Regent Shanghai on The Bund

From a desert oasis, I journeyed to China's vibrant eastern waterfront... The Seagull Hotel, ideally situated at the confluence of Suzhou Creek and the Huangpu River, offers breathtaking views of both the historic Waibaidu Bridge and the iconic 'three-piece set' of Huangpu River landmarks: the Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower, and Shanghai Tower. Adding to its unique location, it's nestled next to the old Russian consulate building and the Monument to the People's Heroes. For my planned two-day stay, I upgraded to a thirteenth-floor room with a balcony overlooking the Huangpu River – a waterside retreat that truly evoked the charm of a classic residence. Spanning over 40 square meters, the interior features intricate design and furnishings. Green marble with gold veins adds a touch of understated luxury, and the TV comes with screen mirroring functionality. The sleeping area is thoughtfully partitioned with sliding doors on both sides. While meticulously designed, the space felt a little compact, yet in a way, it captured the authentic essence of an old Shanghai home. Pushing open the French doors, the fresh scent of the river washed over me, carrying my thoughts back to days gone by. Time flows, and though much has changed, a profound sense of nostalgia settled in, which felt just right. All beverages, except for Tsingtao beer, were imported and complimentary. I opted for a perfectly ice-cold ginger ale, which was ideal for a relaxing bath. I dropped a bath bomb into the water, watching it fizz and swirl, releasing a delicate fragrance. Outside the window, skyscrapers glittered with neon lights, painting a vibrant, bustling cityscape, as cruise ships constantly passed by. Occasionally, a sand barge would quietly glide past... In this tranquil moment, whether alone or with company, it felt utterly perfect, each scenario holding its own unique charm.

The room offered a fantastic view, excellent soundproofing, and beautiful interior design. The only minor drawbacks were the breakfast and Chinese dishes, which weren't particularly tasty. For a semi-buffet setup, it made me wonder about the consistency of service. One morning, even when the dining area wasn't busy, the waiter made mistakes with our order, missing some items. We waited for quite a while, and eventually had to leave without eating to catch our transport. Quite disappointing. 😕😕

I was very satisfied. The staff were incredibly attentive and went above and beyond. While the room wasn't large, its spectacular view more than made up for it. After upgrading to a Bund view room, you can simply lie in bed and admire Lujiazui on your left and the Bund on your right. The hotel is also very new, and its location is fantastic – it's super convenient to walk to the Bund for a leisurely stroll. Breakfast is semi-buffet style; the selection isn't vast, but it's perfectly sufficient, and every table offers a lovely river view.

Before our check-in, the hotel called, thoughtfully inquiring if we had children and mentioning they would prepare kid-friendly amenities. Unfortunately, these seem to have been overlooked upon our arrival. The lobby's air conditioning was incredibly powerful; it felt quite chilly stepping in from the summer heat. We received a complimentary room upgrade, which was a nice gesture. However, upon arriving at 3:20 PM, we were informed our room wasn't ready and had to wait until 4 PM. While we waited, they offered us complimentary drinks. We ordered three, but were then informed that only two of them would be on the house. The balcony offered a fantastic view, and the hotel boasted an impressive design aesthetic. The pool staff were very attentive, and the kids absolutely loved the warm soaking pool.