Shanghai's HOTTEST Hotel: Ji Hotel North Bund - Unbelievable Views!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the sparkling, chaotic, and utterly fabulous world of the Ji Hotel North Bund in Shanghai! Let's get one thing straight, I've stayed in my fair share of hotels, from budget backpacker hostels to places where the doorman probably judges your choice of socks (and trust me, I've gotten those judgemental glares). But this place? This place is a vibe. And I'm about to give you the lowdown, the good, the messy, and the utterly Instagram-worthy.
First Impressions & Location, Location, Location! (And the View!)
Okay, let’s be real, I’m a sucker for a good view. And the "Unbelievable Views!" in the name? Not kidding. The North Bund location? Chef's kiss. Forget stuffy, hidden-away hotels. You’re right in the thick of it, but elevated, baby! It's chic, modern, and that view… oh, that view! I was practically glued to the window for the first hour, just gawking at the Pudong skyline. Seriously, it felt like the building was made of mirrored glass – everything from the bustling city to the boats on the Huangpu River, and the sunrise and sunset, were all magically framed right in front of me. It's a truly breathtaking experience.
Accessibility, and the All-Important Question: Is It Actually Accessible?
Okay, here’s where we get into the nitty-gritty. Accessibility is HUGE for me, especially as someone who (sometimes, ahem) appreciates a comfy chair. They've got Elevators, which is golden. And the hotel seems to be built with a decent level of awareness of accessibility. I spotted Facilities for disabled guests. While a fully detailed breakdown wasn't available, it's a good starting point. The 24-hour Front Desk is super convenient for any queries. I'd recommend contacting the hotel directly to confirm specific details if accessibility is your top priority, as they are not listed clearly.
The Room: A Sanctuary of Style (and Maybe Some Minor Hiccups!)
The rooms themselves? Pretty damn cool. They’re not enormous, but they are impeccably designed. The Air conditioning works a treat (essential in Shanghai's humidity!), and the Blackout curtains are your best friend if you want to sleep past dawn (or, let's be honest, if you’re recovering from a late night exploring).
Here's a confession: I'm a total sucker for a good Bathrobe and Slippers. And the Ji Hotel delivered! Little things like Complimentary tea and Free bottled water were very much appreciated.
Important Room Features:
- Availability in all rooms:
- Air conditioning: Definitely a life-saver in Shanghai's humidity.
- Alarm clock
- Bathrobes: YES!
- Bathroom phone: Useful in a pinch.
- Bathtub: For those luxurious, long soaks.
- Blackout curtains: Sleep like a baby!
- Closet: Because, you know, clothes.
- Coffee/tea maker: Crucial for that morning caffeine fix.
- Complimentary tea: Nice touch!
- Daily housekeeping: The ultimate luxury.
- Desk: For those of us who pretend to work while on vacation.
- Extra long bed: Rejoice, tall people!
- Free bottled water: Hydration is key.
- Hair dryer
- High floor: Perfect for the views!
- In-room safe box: For your valuables.
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Great for families or groups.
- Internet access – LAN:
- Internet access – wireless:
- Ironing facilities: Because wrinkles are the enemy.
- Laptop workspace: Necessary evil.
- Linens: Soft and clean!
- Mini bar: For those late-night cravings.
- Mirror: To admire yourself (go on, you deserve it!).
- Non-smoking: Essential for a pleasant stay.
- On-demand movies: Perfect for chilling out.
- Private bathroom: Privacy is a luxury.
- Reading light: For those late-night bookworms.
- Refrigerator: Keep those drinks cold!
- Safety/security feature
- Satellite/cable channels: Because options.
- Scale: I avoid this one, tbh.
- Seating area: A comfy place to chill.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Choose your adventure.
- Shower
- Slippers: Yay for comfort!
- Smoke detector: Safety first!
- Socket near the bed: Thank you, modern world!
- Sofa: A nice touch.
- Soundproofing: Peace and quiet!
- Telephone: For room service (of course).
- Toiletries: The little things that make a difference.
- Towels: Fluffy and clean.
- Umbrella: Shanghai weather is fickle.
- Visual alarm: For those who need it.
- Wake-up service: So you don't miss the sunrise!
- Wi-Fi [free]: Crucial.
- Window that opens: Fresh air!
Confession time: One minor gripe? The Internet access - LAN was a bit finicky at times, but the Wi-Fi [free] generally worked fine, so no drama. However, I'm a tech-nerd at heart and I had to plug in a LAN to get the full experience.
