The Bund Hotel - Shanghai
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The Bund Hotel - Shanghai |
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The Bund Hotel This web page has been compiled in response to regular concerns raised by our members about the quality of hotels in China and in particular The Bund Hotel in Shanghai. These concerns often appear to reflect rumour and/or opinion rather than fact. We hope that the information on this web page will lesson any anxiety that people may be feeling about the standard of accommodation in China.
Traveling Overseas and Traveling to Overseas to Adopt a Child All of us have different levels of experience in traveling overseas. Some of us are seasoned travelers whilst some of us have never traveled outside of Australia before. So in different ways, and to differing extents, all of us will experience some form of "Culture Shock" when we visit China. Where ever you go in the world there are subtle and not so subtle differences in the nature of the accommodation. So let's just state the obvious and get it over with - Chinese Hotel's are different to Australian Hotels. Different. Not better. Not worse. Just different. Perhaps the best advice for any traveler is to simply accept these differences as part of the rich experience of traveling overseas.
Now the above statement may be easy to accept if your hotel room is just a place to sleep before you begin a busy days tourism or a night of partying. But people traveling to China to adopt a child are not tourists and they rarely party! Their hotel room is far more than just a place to sleep. It is in effect a first "home" for their new family. So it is quite natural that an adoptive parent would be concerned about the quality of the accommodation. After all we only want the best for our child. However what we need to recognise is that apart from "Culture Shock" we may also find ourselves in a state of shock as "Instant Parents". We will almost certainly find ourselves tired and possibly even exhausted. So even the smallest problem can quickly escalate out of proportion. At times like these it may pay to put ourselves in the shoes of our children. To them these hotels must seem like palaces. Not that a palace would impress them very much. So long as they are warm, safe and loved they probably couldn't care less about the crystal chandeliers and satellite TV. Now I am not saying that you shouldn't complain if you consider things to be sub-standard. That sort of feedback is an important way for any hotel to improve its level of service. However if you do choose to complain please be mindful, gracious, and always try to keep the issue in perspective. In that way you are far more likely to have an enjoyable visit and you will also ensure that the reputation of Australian Adoptive Families in China continues to be a good one.
Now if none of the above resonates with you it may be worth considering the issue of accommodation issue from another perspective. Ask yourself how much are you paying for the accommodation? And then ask if you could you get the same standard of accommodation in Australia for that price? I seriously doubt it.
Whatever way you look at it the quality of the accommodation in China really is a matter of maintaining perspective.
The Bund Hotel The Bund Hotel was constructed in 2004 and is a modern and well equipped hotel which promotes itself as being built according to 4-Star international standards. It is certainly of comparable quality to many Australian 4-Star Hotels. The hotel has 189 guest rooms including: superior twin/double, deluxe twin/double, executive twin/double, business twin/double suites. Most Australian's chose to stay in the deluxe-double suites and are generally automatically upgraded to this category. However you may wish to check that this has been done for you. All rooms at The Bund Hotel are equipped with air-conditioning, IDD, DDD, satellite TV, broadband internet access, mini-bar, safe box, and refrigerator. The pictures below have been compiled from various internet sources and show the exterior, foyer, dining room, fitness centre and one of the several in-house restaurants.
The Rooms As with any 4-Star Hotel the rooms vary in decor and quality depending on the category and cost of the room. The montage of pictures below includes some from hotel promotional websites as well as photographs taken by a SACAS member. The promotional photographs are the three pictures on the right hand side of the montage. As you can see there is some difference in the decor of these rooms from the deluxe-double suite photographed by a SACAS member in the larger pictures on the left and centre of the montage. However on the whole the rooms are well appointed and as comfortable as those in any major Australian city.
The Bund Hotel's Facilities The Bund Hotel has a wide range of facilities. Those most useful to the majority of adoptive parents include a currency exchange, a business center, and a selection of restaurants. With regards to Currency Exchange, you may find that the hotel exchange rate is less attractive than that offered by the banks. However the convenience of the hotel currency exchange often makes up for that. There have been reports that the staff are sometimes reluctant to change larger sums of money and that on occasions they run out and direct people to one of the local banks. The Business Centre at The Bund has phone, fax and email facilities and whilst it is small it is more than sufficient. The English skills of the staff in the Business Centre and the hotel in general are sometimes limited but they are always very accommodating. The Internet in China is regulated and to many it remains a bit of a novelty. As such you may find the staff of the Business Centre looking over your shoulder on occasions. Dining at the hotel is good with both Chinese and Western options being available. The buffet breakfast is excellent and the Vietnamese food of the Mekong River Restaurant provides a nice change to the Chinese food. The Laundry Service is more expensive than options available in the surrounding street and so it does pay to shop around. Charges apply for the use of most hotel facilities and these are usually indicated at the entrance to the facility or in your rooms hotel guide. A full list of the facilities is included below for your reference.
But It's Not On The Bund!!! The Bund Hotel is often criticized for not being "on The Bund". And it's true. It is not on The Bund. Most of the hotel websites also claim that it is only 5 minutes walk from The Bund. The reality is that it is closer to 15 minutes walk away. Especially when one is carrying a baby or pushing a stroller. But it's an interesting walk and depending on the route you take you will see a lot of what local life is like in Shanghai. Most of the buildings on The Bund are very old colonial structures and even when renovated they would probably not be the most comfortable buildings for hotel accommodation. On the other hand The Bund Hotel was built in 2004 and is very modern. The Bund Hotel is also close to the shopping district at Nanjing Road, although there are also plenty of local convenience stores and take away restaurants just across the road. Overall it's a pretty good location. And should anywhere be to far to walk the taxi's are as cheap as chips! A map is included below.
Take Me to The Bund Hotel Please! Below is the address of The Bund Hotel in English and Mandarin. You may find this useful to carry in your wallet or purse. You can use it to find your way back to the hotel if you get lost, or alternatively to give to Taxi Drivers if you have been out sightseeing and wandered too far from the hotel.
Address:
No. 525 Guangdong Road
Your Feedback Naturally over time the quality of any hotel facilities will change. The same is true for the standard of customer service. If you are a SACAS Member and have stayed at The Bund please let us know what you thought by emailing contact_sacas@yahoo.com.au Your comments will help to keep this web page up-to-date. Thank you.
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