Luxury Hotel Review: Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai

It was a fabulous decision to check into Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai a few days earlier than planned.

My shoulders instantly relaxed as our van full of bags pulled up to the entrance. We were escorted directly to the Club Lounge for the most relaxing check-in experience (complete with delicious cups of tea) and I was reminded why I love the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group so, so much.

This hotel, I was delighted to learn after making the reservation, is regarded as the best luxury hotel in Shanghai. This is a well-deserved honor and why we’re already plotting a return in summer 2018.

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai Location

This Shanghai luxury hotel is located on the banks of the Huangpu River and in the heart of Pudong’s business district. There are actually quite a few things to do in Shanghai with kids on this side of the river. To give you an idea, here is a sampling:

• Bund Sightseeing Tunnel
• Shanghai Ocean Aquarium
• Oriental Pearl Tower (We did not have a chance to try the virtual rollercoaster but will next time.)
• Shanghai World Financial Center Observation Deck
• Century Park
• Shanghai Science and Technology Museum
• Shanghai Disneyland

Pudong is also a good base for those traveling to Shanghai for the first time. It’s quieter and newer. Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai is very welcoming to families and quite a few were also in residence during our summer stay. Not to mention, the river view from the hotel are spectacular.

I mistakenly thought it would be too difficult to get from Pudong to the other side of the river (People’s Square) every morning and afternoon where my daughter and her friends were attending camp. This was certainly not the case. Taxis were readily available at the hotel. Traffic delayed us by just a few minutes in the morning but it was no big deal.

We all actually walked several times from People’s Square back to the hotel with the kids. We’d stop for a smoothie or snack along the way, head to the Bund and cross the river via the Bund Sightseeing Tunnel. From here, we’d take a quick outing to the Shanghai Ocean Aquarium or similar and walk maybe 15 minutes down the promenade (cyclists, walkers, and joggers also use it for exercise) to the hotel. It is a very leisurely and pleasant excursion.

If opting for the easy Shanghai Metro, the Lujiazui stop is just over a 15 minute walk from the hotel. A ferry also departs from in front of the hotel to the other side of the river. Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai has a house car and house shuttle that can take guests within a short radius of the hotel in Pudong, too.

Sleek Rooms, Suites and Executive Apartments

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai has 318 guest rooms, 44 suites and the largest presidential suite in Shanghai.

The kids squealed with joy upon seeing the understated amenity with dessert in glass orbs that was so detailed it looked like art.

We had a Club Level Executive Suite and a Club Level River View Room located next to each other. Both rooms were at the end of a main hallway and could both be enclosed by another exterior door. This created our own little hallway between the rooms for extra privacy and allowed us to keep our suite and room doors propped open so the kids could go back and forth between them.

I don’t have to wonder what’s going to be in a room at a Mandarin Oriental hotel, especially if it’s a newer property like this one. I know there’s an office kit with helpful accessories like scissors and staplers, bottled water, high-end bath amenities, comfortable robes, coffee, tea and more. And, if there is something else I need they will get it.

Club Level rooms do come with butler service and two-pieces of complimentary laundry per day (very handy when on a long trip with kids). We were so well taken care of that our butler was only called once for an “emergency after-hours macaron delivery” from the Cake Shop.

The night view is even better than the day view.

I am a huge fan of hotel serviced apartments, having lived in one in Hong Kong. For longer stays the Executive Apartments provide travelers with a luxe home away from home. The space is larger (up to three bedrooms) and can include a kitchen, but you also have access to hotel amenities including housekeeping.

Club Lounge Dining and Drinks

Club Lounge benefits are worth their weight in gold especially when traveling with kids. I say this especially if it is a Mandarin Oriental Club Lounge in Asia. The beautiful buffets are quite fulsome with made-to-order eggs, fruit, salads, regional specialties, Cake Shop delights, and much more. There was always a hearty main at lunch and cocktail hour that changed by the day. To give you an idea, during our stay this included a prime rib carving station, Peking duck, fresh Chinese noodle bar and a pasta bar.

I really looked forward to cocktail hour at the end of the day.

The Glorious Cake Shop

Readers of this site know how I feel about Mandarin Oriental Cake Shops. The are great benefits to families who need a quick grab-and-go snack (or treat) or a coffee. The gorgeous packaging makes dessert a realistic souvenir or gift. My daughter’s first birthday cake was an American cheesecake from the Cake Shop in Hong Kong. I could go on and on but The Mandarin Cake Shop in this hotel is certainly a worthwhile stop.

See also: The Glamorous Mandarin Oriental, Taipei (and their Cake Shop’s guava macarons)

Multiple Restaurants

The day we checked out, I realized we hadn’t tried any other hotel restaurants (other than The Mandarin Cake Shop). That’s how good the Club Lounge is.

We meant to sip champagne on the Qi Bar terrace but weather and our itinerary didn’t cooperate.

We walked by the massive Zest breakfast buffet on the way to the ATM. Guests can also enjoy afternoon tea at the Riviera Lounge, Modern French cuisine at Fifty 8° Grill and one-Michelin-star Chinese at Yong Yi Ting. Clearly, we have some more eating to do on our next visit.

Gorgeous Spa and Pool

The girls sure love this indoor pool. The furnishings are really comfortable as well.

Next to the pool is the full-service luxury spa with its gorgeous shop. Treatments are tailor-made in gorgeous spa suites and you’ll want to arrive early to enjoy the heat and water facilities as well as stay late to unwind in the lounge.

Good to Know

I always notice luxury hotel flowers and can confirm that the arrangements at Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai are gorgeous.

Consistent with the Mandarin Oriental brand, service across the board is excellent.

There are hotels with closer access to the Metro and to sightseeing. However, it is much quieter in this section of Pudong. I felt a greater sense of space and tranquility. The kids loved burning off steam walking along the river to and from the hotel.

You will not find better pricing than on the Mandarin Oriental website. And, on top of this, I can book you in with exclusive, value-added Mandarin Oriental FAN Club benefits that are only available to luxury travel agents. Send me your dates and I will see what is on offer.

You will love this hotel. We are looking forward to returning in 2018.

Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai
111 Pudong Road (S), 200120 Shanghai, China
P 86 (21) 2082 9888