Food, Glorious Food! (And a Few Surprises)
Okay, this is where the Ji Hotel really shines. The restaurants are a treat! I'm not a huge buffet person, but their Breakfast [buffet] was actually pretty decent and had a good Asian breakfast selection. The Coffee/tea in restaurant was essential to kickstart my day. And of course, I had to order 24-hour Room service at least once – because why not? The A la carte in the restaurant offered some delicious options. They even had a Vegetarian restaurant. The Desserts in restaurant are also a plus! And the Bar and Poolside bar are perfect for unwinding with a cocktail (or two) after a long day of exploring. They provide Bottle of water as part of all the services.
Important Dining, Drinking, and Snacking Features
- 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
Okay - this is where I let you in on a secret. There's a little Coffee shop in the lobby, a little, charming place with the best coffee I’ve tasted in Shanghai. I would always grab a coffee before heading to the Gym/fitness center for my daily work-out.
Relaxation & Rejuvenation: The Spa & More! (Oh, and the Pool!)
You know that intense feeling, that post-travel, jet-lagged, gotta-relax feeling? Yeah, I’ve been there. The Ji Hotel's Spa is an oasis. Seriously, they offer everything you could possibly want: Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna, Steamroom, and of course, the lovely Swimming pool! The experience in the Pool with view was nothing short of breathtaking. Seriously, you can swim and watch the city wake up!
Important Relaxation features
- Body scrub
- Body wrap
- Fitness center
- Foot bath
- Gym/fitness
- Massage
- Pool with view
- Sauna
- Spa
- Spa/sauna
- Steamroom
- Swimming pool
- Swimming pool [outdoor]
**Cleanliness, Safety & All the COVID-
**Yongin's BEST Ramada? (Wyndham Yongin Review SHOCKER!)**
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is a journey, a glorious, messy, probably-slightly-hungover experience at the Ji Hotel Shanghai North Bund Changyang Road. Let's see if I can survive this…
The Ji Hotel Shanghai Debacle: A Mostly Accurate Itinerary (Probably)
Day 1: Arrival & Culture Shock (and Possibly Cranky)
- 14:00 - Arrive at Pudong International Airport (PVG). Okay, first hurdle. Immigration. Pray to whatever deity you believe in, because the lines here sometimes feel longer than my last relationship. After a torturous wait, finally through!
- Anecdote: I swear I aged a decade in the customs queue. There was this kid in front of me, maybe eight years old, screaming about wanting a "magic wand." The mother just sighed and handed him a banana. Symbolism? Probably.
- 15:00 - Taxi to Ji Hotel. Pro tip: Download a ride-hailing app beforehand. Taxis are a mixed bag. You could get a chatty, helpful driver, or… a silent, speeding torpedo. Pray for the former.
- Quirky Observation: *The sheer *volume* of neon signs in Shanghai is enough to give you a seizure. It's a beautiful, chaotic symphony of flashing lights and advertisements I can't understand.*
- 16:00 - Check in at Ji Hotel. Attempt to decipher the room key. Struggle with the tiny elevator. This hotel is… compact. That's one way to put it. The lobby staff seemed friendly enough. Hopefully the room doesn't turn out to be a glorified broom closet.
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, room's… surprisingly decent! Small, yes, but clean and the AC works. Relief washes over me. First win of the trip!
- 17:00 - A Stroll (or a Shuffle) around Changyang Road. I'm thinking some kind of… exploration. Maybe. Honestly, I’m exhausted, but I'm supposed to adjust my clock. Wandering sounds like fun.
- Messy Structure/Ramblings: Okay, so Changyang Road. Huh. Seems very… residential? A lot of little shops I don't understand the slightest hint of. The air smells of… something. I can't quite put my finger on it. Something fried, maybe? Gotta try that later.
- 18:00 - Late Afternoon Snack… and Possible Disaster. I wanted something quick to eat or maybe try a street vendor, looking for an early dose of culture.
- Anecdote: Found a place selling some suspicious-looking skewers. Decided to be brave and point at something remotely resembling meat. Turns out, it was… spicy. Very, very spicy. My mouth is on fire. I could have been better prepared.
- 19:00 - Attempt to Find Dinner. My stomach is still recovering from the skewer incident. Need something bland. Something safe. Something… not on fire.
- Emotional Reaction: Okay, I'm going to try a dumpling house. Wish me luck. This could either be heavenly or disastrous. (And I really hope it's not the latter.)
