A Outdated Gem? My Experience at Shanghai Hongta
First, some background:
📍 Address: The Hongta, Luxury Collection Hotel, Shanghai, 889 Zhangyang Road, Pudong, Shanghai
⭐ Brand: The Luxury Collection by Marriott
📅 Opened: 2001 (originally a St. Regis)
The idea of staying at the Hongta came from a friend. With all these “buffs” (Marriott luxury brand + historic reputation), I had high expections to see what a Luxury Collection experience feels like in Shanghai.
Result? The disappointment started at check-in…
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⚙️ Facilities (Pic 3)
During check-in, staff immediately began explaining which facilities were not available—the executive lounge had been relocated to the lobby (maybe this explains why the food wasn’t great…), the spa was under renovation, even the in-room safe didn’t work. Inside the room, I was greeted by a stack of “out of service” notices on the desk. It really made me wonder: just how outdated is this hotel?
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🛏️ Room Style (Pic 4-5)
To be fair, the room itself wasn’t bad. They call it “classical aesthetics with modern accents” and “understated luxury”—and that’s about right. The window view wasn’t spectacular, but pleasant enough (no major landmarks, though).
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🏋️ Gym (Pic 6)
If there’s one area that screams “old,” it’s the gym. I’ve been working out for 10+ years and have never seen such outdated fitness equipment—it felt like stepping into a fitness museum. On the plus side, I suppose it reflects just how long the hotel’s been around.
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🍵 Afternoon Tea (Pic 7)
Honestly? Even any random lounge at Pudong Airport easily beats their afternoon tea. A few slices of honeydew, cherry tomatoes, soda, coffee, egg tarts, sweets, and snacks… the entire spread could be counted on two hands.
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🫖 Happy Hour (Pic 8-9)
This was… underwhelming. It wasn’t enough for dinner, but skipping it felt like wasting money. The setup gave off strong “budget dinner buffet” vibes.
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🧇 Breakfast (Pic 10-16)
Now this is worth appreciating—the best meal of the day here. A rich spread featuring Chinese dim sum, noodles, Western salads, toast, and croissants. Oddly, there were also stir-fried dishes like “stirred chicken or beef”—not typical breakfast fare, but as a meat lover, I didn ’t complain.
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📝 Conclusion: A Shadow of Its Former Glory
You can definitely imagine how glorious the Hongta must have been 10 or 20 years ago. But time has moved on, and the hotel hasn’t kept pace with updates. Instead, it feels like it has been left behind by the tide of history. Add in the fact that rates aren’t cheap, and you’re left with the sense of paying top dollar for a dated experience.
Have you stayed at The Hongta before? How was your experience?
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After my stay at The Hongta, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Shanghai, I really started thinking about how to pick a luxury hotel, especially older ones, in a dynamic city. It's tough when you're expecting that classic 'Luxury Collection' standard but encounter some… quirks. One thing that truly stood out was the sheer number of 'out of service' notices. I saw them for the executive lounge, the spa, and even the in-room safe! Seeing those notices, clearly displayed in both English and Chinese, really emphasized the challenges of maintaining such a grand, older property. It makes you wonder if they're actively working on updates, or if it's a constant battle to keep everything operational. This experience really made me reflect on what 'luxury' means today, especially when booked through renowned brands like Marriott's Luxury Collection. You expect seamless service and top-notch facilities, but when fundamental amenities are under renovation or simply not working, it definitely impacts the overall feel and value. So, if you're like me, or advising a client, on booking an older luxury hotel in Shanghai – particularly one at an address like 889 Zhangyang Road – here are a few things I'd now consider. First, always check recent reviews, not just the overall rating. Look for comments about specific facilities, especially the gym and spa. My 'fitness museum' experience taught me that! Secondly, don't hesitate to directly contact The Hongta Hotel beforehand. Ask about ongoing renovations, available amenities, and whether all advertised services are fully operational. I wish I had done more of this before my visit. Ultimately, my stay at The Hongta was a learning experience. It reminded me that 'luxury' isn't just about brand name or past glory; it's about the current guest experience. While The Hongta boasts a grand lobby and classic room aesthetics, as seen in my photos, if you're seeking cutting-edge fitness equipment or a truly gourmet afternoon tea experience, you might need to adjust expectations or look elsewhere in Shanghai. If you're going into it knowing it's a walk down memory lane and can accept some of the older aspects, you might appreciate its unique charm. But if you're chasing that crisp, all-inclusive modern luxury without compromise, a bit more research into newer luxury hotels within Marriott's portfolio or other brands in Shanghai might serve you better. Hopefully, my insights help you navigate the wonderful, sometimes tricky, world of luxury hotel bookings in amazing cities like Shanghai!
