The Hongta Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Shanghai — Hotel in Shanghai

First impressions often set the tone for an entire experience. While I was impressed with the appearance of the lobby upon entering the hotel, I was not impressed with the staff. The person who checked me in had poor English, and did not acknowledge me as an SPG loyal member. In addition, my credit card would not work with their machines (I used the credit card a few minutes before check in). I asked if there was an ATM at the hotel. The staff told me that I could not exchange money at that time. (The did not understand what I asked). After explaining several times that I wanted an ATM, they finally directed me to a bank down the street. I had to take out 3000 RMB for a deposit, then walk back up the street with a stack of money in my pocket. After waiting in line a second time, the same girl who helped me the first time asked if she could help me. I answered, "Yes, I was just here. You have my passport and sent me to the ATM since your machine could not read my card." She didn't even recognize me. Finally, after all the hassle of check-in, I was able to get to the room. The room was nice and spacious. The beds were softer than most in China. And the bathroom was quite nice with high quality towels and toiletries. Not having dinner, I decided to check out the Italian restaurant on the 39th floor. This restaurant could be the best Italian food I've had in China. It was very, very good quality! After dinner, I checked out the pool and jacuzzi. The desk attendant sent me off to the locker room with no key for a locker. I had to go back and ask for one. The locker room facilities were very poor. However, the pool and jacuzzi were fine. For breakfast, I ate at the buffet. No one greeted me upon entering and when someone noticed I was wandering around, they came to assist me. The food was average for a 5 start buffet, but had everything you needed. I found the omelette station and asked for an omelette. The cook, I felt, was rude with no response. He simply made my omelette and handed me the plate. I thanked him, but again no response. I needed to travel to the Oriental Sports Center to see a sporting event. I asked the concierge what the fastest way was to get there by subway. He told me to take line 4, then transfer to line 8. This certainly got me to the Sports Center. However, I learned later that line 6 goes there directly in about half the time. Both line 4 and line 6 are equal distance from the hotel, about a 5 minute walk to Pudian Avenue station, so the Metro is a convenient option to the hotel. The overall area is just office buildings. A short distance down the street is a large, outdoor shopping center (Dong Fang Road and Century Avenue). Here are many options for both Western and Chinese food. Check-out was easy and I was cordially helped with getting a taxi to the airport. The hotel definitely had a 5 start appearance. However, the service was far from it. This hotel is a good and convenient option in Lujiazui. However, if you are truly looking for a 5 star experience, choose another hotel...

I am just back from a 3 night stay at this property and I can't really say there's anything that makes it "luxury." After reading these posts I didn't have very high expectations, but I at least thought: "OK, Luxury Collection, I'll pay a little more and at least they will have good high speed internet connection." I have a lot of work to do each night, and this is the most important thing to me.

I stayed at 4 SPG properties on this trip to China, plus 2 other hotels with other chains -- all in the $150-200 price range/night. My other three China SPG hotels in Beijing, Shenzhen and Hangzhou were all Four Points Sheratons. The internet connection was terrible at all three of those too, but I chalked it up to low quality SPG brands and maybe you get what you pay for. But no difference with Hungta -- terrible, inoperable internet -- things that would take me minutes took precious hours well into the wee hours of the night. I hot little sleep. And I'm not doing sophisticated stuff, just downloading PowerPoint presentations emailed to me from colleagues (took hours and sometimes never worked) and trying to log into my company's internet portal back in the US (no go). I complained to Hungta IT staff and they did NOTHING. I requested the bandwith be increased and it made no difference.

Now, I contrast with Hotel A and Hotel B (both in Beijing). Hotel A had terrific high speed internet and I was able to work effectively without ever saying anything. Hotel B at least cared, and spent time and attention on the matter, and after a number of attempts by various personnel, my bandwidth was increased and I was able to function.

Of course my experience with the other Four Points were similar disasters as with Hungta, but at Huntga, a supposed Luxury Collect Hotel, I expected more.

And, a quick question about those Butlers: where were they? I never met one. I have no idea what they do...is or was I allowed any free pressing? Any Any advantage to any other hotel other than what I could/normally get by calling the Service Express?

Overall, otherwise, I did not notice anything more special about Hungta except the bathrooms were nicer.

I lost many precious hours of sleep which I couldn't afford to do. I am not a...

This is my second time staying at the Hongta Hotel in Shanghai. I was hopeful that my experience this time would be better than before. However, I still found many problems with this hotel! As an SPG Gold member, it is my understanding that acknowledgement of loyalty is guaranteed. This includes free upgrades when possible, late check-out and a free gift. Upon check-in with Claire, my SPG loyalty was never mentioned or acknowledged. Instead, it was business as usual, simply staring at the computer screen and clicking the mouse. It was even difficult for her to find my VISA. When you devote loyalty to a program, are guaranteed certain perks, and then it's not acknowledged, you begin considering other programs. This is a 5 star hotel. Yet, most of the staff (not just at the front desk) seem inexperienced and certainly do not know how to treat guests at a 5-star level. I'm not sure if the hotel is going through a transition with management, or there is not ample training for their staff, but the Starwood brand needs to take a serious look at this property. It is far from being "luxurious!" On a positive note, the rooms are spacious and the beds are very comfortable. When it comes down to it, we all look for comfortable stays when choosing a hotel. Thankfully, this is one positive aspect to the Hongta considering many hotel beds in China are hard as a rock. . . something difficult for us "Westerners" to adjust to. The immediate area around the hotel is a little "Sleepy," but the location puts you within walking distance to several subway lines and lively areas in Lujiazui. The breakfast area is very small, and they often have difficulty accommodating large crowds; especially when the hotel is fully booked. The food here is very average compared to some other 5 star hotels in the area. But, the Hongta is usually a little cheaper than those hotels, so perhaps this is "you get what you pay for." The young cook, who prepared my omelette, was extremely friendly and greeted me with "good morning" and a big smile. Thank you! I stay at this hotel based on convenience. It is my hope that this property receives intervention and continues to grow in order to live up...