Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel Review

What can I say about Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel? It has the best location as it is located downtown near the famous Yu Garden and old town Cheng Huang Miao. It is only 2 mins walk to these places. 5 Star rated and the facilities are good. It wasn’t very expensive as we have a triple sharing room.

Well, first we were so glad to learn that the hotel letting a check-in at around 8 am. We touched down from Shanghai Pudong Airport at around 5 am and reached the hotel at about 8 plus by Meglev and taxi. We didn’t expect that the room is ready and we just hoped to check-in our luggage first then explore Cheng Huang Miao’s old town. Surprisingly the front desk told us the room is ready and they allow us to have the early check-in.  What a great gesture and I really appreciate their kindness.

The lobby is at 4th Floor

The front lobby is located on the 4th floor and not on the first floor. The below picture is the first-floor reception for taxi and luggage handling.  The lobby on the 4th floor was impressive but sorry I have forgotten to snap some pictures.

Let’s do the room review

The room is very comfortable for 3 adults and spacious enough.  The lightings are good, bright and the color theme is in white and beige.  It is a carpeted flooring and the slippers are available in the closet.

There are a small working station and table lamp and chair.  Bear in mind, this is also a business hotel.

Complimentary bottle drinks & a coffee maker machine are also provided.

Bathroom Review

The shower and bathtub are separated which is so neat.  There are all the little details which make their guests so comfortable.  I love the hotel bathroom with a makeup mirror.  It is so useful for us, ladies who need to do makeup early in the morning and do not have good eyesight.

Curtain Blinds in Bathroom

We had a hard time figuring out how to close the blinds and finally saw there is a button in the bathroom.

The view from the hotel room

I have to say the hotel room has the best view ever!  It has the most important skyline in Shanghai CBD!  You will see the tallest building called Shanghai Tower, which also looks like a thermal flask shape (far right) in the below picture.  The Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC) which sits next to the Thermal flask building and finally Jin Mao Tower, another iconic landmark in Shanghai.  You need to know these three important buildings in Shanghai.

Other high rises building in Shanghai.

Oriental Pearl Tower

So happy that our room can also have a glimpse of the Oriental Pearl Tower.  It was blocked by a little a building in front but still able to see half of it.  Oriental Pearl Tower is the Shanghai iconic landmark, it has two huge spheres which can be seen from afar.  It is used for the Shanghai TV station.

Outside the hotel, there are some bicycle shades.  I just find them cute.

Other things you may want to know

There is a 24-hour fitness centre and 6 dining options (We prefer to hunt the street food in Cheng Huang Miao). Guests can swim at the hotel’s indoor pool (we did not swim as it was winter month). A Club Lounge on the 17th floor offers views of the city. The hotel provides free parking. (Sadly we don’t drive and it is crazy to drive in China, don’t think we are able to)

Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel is 1 km from The Bund and an 8-minute drive from Xintiandi. It takes 10 minutes by car from the hotel to the Lujiazui financial area. Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport is 10 km away.

Breakfast review

I have to say the hotel range is huge and consists of lots of international range.  The local range was just alright as I expected to be better and more variety.

Noodle Bar

You have to try a bowl of noodles from the noodle bar.  Only cooked when you ordered and you can ask to include the Shanghai wanton.  I do love that there are so many sauces to choose from.

Shanghai-style breakfast – The egg roll

The one here tasted ok only and not as tasty as the one found on the street outside.

Youtiao

This is known as Chinese fried churro or Chinese oil stick. Well-loved in South East Asia too, not only in Shanghai. You usually eat this is soya milk or porridge.

Western corner

You can find sausages, bacon, grilled tomatoes with cheese,  hashbrown and egg omelet here.  A good range of western-style breakfast.

Croissant and pancake

This corner here is also considered the western style of breakfast.

Salad & Fruit Bar

It was not too packed when we had our breakfast at around 7 plus am.  The food selection was huge; the western range was great but the Chinese range was slightly below my expectation.  I think the hotel is target for international guests and not for local Chinese, that’s why.

Lifts

There are 6 lifts so you don’t have to wait too long even it is peak hour in the morning.

Final thoughts

What I love about the hotel is the location, conveniently located in shopping and restaurants.  The staff is also very well-trained and provide very good service.  After all, this is Shanghai, a first-tier city in China.  We went to other second and third-tier cities of China, stayed in the 4-5 star hotel but the service given was not as great compared to Renaissance Shanghai Yu Garden Hotel.  We had a pleasant stay in this hotel and the only downside I have to say is the breakfast for the Chinese range is not as good as the western range.

More information on Shanghai youtube below –