
Shanghai Luxury: Unforgettable Nan Bund Stay at Hanting Premium Youjia!
Shanghai Luxury: Unforgettable Nan Bund Stay… Mostly. (Hanting Premium Youjia – A Review with a Side of Chaos)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this review isn't going to be all perfectly polished Instagram shots. We're diving HEADFIRST into the Hanting Premium Youjia on the Nan Bund, and let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster. A glittery, slightly wonky, Shanghai-esque rollercoaster.
Metadata First, Because SEO Gods Demands It:
- Hotel: Hanting Premium Youjia, Shanghai, Nan Bund
- Keywords: Shanghai, Nan Bund, Hotel Review, Luxury, Accessibility, Spa, Restaurant, Wifi, Cleanliness, Security, Pool, Fitness Center, Room Amenities, Travel, China, Accommodation, Best Hotels Shanghai, Budget Friendly, Family Friendly, Couples Retreat.
The Lay of the Land (and My Impatience):
First impressions? The location is GOLD. Seriously, Nan Bund – stunning. You’re basically tripping over iconic skyscrapers and the Huangpu River. Getting there was a breeze. Airport transfer was smooth, and thankfully, the car park [on-site] meant I avoided the usual Shanghai parking pandemonium. Accessibility? Well, let's just say it's a work in progress. The elevator worked (praise the heavens!), but navigating some narrow hallways with luggage felt a little like a Tetris game.
Accessibility:
- Wheelchair accessible: Limited, better to confirm specific room needs with the hotel ahead of time.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Needs improvement.
The Inside Scoop - Rooms and Amenities:
My room? Okay, here's where things get interesting. The non-smoking room was a godsend (lung health is paramount, people!), and the blackout curtains were a lifesaver after a long flight. It actually had an extra long bed which was cool as most standard hotels beds leave you wanting.
- Available in all rooms: (So much of it! It’s almost exhausting) Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.
The Wi-Fi [free] was, thank goodness, reliable. The internet access – wireless was my lifeline to the outside world. The complimentary tea was a nice touch, but honestly, I needed a double espresso from the coffee shop much more.
Internet: The Internet [LAN] was there, if you really needed it. The Internet services overall were sufficient. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was a massive plus, especially since I was planning on lots of work and fun. Wi-Fi in public areas was spotty, unfortunately.
Cleanliness and Safety – The Good and the Slightly Weird:
Okay, let's talk safety. Shanghai, like any major city, takes it seriously. I felt safe, but there were definitely some quirky touches.
- Cleanliness and safety: Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment
The hotel seemed to be doing its best, with all the Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas. The staff trained in safety protocol were visible and actively ensuring compliance. All right, so even though the Room sanitization opt-out available was a little weird and Rooms sanitized between stays was comforting, there was even a Doctor/nurse on call that also made things easier.
The 24-hour security made me relax a bit, and the CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property provided some extra peace of mind.
- Access: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms. I did find the smoke alarms a little too sensitive towards the end of my stay, especially considering the Smoking area… hmmm…
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Fuel of Life (and My Judgement):
The Restaurants were the highlight. The International cuisine in restaurant options were great! The Breakfast [buffet] was a decent spread, (plus the Asian breakfast was fantastic, I ended up eating my weight in dumplings). There was a Vegetarian restaurant so even my vegetarian friends can come. The Poolside bar was perfect for a chilled drink after a long day.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking: A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.
The Room service [24-hour] was a lifesaver at 3 AM when I was craving noodles. The Snack bar was a great spot to grab a quick bite, although the happy hour was a bit hit-or-miss–some days the cocktails felt like they'd been made with dish soap. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was a nice touch, but I couldn't help but think the coffee shop should have been open 24 hours.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax (Or Attempt to):
Okay, the spa. That's where things went… sideways.
- Things to do, ways to relax: Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].
