Kostas Dissios

Review of The Regent Shanghai

This is a very good hotel overall and for business...

This is a very good hotel overall and for business travellers offers excellent positioning between the everyday and (night) life of Shanghai and the business districts one would want to visit.
In July 2012 I spent two weeks at the Longemont and I had the chance to check thoroughly the service as I spent time there working as well.
- Internet (Wi-Fi and fixed CAT5) in the rooms and the restaurants is available for free for customers, but at times is slow. At good times some videos can be streamed.
- TV: The usual CCTV and CNN, BBC WS, the local HBO and Cinemax channels, DIVA, Nat Geo. The flat screens are of good size, but only average quality.
- Food: very good but expensive and note the 15% surcharge on all prices.
- The Japanese restaurant and the coffee area in the lobby allow smoking so be minded that areas in the hotel and some corridors are smelly of tobacco.
- Pool / Gym: Reasonably good selection of machines and ample space. In July it was hardly ever busy. The pool is usually empty even on very hot days and at peak times (after 6pm) it is not very busy.
Air-Conditioning: very good and effective with low noise levels. It does not switch off when you exit the room so the temperature is stable.
As with many good Chinese hotels there are minor annoying issues for western travellers that are accustomed to a uniform service in Europe and North America.
Cleanliness is at a high level and the rooms are stylishly and comfortably decorated. The odd mistakes in design are obvious though. In some rooms the room service trolley-table will not pass through the desk and bed because of the angles.
The lighting fixture above the desk can only be switched off with the master switch so if you want to use your laptop during darkness it will sign strongly on your keyboard and the screen.
Some plugs are not working always well, but there are many in each room so it is unlikely you will not find one fitting your type of connection.
Breakfast is very good for Chinese restaurant with ample choice, but it can get busy and at times it is smelly with food being cooked on the spot.
Very good service at reception desk with good level of English speaking staff and polite and effective housekeeping.