lifestyle

THE PORTMAN RITZ-CARLTON, SHANGHAI, CHINA

Standard

As a loyal Ritz-Carlton guest staying at the Portman Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai, China, I must say that my experience was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I walked in and was greeted by the doorman, to the seamless check-in process in the club lounge, every detail was attended to with utmost care.

I had booked a club room and was delighted to find myself in a spacious and beautifully decorated room with a comfortable bed and a nice, well-appointed bathroom. The classic design of the room added a touch of elegance to my stay.

The hotel boasts a large international restaurant, a beautiful main lobby bar, a Chinese specialty restaurant, and a gym and small pool. While the gym was relatively simple, it served its purpose well. One of the highlights of my stay was the Ritz-Carlton club lounge. The lounge offered a variety of food offerings throughout the day, from breakfast and lunch to afternoon tea, happy hour, dinner buffet, and dessert. The attentive and friendly staff made sure that my experience at the lounge was nothing short of perfect. The staff members were not only attentive but also engaging with guests.

Overall, my stay at the Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai was truly delightful. The excellent services, beautiful rooms, and the unforgettable experience at the club lounge made my stay memorable. I am a big fan of the Ritz-Carlton and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a luxurious and comfortable stay in Shanghai.

https://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/sharz-the-portman-ritz-carlton-shanghai/overview/

WESTIN GRAND CENTRAL, NEW YORK, USA

Standard


The Westin New York Grand Central is located in midtown Manhattan, less than two blocks east of the iconic Grand Central train station.  The hotel is within walking distance of the United Nations Plaza, the Chrysler Building, Bryant Park and Fifth Avenue and public transportation is easily accessible for all other destinations. Uber and Lyft rides and New York Cabs are usually less than a minute away. 

I chose the Westin Grand Central because it was completely renovated during Covid and most hotels in New York are offering very dated and small rooms or, on the other hand, are on the super expensive side. (Note that a “destination fee” of US$ 25 per night now applies to all NY hotels)

The rooms in this dynamic hotel were modern with no frills and no unnecessary gimmicks. Marriott’s famous heavenly-beds with plenty of pillows allowed me to sleep very well. 

Breakfast, 24 hour room service, a Business Center and a large gym which is open 24/7 are also available. 

Check-in and check-out on the Marriott Bonvoy App worked  very well and Express check-out options shows the total bill in the app well ahead of check-out time and is conveniently used by most guests. 

Staff at the front desk, and particularly at the Concierge Desk, were helpful and never tired of giving out useful information and their insider tips about New York. 

I enjoyed my stay at the Westin Grand Central very much and found this a very comfortable hotel at reasonable rates (for New York). 

https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/nyczw-the-westin-new-york-grand-central/overview/