I'd heard amazing things. The pool with view looked spectacular in the photos. In reality, there was a bit of a scramble to find a towel, the water felt a tad chilly (maybe it was just me!), and the "view" was partially obscured by scaffolding (which, honestly, is just Shanghai!). I tried the massage, and it was… intense. The woman clearly knew what she was doing (a deep tissue massage that left me feeling like I’d wrestled a tiger) and I think I'm going to try the Foot bath next time. The Gym/fitness was perfectly adequate, nothing to write home about, but it had all the basics. The Sauna, Steamroom and Spa all seemed to be doing their job.
Services and Conveniences – The Logistics of Life:
Okay, let's get the practicalities out of the way.
- Services and conveniences: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
The Concierge team was amazing. Seriously, navigating Shanghai’s public transport is like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded. They helped me with everything. The Daily housekeeping was efficient, and the Daily housekeeping was reliable. The Luggage storage was a lifesaver when I arrived early. The Elevator was… well, it was an elevator. The Business facilities looked professional but I didn't use them. The Currency exchange was convenient.
For the Kids, or Not (Unless You Like Chaos):
- For the kids: Bab

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because if you're expecting a pristine, bullet-pointed travel plan for the Hanting Premium Hotel Youjia in Shanghai… well, you stumbled into the wrong chaotic corner of the internet. This is less "itinerary" and more "how I'm gonna survive Shanghai and maybe, just maybe, not cry in public."
Shanghai Shenanigans: The Messy, Glorious Truth
(Day 1: Arrival - Shanghai, I Assume?)
- Morning (or whenever I roll out of bed after the transatlantic flight): Ugh. Airport. Airports are purgatory, but with overpriced coffee. Pray to whatever deity you believe in that my luggage makes it. I'm seriously considering packing a second set of underwear in my carry-on. Learned that lesson the hard way in Budapest.
- Transportation: Taxi from Pudong Airport (PVG). Okay, this part should be straightforward. "Hanting Premium Youjia, Nan Bund Dalian Road," I'll repeat it like a mantra until the cabbie understands. Fingers crossed they speak some English. The last time I tried to navigate public transport jet-lagged… let's just say I'm currently on a first-name basis with a very confused pigeon.
- Hotel Check-In: Hanting Premium Youjia Nan Bund Dalian Road. Sweet, sweet refuge. Hopefully, the room is clean. My biggest fear? Dust bunnies. The silent judgment of dust bunnies. Also, a decent shower. I need a shower like I need air. This hotel had better deliver the goods.
- Afternoon: Reconnaissance Mission & Dumpling Debacle. Once I've conquered the dust bunnies and the gravitational pull of my bed, I'm hitting the streets. First stop: the immediate vicinity of the hotel. Gotta get my bearings. Google Maps, here I come. My sense of direction is legendary (in the sense of "legendarily bad").
- Dumpling Quest: I've heard tell of amazing dumplings. Finding them is the holy grail of this day. I'm talking soup dumplings. Those little parcels of heaven wrapped in dough. The key will be finding a place that is NOT a tourist trap. The internet says [insert name of local restaurant here] is good. Wish me luck. I'm envisioning myself, chopsticks in hand, covered in dumpling grease, and utterly delighted… or hopelessly lost, staring at a menu written entirely in a language I don't understand. Either way, memorable.
- Evening: The Bund at Sunset (Attempt). The Bund is supposed to be breathtaking. I picture myself, gazing at the glittering skyline, feeling the magic of Shanghai… but in reality, knowing my luck, it'll be pouring rain, I'll be jostled by a million tourists, and I'll get a terrible photo. Still, gotta try, right? Maybe I'll find a little bar with a balcony and nurse a cocktail while watching the city lights. That sounds like happiness.
(Day 2: History, Hiccups, and Hotpot Hell)
- Morning: Shanghai Museum (If I can drag myself out of bed). Art. Culture. Pretending I understand the finer points of calligraphy. Okay, I will try to be cultured. I'll wander through the exhibits, feign intellectual curiosity, and hopefully avoid any embarrassing moments involving priceless artifacts.
- Mid-morning: Jade Buddha Temple (and my near-death experience with incense). I'm fascinated by the serenity of temples. The Jade Buddha is supposedly stunning. The incense… well, I have a sensitive nose. I might end up choking on fumes. Prepare for melodramatic fainting.
