Mandarin Oriental Pudong Shanghai

I've always wanted to stay at the MO, and finally had the perfect opportunity to experience it on my return to Shanghai. The room was incredibly well-maintained; you'd never guess it's a hotel that's been open for ten years. The bathtub was huge, and I fumbled around making myself a bubble bath in the evening. Watching the night view of the river, all the day's fatigue just melted away. A huge thanks to Steven, the Front Office Manager, for his warm and helpful assistance with my issues during my stay, and also to the young man who checked me out (I'm so sorry, I forgot to ask for your name!). Walking through the public areas, you can really feel the kindness and enthusiasm from all the staff. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in Shanghai!

The room was spotless and well-arranged, with excellent soundproofing and blackout curtains, allowing for a very comfortable and restful sleep. The toiletries in the bathroom were also of good quality. The front desk staff were incredibly warm and patient, and the check-in process was smooth and convenient.

Whenever I'm back in Shanghai, I usually stay at the Mandarin Oriental. Everything was perfect – I slept well, ate well, and the service was excellent. It's rare to find croissants that actually taste buttery, haha! Special shout-out to David at the front desk for his attentive and efficient service.

The monkey design is absolutely adorable, love it! 👍 Was the vanity chair not used for a long time? There was a layer of dust when I pulled it out, so I'm deducting one star for cleanliness. There are many restaurants nearby, but getting in and out requires a bit of a winding path. This might be subjective, but I personally don't like it, so I'm deducting one star for the environment. Thanks to the front desk lady who escorted me to my room. I casually asked her for a nail clipper, but nothing came of it; no response whatsoever. Also, the pool staff's attitude was so-so, so I'm deducting one star for service. The facilities felt a bit dated, perhaps due to the traditional Chinese style. Personally, I'm deducting one star for this.

The room view was absolutely stunning, the breakfast was delicious, and the bedding was super comfortable! The only thing is the shower head in the room could use a bit more attention to cleanliness. But it's so convenient that you can just step out of the hotel and walk along the river, and it's easy to get to the North Square to see the Oriental Pearl Tower.

The hotel is surrounded by the Pudong Art Museum, the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, the Binjiang Greenland, and countless flowering trees. The pineapple shortcakes and black tea from the Mandarin Cake Shop are absolutely delightful and a true comfort after a long journey. Every morning or evening, the Huangpu River flows serenely by, reflecting the vibrant colors of the Mandarin Oriental – truly wonderful moments.

I had high hopes for the Mandarin Oriental, but I was truly disappointed. The room wasn't cleaned during my stay, and the staff's responses to my inquiries were unhelpful and evasive. It was utterly exhausting. Everything started off well, but then it just went downhill. This is by far the most disappointing five-star hotel I've ever stayed in. Even something as basic as the invoice, which they promised to send immediately, still hasn't arrived. I booked a deluxe river view room, but they assigned me a corner room instead. I'm beyond disappointed. There was hair and debris in the drawers. I really didn't want to leave a bad review, but this is just unbelievable.

The hotel's ambiance is fantastic. I've stayed in many five-star hotels, even some similarly priced ones, but the Mandarin Oriental's attention to detail is truly exceptional. The swimming pool water is incredibly clear, and they have a steam room in the shower area, plus a warm pool for kids, which is really comfortable and thoughtful. The hotel's breakfast is also superb, with a great mix of Chinese and Western options. The location is excellent too; if you're driving, there's no traffic and the roads are wide. Downstairs, there's a ferry terminal, so you can enjoy a ferry ride in the evening and take in the beautiful night views of the Huangpu River.