. The towels are large and soft.
The advantage of the club floors is that there is a dedicated lounge open 24 hours a day where you can have breakfast, a snack and a large aperitif depending on the time of day. All these services are free of charge and included in the Club package when you make your reservation. For breakfast, snack and aperitif, the buffet was of good quality and offered a varied and good choice. The staff is efficient and friendly. It also allows to have beautiful views on Shanghai, different from the one of my room.
The Lounge is arranged around three areas, dining room, reading/library room and work room. The place is quiet even at times when it is a bit more crowded. It is a very pleasant bubble to work or to relax after a day of visits. The following pictures are taken during the aperitif in the dining room. A choice of wines was available, I opted for a fresh Chardonnay.
The hotel has a large restaurant on the first floor, where breakfast is served for guests who do not have access to the club, as well as an all-day dining service.
A more gourmet restaurant is also located on the same floor.
A gym, not very big but well equipped is present in the hotel, as in all the hotels of the chain.
My opinion on this property:
The Sofitel Hyland is an extremely well-located hotel in the huge city of Shanghai, making it easy to go for a walk in the city. A short distance from the Bund, it allows you to join the ferry that makes the crossing to Pudong.
Located in a very lively neighborhood and crowded at night, it is nevertheless very peaceful and offers the comfort expected from a Sofitel. The area is ideal for shopping enthusiasts, where you can find all the luxury brands as well as the more common brands in huge shopping centers.
The staff was attentive and courteous throughout the stay, and most of them had a good level of English, making it easier to communicate. The clientele that uses it is a mix of leisure and business customers and, for the avgeeks, I met Air France crews there.
The “Club Sofitel” benefits are little extras that make your stay more enjoyable with access to the lounge, dedicated check-in and a free piece of clothing at the laundry.