- Lunch: Search for Authentic Noodles (Round Two). First, the dumplings. Now, the noodles. My stomach is going to hate me. I’m aiming for a small, local noodle shop. No English menus. No smiling waitresses. Just the real deal. This is where my charade of being a "seasoned traveler" will be truly tested.
- Afternoon: Wander the French Concession. Feeling like a Romantic Heroine (maybe). Okay, this is where I channel my inner Parisian. Cobblestone streets, leafy avenues, old architecture. I’ll stroll and pretend to be in a vintage movie. I’ll probably get lost. I’ll probably get peckish. I’ll definitely need to drink.
- Evening: Hotpot. The ultimate trial by fire. Okay, hotpot. I've only had hotpot once. It was… an experience. This time, I’m determined to conquer it. I'm envisioning myself expertly dipping ingredients, laughing with ease, and actually enjoying the whole fiery shebang. What actually will happen? Probably, I'll splash myself with boiling broth, drop all my food in the pot, and make a fool of myself. It's a definite maybe. I'll need to drink. Lots. I'll need to find a good place and a strong drink. This could go either way!
(Day 3: Serenity, Scams, and Saying Goodbye (Maybe).
Morning: Yu Garden – A Glimpse of Calm (I Hope). This garden is supposed to be an oasis of calm. After the hotpot, I'm going to need it. Winding paths, koi ponds, and beautiful architecture. I plan on finding some peace. This is the itinerary's only requirement.
Mid-day: Tea Ceremony (If I don't spill). I've booked a tea ceremony. If I don't spill, I will be very proud. If I do spill, I'll blame it on the jet lag. It's a legitimate excuse, right?
Afternoon: Shopping & Scams (The inevitable). I'm heading to the market, determined to buy some "souvenirs." I'm also bracing myself to get scammed. I will need to haggle. I will need to resist the lure of "authentic" knock-offs. Wish me luck. I’m expecting a battle of wits and a lifetime of regret.
Evening: Last Shanghai Meal - and a Final, Glorious Mess! One last meal. Something simple. Something delicious. Something I won't regret eating at 3 in the morning. I want to remember the flavor of this incredible city and savor it. I won't be going to bed, I'll be taking some memory of this entire experience.
Departure: Pray that I can make the flight. I'd probably be late if I were to get a taxi, so I'll walk.
Important Notes & Disclaimer:
- Flexibility is Key: This "itinerary" is more of a suggestion. Don't be afraid to ditch the plan. That's when the best adventures happen.
- Embrace the Chaos: Shanghai is a vibrant, overwhelming, and utterly captivating city. Expect the unexpected. And sometimes, the best thing to do is just laugh.
- Food is Life: This is my mantra. Eat everything (within reason). Try everything. Don't be afraid to be adventurous.
- Learn a Few Basic Mandarin Phrases: It will make your life easier (and potentially save you from being eaten by a rogue noodle cart).
- The Imperfect Moment: This trip is intended to be an exploration of a new place, new food, and new experiences. It's not about perfection, it's about the mess!
- The Hanting Premium Hotel Youjia: Hopefully, it has Wi-Fi. I need to document this entire experience. And maybe, just maybe, I'll get some actual sleep. Wish me luck, world.

Shanghai Luxury: Unforgettable Nan Bund Stay at Hanting Premium Youjia! (Or, You Know, *Trying* To Be Unforgettable)
So, what *is* this Hanting Premium Youjia place anyway? Is it actually "premium"? Because the word "premium" is thrown around a lot, you know?
Tell me about those views! They’re the whole reason you’re dropping bank, right? Were they worth the hype?
Okay, so the views are amazing. But what about the *room*? Was it actually... livable?
The hotel's location is great, but what about the service? Were the staff helpful? Did they speak English? (Because let's face it, my Chinese is… non-existent.)
Food! What about food? Is there a restaurant in the hotel? Breakfast? Anything?
What about getting around? Is it easy to get to the hotel, and easy to get around *from* the hotel?
So, the *real* question: Would you stay there again? And would you recommend it? Be honest!