- Opinionated Language: Dumplings are a must. Especially when you're traveling in China. The other food I'm less sure, but I hope I can at least stomach them.
- 21:00 - Collapse in Hotel Room. Jet lag is hitting me like a ton of bricks. Time to watch some bad tv, and try to get some zzzzzzz’s.
Day 2: Bund, Gardens, and Overwhelming Crowds (with a Side of Existential Dread)
- 09:00 - Wake up. Stumble to the included breakfast at the Ji Hotel. Hoping for something recognizable. Cereal? Toast? Please, sweet baby Jesus, let there be toast.
- Quirky Observation: The breakfast buffet is a cultural experience in itself. Watching people navigate it is more entertaining than the actual food.
- 10:00 - Explore the Bund. Iconic, I hear! Famous! Probably packed with tourists, which is already giving me a sense of impending doom.
- Messy Structure/Ramblings: The Bund. Wow. Okay, the architecture is stunning. Truly. But the crowds are… something else. It's a sea of selfie sticks and jostling bodies. I think I might need therapy after this.
- 12:00 - Lunch somewhere near the Bund. I am not picky at this point. Just need food.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: Finding a relatively quiet place to eat near the Bund felt like winning the lottery. Food was good, but I was too exhausted to care.
- 13:00 - Yu Garden. More crowds, I assume? But, hopefully, beautiful gardens. Worth the pain? I hope so.
- Doubling Down on a Single Experience: *Yu Garden. Seriously, this is a chaotic marvel. The architecture is stunning, but the sheer *volume* of people is overwhelming. Trying to see the actual gardens feels like a competitive sport. I swear, I saw a woman elbow a small child to get a better photo angle. Existential dread intensifies.*
- 15:00 - Tea and Sanity Break. Find a quiet teahouse. Drink tea. Breathe. Maybe consider a career change that involves zero human interaction.
- Opinionated Language: The tea was good. Really good. Saved my sanity, for the moment. It was the only thing that made the experience bare-able.
- 17:00 - Back near Ji Hotel. Late Afternoon Rest. Time for a breather before dinner. My feet are killing me.
- Anecdote: During my rest, a mosquito started to fly near my ear. I killed it. This is the only good thing that has happened today.
- 19:00 - Dinner. Feeling adventurous? Or just want a safe, comforting meal? Depends on how I’m feeling.
- Emotional Reaction: I am ready to go home. Okay, maybe not, but I am tired and ready for bed.
Day 3: Local Neighborhoods & Departure (Maybe I'll Actually Learn Something)
- 09:00 - Explore the local neighborhood around the Ji Hotel. Maybe wander further out from the hotel, maybe get off the beaten path.
- Rambling: Okay, let's try and get into some of the local culture. This should be interesting, maybe. I will probably get lost.
- 12:00 - Lunch in a local restaurant. Something I can't read, I hope. Adventure!
- Opinionated Language: The food was amazing. So much better than the overpriced tourist trap meals.
- 14:00 - Packing. Check out of Ji Hotel. Packing sucks. Saying goodbye to the Ji Hotel sucks too. Goodbye.
- Emotional Reaction: Sad to leave Shanghai. But at the same time, I need a nap. Maybe I'll come back someday.
- 15:00 - Taxi to Pudong Airport (PVG). Pray for a good driver this time around. The entire trip depends on it.
- Anecdote: The drive to the airport felt like a rollercoaster. The driver, bless his heart, took every possible shortcut. We survived. I'm not sure how.
- 18:00 - Depart from Shanghai. (Hopefully with all my limbs and sanity intact). Goodbye Shanghai! It was… something.
Important Notes:
- Flexibility is Key: This is just a suggestion. Change it! Get lost! Make mistakes! That's the fun of it, right? (Deep breaths).
- Embrace the Chaos: Shanghai is a whirlwind. Don't fight it. Surrender to the neon lights, the crowds, the questionable street food. You will be okay I think.
- Hydrate and Rest: Seriously. You'll need it.
- Most Importantly: Have Fun! Or at least, try to.
This is just a starting point. Shanghai, and life, is often a chaotic, messy, beautiful thing, just like this itinerary. Embrace the unexpected. And may the odds be ever in your favor. Good luck, you brave soul!
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Ji Hotel North Bund: Ready for the Rollercoaster? Your Uncensored FAQ
Okay, spill the tea: Is the view *really* as jaw-dropping as everyone says? (And is it worth the hype?)
