A hotel even students can afford? This place is special.

The Westin Bund Center, Shanghai: A Unique Experience in an Old-Money Luxury Hotel As the second stop on my quest to visit 100 hotels as a college student, I was lucky enough to join a friend with a prestigious Titanium membership for the Marriott Q1 promotion and stay at The Westin Bund Center, Shanghai, the famous lotus-shaped building on the Bund. The overall experience had both highlights and shortcomings. 💰️Cost Per Person Standard room rates are typically over 1,000 RMB, placing it in the mid-to-high price range. Considering the hotel's location, amenities, and facilities, it offers decent value for guests seeking quality accommodation and Bund views. However, the price is relatively high for budget-conscious travelers. 🏘️️️Room Type/Layout The hotel is divided into the Executive Tower and the Crown Tower, with a total of 567 rooms spread across floors 9–26. I used a room upgrade voucher to stay in an Executive Suite on the 19th floor. The room was spacious, measuring 72 square meters, with a standard one-bedroom, one-living room, and two-bathroom layout. The main bathroom had double sinks. The view was superb, overlooking the Pearl Tower, the three-piece suite, the Customs House, and the North Bund. However, due to the hotel's age (opened in 2002), the style leans towards an "old money" aesthetic, which may not appeal to younger generations. 🛌Amenities/Facilities The rooms are well-maintained, with no signs of wear on the carpet or sofa. The drinking water is PureLeben, and a coffee machine is provided, but the tea bags, coffee capsules, and ground coffee were nothing special. The welcome fruit was a standard three-piece assortment, a bit ordinary. The minibar is chargeable, and there's also pricey Fiji water and alcohol next to the TV. Turndown service included floor mats and slippers, a breakfast delivery menu, a laundry price list, and a bottle of lavender body oil. However, the way the duvet was arranged was awkward, requiring effort to pull out the tucked-in part, and there was no information provided about the next day's weather. The hotel has a lounge on the 5th floor, open from 6:30 am to 10:00 pm, offering lounge breakfast and happy hour. Cookies, tea, coffee, and soft drinks are available all day. The food selection is extensive, but the quality of some dishes could be improved. There's a good variety of alcoholic beverages. The computer area has two computers with black and white printing capabilities. I didn't use the gym or pool this time. 🧹Soundproofing/Cleanliness The soundproofing is excellent; outside noise is barely audible inside the room. The cleanliness is outstanding, with both the rooms and public areas kept spotless. The level of room maintenance is especially commendable for an older hotel. 💗Other Tips 1. Hotel Location and Parking: The hotel is ideally situated on the Bund. Free underground parking is available, which is very convenient for guests driving. 2. Service Experience: Some guests have reported service shortcomings, such as being ignored upon arrival, slow check-in, and doormen paying more attention to foreign guests. However, others find the overall service satisfactory, with thoughtful touches like the lavender body oil provided during turndown service, despite some minor flaws. 3. Dining Experience: The lounge's happy hour offers unique steamed dim sum, four flavors of ice cream, and a decent selection of Western pastries that change regularly. The beef brisket in the Chinese soup was delicious, but the fried noodles in the hot dishes lacked flavor. The spring rolls were handmade and tasted good. They even replenished the dim sum before clearing the food. I'll share my experience with the downstairs breakfast in a later post.