Tried & Tested

Hotel check: Hyatt on the Bund

3 Jul 2014 by Clement Huang

BACKGROUND

Part of the Grand Hyatt portfolio, this five-star property opened its doors in 2007 in Shanghai’s up-and-coming North Bund district.  

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

The hotel is split into two towers, East and West, connected by a grand mezzanine lobby with views of a tranquil water feature on the basement level below. The East Tower is home to Bund Club Rooms and Suites with direct access to the Bund Club lounge and private meeting rooms. 

WHERE IS IT?

Situated on the banks of the Huangpu River in Puxi, Shanghai’s historic centre. It is five minutes' walking distance to the northern part of the beautiful Bund and close to the International Cruise Terminal. It is 40 minutes by car from Hongqiao International Airport, and up to 60 minutes from Pudong International Airport. 

ROOM FACILITIES

Each room has high-speed broadband internet access, dual-line telephones, an iPod docking station, and a multi-channel rotating LCD flatscreen television with a DVD player. A large wooden desk located opposite the bed has universal sockets and ample work space. Additional power outlets can be found by the bedside table. The bathroom and combined wardrobe are both open-plan, but for privacy can be hidden by manually closing sliding doors. There is a rain shower, a bathtub and a single wash basin. The mini bar is well stocked, and there is a kettle for making hot tea and coffee. 

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES

Like other major hotels in Shanghai, Hyatt on the Bund features extensive business and meeting facilities. There are two ballrooms on the lobby level with outdoor terraces, and nine multi-sized meeting rooms. For Bund Club Room guests the Bund Club Lounge has three meeting rooms that can seat up to ten in each. The lounge is open from 6:30am to 11pm, and guests can enjoy complimentary refreshments throughout the day, including a buffet breakfast until 10:30am on weekdays (11am on weekends), as well as evening cocktails from 5pm to 8pm. 

LEISURE FACILITIES

Located on the lower lobby level is a 25-metre four-lane indoor swimming pool, open from 6am until 11pm. Part of a 3,000 sqm leisure complex, the pool can be accessed via changing rooms equipped with a steam room and sauna, a heated Jacuzzi, and for the hardy, a cold water plunge pool. There is a fully equipped 24-hour fitness centre complete with a modest gymnasium studio where Tai Chi and Pilates classes are hosted. The award-winning Yuan Spa is also located here. There are 12 treatment rooms, a few of which are adjacent to public areas so be warned it can be slightly noisy if an event is taking place just outside. A must-try for weary travellers in one of the quieter rooms is the Yuan Massage that utilises jade stones and traditional Chinese medicine techniques to target acupressure points and meridian lines. 

RESTAURANTS AND BARS

Xindalu is the hotel’s signature Chinese restaurant serving regional cuisine. Try the Peking duck cooked in a wood-fired oven. Located on level two is Aroma restaurant, which serves international fare across its six open concept kitchens. Guests can choose from a buffet option or from the menu that, in addition to Western and Chinese favourites, has a list of lighter options so you can stay healthy on the go. During my stay I ventured to Vue, located on the top two levels of the West Tower, as I was told it is one of Shanghai’s most fashionable hotel bars, with its open-air terrace and whirlpool bath. While it does have that “wow factor” with stunning views of the Huangpu River - the Bund on the Puxi side, and the modern skyline of the Lujiazui area on the Pudong side, the service standards left a lot to be desired. Note that if you are not a hotel guest there is a fee of RMB100 (US$16) to enter. Three floors below is the European Vue Restaurant, designed like a private residence with rows of shelves stacked high with memorabilia and collectables from smoking pipes to model cars and antique cameras. 

VERDICT

Conveniently located near Pudong, the city’s commercial hub, via Xinjian Road Tunnel, and with its own extensive meeting facilities, Hyatt on the Bund is ideal for those conducting business during their stay in Shanghai.


FACT FILE 

  • HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 631 rooms and suites, with four different room types, starting from standard rooms to spacious 80 sqm Bund Suites. The hallmark is the bi-level Chairman Suite; at 300 sqm it has its own rooftop terrace with an outdoor-jetted tub and executive floor benefits. 
  • HIGHLIGHTS Extensive leisure facilities provide ample opportunity to relax and stay fit. 
  • PRICE The average internet daily rate for a midweek Club King stay in mid-September is  RMB1,900 (US$305)
  • CONTACT Hyatt on the Bund, 199 Huang Pu Road Shanghai, China, 200080; tel + 86 21 6393 1234; shanghai.bund.hyatt.com

Elizabeth Wood 


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