Alright, let's be honest. Yes. The view from Ji Hotel North Bund? Absolutely bonkers. I’m talking “makes you wanna propose to the Pudong skyline” kind of bonkers. I saw the Pearl Tower light up one night, and I swear, I actually gasped. My *jaw* dropped. It’s that good.
But here’s the thing: It’s not just the view. It’s the way the light plays off the water, the tiny boats cruising by like miniature toys… it’s almost… spiritual. (Okay, maybe I got a little carried away, but still!) Is it worth the hype? Absolutely. Even if it means putting up with… well, we'll get to that.
**Anecdote Time:** I booked a room specifically because I saw a picture of the view. I arrived, and I practically sprinted to the window. The lobby attendant probably thought I was nuts. Later that night I was having a work call, and I swear I spent half of the call staring. My boss was obviously not impressed... Worth it.
Let's talk rooms. Are they… *actually* nice? (Or just all view and no substance?)
Okay, here's the reality check. The rooms are… decent. Let's not pretend they're the Ritz. They’re definitely NOT the kind of place you'd host a lavish tea party. They lean towards modern minimalist. Think clean lines, maybe a little too much IKEA-esque furniture.
They're well-maintained, usually. The beds are comfy enough. The bathrooms are clean-ish, the shower pressure is acceptable, which is a win.
**My Big Room Complaint:** The walls might be a little thin. I once heard the entire plot of a Korean drama series through the wall (seriously, the door slams, and ALL the juicy details. And trust me, was a good drama!) So, light sleepers, bring earplugs. Or, like me, embrace the drama?
The breakfast situation: Is it a continental snooze-fest, or something worth waking up for?
Breakfast… ah, yes, breakfast. It’s included, which is fab. But don’t expect a Michelin-star experience. It's a fairly typical buffet. Scrambled eggs, some kind of mystery sausage, a few sad-looking pastries. The coffee… is… coffee.
It's enough to get you going, but the real star here are those views you're still admiring from your room. Enjoy it with your breakfast!
**Pro Tip:** Go early if you want to snag a table by the window. Otherwise, embrace the chaos. It adds to the experience?
Okay, the location. How easy is it to get around and see Shanghai? Is it a pain in the backside?
The location is… decent. It's in the North Bund area, which is not in the dead center of everything. It's not like being in the French Concession, where you can stumble into a fancy bar every few feet. But you're close to the metro, which is an absolute LIFESAVER. Think a short walk.
Getting around is pretty darn easy from there. You're a quick ride to the Bund, Nanjing Road, and pretty much everywhere you need to go. Plus, sometimes the metro is just as fun as the main attractions!
**My Personal Tip:** Use your phone for navigation. Trust me. Saves a lot of confusion or the need to wave frantically.
The staff: Friendly and helpful, or just going through the motions?
The staff… it’s a mixed bag. Some are genuinely lovely and helpful. Others… well, let’s just say their English might be a little rusty.
I personally had positive experiences, they've offered help.
**Word to the wise:** Brush up on a few basic Mandarin phrases. Even a simple "ni hao" and "xie xie" can go a long way. Plus, it's just polite, right?
Any hidden costs I should worry about? (Or is it just the room rate?)
Alright, let's talk money. Always, always check what's included in your room rate! Are you sure?
The room rate is usually straightforward. However, watch out for the usual suspects:
* **Mini-bar.** Those are ridiculously expensive. Resist temptation!
* **Laundry.** Seriously, pack some travel laundry detergent and wash it yourself.
* **Taxis.** Negotiate prices, or use a ride-hailing app. It's usually cheaper.
**The Real Secret:** Factor in all your hidden costs, and budget for the view. You’ll be grateful.
Okay, let's say I forget my phone charger. Is there a little shop or anything?
Oh dear. The universal travel nightmare. There's *usually* a small shop nearby, but don't count on it. You're in luck. The staff will often sort you out, for a price. Bring a travel adapter.
**Brutal Truth:** Pack an extra charger. Just do it. Trust me from an overstressed person.
If I could only describe this hotel in three words…. what would they be?
View. View. View.
**My honest opinion?** It's worth it. Just not perfect.
Is there anything that really annoyed you? What were the BIGGEST drawbacks?
Oh, yes, there were a few things. Honestly.
**1. Paper-Thin Walls:** I've already mentioned this. I heard EVERYTHING. It's a serious issue for light sleepers.
**2. Some Minor Hiccups:** I'll be honest the elevator can be slow, especially at peak times.
Comfort Inn
