Blog

Located in KPF's Shanghai World Financial Center (SWFC), the Park Hyatt Shanghai is the world's newest highest hotel. It is across the street from the famous Jin Mao Tower and location of the Grand Hyatt (the former world's highest hotel). It felt strange looking down onto the roof of the Jin Mao Tower where I have stayed many times over the years, but even more strange is to be eye level with the pollution line - look up for blue sky, look down at all the pollution.

The Park Hyatt, at 170 guest rooms, is very swank. I enjoyed the room as well as their lobby as a comfortable and quiet place to relax and/or work from their wireless connection. Recently opened, I was impressed with the excellent training of the staff - about the best I've experienced in China.

The Le Royal Méridien Shanghai is more moderately priced with a smaller but efficient and open floor plan. At 700 plus rooms it was very busy and appeared to be a popular business hotel. Good location and walking distance to many places of interest.

The pollution on this trip to Shanghai was as bad as I have ever seen it. Most evident in the room shots from the Le Royal Meridien overlooking Shanghai's People's Square.